DIAGNOSTIC MEDICAL SONOGRAPHY

Name: Amanda Wright | Instructor and Program Director

Email: wrighta@nacc.edu

DEGREES/AWARDS OFFERED

AAS

PROGRAM AVAILABILITY

Day

CURRICULUM

Diagnostic Medical Sonography (DMS)

ACADEMIC MAP

CAREER OUTLOOK

View Gainful Employment Information

SCHEDULE & CATALOG

NACC Schedule

NACC Catalog

Diagnostic Medical Sonography at NACC

Diagnostic Medical Sonography (DMS), also known as ultrasound, utilizes high-frequency sound waves to produce real-time images of the internal body structures. While many people first think of ultrasound for monitoring pregnancy, sonography plays an essential role in diagnosing and guiding treatment for a wide range of medical conditions.

At Northeast Alabama Community College (NACC), the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program prepares students to become highly skilled professionals who can perform and analyze these exams with confidence and precision. Using state-of-the-art ultrasound equipment in our on-campus imaging lab and during clinical rotations at area healthcare facilities, students learn how to:

• Operate sophisticated ultrasound systems that send safe, non-ionizing sound waves into the body and capture the returning echoes as images.
• Apply gel and position a transducer to obtain clear views of organs, tissues, and blood flow.
• Evaluate images in real time, identifying normal versus abnormal findings and selecting the best images for physician interpretation.
• Take precise measurements, document findings, and create preliminary reports to support accurate diagnoses.

Students gain experience in abdominal, gynecologic, and vascular sonography, which are key areas for registry eligibility. 

Through hands-on training, expert instruction, and meaningful clinical partnerships, NACC equips future sonographers to join the healthcare workforce with confidence, skill, and compassion — serving patients across our region and beyond.

Program Prerequisite

Application Process

Click the links below for more information.

The forms below are only for accepted students:

Click the links below for more information.

DMS Program Selection and Admission Information

Admission to the DMS program is competitive, and the number of students accepted is limited by the number of faculty and clinical facilities available. Meeting minimal requirements does not guarantee acceptance. After meeting the minimum criteria, applicants are ranked using a point system.

Selection and Notification

1. The DMS Program will admit its first cohort in the Spring 2026 semester.
2. All pre-sonography courses must be completed before application to the program.
3. Applications are reviewed for completion based on program admission requirements.
4. Complete applications are ranked for admission based on the criteria included on the DMS Score Card.
5. Applicants are ranked in order of their cumulative score.
6. Applicants with the highest-ranking cumulative scores are offered admission based on the current enrollment of the program.
7. All applicants will be notified of the decision regarding their application.
8. Notification of the outcome of each application will be mailed to the student by November 21st at the address provided on the application, along with the date of mandatory orientation. 
9. Following acceptance into the program, students must respond in writing, confirming their intent to enroll within 10 days after the postmarked date of their acceptance letter.  A student who fails to respond will forfeit his/her place in the class.
10. Additional applicants will be selected as alternatives. An alternate is an applicant for whom admission may be offered in the event that one of the prospective students denies admission.

Upon Admission

1. Sonography students are required to submit completed pre-clinical physical and health examination forms, including proof of required vaccinations and immunizations by the deadline noted on their acceptance letter.
2. Sonography students must show proof of active AHA-approved CPR certification for Healthcare Providers (or BLS), and must also be provided with the application (cognitive hands-on Online CPR courses not accepted). CPR certification must remain current throughout the program.
3. Sonography students are required to undergo and submit pre-clinical Background Screening and Drug Testing at a time designated by the Program Director. The student is financially responsible for the cost of these requirements.
4. Accident and liability insurance, available through the College, is required. The cost will be covered through the student fees.

Progression

Students selected for admission into the program must maintain a grade of 75% or higher on major-required courses and final exams as indicated in the course syllabi. Failure to do so will result in program dismissal.

Readmission to Program

Students who withdraw or are dismissed from the program must apply for readmission. No preferential consideration is given to prior students for re-admission. Students will be readmitted ONE time only.

Career Path

Before or upon completion of the program, sonography students should take registries and become registered sonographers. Many sonographers opted to advance their career horizons by seeking expertise in other sonographic specialties. There are several areas of specialization in the field of sonography. For additional information concerning a career in sonography, go to www.sdms.org. 

Additional career advancement opportunities exist in education, administration, research, and commercial companies as education/application specialists, sales representatives, technical advisors, etc. The national median annual earnings of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers were $82,780, according to the SDMS Sonographer Salary & Benefits Survey (2023). Students will have access to resources and advisement to gain information related to seeking further education and career options upon graduation from the DMS program.

Accreditation Statement:

Upon the recommendation of the Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (JRC-DMS), the NACC DMS Program is seeking programmatic accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs in the following concentrations: Abdominal- Extended, Obstetrics and Gynecology, and Vascular. 

Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs 

9355 113th Street N., #7709 

Seminole, FL 33775-7709 

727-210-2350

Upon successful completion of the Associate of Science degree program in Diagnostic Medical Sonography with a concentration in Abdomen-Extended/Obstetrics & Gynecology/Vascular, students are eligible to apply and register to take the certification examination administered by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT). Upon receipt of the ARRT credential, a student must then register and apply to take the certification examination administered by the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) of their chosen pathway. Successful completion of the ARDMS examinations provides certification to practice as a registered sonographer in most states. Please note that students who secure a job position as a sonographer with the ARRT credential may not be required to take the ARDMS examination. In these cases, successful completion of the ARRT examination provides professional certification to practice as a registered sonographer. Contact the Program Director with questions or refer to www.ardms.org and www.arrt.org for more information.