Radiography (A.A.S.)

Purpose

The Radiography Program provides a comprehensive curriculum and educational experiences for students who wish to become integral members of the health care team. The program affords each student with educational opportunities to develop competence in critical thinking, technical skills and interpersonal communication necessary for the practice of diagnostic radiography. Competence is achieved through the integrated use of lecture, laboratory activities, small group presentations, research, and clinical education experiences. Students gain proficiency in the safe application of the principles of ionizing radiation in both diagnostic and fluoroscopic procedures.

Accreditation of the program is by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT), 20 North Wacker Drive, Suite 2850, Chicago, Illnois 60606-3182, (312) 704-5300, the national accrediting commission for Radiography Programs. Graduates are eligible to take the national certifying examination administered by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT).

Program Mission

The Associate in Applied Science degree in Radiography has a mission consistent with the mission of Montgomery County Community College. The program recognizes that students differ in their needs, interests, and aspirations. As a result, the program is organized to assist and prepare students for the level of technical competence required to become highly qualified and successful radiographers. The program will provide students with meaningful educational experiences.

Program Goals

  1. To produce graduates who are ready to enter the radiologic science profession.
  2. To produce graduates who function effectively as entry level practitioners in radiography.
  3. To produce graduates who demonstrate the knowledge base, skills, ethical and professional values, and competencies necessary to function as entry-level radiographers.
  4. To produce graduates who value life-long learning as a means of achieving personal and professional growth.

Admissions Guidelines and Procedures

Students who wish to be considered for admission to the Radiography Program must present credentials in accordance with the following requirements.

  1. Be at least 18 years of age to participate in any of the RAD courses. Students under the age of 18 may complete any prerequisite or co-requisite courses at the College level in accordance with College policy.

  2. Submit a completed College application earmarking Radiography (RT.GS) as the major.

  3. Submit high school transcript or GED scores. Applicants must have completed at least one year of biology, chemistry and mathematics or equivalent.

  4. Submit official college transcript(s), if applicable.

  5. Submit one of the following:

    1. ACT score composite of 18 or above, or

    2. SAT score of a minimum of 800, or

    3. SAT I or SAT Reasoning combined math and verbal/critical reading score of a minimum of 920 total, or

    4. College transcript including 14 semester hours consisting of two 4 credit laboratory science courses and two 3 credit courses from the general education component of the Radiography curriculum. Grades for the four courses must each be a "C" or better and result in a GPA of at least 2.5. The 14 credits will be used for evaluation purposes.

  6. All science courses must be successfully completed within 5 years prior to enrolling in Radiography courses.

  7. All applicants must take the College placement tests in English, Mathematics, and Reading and must place above the developmental level prior to enrolling in Radiography courses.

  8. Due to class limitations, the College does not guarantee continuous enrollment between non-Radiography and Radiography courses.

  9. After application to the Radiography Program, applicants are advised to take non-radiography courses required by the Radiography Program Curriculum (see Sequence of Courses) while awaiting program acceptance.

Program Requirements

Once accepted into the Radiography Program, students are required to:

  1. Purchase all required textbooks and manuals.

  2. Purchase a Radiography Program uniform kit to include name pin, scrubs, lab coat and positioning markers.

  3. Purchase student liability insurance annually.

  4. Assume all responsibility for transportation to and from the clinical agencies assigned.

  5. Obtain and maintain current CPR certification by passing the American Heart Association's Health Care Provider OR the American Red Cross' Professional Rescuer course.

  6. Have a comprehensive physical examination which includes documentation of selected vaccinations and a urine drug screen, within six months of program matriculation and annually thereafter.

  7. All students must complete the Radiography Program within four academic years of the data of the initial enrollment in the program.

  8. Demonstrate proof of computer literacy prior to enrolling in Radiography courses. Successful completion of one of the following will fulfill this requirement: demonstrate computer proficiency obtained through life experiences; demonstrate computer skills obtained at another academic institution including high school or acquired through on the job training, or complete a computer science course such as CIS 100.

Curriculum

Semester I—Summer

BIO 131

Anatomy and Physiology I

4 Credits

BIO 132
(8 Credit Hours)

Anatomy and Physiology II

4 Credits

Semester II—Fall

RAD 100

Introduction to Radiography

3 Credits

RAD 102

Radiographic Exposure and Technique I

3 Credits

RAD 103

Radiation Protection

1 Credit

RAD 104

Clinical Education I

3 Credits

RAD 111

Radiographic Procedures I

3 Credits

SPC 110
(16 Credit Hours)

Fundamentals of Speech

3 Credits

Semester III—Spring

ENG 101

English Composition I

3 Credits

HIS 103, 105, 107

History of Western Civilization

3 Credits

RAD 112

Radiographic Exposure and Technique II

3 Credits

RAD 114

Clinical Education II

3 Credits

RAD 121
(15 Credit Hours)

Radiographic Procedures II

3 Credits

Semester IV—Summer

ENG 102, 115, 117

English Elective

3 Credits

RAD 124
(7 Credit Hours)

Clinical Education III

4 Credits

Semester V—Fall

RAD 105

Radiation Physics

3 Credits

RAD 214

Clinical Education IV

4 Credits

RAD 221

Radiographic Procedures III

3 Credits

RAD 228
(12 Credit Hours)

Radiation Biology

2 Credits

Semester VI—Spring

PSY 101

Introduction to Psychology

3 Credits

RAD 222

Quality Assurance

2 Credits

RAD 224

Clinical Education V

4 Credits

RAD 230

Radiographic Pathology

2 Credits

RAD 250
(12 Credit Hours)

Professional Issues in Radiography

1 Credit

PROFESSIONAL CURRICULUM TOTAL: 70 CREDITS