Throughout the year, the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) accredits allied health programs offered by schools in the US. With over 200 schools that are currently accredited by CAAHEP, there are six that can be found in Georgia that offer ultrasound technician programs. Georgia is located just in southeastern United States, established in 1732, and currently covers 55,000 square miles.
Sonographers in Georgia
With a population of just under 10 million residents, Georgia had 1,300 sonographers employed in 2012. In the US, there were 57,700 sonographers employed at that time, earning $66,360 annually on average, with an hourly wage of $31.90. Compared to the nation’s average, salary in Georgia was lower in 2012. Sonographers earned $59,990 annually on average, with an hourly wage of $28.65. This numbers rose in an upward trend in 2013, which is predicted to continue in 2014.
Studying sonography in Georgia
Out of the six schools in Georgia that offer ultrasound technician programs, 3 offer associate degrees in diagnostic medical sonography (DMS). Here is a rundown of the schools with DMS programs in the state:
Associate Degree Programs vs. Certificate Programs in Sonography
The main difference between associate degree programs and certificate programs is how long it would take to complete them. The DMS program is typically offered in either of the two (bachelor degree programs are available but few); the former takes 2 years to complete and the latter takes approximately 12 months. Both programs still have two parts to the curriculum: didactics (lessons, laboratory exercises) and clinical training, even in online programs (distance education).
To get you started, here are three CAAHEP-accredited schools and their respective enrolment details.
Athens Technical College
Website: http://athenstech.smartcatalogiq.com/en/2013-2014/Catalog/Life-Science-Programs/Healthcare-Assistant-and-Healthcare-Science/
Associate degree in General Sonography
Length of program: 2 years
Deadline of application: Fall semester – July 1, Spring semester – November 1, Summer semester – April 1
Tuition fee: Est. $4,000
Columbus Technical College
Website: http://www.columbustech.edu/Catalog%20and%20Student%20Handbook/diagnostic-medical-sonography-degree.htm
Associate degree in General Sonography
Length of program: 2 years, 8 semesters
Deadline of application: Fall semester – June 1
Tuition fee: Est. $7,908.50
Georgia Northwestern Technical College-Rome
Website: http://www.gntc.edu/academics/program.php?id=371
Associate degree in General, Cardiac, or Vascular Sonography
Note: Offered only at the Floyd Country Campus
Length of program: 2 years, 8 semesters
Deadline of application: April 21, 2014
Tuition fee: Est. $2,075
With the vast number of ultrasound technician programs in Georgia, finding one that suits your needs is a breeze. Financial aid is available at all schools, and even offered by certain sonographer organizations. Use the list above to get started on choosing the right school and the right program in training to become a sonographer.
- Athens Technical College – Associate degree in General Sonography
- Columbus Technical College – Associate degree in General Sonography
- Sanford-Brown College-Atlanta – Certificate in General Sonography
- Grady Health System – Certificate in General Sonography
- Georgia Northwestern Technical College-Rome – Diploma and Associate degree in General, Cardiac, or Vascular Sonography
- Ogeechee Technical College – Diplomas in General or Cardiac Sonography
Associate Degree Programs vs. Certificate Programs in Sonography
The main difference between associate degree programs and certificate programs is how long it would take to complete them. The DMS program is typically offered in either of the two (bachelor degree programs are available but few); the former takes 2 years to complete and the latter takes approximately 12 months. Both programs still have two parts to the curriculum: didactics (lessons, laboratory exercises) and clinical training, even in online programs (distance education).
To get you started, here are three CAAHEP-accredited schools and their respective enrolment details.
Athens Technical College
Website: http://athenstech.smartcatalogiq.com/en/2013-2014/Catalog/Life-Science-Programs/Healthcare-Assistant-and-Healthcare-Science/
Associate degree in General Sonography
Length of program: 2 years
Deadline of application: Fall semester – July 1, Spring semester – November 1, Summer semester – April 1
Tuition fee: Est. $4,000
- $20 Application fee
- $85 per credit hour
- $4 Accident insurance fee (per term)
- $40 Background check
- $50 Instruction fee
- $11 Malpractice insurance (per year)
- $50 Program equipment
- Program supply fee (varies)
- $39 Registration fee (per term)
- $30 Student activity fee (per term)
- $105 Technology fee (per term)
- $1,200 to $1,750 textbooks
Columbus Technical College
Website: http://www.columbustech.edu/Catalog%20and%20Student%20Handbook/diagnostic-medical-sonography-degree.htm
Associate degree in General Sonography
Length of program: 2 years, 8 semesters
Deadline of application: Fall semester – June 1
Tuition fee: Est. $7,908.50
- $100 Background check
- $100 Medical
- $166 Immunization
- $65 CPR training
- $175 Uniform
- $10 Graduation pins
- $200 ARDMS Physics Registry Exam
- $500 ARDMS Specialty Exam
- $200 ARRT Sonography Exam
- $900 Textbooks
- $170 Lab fees
- $17.50 Student insurance
- $1,099 Fall semester
- $874 Spring semester
- $1,024 Summer semester
- $1,174 Fall semester
- $1,174 Spring semester
Georgia Northwestern Technical College-Rome
Website: http://www.gntc.edu/academics/program.php?id=371
Associate degree in General, Cardiac, or Vascular Sonography
Note: Offered only at the Floyd Country Campus
Length of program: 2 years, 8 semesters
Deadline of application: April 21, 2014
Tuition fee: Est. $2,075
- $1,475 Tuition and fees
- $600 Books and supplies
With the vast number of ultrasound technician programs in Georgia, finding one that suits your needs is a breeze. Financial aid is available at all schools, and even offered by certain sonographer organizations. Use the list above to get started on choosing the right school and the right program in training to become a sonographer.