Find New Jersey’s top sonography programs in 2020
Diagnostic medical sonography is a rapidly growing field within healthcare. It’s popularity as a career is due in part to the relatively short training period, the availability of jobs, and the pay available with just an associate’s degree. In New Jersey, jobs for ultrasound technicians are expected to grow by 21% by 2026.
If you’re interested in attending one of the ultrasound technician schools in New Jersey, learn what you can about the career, and then find a program in your area. We’ve done much of the research for you, and here you’ll find job growth data and salary expectations, certification requirements specific to New Jersey, as well as a comprehensive list of sonography programs in the state.
Connect With Educational Programs Near You
CAAHEP Accredited Diagnostic Sonography Programs
As you begin to think about which colleges to apply to, the accreditation of the school or program is one of the more important factors to consider. For sonography, the primary accrediting body of educational programs is the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). If the program that you’re considering applying to has this accreditation, that is evidence that the education and training you’ll receive meets or exceeds industry standards.
The successful completion of one of these recognized New Jersey sonography programs is the most comprehensive and direct way students can earn eligibility to sit for the ARDMS Sonography Principles & Instrumentation (SPI) examination.
“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.”
Michael Keith, (B.S.R.T., R.D.M.S), Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program Director at Rowan College at Gloucester County.
Accredited Sonography Schools in New Jersey in 2020
Each of these schools has met the CAAHEP DMS Accreditation Standards and Guidelines by passing a series of program reviews, including a self-study review and a site visit. The list is current as of February 19, 2020.
| 7 Accredited Schools | Campus Location |
|---|---|
| American Institute of Medical Science and Education (AIMS Education) | Piscataway, NJ |
| Bergen Community College | Paramus, NJ |
| JFK Medical Center Muhlenberg Harold B. and Dorothy A. Snyder Schools | Plainfield, NJ |
| Medical Career Institute | Ocean Township, NJ |
| Rowan College at Burlington County | Mount Laurel, NJ |
| Rowan College of South Jersey | Gloucester, NJ |
| Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey | Newark, NJ |
A Closer Look at New Jersey’s Seven Accredited Sonography Training Programs
American Institute of Medical Science and Education
Campus Location
4500 New Brunswick Ave
Piscataway, NJ 08845
Contact Information
Program Director: Hashmukh Patel, RDMS, RVT
Email: hpatel@aimseducation.edu
Students at AIMS are able to pursue a certificate in General or Diagnostic Cardiac Sonography. The CAAHEP accredited programs will prepare students to work in sonography with specializations in adult echocardiography, abdominal sonography, or Ob/Gyn sonography. Clinical hours are required in addition to classroom activities. Clinical hour requirements range from 700 to 900, depending on the specialization. The school will facilitate the internship location.
Program length: 18 – 24 month, with evening classes available.
Prerequisites: Some college level courses are required, including anatomy and physiology.
Tuition/Financial aid: Visit https://www.aimseducation.edu/financial-aid to learn more.
Program Website: https://www.aimseducation.edu/amp-diagnostic-medical-sonographer
Bergen Community College
Campus Location
400 Paramus Road
S-336
Paramus, NJ 07652
Contact Information
Program Director: Geralyn Collins-Eisler RN, RDMS, RDCS, RVT
Email: gcollins@bergen.edu
Bergen Community College offers a AAS sonography degree program with three CAAHEP accredited specialties: abdomen, Ob/Gyn, and cardiac. Students are required to complete all three specialties. The program accepts 15 applicants each year. The application deadline is February 1st of each year for a September start date.
Prerequisites: There are college level courses that must be taken prior to admittance. The courses and other required prerequisites can be found on the BCC website.
Tuition: Tuition costs, financial aid, and the possibility of a free education through the Community College Opportunity Grant can be found here.
Program Website: https://bergen.edu/academics/academic-divisions-departments/health-professions-division/diagnostic-medical-sonography/
JFK Medical Center Muhlenberg Harold B. and Dorothy A. Snyder Schools
Campus Location
Park Avenue & Randolph Road
Plainfield, NJ 07061
Contact Information
Program Director: Nee Barnor MSc, RDMS
Email: nee.barnor@hackensackmeridian.org
This CAAHEP accredited sonography program is an Associate in Science Degree program that takes 28 months to complete. Graduates will earn a diploma in DMS from JFK Muhlenberg School and an AAS from Union County College. Prerequisites include recent, successful completion of high school or college-level Biology as well as Anatomy & Physiology. A complete list of prerequisites can be found here.
