Medical Imaging - Radiography, B.S.

Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences

Department Chairperson - Dr. Felicia Holliday
Clinical Coordinator - Ms. Haley Lacovitch

The Bachelor of Science Degree in Medical Imaging is designed to give students the skills needed to become tomorrow’s leaders in the field of medical imaging. Through preparation for more advanced work in specialty areas such as computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MR), ultrasonography (US), radiation therapy, nuclear medicine, or cardiac interventional radiography, graduates are able to meet the challenges posed by advancing technology in the current healthcare environment. The student-focused curriculum strongly emphasizes liberal arts studies and professional courses in advanced imaging modalities with a structured competency-based clinical education.

Additionally, through their development in the liberal arts, students will learn to provide patient care that is oriented and responsive by displaying the attributes of compassion, competence, and effective communication in meeting the patient’s special needs. Graduates will also learn to exercise independent judgment in the technical performance of medical imaging procedures by adapting the technical parameters of the procedure to the patient’s condition.

Upon completion of the Bachelor Degree Medical Imaging Program, graduates will:

1. discuss the role of a medical imaging professional as a member of the larger healthcare team in assuring continuity of patient care;

2. integrate interdisciplinary health-related knowledge to address health-related issues; 

3. describe the integral role of information technology by reviewing the benefits and liabilities of informatics in healthcare;

4. identify, analyze, and solve a variety of scientific, clinical, and managerial problems within the complexity of the healthcare system.

Medical Imaging and Radiation Science licensure and certification laws/regulations vary from state to state.  It is highly recommended that students planning to pursue a professional credential in states other than Pennsylvania contact the appropriate state licensing agency to seek guidance and verify requirements prior to starting a program.

Visit https://www.caahep.org/Students/Program-Info.aspx and  https://www.asrt.org/main/standards-and-regulations/legislation-regulations-and-advocacy/individual-state-licensure for more information.

Departmental Program Requirements

General Requirements Regardless of Specific Program of Study

1. For applicants applying directly into any associate degree program: 

   • Complete work equal to standard high school courses with satisfactory achievement (grade of “C” or better) in Algebra and Chemistry within the previous five years. If an incoming student does not have the algebra within the previous five years, the student will be required to complete MAT 001: Basic Math Concepts through NursingABC.com;

   • All applicants must have a minimum of 2.7 GPA;

   • A student who is admitted as a pre-medical imaging student or coded as pre-medical imaging during a break in enrollment in the program directly must earn a grade of “C” or better in all core courses and courses outside the major. Once the student is matriculated fully into the program, grades of “D” or better are acceptable in all non-major courses and science courses.

2. It is important that students take the required science coursework, as prescribed by their academic advisor. Failure to do so may delay graduation.

3. Students that are attending a clinical have multiple requirements that need to be completed and submitted electronically. A clinical experience will not be permitted without a physical exam, titers to ensure immunity to Mumps, Rubella, Rubeola, and Varicella, immunization information for Polio, Tetanus, Hepatitis, and Influenza, and a two- step Tuberculosis test. The Health Service Department assists students in creating an account and using a Certified Profile system to upload documentation for approval and tracking.

4. Students are required to have a current clear urine drug screen, submit to a criminal record check, an FBI fingerprint record check and have a child abuse history clearance.

5. Students in a Health Studies Division curriculum are assessed a one-time fee to cover incidental expenses connected with your program’s clinical education. One American Heart Association Healthcare Provider CPR certification (Adult, Child, Infant and AED), one urine drug screening, one criminal record check, one FBI fingerprint record check, and one child abuse clearance (if required) are included in the fee. If additional criminal record checks, child abuse clearances or urine drug screens are required, the student will be responsible for any additional costs associated with updating their requirements.

6. Students are required to have and maintain a current American Heart Association Healthcare Provider CPR Certification (Adult, Child, Infant and AED) for the duration of their clinical experience.

7. The associate and bachelor degree programs in Medical Imaging, Ultrasonography, and Nuclear Medicine programs may require part-time or full-time summer clinical work.

8. Students must provide their own transportation to clinical sites and are responsible for their own room and board during the course, if necessary. Students may be required to relocate due to clinical sites being at a distance.

