Radiologic Technology A.A.S.

Anne Delaney, Program Director

A Radiologic Technologist (Radiographer) uses critical thinking and independent judgment to obtain diagnostic medical images while providing quality patient care and minimizing radiation exposure.

Technologists are employed in acute care settings, ambulatory care settings, physicians’ offices, in education and in management or sales positions.

With additional education and training, radiographers may be employed in radiation therapy, computed tomography, mammography, magnetic resonance imaging, diagnostic medical ultrasound, nuclear medicine, special vascular imaging and cardiac catheterization.

The Radiologic Technology program is approved by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) and accredited by the Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges. When all requirements for the associate degree are completed, the student will be eligible to take the national certification examination administered by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists. Upon successful completion of this examination, the student becomes a Registered Radiologic Technologist, R.T. (R) ARRT.

Program Requirements

The Associate of Applied Science degree in Radiologic Technology requires students to successfully complete the Pre-Radiology prerequisite courses prior to applying to the program. Students admitted to the University of Montana may enroll in the Pre-Radiology prerequisite courses.

Students must pass BIOH 201N-202N with a minimum grade of ‘B’ and have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 in all course work, including prerequisite courses, to apply to the Radiologic Technology program. A course may be attempted a maximum of two times.  As some courses are offered Autumn or Spring semester only, it is important to obtain advising with the Program Director or Clinical Coordinator each semester prior to registration.

Application to the program is required Spring semester in the year prior to the Autumn semester program start. Students may apply while enrolled in the Pre-Radiology prerequisite courses with acceptance to the program to be determined after Spring grades are finalized. Students who apply twice to the program and are not accepted are strongly encouraged to contact Career Services for counseling toward another degree. 

The program classes begin Autumn semester each year with the majority of classroom courses completed in the first two semesters. Clinical education will begin at the end of the second semester. A ten-week summer clinical rotation is required between the first and second years and consists of 40 hour per week of clinical instruction. The Autumn semester of the second year will also be didicatted to 40 hours per week of clinical instruction.

Students entering the program are required to rotate to clinical sites outside the Missoula area on a periodic basis. These rotations will take place during any term or session beginning the Summer semester of the program. These sites may include, but are not limited to, Ronan, Hamilton, Plains, Ronan, and Polson, Montana. Transportation and housing are the student’s responsibility.

Associate of Applied Science - Radiologic Technology

Missoula College

Catalog Year: 2016-2017

Degree Specific Credits: 83

Required Cumulative GPA: 2.0

Note: It is preferred that students have the prerequisite core completed by the end of the semester in which they intend to apply to the program (i.e. applying to the program in the spring and completing the core by the end of that spring semester.) Students must also prove competence with computer technology prior to application to the Radiology Technology Program in one of the following three ways: a) Acceptable transfer credit for CAPP 120, b) Passing challenge exam for CAPP 120, or c) Take and pass CAPP 120

Radiologic Technology Prerequisite Courses

Rule: All courses required

Note: Students must pass BIOH 201N/202N with a minimum grade of ‘B’ and have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 in all course work including prerequisite courses to apply to the Radiologic Technology program.

Show All Course Descriptions Course Credits
Show Description AHMS 144 - Medical Terminology
Offered every term. Introduction to a medical word building system using Greek and Latin word roots, combining forms, suffixes, and prefixes.
 3 Credits
Show Description BIOH 201N - Human Anat Phys I (equiv 301)
Offered autumn and spring. Prereq., introductory science course or college-prep high school biology course recommended.  Comprehensive knowledge of human form and function necessary for students preparing for health-related professions. Emphasis on structure, function  and homeostatic regulation of body systems with presentation of basic concepts in chemistry and microbiology as they relate to human anatomy and physiology. Covers tissues through nervous system. Required, integrated laboratory includes some dissection.
 4 Credits
Show Description CAPP 120 - Introduction to Computers
Offered autumn and spring. Introduction to computer terminology, hardware, and software, including wire/wireless communications and multimedia devices. Students utilize word processing, spread sheet, database, and presentation applications to create projects common to business and industry in a networked computing environment. Internet research, email usage, and keyboarding proficiency are integrated.
 3 Credits
Show Description SCN 175N - Integrated Physical Science I
Offered every term. An introduction to the basic principles of physics, chemistry, and nuclear reactions with emphasis on the scientific method and process. A knowledge of basic algebraic functions, decimals, and scientific notation is recommended. Suitable for students with little science background.
 3 Credits
Minimum Required Grade: C- 13 Total Credits Required

