Diagnostic Medical Sonography

From 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 sophisticated ultrasound equipment to capture images of a patient’s internal organs and soft tissues. From 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.

The Diagnostic Medical Sonography program at OFTC provides the foundation to begin a successful career and prepare students for additional certifications to advance in the workplace, creating more career opportunities.    

The Diagnostic Medical Sonography program can be completed in 6 semesters. 

Features

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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 Icon
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 Icon
Tuition & Fees

With tuition at $100 per credit hour, total costs for Diagnostic Medical Sonography department programs range from: 

  • Tuition & Fees*: $10,106.00
  • Books & Supplies*: $4,500.00

*Visit the OFTC Catalog to view each individual program and its full breakdown of tuition, fees, books, and suppliesCosts are estimated and are subject to change. 

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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

Campuses

Oconee Fall Line Technical College has campuses throughout its 11-county service area. We look forward to your visit.

Dublin Campus (South)
560 Pinehill Road
Dublin, GA 31021
Phone: (478) 275-6589

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.   

 

  1. Submit a completed application and application fee. 
  2. Submit official high school transcript, GED transcript, or official college transcripts, if applicable. 
  3. Submit official entrance score on a validated assessment instrument, if applicable. Visit the OFTC Catalog to view each individual program and its required minimum scores. 
  4. Complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) online at https://studentaid.gov/ and HOPE Application at www.GAfutures.org using OFTC School Code: 031555. 

NOTE: The College may accept transfer credit for other courses according to the College’s transfer policy. 

General Requirements

 

  1. Be at least 18 years of age.
  2. Students must complete an application to compete for their name to be placed on the list of potential program students. 

 

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: 
    • 478-274-7773 (Dublin) 
  • For additional information on admission to OFTC, 
contact the Office of Admissions: 
    • 478-553-2064 (Sandersville)
    • 478-275-6589 (Dublin) 
Apply Today

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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 Today

Paying 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.  

  • 478-553-2131 (Sandersville) 
  • 478-274-7833 or 478-274-7940 (Dublin)
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$
834
M
Georgia awarded over $834 million in scholarships in AY22
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62
%
of OFTC students have some form of scholarship
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$
7.3
M
OFTC students received over $7.3 million in financial assistance in AY22
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93.6
%
of OFTC's students received some form of Financial Aid in AY22.

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.

Contact

Tuition & Fees

With tuition at $100 per credit hour, total costs for Diagnostic Medical Sonography department programs range from: 

  • Tuition & Fees*: $10,086.00
  • 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. 

NET 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 

  • 2021 Median Annual Pay: $75,380
  • Job Outlook: 10% through 2030

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
99.78
%
job placement rate for OFTC graduates within the graduation year (AY21)
87.30
%
in-field job placement rate for OFTC graduates within the graduation year (AY21)
57.1
%
of OFTC students enrolled are First Generation college students (AY22)

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 

Graduate Testimonial

“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.” 

LaCourtney Johnson
2022 OFTC Graduate