Find Alabama’s Diagnostic Medical Sonography Programs in 2024.
Pursuing a degree at an ultrasound technician school in Alabama in 2024 will allow you to prepare for a job in a growing industry. Most sonographers hold at least a two-year Associate of Science degree in medical sonography, but there are also certificate and Bachelor’s degree programs available for those who qualify. Below you will find a directory of accredited sonography schools in the area to help you get started.
How to Become a Sonographer in Alabama
- Choose an accredited school to apply to and make sure you meet their prerequisites. Find an accredited program that offers a certificate or diploma in diagnostic medical sonography. Alabama has 5 that have been accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).
- Complete the degree program. Whether it’s a 12-month Certificate program, a two-year Associate degree, or a four-year Bachelor’s degree depends in part on what’s available in your area and what you qualify to attend. They should all prepare you for a job in this rapidly growing field.
- Get Certified. While Alabama may not require that their sonographers carry the RDMS credential, your employer likely will. Be sure that the college you’re applying to will prepare you to sit for their exam.
Connect with Educational Programs near You
Why Choose an Accredited Sonography Program?
There are many factors to consider when choosing your sonography program. Cost, proximity, and available programs are all important, though accreditation should be one of the primary considerations. In medical ultrasound and other allied health fields, the primary accrediting body is the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). Graduation from a program accrediting by CAAHEP automatically qualifies you to sit for the certification exams administered by the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS).
Find CAAHEP Accredited Ultrasound Schools in Alabama in 2024
The following ultrasound schools in Alabama all have degree or certificate programs that have been accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP), as of September 2023:
| School | Programs Offered | Prerequisites | How to Apply |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gasden State Community College 1001 George Wallace Dr Gadsden, AL 35903 |
Associate of Science Degree in DMS with specialty tracks in Abdominal, OB, or Vascular Sonography. They also offer an Echocardiography Certificate Program. | Certain college-level coursework must be completed prior to application with a minimum GPA of 2.5. | Applications are due by May 10 for a Fall Start. Begin the application process here. |
| H. Councill Trenholm Community College 1225 Air Base Blvd PO Box 10048 Montgomery, AL 36108 |
AAS in Sonography with concentrations in either Abdominal or ObGyn sonography | College-level prerequisite courses must be completed prior to application and an ACT score >20. | Application deadline is September 15th |
| Institute of Ultrasound Diagnostics One Timber Way Suite 102 Spanish Fort, AL 36527 |
Accelerated one-year certificate program in general DMS | 8 college-level prerequisite courses required prior to application | Begin the pre-registration screening process here. |
| Lurleen B. Wallace Community College 1708 North Main Street PO Box 910 Opp, AL 36467 |
Associate of Applied Science in Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Abdominal or ObGyn concentration | Certain college-level coursework must be completed prior to application. | Applications must be mailed and postmarked by June 1st of each year. |
| Wallace State Community College 525 Buena Vista Dr SE Albuquerque, NM 87106 |
Both AAS degrees and certificate programs are offered, with concentrations available in Adult Cardiac, Vascular, Abdominal, and ObGyn sonography. | College-level course prerequisites, Composite ACT score >19, and 4 hours observation in an ultrasound clinic. | Applications are due by June 1st. |
| * This information is obtained from a number of sources, is provided without charge, and is believed to be accurate. Please contact us with updates. | |||
If you’re currently enrolled in or have been accepted to a CAAHEP accredited program, you’re also eligible to apply for the UltrasoundSchoolsInfo $1,000 scholarship. Click here to learn more.
Ask an Expert: How do sonography programs determine who is admitted?
Samantha Callis, Author, MHA, ACS, RDMS, RDCS, RVT
This is often unique to each program, but may include some of these common elements:
- Science-based GPA
- Observation, volunteer, or work experience in healthcare
- Other evidence of research related to the profession
- Standardized exams (ACT, SAT, etc.)
- TOEFL if applicable
Learn more about the competitive admissions process found at most Colleges and Universities in the new book “Diagnostic Medical Sonography – The Definitive Guide to Planning Your Career“ by Samantha Callis, MHA, ACS, RDMS, RDCS, RVT. Available now on Amazon.
Sonography Student Scholarships and Awards in AL
You’ve worked hard to get where you are and now you’re faced with how to pay for school. Below you will find a few of the scholarships and awards that are available in Alabama for those who qualify. For more information on financing your education, visit our financial aid center.
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility Requirements | How to Apply |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ultrasound Schools Info | $1,000 | Aspiring sonographer currently enrolled in/ accepted to a CAAHEP accredited DMS program. | Ultrasound Schools Info Attn: Scholarship Committee PO Box 3026 Bellingham, WA 98227 scholarship@ultrasoundschoolsinfo.com |
| College Counts | $2,000 for 2 years and $4,000 for 4 years | First time college freshman residing in Alabama with a high school GPA of 2.75 and an ACT score of 26 or below | Create a profile |
| Linly Heflin | $4,000 a year | Alabama women earning four-year bachelor’s degrees with a full-time course load, a GPA minimum of 2.5 and an ACT score of 23 or higher | Gina Boyd ginaboyd1@att.net 205-915-3627 |
| Alabama Student Assistance Program | $300-$2,500 | Need-based grants for undergraduate Alabama residence students enrolled in an accredited state college or university. | Mrs. Cheryl Newton Grants Coordinator (334) 242-2273 |
| Alabama Student Grant Program | Up to $1,200 per academic year | Not needs based grant awarded to students at an eligible independent Alabama college or university | Mrs. Cheryl Newton Grants Coordinator (334) 242-2273 |
How Much do Ultrasound Techs Make in Alabama?
Ultrasound techs are some of the highest paid professionals within allied health, and sonography is one of the best paid fields available with just an Associate Degree. State-wide, diagnostic medical sonographers earned a mean annual salary of $60,240 in Alabama in 2022, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. This equates to $28.96 per hour. Entry level sonography positions pay up to about $40,000 per year. Conditions in your area may vary.
Above average job growth is expected in the medical imaging field, with Alabama expecting a 17% employment increase by 2030. The state is expecting to add approximately 110 new sonography jobs per year.
The majority of medical sonographers in Alabama work in hospitals, and Encompass Health is the state’s largest employer.
Certification Requirements
While Alabama does not require their diagnostic medical sonographers to be certified, it’s almost certain that your potential employer will. That certification will most likely come from the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS), and in some cases sitting for their exam will be part of your final quarter or semester in your ultrasound program.
Meet the Prerequisites to Take the Exam
There are many ways to meet the prerequisites required to sit for the ARDMS’ exam. If you complete your degree program at a school that has been accredited by CAAHEP, then you are automatically qualified to take the test. In many cases, testing is completed during your final year at school.
Is a career as a sonographer right for you? Take our self assessment and find out!
Additional Certification Information
Ultrasound Tech Certification Overview
About the ARDMS Certification
Tips on passing the SPI exam
Ultrasound Technician Schools in Birmingham
The University of Alabama, located in Birmingham, employs more than 23,000 people, and is ranked as the 4th largest academic medical center in the U.S. It has also been recognized as one of the most racially diverse campuses in the country. Job growth for sonographers in Birmingham is expected to be very strong, with growth of 16% expected in the decade spanning 2018-2028.
Medical Imaging Organizations for Alabama
Below is a list of several medical imaging organizations in Alabama that strive to advance ultrasound technology, improve education, and increase patient welfare.