Math Requirement

Rule: Take either

Show All Course Descriptions Course Credits
Show Description M 115 - Probability and Linear Math
Offered every term. Prereq. M 090 with a grade of B- or better, or M 095, or ALEKS placement >= 3, or ACT score of 22, or SAT score of 520. Systems of linear equations and matrix algebra. Introduction to probability with emphasis on models and probabilistic reasoning. Examples of applications of the material in many fields.
 3 Credits
Show Description M 121 - College Algebra
Offered autumn and spring. Prereq., M 095 or ALEKS placement >= 4. Intended to strengthen algebra skills. The study of functions and their inverses; polynomial, rational, exponential, and logarithmic functions. Credit not allowed for both M 121, and M 151.
 3 Credits
Minimum Required Grade: C- 3 Total Credits Required

Writing Requirement

Rule: Take either

Show All Course Descriptions Course Credits
Show Description WRIT 101 - College Writing I
UM: Offered every term. Prereq., WRIT 095 or proof of passing score on writing diagnostic examination, referral by WRIT 095 instructor-SAT writing score at or above 440, MUSWA at or above 3.5, SAT/ACT essay score at or above 7, or ACT Combined English/Writing score at or above 18. Expository prose and research paper; emphasis on structure, argument, development of ideas, clarity, style, and diction. Students expected to write without major faults in grammar or usage. Credit not allowed for both WRIT 101 and COM 101. Grading A-F, or NC (no credit). MC: Offered every term. Prereq., WRIT 095 or proof of appropriate SAT/ACT essay, English/Writing, writing section scores, appropriate MUSWA scores, or proof of passing scores on Writing Placement Exam). Expository prose and research paper; emphasis on structure, argument, development of ideas, clarity, style, and diction. Students expected to write without major faults in grammar or usage. Grading A-F, or NC (no credit).
 3 Credits
Show Description WRIT 121 - Intro to Technical Writing
Offered every term. Introduction to technical writing situations that integrate text, design, and graphics. Emphasis is on evidence-based, informative writing that uses design and graphics to visually represent logic and organization. Course focuses on writing as a process and includes student self-assessment. Major assignments include a pure technical document, exploration of credibility, and public science writing. Students are expected to write without major faults in grammar or usage and to have basic computer literacy.
 3 Credits
Minimum Required Grade: C- 3 Total Credits Required

Radiologic Technology Courses

Rule: All courses required

Note: These courses cannot be taken unless accepted into the program through the application process.
AHXR 195 represents spring at 8 credits and summer at 12 credits.
AHXR 295 is taken Fall at 8 credits and second year spring at 9 credits.
For AHXR courses the minimum grade is a B.

