Diagnostic Medical Sonography
settingsFrom helping expectant mothers get a glimpse of their unborn babies to capturing images that lead to a lifesaving early diagnosis, sonographers make a lasting impact in the lives of their patients.
Overview
Diagnostic Medical Sonographers use advanced ultrasound technology to create images of internal organs and soft tissues—images that play a vital role in patient care and diagnosis. Whether it’s capturing a baby’s first ultrasound or detecting a condition early enough to save a life, sonographers make a meaningful impact every day.
OFTC’s Diagnostic Medical Sonography program gives students a strong foundation to launch a successful career in this high-demand field. The program also prepares graduates to pursue additional certifications, opening the door to even more specialized opportunities.
The Diagnostic Medical Sonography program can be completed in 6 semesters.
Programs
Diagnostic Medical Sonography Associate of Applied Science Degree
Diagnostic Medical Sonography
Associate of Applied Science Degree
6 Semesters
The Diagnostic Medical Sonography (DMS) associate of applied science degree program is a sequence of courses that provide didactic and clinical instruction designed to provide the skills, knowledge, and attitudes necessary to graduate and become successful entry-level DMS professionals. Sonographers use high frequency sound waves to produce dynamic visual pictures of internal body structures. The images are evaluated by physicians to make a medical diagnosis.
Features
Job Stability & Security
Sonography degree programs tend to yield excellent returns with a minimum upfront investment. Unlike many other health science careers, the educational requirements to become a diagnostic medical sonographer can be completed in just two years.
Little or No Cost to You
With the Pell Grant, Georgia’s HOPE Grant, HOPE Scholarship, and HOPE Career Grant (for students/programs who qualify) and other scholarship opportunities, many students graduate OFTC with little to no debt.
Tuition & Fees
With tuition at $107 per credit hour, total costs for Diagnostic Medical Sonography department programs range from:
- Tuition & Fees*: $9,786.00
- Books & Supplies*: $4,500.00
*Visit the OFTC Catalog to view each individual program and its full breakdown of tuition, fees, books, and supplies. Costs are estimated and are subject to change.
Advancement Opportunities
A diagnostic medical sonographer can work in a variety of healthcare settings and can choose to add a number of specializations to their resume, including abdominal, breast, OB-GYN and pediatric sonography.
And keep learning! Obtaining specializations are excellent for advancement. Supervisory roles are another great way to advance your career.
Locations
Oconee Fall Line Technical College has campuses throughout its 11-county service area. We look forward to your visit.
Online
Admissions
Our application process takes just a few minutes to complete, but we want to make sure you have the things you’ll need on hand to complete the application. We’re here to help if you have any questions!
Admissions Process
Your admissions application can be submitted online with your $25.00 non-refundable application fee and takes just a few minutes to complete.
- Submit a completed application and application fee.
- Submit official high school transcript, GED transcript, or official college transcripts, if applicable.
- Submit official entrance score on a validated assessment instrument, if applicable. Visit the OFTC Catalog Program Page to view each individual program and its required minimum scores.
- Complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) and HOPE applications online using OFTC School Code: 031555.
NOTE: The College may accept transfer credit for other courses according to the College’s transfer policy.
General Requirements
Be at least 16 years of age.
Additional admissions requirements unique to each program are listed on each individual program page in the OFTC Catalog.
Need More Info?
For more information about any of these programs, contact a program advisor:
Dublin Program Advisor
For additional information on admission to OFTC, contact the Office of Admissions:
Sandersville Office of Admissions
Dublin Office of Admissions
Learning Format
Students may begin core courses any semester and compete to enter the DMS program each fall semester.
Classes are offered in a variety of formats: on campus, blended, online asynchronous, and synchronous technology. While general education core courses are offered in a variety of formats, program and occupational course formats may be more limited depending on the program. Talk with a program advisor for details.
On Campus
These are courses that are taught primarily in the classroom or lab with less than 50% of instruction online. On campus courses may include lecture, labs, internships, clinicals, and other in-person instructional modalities.
Blended
Blended courses are distance learning courses with the majority of the course content, activities, and interactions occurring online but may require students to come to campus for specific assignments, activities, or events.
