Why Study Diagnostic Medical Sonography at SHP?

According to the U.S. Department of Labor Statistics, employment of diagnostic medical sonographers is expected to increase by about 10 % through 2032, which is faster than the average for all occupations. Ultrasound imaging is a rapidly evolving field, resulting in many new sonographic procedures enabling sonographers to scan and image areas of the body where ultrasound has not been used traditionally.

$81,350
*average salary of a Sonography graduate.

*U.S. Department of Labor Statistics

Program Highlights

The full-time, 15-month course of study for Diagnostic Medical Sonography includes Applied Anatomy and Physiology, Pathophysiology, Ultrasound Physics, Instrumentation and Applied Sonography in the speciality areas of abdomen, obstetrics, and gynecology.

• • New Jersey’s only CAAHEP-accredited bachelor’s degree program
  • Ranked one of the best Diagnostic Medical Sonography programs nationally
  • Our affiliation with a diverse population of health care facilities provides students with a comprehensive experience in the practical application of current and emerging technologies
  • Most graduates gain certification in Abdominal and Ob/Gyn ultrasound
  • Consistently exceeds all benchmarks established by accrediting agency

Learning Beyond the Classroom

Clinical Education is provided in active Radiology and Perinatal Testing departments equipped with the most advanced ultrasound equipment.

The Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program provides clinical experiences with varied populations in a wide variety of health care settings by utilizing a large number of health care facilities throughout NJ and NY. Students complete clinical rotations in a variety of facilities.

Program Director
Dr. Garth Nanni

Our Diagnostic Medical Sonography (DMS), or general sonography program, encompasses clinical and didactic instruction in abdominal, obstetrical, gynecological, neonatal, neurosonography, and other related ultrasound specialties.

Selection of applicants for admission to the DMS program is a competitive process that is the responsibility of the program faculty/admissions committee. The Admissions Committee carefully reviews each application and only the most competitive applicants are invited for an interview.

Program Goals & Student Learning Outcomes

To prepare competent entry-level sonographers in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains for the abdomen-extended and obstetrics and gynecology sonography concentration, who are able to meet entry-level occupational demands.

Upon completion of the Diagnostic Medical Sonography program, graduates will be able to:

• Obtain, review, and integrate pertinent patient history and supporting clinical data to facilitate optimum diagnostic results
• Perform appropriate procedures and record anatomic, pathologic, and/or physiologic data for interpretation by a physician
• Record, analyze, and process diagnostic data and other pertinent observations made during the procedure for presentation to the interpreting physician
• Exercise discretion and judgment in the performance of sonographic and/or other noninvasive diagnostic services
• Demonstrate appropriate communication skills with patients and colleagues
• Act in a professional and ethical manner
• Provide patient education related to medical ultrasound and/or other diagnostic vascular techniques, and promote principles of good health
• Develop and cultivate the confidence and responsibility needed to perform as a competent sonographer
• Understand and recognize the importance of adaptability
• Implement and perform diagnostic procedures adhering to acceptable departmental, institutional, governmental and professional standards
• Encompass strategies that assure professional development at a level of clinical practice consistent with acceptable standards
• Establish values and attitudes congruent with professional standards and ethics
• Demonstrate awareness of and operate within the Diagnostic Medical Sonographer’s scope of practice.

Questions?
For more information, call 908-889-2521 or email SHP-DMS-info@shp.rutgers.edu

Accreditation
Our Diagnostic Medical Sonography program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www.caahep.org) upon the recommendation of the Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (www.jrcdms.org).

Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
9355 – 113th Street, N, #7709
Seminole, FL 33775
727-210-2350

The Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (JRC-DMS)
6021 University Boulevard Suite 500
Ellicott City,MD 21043
443-973-3251

The Diagnostic Medical Sonography program is accredited for the learning concentrations of Abdomen-Extended and Obstetrics and Gynecology Sonography by JRC-DMS. The program also teaches some vascular sonography; many students can learn vascular examinations during clinical rotations.

However, this program is not accredited for the learning concentration of Vascular Sonography.

State Authorization and Professional Licensure Disclosure:
The Rutgers School of Health Professions Certificate and BS in Diagnostic Medical Sonography meets the professional licensing requirements of the following states: ND, NH, NM, OR.
All states not listed above, to the best of our knowledge, do not require professional licensure to practice within our profession.

Beginning in 2028, Certificate and Joint Degree tracks will no longer be available. There will be 2 routes to apply to the DMS program: 1) B.S. in Diagnostic Medical Sonography 2) 2nd B.S. in Diagnostic Medical Sonography Please note that the partner colleges affiliated with the Joint Degree have already stopped admitting students into this track.

ALL SCIENCE COURSES MUST BE COMPLETED WITHIN 7 YEARS OF THE APPLICATION DEADLINE

* (Other Biology courses with or without lab may be substituted if they have not already counted for another prerequisite category)

** (Trigonometry, Calculus, Precalculus, or Statistics are also acceptable)

*** (English Composition, Writing, or Literature courses are acceptable)

Introductory science courses are acceptable if they’re taken at the 100/1000 level

Letters of recommendation and/or resumes are not required for admission

Selection of applicants for admission to the DMS program is very competitive. The DMS Admissions Committee carefully reviews each application and only the most competitive applicants are invited for an interview. To be considered for an interview, transcripts of all secondary schools the applicant has attended must be submitted to the AHCAS system. The DMS Admissions Committee will only review transcripts from regionally accredited 2-year and 4-year colleges and universities.

Please note that achievement of the minimum standards does not automatically guarantee an applicant will be invited for an interview.

Healthcare experience (including paid employment and volunteering), interviewing professional sonographers, and shadowing sonographers (if available) is highly encouraged prior to an applicant interview.

The DMS Admissions Committee seeks applicants who are professional, good communicators, and possess interpersonal skills with a general understanding of the sonography profession.

The academic curriculum and clinical training facilities provide a program that is educational, comprehensive, and teaches students the principles, ethics, and practices of Diagnostic Medical Sonography.

The professional curriculum is the same for degree and certificate programs. The program is for full-time students.

Diagnostic Medical Sonography – Professional Curriculum

• Solo B.S. in Diagnostic Medical Sonography
  

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• Second B.S.degree – MIS
  

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• Certificate (applications available ONLY through 2027 application cycle)
  

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• Solo B.S. in Diagnostic Medical Sonography for Graduates of DMS Certificate
  

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• Joint Bachelor’s Degree with Partner Colleges – MIS (applications available ONLY through 2027 application cycle)