Show All Course Descriptions Course Credits
Show Description AHMS 270E - Medical Ethics
Offered every term. Ethical decision-making tools for addressing common ethical issues in the health professions.
 3 Credits
Show Description AHXR 100 - Intro to Diagnostic Imaging
Offered fall. Introduction to the field of radiology and its mix of technical equipment, lab work, hospital environment, patient care and team work.
 3 Credits
Show Description AHXR 121 - Radiographic Imaging I
Offered autumn. Introduction to fundamental physics principles underlying radiology and diagnostic x-ray production. Topics include electromagnetic waves, electricity and magnetism, electrical energy, and power and circuits as they relate to radiography. Factors of image quality and exposure methods: density, contrast, recorded detail, distortion, technique charts, manual and automatic exposure control, and tube rating charts.
 4 Credits
Show Description AHXR 140 - Radiographic Methods
Offered autumn. Knowledge and skills necessary for quality patient care during standard and specialty radiographic procedures.
 3 Credits
Show Description AHXR 141 - Radiology Lab
Co-Requisite AHXR 140 Radiological Methods. Students will practice all patient positioning skills necessary for competency as Radiologic Technologists.
 1 Credits
Show Description AHXR 195 - Radiographic Clinical: I
(R-20) Offered over two semesters throughout the Radiology Technology program, beginning Spring semester. Students will begin with an introduction to patient management and basic radiographic procedures. The final semester offers opportunities in advanced patient management skills and experience with highly skilled radiographic procedures. Each semester builds on the previous semester, always emphasizing the principles of ALARA.
 1 To 14 Credits
Show Description AHXR 221 - Radiographic Imaging II
Offered spring. Offers students more technical and detailed information on the use of image receptor systems, processing principles, advanced digital imaging systems and imaging modalities used in radiology. 
 3 Credits
Show Description AHXR 225 - Radiobiology/Radiation Protctn
Offered spring. Principles of radiation protection and radio biology. Topics include the effects of ionizing radiation on body tissues, protective measures for limiting exposure to the patient and personnel, and radiation monitoring devices.
 2 Credits
Show Description AHXR 240 - Radiological Methods II
Offered spring. Coreq., AHXR 241. Preparation in the procedures associated with radiology in standard radiographic environments.
 2 Credits
Show Description AHXR 241 - Radiology Lab II
Offered spring. Prereq., BIOH 201N, 202N, and 211N, coreq., AHXR 240. Students will practice all patient positioning skills necessary for competency as Radiologic Technologists.
 1 Credits
Show Description AHXR 270 - Radiographic Registry Review
Offered spring. An overview of imaging concepts as a review for the national certification test. Topics include a systematic approach for image evaluation, patient care, radiation protection and the physics of radiographic imaging.
 2 Credits
Show Description AHXR 295 - Radiographic Clinical: I
(R-20) Offered over two semesters throughout the Radiology Technology program, beginning Spring semester. Students will begin with an introduction to patient management and basic radiographic procedures. The final semester offers opportunities in advanced patient management skills and experience with highly skilled radiographic procedures. Each semester builds on the previous semester, always emphasizing the principles of ALARA.
 12 To 24 Credits
Show Description BIOH 211N - Human Anat Phys II (equiv 311)
Offered autumn and spring. Prereq., and continuation of BIOH 201N. Comprehensive knowledge of human form and function necessary for students in health-related programs. Emphasis on structure function and homeostatic regulation of body systems with presentation of basic concepts in chemistry and microbiology as they relate to human anatomy and physiology. Covers endocrine through reproductive systems. Required integrated laboratory includes frequent dissection.
 4 Credits
Show Description BIOH 212N - Human Anat Phys II Lab
Offered autumn and spring. Prereq., BIOH 201N. Coreq., BIOH 211. Continuation of 201N. Basic knowledge necessary for students in health-related programs. Emphasis on normal anatomy and physiology with presentation of basic concepts in chemistry and microbiology as they relate to human anatomy and physiology. Covers endocrine through reproductive systems. A cadaver lab is included.
 4 Credits
Show Description COMX 115S - Intro to Interpersonal Communc
Offered autumn and spring. An overview of the process of human communication with special emphasis on analyzing communication patterns and improving interpersonal communication skills. Credit not allowed for both COMM 110S and COM 150S.
 3 Credits
Show Description PSYX 100S - Intro to Psychology
Offered every term. Introduction to the scientific study of behavior in humans and other animals. Credit not allowed for both PSY 100S and PSYC 100S.
 4 Credits
Minimum Required Grade: C- 83 Total Credits Required