EXPLORE 2022’s ACCREDITED SONOGRAPHY PROGRAMS IN GEORGIA
The career of diagnostic medical sonography (DMS) is rapidly growing in part because of the potential for a high salary, relatively short education and training period, and high job availability. Sonographers play a vital role in diagnosing and treating patients in hospitals and clinics across Georgia and nationwide. Ultrasound technicians can expect to work closely with physicians and other colleagues in allied healthcare.
Begin your career as an ultrasound technician by requesting information from a school you’re interested in, and you’ll have the opportunity to ask questions to ensure they can help you meet your long-term career goals.
Below we will connect you with accredited schools where you can receive the education you need to become a sonographer.
Pursuing your degree from one of the accredited sonography programs in Georgia will prepare you for an entry-level sonography career.
According to O*Net, employment for diagnostic medical sonographers in Georgia is expected to grow by 31% by 2028.
Getting Started as a Sonographer in Georgia
The first step to becoming a diagnostic medical sonographer in Georgia is to earn your high school diploma or GED. This is required by most DMS training programs across the country.
DMS program class sizes tend to be smaller with limited enrollments. Plan ahead and carefully review your degree options. If possible visit and interview with more than one schools. You may find you connect more closely with one program or location more than another. Apply early and learn about financial aid and scholarships for sonographers.
CAAHEP Accredited Diagnostic Sonography Programs
For a program or school to be accredited means that have undergone rigorous review from a reputable outside agency. This ensures that the quality of education the schools provides meets the identified standards. The primary accreditation agency for sonography is the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).
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 exam, as well as a specialty exam. Passing both of their exams will allow you to receive professional certification in diagnostic medical sonography.
If you’re currently enrolled in or have been accepted to a CAAHEP accredited program, you’re also eligible to apply for the UltrasoundSchoolsInfo semi-annual $1,000 scholarship. Click here to learn more.
Accredited Sonography Schools in Georgia in 2022
Each of the nine Georgia schools below have been accredited by CAAHEP as of May 2022 and offer certificates or degrees in diagnostic medical sonography.
| School | Programs | Prerequisites | Apply |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albany State University 2400 Gillionville Rd Albany, GA 31707 |
Associates Degree – Diagnostic Medical Sonography – Abdominal-Extended as well as an Obstetrics and Gynecology program track. | Prerequisite coursework as well as observational hours form, verifying a minimum of 30 observational hours in a Diagnostic Medical Sonography setting. | Submit the completed DMS application by the June 1st deadline. |
| Augusta Technical College 3200 Augusta Tech Drive EMS Building, Office 111 Augusta, GA 30906 |
Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Associate of Applied Science Degree | Prerequisite courses (ENGL 1101, Humanities/Fine Arts Area IV [refer to options] , PSYC 1101, MATH 1111, MATH 1127, PHYS 1110, PHYS 1110L, BIOL 2113, BIOL 2113L, BIOL 2114, and BIOL 2114L) must be completed with a minimum GPA of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale by the designated deadline to be evaluated for program admission. | For additional information regarding this process, please contact the Augusta Technical College Admissions Office at (706) 771-4028. |
| Cambridge College of Healthcare & Technology – Atlanta 5669 Peachtree Dunwoody Road NE Suite 100 Atlanta, GA 30342 |
Associate of Science in Diagnostic Medical Sonography – 98 credits with 6 Semesters. | Each of the healthcare programs offered by Cambridge College have their own unique admission requirements. Contact the DMS department for full details. | Learn more about Cambridge’s Admissions Process |
| Columbus Technical College 928 Manchester Expressway Columbus, GA 31904 |
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| Georgia Northwestern Technical College-Rome 1 Maurice Culberson Dr Rome, GA 30161 |
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| Georgia Southern University-Armstrong Campus 11935 Abercorn Street Savannah, GA 31419 |
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| Grady Health System 80 Jesse Hill Jr Drive SE PO Box 26189 Atlanta, GA 30303-3050 |
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| Gwinnett Technical College 5150 Sugarloaf Parkway Lawrenceville, GA 30043 |
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| Ogeechee Technical College One Joseph E Kennedy Blvd Statesboro, GA 30458 |
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| South College-Atlanta 2600 Century Parkway NE Atlanta, GA 30345 |
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Georgia’s Medical Imaging Mentors
One of the best ways to learn about a career and find out if it matches your skills and interests is to talk to someone who is currently working as a sonographer.
