Anatomy and Physiology I & II for Sonography Programs Online- after physics, anatomy and physiology is the prerequisite that carries the most weight in a sonography application — because scanning is anatomy. Every program expects a two-course A&P sequence with labs, and the anatomy and physiology sonography prerequisite feeds directly into the science GPA that competitive programs rank on. This guide explains why A&P I and II are required, what each course covers, and how to take them online so the credit counts. For the full requirement list, see the complete sonography prerequisites guide.
A sonographer’s entire job is producing and recognizing images of internal structures, which is impossible without a deep, working knowledge of human anatomy and how organ systems function. Programs require Anatomy & Physiology I and II so that, before you ever pick up a transducer, you already know the structures you’ll be imaging, their normal relationships, and the physiology behind what you see. That foundation also prepares you for the cross-sectional and specialty anatomy you’ll study in the program itself.
Sonography programs almost always expect the full two-semester sequence, with these characteristics:
| Course | Typical focus |
|---|---|
| Anatomy & Physiology I | Cells, tissues, the integumentary, skeletal, muscular, and nervous systems — the structural foundation. |
| Anatomy & Physiology II | Cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, urinary, endocrine, and reproductive systems — the organs sonographers image most. |
A&P II is especially relevant to sonography because it covers the cardiovascular, abdominal, and reproductive systems that map onto the major scanning specialties — cardiac, vascular, abdominal, and OB/GYN.
Self-paced, online, accredited A&P lets you complete the sequence without waiting for a fixed semester — useful when physics is already occupying your campus schedule. Take both courses from the same provider so they satisfy the single-institution preference: Anatomy & Physiology I (BIO 270) and Anatomy & Physiology II (BIO 275). Because some programs scrutinize the lab format, confirm yours accepts the course’s lab before enrolling.
Confirm before you enroll. A&P requirements and accepted lab formats vary by program, and transfer acceptance is never automatic. Confirm with the registrar that a regionally accredited online A&P sequence with a lab will satisfy the requirement. We don’t guarantee admission or transfer.
A&P pairs with the requirement that truly distinguishes sonography — physics. Together they form the core of your science GPA. If you’re building the full file, see physics for sonography and the GPA you need for sonography school. If your A&P has aged out, see retaking prerequisites for sonography school.
Yes. Nearly every sonography program requires Anatomy & Physiology I and II, each with a lab, because scanning depends on a thorough knowledge of anatomy.
Almost always. Programs expect the full two-course sequence, and many want both completed at the same institution.
Yes, when the course is from a regionally accredited institution, includes a lab, and posts to an official transcript. Confirm acceptance with your program.
Usually after about five years, since it is a science prerequisite. Check your program’s recency rule and retake if it has lapsed.
A C or better is the floor, but because A&P feeds the science GPA that programs rank on, a higher grade strengthens a competitive application.
Continue with the complete sonography prerequisites guide, physics for sonography school online, and all allied health prerequisite courses.
Authoritative resources: the BLS Occupational Outlook for diagnostic medical sonographers and CAAHEP for accredited sonography programs.
