Become a Diagnostic Medical Sonographer in Georgia. Explore medical imaging education and career opportunities in the Peach State.
Below you will find the accredited sonography schools in Georgia for 2019. Pursuing your degree from one of the ultrasound technician schools in Georgia is a great way to combine a quality education with a positive career outlook. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for diagnostic medical sonographers in Georgia is expected to grow by 35% for the decade spanning from 2014 through 2024. There are many different programs listed below, so if you don’t see what you’re looking for in your area, you may want to consider exploring one of the many related programs.
Ultrasound Technicians, also called diagnostic medical sonographers, use specialty equipment that transmits sound waves and turns them into images of the inside of the body. Working closely with physicians and patients, the ultrasound tech is paramount to the successful diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of illness and disease.
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CAAHEP Accredited Diagnostic Sonography Programs
Each of these schools has met the CAAHEP DMS Accreditation Standards and Guidelines by passing a series of program reviews, including a self-study review and a site visit.
The successful completion of one of these recognized Georgia DMS programs is the most comprehensive and direct way students can earn eligibility to sit for the ARDMS Sonography Principles & Instrumentation (SPI) examination.
Accredited Sonography Schools in Georgia in 2019
The following schools have sonography programs that have been accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) as of March 2019.
| Institution Name | Location | Program Director | Initial Accreditation Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albany State University | 2400 Gillionville Rd Albany, GA 31707 |
Kacey Davis BSRS, RDMS | 3/17/2017 |
| Augusta Technical College | 3200 Augusta Tech Drive EMS Building, Office 111 Augusta, GA 30906 |
Kristi Flowers BS, RDMS | 9/21/2018 |
| Cambridge College of Healthcare & Technology – Atlanta | 5669 Peachtree Dunwoody Road NE Suite 100 Atlanta, GA 30342 |
Cheryl Bandoo MEd, BSDMS, RDMS, RVS | 9/16/2016 |
| Columbus Technical College | 928 Manchester Expressway Columbus, GA 31904 |
Regina Ridgley BA, RDMS, RVT | 3/15/2013 |
| Georgia Northwestern Technical College – Rome | 1 Maurice Culberson Dr Rome, GA 30161 |
Nina Madden BS, RDMS | 4/19/2001 |
| Georgia Southern University – Armstrong Campus | 11935 Abercorn Street Savannah, GA 31419 |
Myka Bussey-Campbell MEd, RDMS, RT(R) | 1/15/2015 |
| Grady Health System | 80 Jesse Hill Jr Drive SE PO Box 26095 Atlanta, GA 30303-3050 |
Jessi Clark BS, RDMS, RT(R) | 4/23/1992 |
| Gwinnett Technical College | 5150 Sugarloaf Parkway Lawrenceville, GA 30043 |
Kimberly Strong BA, RDMS, RVT | 3/21/2014 |
| Ogeechee Technical College | One Joseph E Kennedy Blvd Statesboro, GA 30458 |
Tina Welch MA, RDMS, RVT, RCS, RT (S) | 5/14/2004 |
Certification Requirements in Georgia
Georgia does not require certification to be an ultrasound technician. However, most employers require professional certification by the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS). The only way to earn certification is by taking and passing their exam. There are many locations throughout Georgia to take the exam, and you can find them on the ARDMS website at ardms.org, or by calling the testing company Pearson Vue at 1-877-258-9220.
The easiest way to qualify to sit for the exam is to graduate from a program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). Otherwise, you’ll need 12 months of full time clinical experience, which is not easy to get when you are not ARDMS certified. Request information from several ultrasound technician schools in Georgia, and do the research to make sure that they meet the certification requirements you’re looking for.
Additional Certification Information
Georgia Healthcare Career Resources
The Occupational Outlook Handbook for Georgia (BLS) suggests that most employers expect at least an Associate’s Degree. Begin by requesting information from schools. You’ll have the opportunity to speak with a representative to ask questions to be sure they have the programs available that you’re looking for.
Employment for medical sonographers in Georgia is expected to increase by 35% by 2024, which is considered above average job growth, and stronger than the national average.
The median annual salary for sonographers in Georgia was $62,230 as of May, 2016 (BLS.org)
Career Resources
Is a job in healthcare the right one for you?
Ultrasound Technician Schools in Atlanta
Atlanta has a healthy labor force. In 2014, Forbes ranked Georgia’s capital city 14th its list of 200 “Best Places for Businesses and Careers.” Atlanta is also a healthcare hub.
Georgia is also known as being the “nation’s health IT capital” and between 2007 and 2013, health IT job postings grew by 83% in Atlanta, according to the Metro Atlanta Chamber.
Atlanta is a choice city for prospective ultrasound technicians. As of May 2013, the Atlanta-
Sandy Springs-Marietta region is among the country’s top ten metropolitan areas for employing diagnostic medical sonographers, states the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). According to the Georgia Department of Labor, there were 220 sonographers working specifically in the City of Atlanta, with a projected increase of 48.20% more jobs by 2020.
If you would like to enter the sonography field, there are a number of sonography schools in Atlanta and surrounding cities and towns to choose from. There is plenty to keep you entertained while studying and working in the eclectic city, from dining at one of the many multicultural restaurants or visiting the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site to taking the “Inside CNN Studio Tour,” strolling through Centennial Olympic Park and exploring the Georgia Aquarium or High Museum of Art.
How Much Do Ultrasound Techs Earn in Georgia?
The following table compares the average annual salaries in 2015 across some of the major metropolitan areas of Georgia.
| Metropolitan Area | 2015 Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Athens-Clarke County, GA | $60,400 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Marietta, GA | $63,300 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $65,600 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $61,300 |
| Gainesville, GA | $54,800 |
| Savannah, GA | $60,200 |
Frequently asked questions
What does an ultrasound technician do?
There’s much more than just imaging internal organs. Learn more at: ultrasounddchoolsinfo.com/ultrasound-technician. Get a complete job description, as well as first-hand accounts of what it’s like to be a sonographer.
How do I get started as an ultrasound tech in Georgia?
We’ll walk you through all of the steps, starting when you’re still in high school or before you’ve started any formal post-education program, all the way through finding a job and advancing in your career. Get Started Now.
How long do I have to go to school?
Most degree programs are completed within two years.
How do I know if it’s right for me?
In order to be successful in the field, you’ll need more than just technical knowledge. Here’s how you’ll know if you’ve got what it takes.
What other jobs can I get in healthcare?
There are many careers available within the healthcare industry, and we’ll introduce you to many of them here.