Degree: Medical Radiologic Technology, AAS
The course of study for a radiologic technologist is a two-year program, leading to an associate of applied science degree. The program is offered at LSC-Montgomery and CyFair. Each college accepts one class each year into the radiologic technology program. The six-semester program includes two summer semesters, for a total of 72 credit hours.
The curriculum is a balance of general education and technical courses in the classroom and laboratory, as well as supervised clinical experiences at local hospitals and outpatient clinics. This combination provides the student an opportunity for educational development and assurance of competency in radiographic skills.
The program is designed to provide the student with the knowledge and skills to perform radiographic examinations, provide patient care and assist the radiologist during diagnostic procedures. Radiologic technologists are employed in medical centers, community hospitals, extended care facilities, physicians’ offices, specialist clinics, and other health care institutions.
Prior to entering the radiologic technology AAS degree program, students may take any of the general education core courses required in the program. Radiologic technology students must earn a grade of "C" or better in each radiography (RADR) course and maintain an overall grade point average of at least 2.0 in order to graduate from the radiologic technology program. In order to help assure success on the ARRT examination, the Lone Star College System (LSCS) radiography programs utilize an elevated grading scale. The general education core will transfer to a variety of colleges and universities. For more specific information and the sequence of courses at each college, contact the program director or a college counselor.
In addition to the tuition and textbooks for the radiologic technology courses, there are additional fees and expenses. Students are required to purchase uniforms and accessories. Each student accepted into the program is required to purchase student liability insurance (subject to rates applicable at the time of registration) and obtain current immunizations as required by the Texas Department of State Health Services for healthcare providers. Regulations require that students complete the Hepatitis B immunization series that may take between 3-6 months prior to patient contact. Each student is also responsible for his/her own transportation to the clinical areas.
Graduates of the radiologic technology AAS degree program are eligible to apply for the certification examination in radiologic technology given by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT); www.arrt.org. Graduates may also apply for Texas state certification through the Texas Department of State Health Services; http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/mrt/default.shtm
More information about a career in radiologic technology can be found at the American Society of Radiologic Technologists Web site: www.asrt.org.
Admission Criteria:Because clinical space is limited, students are admitted on a competitive basis. In addition to the general admission requirements of the
LSCS, the following requirements must be met in order to apply for admission to the radiologic technology AAS program.
1. College entry-level ability in mathematics, English and writing, as defined by LSCS. For further information, contact any of the student development offices.
2. Satisfactory completion of Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology (BIOL 2404) or Anatomy and Physiology I and II (BIOL 2401 & 2402) with a "C" or better within the previous five years and prior to submission of an application for the radiologic technology program. 3. A cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.0 in high school and/or college.
4. Students must register for and take the PSB Health Occupations Aptitude Test.
5. Final acceptance into the program is contingent upon a satisfactory background check (as required by hospitals) that is completed by a college approved agency at the student’s expense. Clinical facilities may also require completion of satisfactory drug screening.
Applying for Readmission or Transfer:
A former student of any radiology program seeking admission to the MRT program will be considered upon submission of the following documents to the readmission committee at least two months in advance of the semester for which admission is being sought: 1. A completed petition for readmission/transfer.
2. A signed personal statement from the student describing their reasons for originally leaving the program. This statement should include a description of the ways in which they have, or plan to, resolve the situations which caused them to leave the program previously.
3. Current official college transcripts from any other colleges, universities, or proprietary schools the student has attended both before entering the program and since leaving the program.
4. A minimum of three recommendations mailed to the program under separate cover. One letter should be a "report of status" from the former program director.
Additionally, readmission is based upon:
• Space available in the program.
• Satisfaction of current college and program admission requirements.
• A readmitted student is required to fulfill the graduation requirements that are in effect at the time of readmission.
Any student who was required to exit the program for academic reasons may only be granted one (1) readmission at the discretion of the readmission committee. Students gaining readmission to the program must repeat any academically deficient course(s) and may be required to audit other program course(s) offered in the same semester.
Students who have been out of the program for one (1) or more years will be required to audit or retake all previously completed RADR courses and pass the final examinations for those courses with a grade of "C" or better.
Students who are asked to leave the program for violation(s) of the LSCS’s or the program’s code of conduct, ethical standards, academic honesty, civil rights, or harassment policies are not eligible for readmission.