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

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SCHEDULE & CATALOG

NACC Schedule

NACC Catalog

DMS PROGRAM APPLICATION

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 hands-on experience in Abdominal - Extended Sonography, Obstetrics and Gynecology Sonography, and Vascular Sonography—three highly sought-after specialties that prepare graduates for professional registry examinations and careers in today's healthcare workforce.

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:

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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 minimum requirements does not guarantee acceptance. After meeting the minimum criteria, applicants are ranked using a point system.

Selection and Notification

1. The DMS Program admits a new cohort anually in the Spring semester.
2. All pre-sonography courses must be completed before application to the program with the exception of PHY 115. Applicants who have not completed PHY 115 at the time of application must be able to provide proof of current course enrollment. Applicants must complete PHY 115 during the Fall semester to be considered for admission.
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.Current enrollment is dependent upon clinical placement availability.
7. All applicants will be notified of the decision regarding their application status.Written notification of admission status is emailed to each applicant via the information provided on the application, along with the date of mandatory orientation. 
8. Upon acceptance into the program, students must confirm their intent to enroll within 5 business days after the postmarked date of their acceptance letter.  A student who fails to respond will forfeit his/her place in the class.
9. 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.
10. In the case of a tie of ranking score, the following tiebreaker will be used in this order to determine acceptance into the program: Completion of classes, pre-sonography courses GPA, ACT Composite, ACT Math, ACT Science Reasoning. Students who have successfully completed PHY 115 and BIO 202 at time of application will receive one additional point to overall total points.
11. Please note that applicants may be required to participate in an in-person interview as part of the admissions process. Applicants selected for an interview will be notified and provided with additional details regarding the date, time, and location.

Upon Admission

1. Upon acceptance into the DMS Program, students are required to attend a mandatory orientation as stated in their acceptance letter.
2. Sonography students are required to submit completed pre-clinical physical and health examination forms, including proof of required vaccinations and immunizations by the deadline designated by the Program Director.
3. Sonography students are required to show proof of active AHA-approved CPR certification for Healthcare Providers (or BLS) by the date designated by the Program Director. *Please note: Online CPR courses are not accepted. CPR certification must remain current throughout the program.
4. 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.
5. Accident and liability insurance, available through the College, is required. The cost will be covered through the student fees.
6. Health insurance coverage is highly recommended.

Progression

Students selected for admission into the program must maintain a 2.5 GPA or 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 from or are dismissed from the DMS Program may apply for readmission one time only. Readmission applicants must reapply through the standard admissions process within twelve months of the withdrawal or dismissal date. No preferential consideration is given to former students.

Advanced Placement

At this time, advanced placement is not offered for the DMS Program at Northeast Alabama Community College. Each applicant must meet all application requirements.

Transfer Options

Students who are interested in transferring to the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

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.