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Radiography

Career/Program Overview

RCTC’s Radiography (X-ray Technology) degree is designed to provide academic and clinical educational opportunities for capable men and women to gain and develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary for the ethical and professionally competent practice of radiography.  Visit us at http://www.rctc.edu/program/radt/.

Curriculum-at-a-Glance

Coursework includes 31 credits of general education and 26 credits of program related coursework and 28 clinical and lab credits.  The program-related coursework includes:  History & Introduction to Radiography, Patient Care for Radiographers, Radiation Physics, Principles of Radiographic Exposure I and II, Radiographic Anatomy and Positioning I and II, Radiation Protection/Radiobiology/Quality Control, Special Modality Imaging and Applied Radiography Topics.

For more detailed program information, refer to RCTC’s Radiography degree course requirements at  http://www.rctc.edu/catalog/programs/index.html.

Program/Degree Options

RCTC’s Radiography students are awarded an Associate in Science degree.  Upon successful completion of the program, Mayo also awards the graduate a Certificate of Program Completion.  Graduates are eligible to take the certification exam administered by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists.

Program Start Date(s)

This program is jointly offered by RCTC and the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine.  Applications can be obtained from Mayo School of Health Sciences.  Students are admitted through the Mayo School of Health Sciences.

Radiography is a 24-month program consisting of 57 academic credits and 28 clinical credits.  Once a student is admitted to the Radiography program, typically the student is enrolled in general education and science courses for two semesters while also attending clinical practicums at Mayo Clinic.  The remaining 15 months of the program are spent at the Mayo Medical Center where the student will complete an additional 8 courses and four major clinical practicums.  Courses must be taken in the sequence specified on the degree program sheet.

Career Opportunities/Information

The United States Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics reports faster-than-average growth through 2016.  This anticipated growth will arise from an increase in the number of middle-aged and older persons who are the primary users of diagnostic procedures.  A greater number of new jobs will be found in offices and clinics of physicians which will include diagnostic imaging centers. 

Nationwide the starting salary for a radiographer is between $30,000 and $35,000.  The starting salary for a radiographer is approximately $43,350 in large hospitals.  Senior radiographers and those in specialty areas such as computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and special procedures can expect to earn upwards of $55,000.  Salary is dependent upon location and employer.

Articulations/Accreditations

Rochester Community and Technical College is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission:  A Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.  Mayo Clinic College of Medicine is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools and the Mayo Radiography Programs is accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology. 

For additional information on the most current list of RCTC program articulations see us at: http://www.rctc.edu/catalog/articulations/index.html