Radiography Associate in Applied Science (050B)
The mission of the Richland Community College Radiography Program is to provide students with classroom, lab, and clinical experiences that enable them to achieve entry-level knowledge, skills, patient care, safety, and professional values needed to succeed in a Medical Imaging profession. The program prepares students to use ionizing radiation safely to produce images of the tissue, organs, bones, and vessels of the human body. Radiographers must have a thorough understanding of anatomy, radiographic procedures, image production, patient care, and radiation protection. Some of the program courses may not transfer to four-year institutions.
Sample Job Titles
Radiographer
To gain employment as a radiographer, most employers require certification of RT(R) by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT), and many states including Illinois have licensure. Once the RT(R) is obtained, graduates may work in hospitals, clinics, imaging centers, doctor’s offices, and surgery centers as staff radiographers. Other opportunities for employment include computed tomography (CT), Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Interventional Radiology, and Cardiac Catheterization lab. With an additional year of schooling, registered radiographers may also become sonographers, radiation therapists, or nuclear medicine technologists. Opportunities in management, sales, and education are also available after obtaining a bachelor’s degree
Accreditation
Recognized educational program by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) and accredited by Joint Review Committee in Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT)
Licensure/Certification
After successful completion of all didactic and clinical competency requirements, students are eligible to seek certification from the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT). In addition to the educational standards, students must meet and agree to comply with the organization’s ethical and character standards before sitting for the certification exam. Students wishing to practice within Illinois must also seek accreditation from the IEMA Division of Nuclear Safety.
Articulated AAS Degree Programs
Articulated programs are designed for Richland students who intend to transfer to another institution to complete a four-year degree after earning an associate in applied science degree at Richland.
Success Coaches and other staff in the Student Success Center provide extensive transfer information on Richland’s associate in applied science degree transfer curriculum (2+2) articulated agreements with various baccalaureate institutions.
Franklin University (Columbus, OH)
Greenville University (Greenville, IL) – Organizational Leadership
This is a career and technical education program. Some of the courses may not transfer to four-year institutions.
Selective Admission Requirements
Admission into the Radiography Program is selective and competitive and admission to Richland Community College does not guarantee acceptance to the program. Students must meet the minimum admission criteria to be eligible to apply. Once the criteria have been met, students are scored on a rubric and those with the highest scores are offered conditional admission. Availability of faculty clinical space may impact the entry decision.
The Radiography Program follows the Health Professions’ selective admissions process. Students use the online Pre-Advisement Plan on myRichland to apply during the designated application period. Applications are accepted December 15 – March 1. Out-of-district applicants are considered for the program when space is available. The Radiography Program admits to the summer semester.
Transferring from another Radiography Program
Any student wishing to transfer into the program must apply for College admission and program admission. Transfer credits are evaluated and transfer of credit occurs through College policy. Such transfer shall be subject to the availability of an appropriate clinical placement, student admission procedures, and Program Director approval.
To receive transfer credit for courses completed at another institution, official transcripts must be submitted to the Office of the Registrar.
Degree Completion Program for RT (R) (ARRT)
Registered radiographers may be eligible for an associate’s degree completion program if they meet the following:
- Have five years' experience in radiography
- Hold a current ARRT registration AND IEMA Division of Nuclear Safety license
- Be a graduate of an accredited hospital-based or certificate radiography program
- Apply for admission to Richland Community College
- Submit transcripts from radiography program and any colleges attended to the Richland Community College Registrar Office.
If all of the above are satisfied, students may apply for transfer credit without examination by completing the following:
- Apply for degree completion to the Radiography Program Director
- Completing a minimum of eighteen credit hours of general education with a grade of ‘C’ or better of which at least fifteen credit hours must be completed at Richland. ENGL 101 and PHYS 100 must be included.
- Apply for Graduation.
Transfer credit for all core radiography courses is awarded when all of the above are satisfied. Transfer credit is not included in computing the student’s GPA at Richland.
Prerequisites to Apply
- Eligibility for ENGL 101
- Eligibility for MATH 110 or MATH 113 or completion of MATH 099 with a ‘C’ or better
- Complete the Nelson Denny Reading Test with score of 120 or greater in reading comprehension only
- Completed general education courses prior to beginning the program (BIOL 201, BIOL 202, ENGL 101, PHYS 100) or meet minimum testing guidelines
- ACT scores (within the last 3 years) with composite 21, science reasoning 20, and no score below 15 or
- SAT scores (within the last 3 years) with Analysis of Science (25) and minimum Total Score (980)
- ‘C’ or better in all prerequisites and program courses and a Program GPA of 2.5 or better
The Program GPA is calculated using the grades and credits earned in completed Radiography general education requirement plus RADT 101. Transfer and Richland credits are used in calculating the Program GPA.
Curriculum Requirements
Graduation Requirements
- Total Credit Hours: 68.5 credit hours in courses numbered 100 and above
- Cumulative Grade Point Average: 2.5 (‘C’) or better for all work applicable toward the degree
- Residency: 15 credit hours or more at Richland Community College
- Course Requirement: ‘C’ or better in all prerequisite and program courses
- Meet standards of the ARRT/ASRT Code of Professional Ethics
- Return film ID markers and film badge holder or make reimbursement
- Complete the following:
- all lab competencies with minimum score of 84%
- all clinical proficiency exams required by the program
- all clinical proficiency exams required by ARRT
Additional Program Considerations
All AAS degrees include a required minimum of 15 general education credits. Students must earn a grade of ‘C’ or better in the program prerequisites, core curriculum courses, and general education courses.
Required Courses
Suggested Course Sequence
Summer Semester
Fall Semester
Spring Semester
Summer Semester
Fall Semester
| RADT 215 | Radiography Clinical IV | 4.5 |
| RADT 218 | Radiographic Procedures IV | 3.0 |
| RADT 219 | Radiation Protection & Radiobiology | 3.0 |
| BIOL 202 | Human Anatomy and Physiology 2 | 4.0 |
Spring Semester
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