RADIOLOGIC TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM

Becoming a Radiographer
Persons who wish to become Radiographers must graduate from a regionally or nationally accredited Radiologic Technology Program.   These program are structured as two-year hospital-based certificate, two-year college-based Associate Degree or four-year college-based Baccalaureate Degree programs.  Some basic differences between program types are described below.

TYPE OF PROGRAM

Degree or Certificate Awarded

Program Length
Hospital Based Programs-Programs which are sponsored by the individual hospital and all didactic classes and clinical classes are taken on the premises.  (Some may require students to take a few general education courses such as, English or Writing, Math & Psychology, at a local college as part of the curriculum) DIPLOMA or CERTIFICATE of ATTENDANCE 2-2 1/2 Years
Community or Junior College Based and Post-secondary Vocational Technical School  Programs - Programs which are sponsored by the college where all didactic courses including general education courses, such as English, Anatomy & Physiology, Math, Psychology, Sociology and others, and core program courses, are taken at the school or college campus.  Clinical courses are usually taken at taken at recognized clinical affiliations which include hospitals, clinics, doctor's offices and mobile companies.   ASSOCIATE IN SCIENCE (A.S.) or ASSOCIATE IN APPLIED SCIENCE (A.A.S) DEGREE 2-2 1/2 Years
4 Year Colleges and Universities- Programs which are sponsored by the college in which all didactic courses are taken on campus.  Clinical courses are taken at recognized clinical affiliations.  Usually, these programs include several additional general education courses such as chemistry and/or physics and other electives.  Additionally, they usually include basic radiography courses at the lower levels (first two years) with more advanced radiography courses offered in the upper two levels (last two years). BACHELOR of SCIENCE DEGREE (B.S.) in RADIOLOGIC TECHNOLOGY 4 Years
Many slight variations of the above described type of programs exist.  The important thing is that you choose a program which best suits your needs and make sure the program is well established and accredited.  
No matter which type of program you choose to attend, you will, upon completing the requirements of the institution and program, be eligible to apply for the National Certification Examination (Registry) or individual state licenses. The accepted national certification examination is administered through the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT)®.