Online Asynchronous
These are courses that are taught fully online asynchronously with course content, activities, and interactions occurring entirely online. This delivery method does not require students to be online at a specific date or time, and students may participate in class activities and complete course assignments asynchronously. Online asynchronous courses require proctored events.
Synchronous Technology
OFTC also utilizes synchronous technology to offer courses via distance education means. The course is taught on one campus and then broadcast simultaneously to a classroom on a different campus that is monitored by a class proctor.
Flexible Schedule
We want you to get the most out of college and understand the pressure it adds to your life. At OFTC you can achieve your career goals and fit college into your lifestyle. We offer small class sizes and flexible scheduling.
Courses for our programs are offered during the morning, afternoon, and evenings – plus many are online where you can do your work any time of day.
And the personalized hands-on attention you receive in a small classroom setting allows you to get individualized support, focus and feedback from your instructors. Your instructors will get to know you and help you build the foundation and confidence needed for success in your field.
Apply TodayPaying for College
At OFTC, we realize that many students require financial assistance to achieve their academic goals. We’ll work with you to help you obtain financial aid to assist you in funding your education. We’re committed to helping you find ways to pay for this life-changing investment.
With the Pell Grant, Georgia’s HOPE Grant, HOPE Scholarship, and HOPE Career Grant (for students/programs who qualify) and other scholarship opportunities, many students graduate OFTC with little to no debt.
Financial Aid
OFTC offers several financial aid opportunities that can help you pay for college. Most students apply for federal and state aid, including the Pell Grant, HOPE Scholarship & Grant, and HOPE Career Grant.
OFTC students can also apply for scholarships through the OFTC Foundation and various businesses and civic-sponsored organizations.
Contact the Office of Financial Aid or visit OFTC’s Financial Aid web page to learn more about grants, scholarships and Federal Work Study to help fund your education.
Sandersville
Dublin
Georgia awarded over $934 million in scholarships in AY24
of OFTC students have some form of Scholarship in AY24
OFTC students received over $6.6 million in financial assistance in FY25
More than 75% of OFTC students received some sort of Financial Aid in AY24
Contact
Sandersville
Dublin
Tuition & Fees
With tuition at $107 per credit hour, total costs for Diagnostic Medical Sonography department programs range from:
- Tuition & Fees*: $9,786.00
- Books & Supplies*: $4,500.00
*Visit the OFTC Catalog to view each individual program and its full breakdown of tuition, fees, books, and supplies. Costs are estimated and are subject to change.
New Price Calculator
You can also use the Net Price Calculator to get estimated net price information based on what similar students paid in a previous year.
Career Outlook
Employment Opportunities
Successful completion of this program should enable graduates to pursue job opportunities in one of several diagnostic imaging areas such as hospitals, imaging centers, and physician offices.
BLS.GOV
Medical Sonographers and Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians
- 2024 Median Annual Pay: $82,570
- Job Outlook: 11% through 2033
What does this mean to you?
Sonography is one of the highest paying careers you can achieve with a two-year degree. Upon completion of the program, students are eligible to apply to the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists testing in the specialty areas of their program to become Certified Diagnostic Medical Sonographers.
Learn More
job placement rate for OFTC graduates within the graduation year (AY23)
in-field job placement rate for OFTC graduates within the graduation year (AY23)
of OFTC students enrolled are First Generation college students (AY24)
Program Benefits
Skills Learned
- Prepare patients for procedures by taking their medical history and answering any questions about the procedure
- Prepare and maintain diagnostic imaging equipment
- Operate equipment to obtain diagnostic images or to conduct tests
- Review images or test results to check for quality and adequate coverage of the areas needed for diagnoses
- Recognize the difference between normal and abnormal images, and identify other diagnostic information
- Analyze diagnostic information to provide a summary of findings for physicians
- Record findings and keep track of patients’ records
Job Titles
- Diagnostic Medical Sonographers
- Medical Sonographers
- Cardiovascular technologists
Diverse Settings
- Hospitals
- Imaging Center
- Offices of physicians
- Medical and diagnostic laboratories
- Outpatient care centers
"OFTC prepared me for a successful career in the sonography field because everything I needed was on campus, we had a lot of hands-on practice in a modern lab space. They also helped me with financial aid and finding a way to make my dream happen. They truly prepared me for my career."