9. Students in the 2+2 Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences program, who are transferring credits which apply towards the associate degree requirements, may take courses needed for the bachelor degree during their time in the associate degree program with approval of their academic advisor.

10. Please note: Program requirements may be changed as changes in the national standards occur.
     

For acceptance at the Advanced Level:

Current Registered Technologist with the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists OR Completion of an Associate of Science Degree in Radiography must provide documentation of certification through the American of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT).

Specific Ultrasonography Program Requirements (Associate Degree, Bachelor Degree, or 2+2 Program)

1. For entrance into the ultrasonography courses in the 2+2 Medical Imaging/Ultrasonography program, students must first complete the first two years of coursework in radiologic technology. Those students will be exempt from PHYS 103: Applied Physics and MATH 112: College Algebra. Radiographic Physics is completed during RAD 103, RAD 110,  RAD 204, and RAD 211.

2. For Radiographers with a hospital diploma in Radiography and graduates of an Associate Degree in Radiography they must possess an Associate of Science Degree in Radiography or provide documentation of certification through the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT).

3. Students must maintain a 2.7 GPA throughout the program.

4. The associate degree program in the Ultrasonography program requires summer clinical course work. In the bachelor degree program, students will complete full-time clinical course work during the summer between the second and third years in the Ultrasonography program.

5. If all program prerequisites for the Bachelor of Science Ultrasonography program are not completed prior to the start of the fall semester ultrasonography coursework, the student will be placed into the ULTSP Track.

6. Students must attempt the Sonography Principles and Instrumentation (SPI) exam during Summer I, the semester before the first clinical rotation.

7. It is recommended that graduating Ultrasound students in the Medical Imaging and Sciences department should sit for the American Registry of Radiologic (ARRT) for Ultrasound or the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) no later than four weeks after their May graduation date.

8. Students accepted into the Ultrasonography program are contingent upon the number of available clinical sites. This number can fluctuate from year to year due to the dynamic nature of the healthcare field. In the event that the volume of students exceeds the number of clinical sites, students will be based upon career GPA.

9. Students must provide their own transportation to clinical sites and are responsible for their own room and board during the course, if necessary. Students may be required to relocate due to clinical sites being at a distance.

Specifics: Nuclear Medicine Therapy Concentration (2+2 or Bachelor of Science Degree)

1. For acceptance at the Advanced Level, the students must: 

   • be a current Registered Radiologic Technologist and provide documentation of certification through the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists or have completed an Associate of Science Degree in Radiography.

   • Students, depending on the number of transfer credits, may be accepted as a Junior.

2. Because this is an articulation program with Findlay University, students should: 

   • Apply to Findlay University not later than one year before matriculation.

   • Apply for graduation at the end of their junior year. Students in the articulation program will participate in Commencement at the College at the end of their senior year. However, students do not officially have their degrees conferred until the completion of their clinical rotation in the summer of their senior year.

   • Send their official transcript from Findlay University directly to the Registrar’s Office at the end of their fall, spring, and summer semesters at Findlay University.

Specifics: Radiation Therapy Concentration (3+1 or Bachelor of Science Degree)

For acceptance at the Advanced Level, the students must:

• Be a current Registered Radiologic Technologist and provide documentation of certification through the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) and have completed an Associate of Science Degree in Radiography.

• Admission into the Radiation Therapy program at Washburn University is not guaranteed, is contingent on a GPA of 3.0, and all applicants from Mount Aloysius College will be included in the total number of candidates the University receives.

Students, depending on the number of transfer credits, ARRT certification in radiography, and associate degree completed, may be accepted as a Junior.

Because this is an articulation program with Washburn University, students should:

• mail completed application, postmarked no later than February 1, to Washburn University in your junior year.

• apply for graduation from Mount Aloysius College at the end of their junior year. Students in the articulation program will participate in Commencement at the College at the end of their senior year. However, students do not officially have their degrees conferred until the completion of all coursework in the summer of their senior year.

• send their official transcript from Washburn University directly to the Registrar’s Office at the end of their fall, spring, and summer semesters at Washburn University.