Yonella Demars, MSRS RDMS (Ab, Ob/Gyn, PS) RVT
We’ve been lucky enough to interview many leaders in sonography, including sonographer, author and Program Director Yonella Demars, MSRS RDMS (Ab, Ob/Gyn, PS) RVT, who earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Radiologic Sciences: Diagnostic Medical Sonography from Armstrong State University in Savannah, GA.
Certification Requirements in Georgia
Georgia does not currently require sonographers to obtain licensure or certification. Many states are considering mandating licensure, and most employers prefer or require professional certification by the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS).
In order to be eligible to take the ARDMS exam, you must meet their prerequisites.
The only way to earn ARDMS certification is by taking and passing their exam. There are several locations throughout Georgia where you can take the exam:
- 239 Village Center Pkwy, Stockbridge, GA 30281
- 6055 Lakeside Commons Dr #110, Macon, GA 31210
- 1279 Kennestone Cir, Marietta, GA 30066
- 1117 Perimeter Center W, Dunwoody, GA 30346
- 2 Corporate Blvd NE, Atlanta, GA 30329
- 1117 Perimeter Center W e311, Atlanta, GA 30338
- 1838 Old Norcross Rd STE 100, Lawrenceville, GA 30044
Besides graduating from a CAAHEP accredited school, the second easiest way to qualify for the exam is 12 months of full-time clinical experience. Request information from several ultrasound technician schools in Georgia to ensure that they meet the certification requirements you’re looking for.
Additional Certification Information
How Much do Ultrasound Techs Make in Georgia?
Sonographers in Georgia earned a mean annual salary of $61,100 in 2020, according the to Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Conditions in your area may vary.
The amount of education you have can directly impact your salary and future earning power. An Associate of Science Degree is required for most entry-level sonography positions, while those with Bachelor’s Degree have more opportunities available. Similarly, those possessing ARDMS certification have higher earnings potential than those who do not. Visit our degree center to learn more about the various degrees and certificates available within DMS.
Job availability is expected to increase by 31% by 2028 (O*Net).
This table shows the median annual mean salaries for the major metropolitan areas of Georgia. Conditions in your area may vary.
| Metropolitan Area | 2020 Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| Athens-Clarke County | $63,110 |
| Augusta-Richmond County | $61,510 |
| Savannah | $65,470 |
| Albany | $55,980 |
| Middle Georgia | $47,780 |
Georgia Sonography Student Scholarships and Awards
Below are just a few of the scholarships and awards available to those who qualify in Georgia:
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility Requirements | How to Apply |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sonography Student Scholarship | $1,000 twice per year | 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 |
| Georgia Hope Scholarship | Varies | Graduate from a Georgia high school with a 3.0 GPA and enroll in a public or private Georgia university. | Complete the FASFA and the GSFAPPS. |
| Georgia Hope Grant Program | Varies | For students working towards a BA who meet enrollment requirements and academic achievement standards. | Complete the FASFA and the GSFAPPS. |
| Georgia Association for Nursing Education (GANE) | Varies | Offers three nursing scholarships for students enrolled in Georgia’s nursing programs. These include the Lucy Willard Scholarship, the Sarah Helen Killgore Scholarship, and the Spillman-Bischoff Scholarship. | Complete an application. |
| Georgia Mining Foundation (GMF) Scholarship Program | $500-$1,000 | Meet academic requirements. | Complete an application. |
City Spotlight: Atlanta, Georgia
Ultrasound Technician Schools in Greater Atlanta, Georgia
There are currently two accredited ultrasound schools in Atlanta. Cambridge College of Healthcare & Technology and Grady Health System both serve the greater Atlanta area.
- Cambridge College of Healthcare & Technology – Atlanta
- Grady Health System
Cambridge College of Healthcare & Technology is located in near-by Sandy Springs, Georgia, on the campus of Emory Saint Joseph’s Hospital. This location is part of the larger Emory Healthcare system, which is home to more than 2,800 doctors, and boasts that it is “Atlanta’s longest-serving hospital”.
Grady Health System’s School of Diagnostic Medical Sonography program is part of Grady Memorial Hospital, one of the region’s largest healthcare systems. Grady is also home to one of the countries busiest Level I trauma centers.
Is Atlanta a good place to study sonography?
Attending one of Atlanta’s ultrasound training programs could lead to future employment in the area, as the Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Marietta region is among the country’s top ten metropolitan areas for employing diagnostic medical sonographers, according to the BLS.