Find New Jersey’s accredited sonography programs in 2024
A degree in medical ultrasound will prepare you for an entry-level position in this rewarding and rapidly growing field. It’s a popular career choice due to the relatively short training period, the high pay available with just an associate’s degree, and the fact that sonography jobs in New Jersey are experiencing strong job growth. We will explore each of these topics below, as well as connect you with accredited schools where you can receive the quality education you need in order to start your career as a sonographer.
How to Become an Ultrasound Tech in New Jersey
- Choose an Accredited Ultrasound Program. It’s important to choose an accredited program, and that recognition can come from several sources. If possible, apply to a program accredited by the CAAHEP for the best education and clinical training experience. Many of them are limited entry, so prepare ahead of time to make sure you will meet the prerequisites to apply.
- Get Your Degree. You will need at least an Associate of Science in medical ultrasound. Some schools have Bachelor’s degree programs, while others offer an accelerated Certificate for those who meed the educational and experiential prerequisites.
- Get Your Credentials. Employers will likely require that you carry a credential through the ARDMS. Graduating from a CAAHEP accredited program will prepare you to sit for their exams.
Connect With Educational Programs Near You
Why Choose a CAAHEP Accredited Diagnostic Sonography Program?
When a school or program becomes accredited, it means that the education and training they offer has been evaluated by an outside agency, and that it meets industry standards. In medical sonography and other allied health education programs, the most widely recognized accrediting body is the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). A school becomes accredited by CAAHEP once it has met their DMS Accreditation Standards and Guidelines. The school must also pass a series of program reviews, including a self-study review and a site visit.
The successful completion of a New Jersey DMS accredited by CAAHEP program is the most comprehensive and direct way students can earn eligibility to sit for the ARDMS Sonography Principles & Instrumentation (SPI) exam, as well as a specialty exam. Passing both of their exams will allow you to receive professional certification in diagnostic medical sonography.
If you’re currently enrolled in or have been accepted to a CAAHEP accredited program, you’re also eligible to apply for the UltrasoundSchoolsInfo $1,000 scholarship.
Accredited Sonography Schools in New Jersey in 2024
Each of these schools has ultrasound or cardiac sonography programs that meet the CAAHEP DMS Accreditation Standards and Guidelines. The list is current as of October, 2023.
| School | Programs Offered | Prerequisites | How to Apply |
|---|---|---|---|
| American Institute of Medical Science and Education 4500 New Brunswick Ave Piscataway, NJ 08854 | Certificate program offered in Adult Echocardiography, Abdominal-Extended, or ObGyn sonography, utilizing both online and in-person instruction. | This is a selective-enrollment program. Certain college-level course prerequisites exist. | Learn about the admissions process here. |
| Bergen Community College Paramus Campus | AAS in Sonography with concentrations in either Abdominal, Adult Cardiac, or ObGyn sonography. | College-level prerequisite courses and an Admissions Assessment. | Learn more here |
| Eastwick College 10 South Franklin Turnpike Ramsey, NJ 07446 |
AAS in Adult Echocardiography or Noninvasive Vascular Study | 8 college-level prerequisite courses required prior to application | Apply online. |
| Eastern International College 684 Newark Avenue Jersey City, NJ 07306 |
Associate Degree in Adult Echocardiography | Certain college-level coursework must be completed prior to application. | Apply online. |
| Healthcare Training Institute 1969 Morris Avenue Union, NJ 07083 |
Certificate in Abdominal-Extended or ObGyn sonography. | Certain college-level course requirements apply. | Complete a form on the website to request information. |
| JFK Medical Center Muhlenberg Harold B. and Dorothy A. Snyder Schools | Associate Degree in Abdominal-Extended or ObGyn sonography. | Minimum GPA and TEAS scores, plus college-level prerequisite courses. | Review the application checklist. |
| Medical Career Institute 901 West Park Ave Suite 201 Ocean Township, NJ 07712 | MCI offers a Certificate in Adult Echocardiography, Noninvasive Cardiac Study, Abdominal-Extended, or ObGyn sonography. | 40 credits of college-level courses in higher math, English, and science. | Complete the contact form for more information. |
| Morristown Medical Center | Diploma program in Adult Echocardiography or Noninvasive Vascular Study, or Invasive Cardiovascular Technology tracks | Certain college-level coursework must be completed prior to application. | Applications are due by April 30th of each year. |
| Rowan College Burlington County/South Jersey | Associate Degree in Abdominal-Extended or ObGyn sonography | Must submit official high school transcripts. | Applications are accepted between November 1st and January 31st of each year. |
| Rutgers 65 Bergen Street, Suite 120, Newark, NJ 07107 | Rutgers offers both a Bachelor’s degree and an accelerated Certificate in Adult-Cardiac, Abdominal-Extended, and ObGyn sonography. | This is a selective-admissions program, and prerequisites vary depending on program | Applications are due March 1st. |
| * This information is obtained from a number of sources, is provided without charge, and is believed to be accurate. Please contact us with updates. | |||
Ask the Experts
Melessa Cizik, RDMS, graduated at the top of her sonography class at Bergen Community College in Paramus, NJ.Q: What advice would you give to people for preparing for the registry/certification exams?
