Find New Jersey’s top sonography programs in 2020
Diagnostic medical sonography is a rapidly growing field within the healthcare industry. 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 expected to increase by 21.3% by 2026 (CareerOneStop). We will continue to dive into each of these topics, 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.
Connect With Educational Programs Near You
CAAHEP Accredited Diagnostic Sonography Programs
The most well known organization that accredits sonography programs 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. This makes sure that the students are receiving quality education that prepares them to enter the healthcare workforce.
The successful completion of a recognized New Jersey DMS 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 semi-annual $1,000 scholarship.
“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 October 1, 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 at 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
Currently, there are no licensure or certification requirements for diagnostic medical sonographers in New Jersey. However, receiving an ultrasound tech license in New Jersey can put you ahead of other job candidates because many employers prefer or require certification by the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS). This organization provides the most highly regarded certification to 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
Ultrasound Programs in Nearby States
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 is $78,820* in 2019, which is slightly above the national average of $75,780. Those at the top of their field in the 90th percentile earned $100,660* a year, while those in the bottom 10th percentile made an annual wage of $58,800*.
Where you work, amount of education, 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 as well.
Where you live can also affect how much you earn, with larger metropolitan areas usually paying higher than rural. Below you will find the mean annual salaries for different locations in New Jersey as of 2019:*
| Metropolitan Area | Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| Atlantic City – Hammenton, NJ | $82,680 |
| Trenton, NJ | $85,470 |
| Vineland – Bridgeton, NJ | $81,110 |
New Jersey Sonography Scholarships
Residents of New Jersey have the opportunity to apply for medical imaging scholarships that may help them with the cost of their education 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 | Semi-annual, non-renewable $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 |
| Melissa Anne Centrella Scholarship Foundation | $1,000 – $3,000 | The Melissa’s Hope Scholarship is awarded to New Jersey residents who will be enrolled in 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 |
City Spotlight: Newark, New Jersey
Ultrasound Technician Schools in Newark
If you are interested in a sonography career, there are several ultrasound technician schools in or near Newark, such as Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey.
As far as employment opportunities, the Newark-Union metropolitan area had over 6,000 working diagnostic medical sonographers who earned an average of $78,680 a year* (BLS 2019).
Jobs for working sonographers are also expected to increase by 21.3% by 2026 (CareerOneStop).
Limited English Proficient (LEP) Patients in NJ
It is estimated that almost 21% of individuals in the United States speak a language other than English at home, according to the US 2020 Census. As a result, the healthcare industry is concerned that Limited English Proficient (LEP) individuals, who are the fastest growing population in the country (US Department of Education), may not be receiving optimal health care in the US due to the language barrier.
Healthcare providers who speak a second language can have increased job opportunities because they can bridge the language gap and provide the quality care that LEPs deserve. New Jersey has historically been a destination-state for immigrants, making in a great place to work for sonographers who know multiple languages.
Keep Exploring other States and Cities
Other resources:
- Getting started
- Sonographer overview
- Degrees
- What makes a great sonographer
- Careers & education
- Other jobs in healthcare
*Conditions in your area may vary.