The Radiologic Technology associate degree program is a sequence of courses that prepares students for positions in radiology departments and related businesses and industries. Learning opportunities develop academic, technical, and professional knowledge and skills required for job acquisition, retention, and advancement. The program emphasizes a combination of didactic and clinical instruction necessary for successful employment.
Radiology departments use a wide variety of machines to produce images of the body. They use x-ray machines, CT (CAT) scanners, MRI machines, ultrasound machines and nuclear medicine cameras. This program teaches students to perform studies using x-ray machines. Use of advanced imaging modalities will require additional schooling or on-the-job training. The variety of things to learn keeps the field of radiologic technology new and interesting.
Students may compete to enter the Radiologic Technology degree program spring semester. A full-time student can complete the program in 4 semesters. To graduate, students must earn a minimum of 77 semester credit hours.
Students interested in the Radiologic Technology program must understand that there is a potential to being exposed to a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) environment. The MRI environment consists of strong magnetic fields and radiofrequency waves which may be contraindicated for individuals that have devices implanted in or on their body that should not be subjected to an MRI environment. Additional information regarding MRI safety can be found on the internet and at the following web site: www.mrisafety.com.
Employment Outlook
Career Traits/Requirements
Individuals wanting to enroll in the Radiologic Technology degree program must have good work ethics, be people oriented and possess great organizational skills. Instruction and practical application of learned skills provide a broad occupational background which appeals to prospective employers.
Employment Opportunities
Graduates of the Radiologic Technology program are prepared for responsible positions in hospitals, private clinics, doctors’ offices, and other institutions requiring qualified professional personnel.
Program Costs
Tuition & Fees: $9,024.00
Books & Supplies: $2,550.00
(Costs are estimated and are subject to change.)
Additional Fees:
Malpractice Insurance: $11.00
Drug Screen: $50.00
Criminal Background Check: $51.50
Dosimeter Scanner (each semester): $11.75
Left/Right Marker (RADT 1320): $30.00
Corectec (RADT 2260): $80.00
Clinical Onboarding Fees: Varies by facility
Trajecsys Fee: $150.00
Science Lab Fee: $75.00
RADT Tech Boot Camp Fee: $150.00
(Costs are estimated and are subject to change.)
Certain facilities require clinical students to have an active health insurance policy during clinical rotations. Therefore, all students are required to obtain health insurance coverage prior to submitting pre-clinical onboarding documents for clinical rotations.
Admission Requirements
OFTC may accept a student’s official entrance score on the following validated assessment instruments if the scores meet the required minimums:
- COMPASS/ASSET,
- SAT,
- ACT,
- PSAT,
- PACT,
- Accuplacer/Accuplacer Next Generation/Companion,
- HOPE GPA after completion of 10th grade of 2.6 or higher, or High School GPA of 2.6 (for occupational programs), or 2.0 for Workforce Entry Level programs, or GED.
The College may accept transfer credit for other courses according to the College’s transfer policy.
Competitive Admission
All steps of the competitive selection process must be completed for students to be considered for admission into program classes. Access links and forms for Competitive Admissions Programs.
Applications to compete must be submitted no later than the specified deadline. Students without an application on file in the Admissions Office will NOT be considered for competition. Applications signify that the student:
- has completed or will complete the designated courses,
- has registered for and will complete TEAS (nursing, radiologic technology, and diagnostic medical sonography programs) test prior to the published deadline,
- understands the competitive process including deadlines for work experience forms and official college transcripts.
If designated core courses and additional curriculum/other requirements listed are not completed by the published deadline and/or if the student is not in satisfactory academic standing at OFTC, then the application will not be considered. The student is responsible for the payment of the drug screen fee and criminal background check fee that will be assessed when students register for classes with such requirements. All newly accepted students will be required to attend an orientation session prior to the beginning of the program. No new students will be accepted after program orientation occurs. The updated Guidelines for Entry into Allied Health Programs can be found on the OFTC website under Admissions.
Students will be required to take the following designated core classes that will be used toward the GPA ranking: ALHS 1090, BIOL 2113, BIOL 2113L, BIOL 2114, BIOL 2114L, COLL 1060, ENGL 1101, ENGL 2130, IMSA 1100, MATH 1111 or MATH 1103, PSYC 1101, and RADT 1010. These students may compete for program course slots each spring semester. Students are required to complete the Imaging Science Technical Certificate of Credit prior to competition.
Mission, Goals, & Outcomes
Mission Statement
The mission of the OFTC Radiologic Technology Program is to provide quality instruction for radiography students that will enable them to become competent registered technologists (ARRT) and contribute to the economic development of the community.
Program Goals
The radiologic technology program prepares students for employment in radiologic technology and encourages personal and professional development. In support of this mission, the Radiography Program has the following goals:
- Radiologic Technology graduates will be clinically competent.
- Students will communicate effectively.
- Students will use critical thinking and problem solving skills.
- Students will evaluate the importance of professional growth and development.
- The program will graduate entry-level technologists.
Student Learning Outcomes
The following student learning outcomes are assessed annually:
- Students will apply positioning skills.
- Students will select appropriate technical factors.
- Students will practice radiation protection.
- Students will demonstrate the ability to follow directions.
- Students will demonstrate written communication skills.
- Students will demonstrate effective oral communication.
- Students will manipulate technical/positioning factors for non-routine examinations.
- Students will possess professional employment skills.
- Students will demonstrate appropriate reactions to constructive criticism.
- Students will pass the national registry exam on the 1st attempt.
- Of those pursuing employment, students will be gainfully employed within 12 months post-graduation.
- Students will complete the program within 17 months.
- Graduates will be satisfied with their education.
- Employers will be satisfied with the performance of newly hired technologists.
Accreditation
The Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT) is the only agency recognized by the United States Department of Education for the accreditation of educational programs in radiologic technology.
JRCERT
20 N. Wacker Drive, Suite 2850
Chicago, IL 60606-3182
Phone: (312) 704-5300, Fax: (312) 704-5304
mail@jrcert.org
www.jrcert.org
Program Effectiveness Data
Accreditation Status: 8 year Accreditation
For more information on Program Effectiveness Data, please view Program Effectiveness Data Details for this program.
Explanation for the number of graduates actively seeking employment may differ from the posted graduation rate: Job placement rate is defined as the number of graduates employed in the radiologic sciences compared to the number of graduates actively seeking employment in the radiologic sciences. The JRCERT has defined not actively seeking employment as: 1) graduate failed to communicate with program officials regarding employment status after multiple attempts, 2) graduate is unwilling to seek employment that requires relocation, 3) graduate is unwilling to accept employment due to salary or hours, 4) graduate is on active military duty, and/or 5) graduate is continuing education.
Curriculum
Area I - Language Arts/Communication
Area II - Social/Behavioral Sciences
Area III - Natural Sciences/Mathematics
Choose one of the following:
Area IV - Humanities/Fine Arts
Non-General Education Degree Courses
Program-Specific General Education Core Requirements
To meet the minimum required 15 semester credit hours in General Core Courses, students must take an additional 3 semester credit hours.
Occupational Courses
Program Pathway
Year 1
Semester 1
| ENGL 1101 | Composition and Rhetoric | 3 | 45 |
| ALHS 1090 | Medical Terminology for Allied Health Sciences | 2 | 30 |
| COLL 1060 | Introduction to College and Computers | 3 | 50 |
Semester 2
Semester 3
Year 2
Semester 4
Imaging Science Technical Certificate of Credit awarded upon completion
Semester 5
Semester 6
Year 3
Semester 7
Semester 8