Mar 29, 2024  
2015-2016 Academic Catalog 
    
2015-2016 Academic Catalog [Archived Catalog]

Radiologic Sciences


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Total Hours Required for Degree:  120

The Radiologic Sciences curriculum is designed to prepare students for the health care profession as competent radiographers. The radiographer is an individual who utilizes ionizing radiation and other forms of energy to produce medical images. The radiographer serves as a specialist in the application of knowledge in patient care, anatomy, physiology, positioning and radiographic techniques to accurately demonstrate anatomical structures on an image receptor.

There are certain physical and sensory skills related to successful performance in this occupation. Contact the Program Director of Radiologic Sciences before declaring Radiologic Sciences as your major.

Students enrolled in the professional phase are rotated through several area hospitals and clinics serving as clinical education settings. Students will spend 15-25 hours a week at the clinic education setting in addition to other courses. Special placement is available to individuals who are registered technologists.

In addition to radiography, the curriculum also offers advanced courses in mammography, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, bone densitometry, vascular interventional technology, cardiac-interventional technology, and quality management. The student may select one advanced area for a clinical rotation beyond radiography. The curriculum integrates learning and clinical environments to promote advanced professional development.

The program is accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology, 20 Wacker Drive, Suite 2850, Chicago, IL 60606-2901, (312) 704-5300, e-mail: mail@jrcert.org.

Upon completion of the program, the student will be eligible to receive the Bachelor of Science degree and apply for the primary certification examination in Radiography (R) offered by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT). The graduates of the program may also achieve some or complete documentation of the ARRT clinical experience requirements for post-primary certification examinations in one of these advanced areas, such as Mammography (M), Computed Tomography (CT), Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MR), Bone Densitometry (BD), Vascular-Interventional Technology (VI), Cardiac-Interventional Technology (CV), or Quality Management (QM).

The curriculum consists of two phases: preprofessional and professional. The preprofessional phase comprises the first three semesters of the program and consists of general academic requirements together with the basic physical and biological sciences. The final two and a half years comprise the professional phase of the program. Acceptance into the professional phase is on a competitive basis.

Students enrolled in the professional phase are rotated through several area hospitals and clinics serving as clinical education settings.  Students will spend 15-25 hours per week at the clinic education setting in addition to other courses.  Special placement is available to individuals who are registered technologists.

Admission to Professional Phase


Acceptance into the professional phase of the Radiologic Sciences program is on a selective basis due to the limited number of students approved for each clinical education setting. Students are admitted to the professional phase of the program once a year, in the spring semester of the sophomore year, and continue for two and a half years. The application must be submitted no later than October 1st of the preceding fall semester. Applications for the professional phase can be obtained from the Radiologic Sciences Program office. In cases where the number of qualified applicants for the professional phase exceeds the capacity, applicants will be accepted based on highest GPA. In order to be considered for admission to the professional curriculum, the student must:

  1. Have earned a minimum grade point average of 2.5 or better in all courses outlined in the preprofessional phase;
  2. Have earned a minimum grade point average of 2.5 or better and no grade lower than a ‘C’ in all science courses in the preprofessional curriculum (BIOL 100, 225, 226; CHEM 101; MATH 170, 231; RADS 101);
  3. Have repeated no more than two courses in the preprofessional curriculum due to a failing grade;
  4. Have completed or will have completed all the preprofessional courses by the starting date of the professional curriculum; and
  5. Submit documentation verifying 20 hours of observation in a radiology department.

After acceptance is granted to the professional phase, the student must meet the following requirements for continuation in clinical radiography courses (requirements included, but not limited to):

  1. Clearance and verification from a healthcare worker background check which includes: criminal search, social security number verification, maiden name/AKA name search, Sexual Offender Registry/Predator Registry, National Wants & Warrants Submission, 13224 Terrorism Sanctions Regulations, U.S. Government Terrorist List Search, Investigative Application Review, Adverse Action Letter, Medicare/Medicaid Sanctioned. This background profile must be conducted by a specified agency at a cost of $50. More details are in the acceptance letter and the student handbook for the professional phase.
  2. Negative results from a 15-panel split study drug screening performed by a specified medical laboratory at a cost of $35-$75. More details are in acceptance letter and the student handbook for the professional phase.
  3. Assignments for clinical radiography courses are typically Monday-Friday daytime hours, with the exception of the occasional evening rotation. Evening rotation during the summer session includes a Saturday assignment. More details are included in the student handbook for the professional phase.
  4. Travel to and from classroom and clinical assignments is the responsibility of the student.

Post-Certificate Standing


The Radiologic Sciences curriculum provides an opportunity for registered technologists to receive advance placement credit toward the baccalaureate degree program. Technologists registered with the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists will be awarded 54 credit hours to be applied to the professional curriculum. In addition to the courses in the preprofessional phase (except BIOL 100), the registered technologist must also complete the following courses in the professional portion of the program:

  • NURS 330; RADS 370, 462, 472, and 470 or 471; and nine (9) credit hours of approved RADS electives from RADS 367, 464, 466, 467, 468, and 470 or 471 (with no grade lower than a ‘C’ in all BIOL, CHEM, MATH, NURS, and RADS courses).

Note:


Students must earn a grade of ‘C’ or better in all BIOL, CHEM, MATH, NURS, and RADS courses. 

General Notes


  • All Baccalaureate degrees must include 40 hours at the 300/400 level.
  • All Baccalaureate degrees require at least one course from the life sciences and one course from the physical sciences categories in Area C of the General Education Core Curriculum.
  • All Baccalaureate degrees must include 12 hours of Writing Enriched courses in the General Education Core Curriculum and 6 hours in the major.
  • All Associate degrees must include 6 hours of Writing Enriched courses in the General Education Core Curriculum and 3 hours in the major.

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