Program Information
Radiologic Technology, B.S./Certificate
The four-year program in Radiologic Technology leads to a Bachelor of Science and a Certificate in Radiography (RAD). The curriculum consists of basic science and math, general education including humanities, arts, and social sciences, and professional radiography core courses. Students are able to practice various radiographic procedures and techniques within our fully energized x-ray laboratory.
Beginning in the second year and concurrent with didactic course requirements, RAD students complete clinical rotations at our local affiliate institutions. This “hands-on” experience occurs under the supervision of practicing medical imaging professionals and affords students the opportunity to clinically apply what they’ve learned in the classroom and lab. To offer students a comprehensive breadth of clinical experience, we maintain affiliations with Bradley Memorial Hospital, Charlotte Hungerford Hospital, Connecticut Children’s Medical Center, Connecticut Orthopedics Association, Evergreen Imaging, Hartford Hospital, The Hospital of Central CT, Jefferson Radiology, Johnson Memorial Hospital, Johnson Surgical Center, Lawrence Memorial Hospital, Manchester Memorial Hospital, Open MRI of Connecticut, Radiology Associates of Hartford, Rockville General Hospital, Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center, Starling Physicians and UCONN Health Center.
By the end of the third year, students have typically completed all required didactic and clinical radiography courses and have demonstrated competence of a predetermined list of radiographic procedures. Students will have completed the requirements for the Associate Degree in Health Sciences, which provides the eligibility to take the national examination in radiography offered by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT). Candidates for the credentialing examination must also comply with the Rules of Ethics outlined by the ARRT. Successful completion of this exam provides the radiography credential required to become a practicing x-ray technologist. Students with a history of criminal proceedings, military court-martial, regulatory agency disciplinary actions, and/or academic honesty violations may be ineligible for the AART credentialing examination. Please refer to the ARRT for further information on the standard of ethics for the profession (www.arrt.org).
During their fourth year, students fulfill the requirements of the baccalaureate degree, preparing them to take a leadership role in healthcare and society through an undergraduate concentration in management, education, communication, computer science, or advanced science and medicine. Students may also choose to specialize in either computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or ultrasound (SONO) during their fourth year.
Medical imaging is a vital component of the health care system. As a medical imaging professional, the radiologic technologist (or radiographer) employs X-rays and other forms of energy to assist in the diagnosis and treatment of illness and injury. Radiographers are employed in various healthcare institutions including clinics, hospitals, and medical centers, serving as assistants to radiologists and other physicians. The typical medical imaging department consists of a vast array of sophisticated imaging equipment and computer networks. This dynamic work environment requires the radiographer to combine state-of-the-art technical skills with superb patient care to produce high-quality medical images of the body.
Program Accreditation
The Radiologic Technology program is licensed and accredited by the State of Connecticut and accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (www.jrcert.org), located at 20 North Wacker Drive, Suite 2850, Chicago, IL 60606-3182; 312.704.5300; mail@jrcert.org.
Transfer Admission
Students interested in potential transfer into the Radiologic Technology (RAD) program should consult with their academic advisor to facilitate the completion of the required prerequisite math and science course work. Due to the limited enrollment of the RAD program, the opportunity to transfer is also based on space availability. Decisions on transfer into the RAD major are made each May for the following fall semester. Candidates are selected from a waiting list by the program faculty. Transfer decisions are based on the academic achievement of the waitlisted students. Please consult your academic advisor or the Department of Health Sciences for more information on transfer into the RAD program.
Admission Requirements
Students must meet requirements established by the College of Education, Nursing and Health Professions. Prior high school or college courses should include mathematics, biology, and either chemistry or physics.
Note(s):
Prior to entering the clinical phase of the radiologic technology curriculum that begins in the sophomore year, the student is required to have achieved an overall GPA of 2.5. The minimum passing grade for each designated radiography (RAD) course is a C+.
Refer to the Radiologic Technology Student Handbook for specific academic requirements and procedures for all RAD-designated courses.
Refer to the Radiologic Technology Student Handbook for more information on additional costs associated with the program.
Transportation to and from clinical experience affiliates is the responsibility of the student. Students are required to purchase their own uniforms, which are necessary while performing clinical internships at off-campus healthcare institutions. Refer to the Radiologic Technology Student Handbook for more information on additional costs associated with the program.
During the summer between sophomore and junior year, RAD students are required to complete clinical rotations during both summer sessions. The student is responsible for all tuition and fees for these two clinical courses and is also responsible for any additional housing costs during this period. For students specializing in Ultrasound (SONO) during their fourth year of study, clinical rotations are also required during the summer semesters before, and immediately following senior year.
It is strongly recommended that students, with the advice of their personal physician, obtain Hepatitis B, PPD, and influenza immunization prior to entering the sophomore year clinical component of the radiography curriculum.
All students of the RAD program are required to undergo a criminal background check and drug screening prior to the start of clinical experience in the fall of sophomore year. An additional screening prior to the start of senior year is required of all students seeking advanced study in our CT, MRI, or SONO certificate programs. The student is responsible for clearing any eligibility issues identified during the screening process. Students who are unable to resolve said items may be denied clinical placement and will not be able to complete the requirements of the RAD program. Students who have additional infractions during their follow-up screening prior to the start of senior year may be subject to program dismissal. All costs associated with the background check and drug screening are paid by the student, through the collection of associated course fees.