A: “Find good study material and develop good study skills. Study every day, even if only for 15 minutes. Focus on quality, not quantity. Four 15-minute sessions is more effective that one 1-hour session. And then practice, correct, review and practice again.
Practicing good test taking skills is also key. Practice reading through the questions and think about what the question is asking. Then think about your answer before even looking at the choices, apply the principle and then choose the answer that matches what you have answered. This will build confidence and helps reduce mistakes when taking a multiple choice exam. Learn more by visiting MyUltrasoundTutor.com.
Michael Keith, (BSRT, RDMS), former program director at the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program at Rowan College
Q: What advice would you give a prospective sonography student?
A: “I would encourage all aspiring sonographers to make sure they pay strict attention in Anatomy and Physiology classes prior to getting into ultrasound education. I have found it to be a better indicator of a student’s success than the ACT or SAT.“
New Jersey Sonography Student Scholarships
Residents of New Jersey have the opportunity to apply for medical imaging scholarships that may help them with the cost of their tuition and fees.
Some awards require scholarship finalists to secure enrollment with an accredited program in New Jersey, complete an application, and complete a personal interview. You’ll find more information regarding available medical imaging and related healthcare scholarships below. Please contact each individual scholarship commitee for their specific application requirements.
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility Requirements | How to Apply |
|---|---|---|---|
Ultrasound Schools Info |
$1,000 | Scholarship awarded to an aspiring sonographer currently enrolled in a CAAHEP accredited diagnostic medical sonography program | Ultrasound Schools Info Attn: Scholarship Committee PO Box 3026 Bellingham, WA 98227 Email: scholarship@ultrasoundschoolsinfo.com |
| NJ Stars Scholarship | Varies | Scholarship pays for free community college for top performing high school students. | Scholarship Committee 400 Paramus Road Paramus, NJ 07652 Email: ckrostek@bergen.edu |
| State of New Jersey Grants, Financial Aid, and Scholarships | Varies | The State of New Jersey offers a wide variety of scholarships and financial aid to residents. | Learn more on the state’s website |
Certification Requirements in New Jersey
The state of NJ does not currently require certification or licensure of its sonographers. However, it is almost certain that any potential employer will require that you carry a credential from the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (RDMS). This organization provides the most widely accepted credentialing for sonographers. The only way to earn their certification is by taking and passing their exam. Once you have met the ARDMS’ prerequisites, there are several testing locations where you can take the exam in New Jersey:
- 593 Stelton Rd, Piscataway, NJ 08854
- 1099 Wall St W #140, Lyndhurst, NJ 07071
- 1125 Atlantic Ave #107, Atlantic City, NJ 08401
- 100 Village Blvd #210, Princeton, NJ 08540
- 545 Washington St, Jersey City, NJ 07310
- 1543 NJ-27 #11, Somerset, NJ 08873
Additional Certification Information
Certification overview
About the ARDMS
How Much do Ultrasound Techs make in New Jersey?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the mean annual salary for sonographers working in New Jersey was $87,010 in 2022, or $41.83 per hour. The top earners, with wages in the 90th percentile, earned $106,100 a year, while those in the bottom 10th percentile made an annual wage of up to $63,840. Conditions in your area may vary.
Where you work, the amount of education you have, whether or not you received certification from the ARDMS, and more play a role in how much you can earn as a sonographer. For example, outpatient care centers tend to pay the most, though hospitals have the highest employment numbers. In addition, diagnostic medical sonography is one of the highest paying careers available with just an Associate’s Degree, and the industry is growing at a rapid pace. Earning a Bachelor’s Degree can open you up to higher paying positions.
