Radiologic Technology, A.A.A.S.

Program Admissions

In order to be eligible for admission into the Radiologic Technology program, students must:

1. Be a high school graduate or have passed the high school equivalency GED (General Educational Development) Test.
2. Have a high school or college (with 12 credits earned) GPA of at least 2.0.
3. Must demonstrate math competency (within the last five years), reading and writing competency.  Dependent on demonstrated competencies, a reduce timeframe may apply (for specific details/scores visit the Radiologic Technology Associate Degree Admission Criteria).
4. Complete BI 121  and BI 122  with a C or Higher within two attempts.  This includes WD and DR attempts.

For additional information, refer to the Health Programs general information page. A drug screening and background check will be completed once accepted into the Program. In addition to tuition, fees, and books, there are additional costs. Estimates of these costs may be obtained from the Radiologic Technology office.

Clinical Experiences

Clinical practicums associated with GRCC’s program have been established within a 50-mile radius of Grand Rapids Community College (sites subject to change). These practical experiences seek to heighten students’ awareness of patient communication practices and to acquaint them with all phases of radiologic technology practice, which often varies from hospital to hospital. 

Radiologic Technology Degree Requirements

General Education Courses

Select a minimum of 15 credit hours of course work from the General Education course list.  Course work must be selected as directed from the areas below.

General Education Total Credit Hours

15 (minimum)

Program Courses

• BI 122 - Human Anatomy and Physiology II Credit Hours: 4
• GH 110 - Medical Terminology I Credit Hours: 2
• RAD 100 - Orientation to Health Care in Radiologic Sciences Credit Hours: 2
• RAD 105 - Application of General Patient Care Skills Credit Hours: 1
• RAD 110 - Radiographic Positioning I Credit Hours: 4
• RAD 111 - Radiographic Exposure I Credit Hours: 4
• RAD 112 - Radiographic Positioning II Credit Hours: 4
• RAD 113 - Radiographic Exposure II Credit Hours: 4
• RAD 130 - Clinical Practicum in Radiologic Technology I Credit Hours: 3
• RAD 131 - Clinical Practicum in Radiologic Technology II Credit Hours: 4
• RAD 207 - Radiation Protection Credit Hours: 2
• RAD 210 - Radiographic Positioning III Credit Hours: 4
• RAD 211 - Survey of Medical-Surgical Diseases Credit Hours: 3
• RAD 212 - Radiographic Positioning IV Credit Hours: 4
• RAD 213 - Radiologic Technology Capstone Credit Hours: 2
• RAD 215 - Physics of X-ray Credit Hours: 4
• RAD 230 - Clinical Practicum in Radiologic Technology III Credit Hours: 4
• RAD 231 - Clinical Practicum in Radiologic Technology IV Credit Hours: 4
• RAD 232 - Clinical Practicum in Radiologic Technology V Credit Hours: 4
• RAD 240 - Sectional Anatomy Credit Hours: 2

Total Credit Hours

80

In What Order Should I Take Classes?

Please select courses from the Priority I list.  Select courses based on the number of credits you are taking in the semester, for example, if you are a part time student you do not have to take all of the courses listed.  If you are unable to schedule Priority I courses, move to and select from the list of Priority II, Priority III, and Priority IV courses.

NOTE: This priority schedule assumes the student is prepared to take the courses listed. If prerequisites are required, additional semesters may be required to complete this degree.

Meet with an Academic Program Advisor and consult my Academic Progress for specific degree requirements.

Essential Abilities/Technical Standards

Students will be required to perform certain physical functions in order to successfully complete the program.  You will perform them throughout your course work and/or clinical experience and later in your employment.  These functions are not conditions for admission to the program; they are listed for the purpose of alerting you to what physical functions will be expected of you.

PHYSICAL STRENGTH

You will assist in transferring patients from the wheelchairs and beds to x-ray table and vice versa.  These patients may be comatose, paralyzed or suffer from some degree of incapacity. You may have to move heavy equipment such as portable x-ray machine to different locations.

MOBILITY

In the course of performing your duties in radiography you will be expected to stand and reach overhead to position the x-ray tube hanging from the ceiling; you must move quickly in an emergency; you must perform your work standing over a long period of time.

HEARING

You must have the ability to hear sound from a distance of 15 feet–approximately the distance between the control panel and exposure switches and the x-ray table where the patient is being placed.  You must also be able to hear faint sound signals emitted by a dysfunctional machine.

VISUAL DISCRIMINATION

You must have vision to enable you to differentiate changing colors of the x-ray films, to read marking on dials, digital monitors etc.

COORDINATION

Good motor skills, eye-hand coordination skills, and at least sensory function in at least one upper limb are needed to align body parts of a patient with the film.  Many other functions also require dexterity, including filling syringes, putting on surgical gloves, and manipulating locks on equipment.

MANUAL DEXTERITY 

Motor skills such as standing, walking, and writing are all required to perform your duties.  In addition, you must have fine motor skills, such as, the ability to make insertion of IV lines, calibrate equipment, draw blood, and so on.

COMMUNICATION SKILLS

You must be able to communicate in English orally and in writing.  Example: You must be able to read and give directions and instructions and to record health data from patients.