Clinical sites: 22 in New Jersey
Entrance exam: Required
Average overall cost of program: $42,567
Program Website: https://jfkmuhlenbergschools.org/diagnostic-medical-sonography/program-information-sonography
Medical Career Institute
Campus Location
901 West Park Avenue
Ste 201
Ocean Township, NJ 07712
Contact Information
Program Director: Kalam Chowdhury MD, RDMS, RDCS, RVT
Email: kchowdhury@mcinj.edu
Students at the Medical Career Institute will earn a certificate in general sonography. The program’s goal is to prepare entry-level sonographers with the skills, knowledge, and behavior necessary to enter the workforce. CAAHEP accreditation was awarded to the program in 2014.
Program length: 76 weeks, with both day and evening classes available.
Tuition and Fees: Information on cost of attendance, including financial aid and a net price calculator, can be found at https://mcinj.edu/financial-aid-services-2/.
Program Website: https://mcinj.edu/diagnostic-medical-sonography/
Rowan College at Burlington County
Campus Location
1000 College Circle
Mount Laurel, NJ 08054
Contact Information
Program Director: Courtney Dyott BS, RDMS
Email: cdyott@rcbc.edu
RCBC offers an accredited 64 course Associate in Science degree in sonography (AAS DMS). Their program overview guide states that “the DMS program strives to provide academic and clinical experiences that produce competent and compassionate entry-level sonographers with a commitment to performance of quality imaging while providing excellent patient care and dedication to the pursuit of lifelong learning.”
Admittance: RCBC admits a maximum of 14 students each year. The application period is open from November 1st through January 31st.
Prerequisites: There are several required courses in math, biology, and physics that must be completed, with a grade of C or better, before admittance. A cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher in all college coursework is required.
Program Website: https://www.rcbc.edu/dms/associate-applied-science
Rowan College of South Jersey
Students at RCSJ will earn an Associate in Science degree in medical sonography (AAS DMS). The program includes four semesters and three Summer sessions. Students will enter their clinical rotations during the first Summer session. A total of 1,160 clinical hours are required in addition to classroom learning.
Program length: 22 months
Admissions Full details, including prerequisites, can be found here.
Program Website: https://www.rcsj.edu/Nursing-site/Pages/Diagnostic-Medical-Sonography-AAS.aspx
Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey
Campus Location
65 Bergen Street, Suite GB-03
Newark, NJ 07107
Contact Information
Program Director: Garth Nanni MS, RDMS, RVT
Email: nannigs@shp.rutgers.edu
Students attending Rutgers have an opportunity to choose from four different certificate or degree options: a Bachelor in Science in medical imaging; a second B.S. option for those who hold a B.A. or B.S. degree; a Certificate in diagnostic medical imaging, or a Post-certificate B.S. completion program. This includes the offering of New Jersey’s only CAAHEP accredited Bachelors in DMS program. There is also a CAAHEP accredited cardiac sonography program offered at the Scotch Plains campus.
Program length: Bachelor’s degrees take 4 years of full time coursework, while the certificate in DMS is a 15-month program.
Program highlights: Rutgers has been named one of the top DMS programs in the country, and they have a 5-year 100% pass rate on the national board certification exam.
Admittance rates: 16 students are typically admitted each year.
Prerequisites: Prerequisites vary depending on the program you are applying to. For more information, email SHP-DMS-info@shp.rutgers.edu.
Program Website: https://shp.rutgers.edu/clinical-lab-and-imaging-sciences/certificate-diagnostic-medical-sonography/
Bergen Community College Sonography Graduate Spotlight
Melessa Cizik, RDMS, graduated the top of her sonography class at Bergen Community College in Paramus, NJ.
Melessa Cizik, a Bergen Community College medical sonography program graduate, offers ultrasound tutoring services online, using video, audio and whiteboard technologies.
She helps individuals prepare for ultrasound registry exams—she herself is ARDMS-certified in OB/GYN, Vascular, Abdomen and Fetal Echocardiography specialty areas.
Ms. Cizik also provides tutoring in physics and other ultrasound subjects, with her students being at various stages in their careers.
Certification Requirements in New Jersey
Is certification required for sonographers in New Jersey?
New Jersey does not require licensure to be an ultrasound technician. However, most employers require professional certification by the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS), which is the globally recognized standard of excellence in sonography.
Earn Your ARDMS Certification
The Sonography Principals and Instrumentation (SPI) exam is the first step to obtaining future certifications from the ARDMS, and is typically taken by the final quarter of your program.
If you’re attending a sonography program accredited by the CAAHEP, then you will most likely sit for the first ARDMS exam prior to graduation.
There are many locations throughout New Jersey to take the exam, and you can find them on the Pearson Vue (the test administrator) website at https://home.pearsonvue.com/ardms. If you’re taking the first exam during your educational program, the school will most likely facilitate the taking of the test.
The easiest way to qualify to sit for the SP&I exam is to graduate from a program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). If that does not apply to you, visit the list of prerequisites put forth by the ARDMS to find another way to qualify.
Additional Certification Information
Certification overview
About the ARDMS
Ultrasound Programs in Nearby States
How Much do Ultrasound Techs make in New Jersey?
