GSCC Announces Addition of Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program
Dr. Deborah Curry, dean of Health Sciences, recently announced that Gadsden State Community College is adding a new program to its Health Sciences Division.
“At Gadsden State, we put a focus on career-oriented programs that fill industry needs,” she said. “When determining new programs, we always consider those that result in high-demand, high-wage careers that fill the gap in Alabama’s workforce.” The new program is Diagnostic Medical Sonography. Upon completion, students can work as a diagnostic medical sonographer responsible for providing patient services by using medical ultrasound equipment that captures images used by physicians to diagnose a variety of conditions. “While diagnostic medical sonography is traditionally linked to pregnancy ultrasounds, imaging and diagnosis for treatment of conditions in the abdomen, breast, heart, blood vessels and musculoskeletal also apply,” Curry said. “With the baby-boomer population aging, there is a great need to diagnose medical conditions, such as blood clots and heart disease. These conditions can be diagnosed from images captured by sonographers.”
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, diagnostic medical sonography is projected to grow 17 percent by 2026, which is much faster than the average of all occupations. In 2016, there were 122,300 diagnostic medical sonography jobs in the U.S. with a median pay of $64,280 per year.
Students may apply now for the DMS program, which will begin during the fall semester at Gadsden State. There are a number of admission requirements:
- Apply to and meet all general requirements of Gadsden State.
- Be in good standing with the College
- Official transcripts from other colleges
- Proof of active or current CPR for healthcare providers
- Proof of health insurance
- Must maintain a C or better on all general and pre-DMS courses
- Must have an 18 on the ACT
- Must have a 2.5 GPA on general education courses (orientation, English composition I, Humanities/Fine Arts elective, Fundamentals of Oral Communications, Intermediate College Algebra, Anatomy and Physiology I, Technical Physics and General Psychology)
- Must complete all general required courses for DMS program by application deadline
- Must pass a criminal background check and drug test
- Must be 18 years old
- Must meet the essential functions required by the DMS program
Four semesters of courses will follow the general studies requirement. Graduates will receive an Associate of Applied Science in Diagnostic Medical Sonography upon completion. “Our graduates will complete our program possessing the skills needed to perform sonographic procedures that ensure optimum diagnostic results,” Curry said. “They will have the technical proficiency to be a successful diagnostic medical sonographer.”
For more information about the DMS program, contact Dr. Deborah Curry at 256-549-8321 or dcurry@gadsdenstate.edu.