FAQ's

1. Who do I contact to find out if any of the previous courses I’ve taken will be transferable as a prerequisite or general education requirement for the program?

You may call or email Vicki Traweek in student services. Please get her to send you or Tammi White, Allied Health secretary, a hardcopy response that can be put into your file for future course auditing purposes.

2. Does the program accept transfer students?

Please see “Transfer Students” in the Program Student handbook.

3. How many applicants do you get and how many students do you take?

The program receives around 80 – 100 applications each year and accepts 24 students and 10 alternates. Alternates can be taken into the program up to the 2^nd week of the fall semester.

4. What will help me get accepted if I do not get selected for acceptance into the program?

The selection process is based upon a point system derived from the grades you make in the 4 prerequisite and 3 general education courses. Additionally, points are given to those who have an Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree prior to program entry. If you did not get selected, providing it was because of your academic points, most applicants re-take the courses that affected their points and try to get better grades.

Please see “Selection Process into the Program” on our web page.

5. What will keep me out of the program from my criminal background check?

Involvement in illegal drug use or any of the following: No exceptions.

A.  Any felony conviction

B.  Misdemeanor convictions, felony deferred adjudications or no to contendre statements involving crimes against persons.
     (Physical or sexual)

C.  Misdemeanor convictions related to moral turpitude(prostitution, public lewdness/exposure, etc.)

D.  Felony deferred adjudications for the sale, possession, distribution, or transfer of illegal drugs or controlled substances.

E.  Registered sex offenders

Please see “Code of Conduct” in the Program Student handbook.

6. Will I be able to be hired as a CT, MRI, Mammography, or Ultrasound technologist when I graduate?

No. Although you may be rotated through these modalities in the program, you will be able to be certified as a Radiologic Technologist whose specialty is radiography upon graduation. Each of the other modalities requires extra education and specific certification.

7. Do I have to be certified as a Radiologic Technologist before I can go to school for MRI or Ultrasound ?

No. You may enter specific programs for these areas without having graduated from a Radiologic Technology program. Both CT and Mammography do require certification in radiography prior to studying these imaging professions.

8. What kind of salary do new graduates make in the field of radiography?

Salaries vary based on several items. Generally speaking, the more urban your surroundings, the higher the pay. East coast and west coast salaries are higher than other parts of the country. Hospital pay is usually higher than a physician’s office. The more certifications one holds, the more marketable you are. In Texas, in hospital work, you can expect around $18.00/hr to $21.00/ hr as a fresh graduate.

9. What if I have a physical handicap?

In the Program Student Handbook there is a list of the physical requirements for working as a Radiologic Technologist. The concern with a physical handicap lies in the student’s ability to perform the work and provide patient care and safety in the department. The ability to respond to an emergent situation is also considered. Each accepted and alternate student will be required to pass a physical examination performed by a licensed physical therapist before entering the program.

10. How far will I have to drive for my clinical education?

Clinical assignments are assigned by the Clinical Coordinator. Driving time to the assigned site can be any amount up to an hour.

Please see the list of clinical sites given under Appendix V in the Program Student Handbook.

11. Does your program have night, weekend, or part-time classes?

No. The program is basically Monday – Friday, 0800 – 1600.

Please see “Program Structure” in the Program Student Handbook.

12. What if I have to work while going through the program?

Historically, students working full-time have not been successful in the program. The program is a full-time commitment with classes, labs, clinical education, studying, and projects. Your family and friends will need to understand that you will be pre-occupied with these career preparation responsibilities for the majority of the program duration.