Sonographers in New Jersey earn an average of $77,110 a year, which is about $37.00 an hour. This is a little bit above the national mean of $73,860. Wages differ by metropolitan area, medical provider, and skill and education level.
Job and Salary Data, New Jersey
- Mean annual salary for ultrasound techs in NJ is $77,110.
- New Jersey has the 3rd highest concentration of sonography jobs in the country.
- In 2018 there were 2,840 working sonographers in the state.
- The New York – Newark metropolitan area has the highest employment level in the country.
- Job growth is expected to be at 21%.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for those sonographers in New Jersey is expected to grow by 21% in the decade spanning 2016-2026.
Where you live in the state can affect how much you earn, with larger metropolitan areas usually paying higher than rural. Below you will find the top paying areas of New Jersey for ultrasound techs.
| Metropolitan Area | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Trenton | $82,330 |
| Atlantic City – Hammenton | $81,320 |
| New York – Newark | $76,750 |
| Allentown – Bethlehem – Easton | $69,460 |
New Jersey Sonography Scholarships
Earn a financial reward for your hard work and academic achievement! Residents of New Jersey have the opportunity to apply for medical imaging scholarships to help them with the cost of their education tuition and fees.
For some awards, scholarship finalists must secure enrollment with an accredited program in New Jersey, complete an application, and be available for a personal interview. Eligibility requirements vary by individual scholarship. You’ll find more information regarding available medical imaging and related healthcare scholarships below. Please contact each individual scholarship for their specific application requirements.
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility Requirements | How to Apply |
|---|---|---|---|
| Melissa Anne Centrella Scholarship Foundation | $1,000 – $3,000 | The Melissa’s Hope Scholarship is available to New Jersey residents who will be enrolled in a college, graduate or medical school, nursing or medical trade school for the upcoming academic year. | Scholarship Committee M.A.C.S. Foundation120 Quarry Road Clifton, NJ 07013 Email: mailto:info@melissashopenj.org |
| NJ Stars Scholarship | Varies | Provided by the state of New Jersey. Scholarship pays for free community college for top performing high school students. | Scholarship Committee400 Paramus Road Paramus, NJ 07652 Email: ckrostek@bergen.edu |
| Ultrasound Schools Info | $1,000 | The Ultrasound Schools Info student scholarship is a semi-annual, non-renewable $1,000 scholarship awarded to an aspiring sonographer currently enrolled in a CAAHEP accredited diagnostic medical sonography program, or a high school student who has been accepted to a program. | Ultrasound Schools Info Attn: Scholarship Committee PO Box 3026 Bellingham, WA 98227 Email: scholarship@ultrasoundschoolsinfo.com |
City Spotlight: Newark, New Jersey
Ultrasound Technician Schools in Newark
Newark’s continuous revitalization is proving the major New Jersey city is more than just a transportation stop-off point. Just one of Newark’s qualities is it being an educational hub and it boasts tens of thousands of college and university students.
If you are interested in a sonography career, there are several ultrasound technician schools in or near Newark. As far as employment opportunities, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the Newark-Union metropolitan area had over 600 diagnostic medical sonographers working as of May 2018, and they were earning an average of $76,750/year.
In addition, among all of New Jersey’s “occupations with the most projected percentage growth” for 2016-2026 sonographers show the seventh highest outlook with a 28.8% increase and an average of 90 job openings each year (as reported by the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development).
Serving Limited English Proficient Patients in NJ
A significant percentage of the U.S. population does not speak English as their first language. For Limited English Proficient (LEP) individuals, this can prove to be a barrier to obtaining quality medical care.
In New Jersey, about 2.6 million residents, or 30.7 percent, above the age of 5 speak a language other than English at home, and may have difficulty understanding the information presented to them by their physician, nurse, or other healthcare provider. Healthcare providers who speak a second language can have increased job opportunities available to them, especially in New Jersey, which has historically been a destination-state for immigrants.
Keep Exploring other States and Cities
Frequently asked questions
What does an ultrasound technician do?
There’s much more than just imaging internal organs. Learn more about your career and specialization options on our ultrasound technician page. Find more information about the work environment additional specifics on our ultrasound tech job description page, as well as first-hand accounts of what it’s like to be a sonographer.
How do I get started as an ultrasound tech in New Jersey?
We’ll walk you through all of the steps, starting when you’re still in high school or before you’ve started any formal post-education program, all the way through finding a job and advancing in your career. Get Started Now.
How long do I have to go to school?
Most degree programs are completed within two years.
How do I know if it’s right for me?
In order to be successful in the field, you’ll need more than just technical knowledge. Here’s how you’ll know if you’ve got what it takes.
What other jobs can I get in healthcare?
There are many careers available within the healthcare industry, and we’ll introduce you to many of them here.
Resources:
ARDMS
New Jersey Career Connections
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Career OneStop