Medical Imaging and Radiation Science licensure and certification laws/regulations vary from state to state.  It is highly recommended that students planning to pursue a professional credential in states other than Pennsylvania contact the appropriate state licensing agency to seek guidance and verify requirements prior to starting a program. 

Visit https://www.caahep.org/Students/Program-Info.aspx and  https://www.asrt.org/main/standards-and-regulations/legislation-regulations-and-advocacy/individual-state-licensure for more information.

Bachelor Degree CORE Requirements: 35-36 Credits

Major Course Requirements: 59 Credits

• RAD 100 - Introduction to Basic Health Care 2 Lecture / 2 Lab / 3 Credits
• RAD 115 - Human Skeletal Anatomy 2 Lab / 1 Credit
• RAD 103 - Radiologic Sciences I 3 Lecture / 3 Lab / 4 Credits ^
• RAD 108 - Clinical Practicum I 120 Clinical Hours / 1 Credit ^
• RAD 109 - Radiologic Procedures I 2 Lectures / 3 Lab / 3 Credits ^
• RAD 110 - Radiologic Sciences II 3 Credits ^
• RAD 111 - Clinical II 240 Hours / 2 Credits ^
• RAD 202A - Clinical Practicum III 240 Hours / 2 Credits ^
• RAD 202B - Clinical Practicum III 240 Hours / 2 Credits ^
• RAD 203 - Radiologic Procedures II 2 Lecture / 2 Lab / 3 Credits ^
• RAD 204 - Radiologic Sciences III 3 Credits ^
• RAD 205 - Clinical Practicum IV 360 Hours / 3 Credits ^
• RAD 209 - Clinical Practicum V 360 Hours / 3 Credits ^
• RAD 211 - Radiologic Sciences IV 3 Credits ^
• RAD 212 - Radiologic Procedures III 2 Lecture / 2 Lab / 3 Credits ^
• RAD 220 - Radiologic Sciences and Procedures 2 Lecture / 2 Lab / 3 Credits
• RAD 300 - Imaging in Healthcare 3 Credits
• RAD 303 - Cross-Sectional Anatomy 3 Credits
• RAD 401 - Capstone: Issues and Trends in Health Care Delivery 3 Credits
• RAD 430 - Healthcare Informatics 3 Credits ^
• RAD - Degree Completion Requirement 3 Credits **
• RAD - Degree Completion Requirement 3 Credits **

Other Required Coursework: 12-17 Credits

• Science Course

• *  BIOL 116 - Human Biology 3 Lecture / 1 Lab / 3 Credits ***

• or

• *  BIOL 201 - Anatomy and Physiology I 3 Lecture / 2 Lab / 4 Credits ***

• AND

• *  BIOL 202 - Anatomy and Physiology II 3 Lecture / 2 Lab / 4 Credits ***

• Management Course

• MGMT 410 - Organizational Behavior 3 Credits

• or

• HCA 317 - Organizational Management for Health Care Delivery 3 Credits

• Other Required Courses

• MATH 220 - Introduction to Statistics 3 Credits
• METE 109 - Medical Terminology 3 Credits ***

Total Credits of Free Electives: 18 Credits

Total Credits for Medical Imaging/Radiography Degree: 124-130 Credits

^ Denotes Technology-Enhanced Courses

* Radiography majors choose BIOL 116 or BIOL 201 and BIOL 202; Nuclear Medicine, Radiation Therapy, Cardiac Interventional, and Ultrasound majors choose BIOL 201 and BIOL 202

*** Requires C or better

** For degree completion, one of the three areas of specialization must be fulfilled. Each area consists of four courses, two courses in the area of specialization, cross-sectional anatomy and RAD 300  - Imaging in Healthcare. Areas of specialization include computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MR). Students matriculating from the Associate to the Bachelor program must provide a copy of their American Registry of Radiologic Technologists card within one month from the start of the semester in order to complete the specialty course and clinical requirements.

Both of the CT and MRI courses meet the requirements set forth by the ARRT as Structured Education courses. Structured education is a vital component of certification and registration using the post primary pathway. Its purpose is to help you master the discipline-specific knowledge you’ll need to obtain your credential. The ARRT Structured Education requirements for CT and MRI can be found on the ARRT website.