Radiography - Associate Degree
Radiography is an exciting and challenging field involving the use of highly sophisticated equipment to create radiographs- the anatomical images that are used by physicians to diagnose disease. Radiographers have direct patient contact in clinic and hospital settings and are valuable members of the primary health care team. A graduate of the Radiography program can choose a career in a variety of health care settings including clinics, hospitals, and private practice physician offices. Graduates of the program are qualified to take the American Registry of Radiologic Technologist Certification Examination. Career advancement opportunities exist in additional imaging modalities, education, and administration as education/application specialists, sales representatives, and technical advisors.
Delivery
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Program Costs & Financial Aid
Tuition: $11,840, Books: $1,336, Supplies: $700
This program is fully eligible for financial aid.
Estimates based on in-state residency. Please visit the following URL to learn more about tuition and fees for this program. https://www.nwtc.edu/admissions-and-aid/paying-for-college/tuition-and-fees?ProgramCode=105261
Requirements for Program Entry
- For instructions on how to get started, download the application checklist for this program.
Program Outcomes
- Carryout the production and evaluation of radiographic images.
- Practice radiation safety principles.
- Adhere to quality management processes in radiography.
- Provide quality patient care.
- Apply computer skills in the radiographic clinical setting.
- Model professional and ethical behavior consistent with the A.R.R.T. Code of Ethics.
- Apply critical thinking and problem solving skills in the practice of diagnostic radiography.
Accreditation
The Radiography program is accredited by The Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology, 20 North Wacker Drive, Suite 2850, Chicago, Illinois 60606-3182, (312) 704-5300
Curriculum
Students following the study plan below will complete the Radiography associate degree in the number of semesters shown.
Summer Before First Semester
First Semester
Full Semester
Second Semester
Full Semester
Summer Before Third Semester
Third Semester
8 Week 1
8 Week 2
Full Semester
Fourth Semester
8 Week 1
8 Week 2
Full Semester
- Curriculum Note: Students must earn a "C" or higher in all 10-526-XXX courses. A student who withdraws or receives a grade lower than a "C" in a program course may apply for re-entry into the program. Consideration for re-entry will be at the discretion of the re-entry team and will be dependent on clinical availability.
- Students must earn a "B" or higher in General Anatomy & Physiology. A student who withdraws or receives a grade lower than a "B" in this course may apply for re-entry into the program. Consideration for re-entry will be at the discretion of the re-entry team and will be dependent on clinical availability.
- The credit for 10-890-101, College 101 is an Institutional Requirement for graduation. Consequently, it is not part of the program credit requirements, but must be passed with a "C" or better.
- 10-526-192 Radiography Clinical 2 will change to 2 credits beginning Spring 2023
- 10-526-193 Radiography Clinical 3 will change to 4 credits beginning Summer 2023
- 10-526-199 Radiography Clinical 4 will change to 4 credits beginning Fall 2023
Course Descriptions
Students gain skills that lead to success in college, employment, and life. Students should take this course in their first semester. (Pre-requisite: None.)
Course Typically Offered: Summer Fall SpringAll college students, regardless of their college major, need to be able to make reasonable decisions about fiscal, environmental, and health issues that require quantitative reasoning skills. An activity based approach is used to explore numerical relationships, graphs, proportional relationships, algebraic reasoning, and problem solving using linear, exponential and other mathematical models. Students will develop conceptual and procedural tools that support the use of key mathematical concepts in a variety of contexts. This course may be used as the first of a two part sequence that ends with Quantitative Reasoning as the capstone general education math requirement. (Prerequisite: Next Gen Arith score greater/equal to 250 AND Rdg score greater/equal to 250; OR ACT Math score greater/equal to 15 AND ACT Reading score greater/equal to 16; OR prep courses-contact an academic advisor 920-498-5444).
Course Typically Offered: Summer Fall SpringOverview of the human anatomy/physiology using a body-systems approach, emphasizing the interrelationships between form/function at the gross and microscopic levels. (Prerequisite: C or better in Lab-based Chemistry OR 2 semesters lab-based high school chemistry w/C or better; AND Next Gen Rdg score greater/= to 263; OR ACT Rdg score greater/= to 17; OR prep courses-contact academic advisor at 920-498-5444)
Course Typically Offered: Summer Fall SpringPrepares radiography students to perform routine radiologic procedures on various parts of the body including the upper body, hip, pelvis and ankle. Students apply knowledge of human anatomy to position the patient correctly to achieve the desired result. (Prerequisites: Enrolled in Radiography program; 10-806-177, General Anatomy & Physiology w/ B or better)
Course Typically Offered: FallIntroduces students to the role of radiography in health care. Students apply medical terminology, legal and ethical considerations to patient care and pharmacology in the radiologic sciences. (Prerequisite: Enrolled in Radiography program)
Course Typically Offered:Introduces radiography students to the process and components imaging. Students determine the factors that affect image quality including contrast, receptor exposure, spatial resolution and distortion. (Prerequisite: Enrolled in Radiography program)
Course Typically Offered: FallThis beginning level clinical course prepares radiography students to perform radiologic procedures on patients with extensive supervision and direction. Students apply radiation protection and standard precautions in the production of radiographs in the health care setting while adhering to legal and ethical guidelines. An emphasis of the course is the development of communication and critical thinking skills appropriate to the clinical setting. (Prerequisites: Enrolled in Radiography program; 10-806-177, General Anatomy & Physiology; Corequisites: 10-526-158, Introduction to Radiography; 10-526-149, Radiographic Procedures 1; 10-526-159, Radiographic Imaging)
Course Typically Offered: FallExplores the factors that impact image acquisition, display, archiving and retrieval. Guidelines for selecting exposure factors and evaluating images within digital systems are discussed. Principles of digital system quality assurance and maintenance are presented. (Prerequisites: Enrolled in Radiography program; 10-526-159, Radiographic Imaging)
Course Typically Offered: SpringThis second level clinical course prepares radiography students to perform radiologic procedures on patients with extensive supervision and direction. Students apply radiation protection and standard precautions in the production of radiographs in a health care setting while adhering to legal and ethical guidelines. An emphasis of the course is the development of communication and critical thinking skills appropriate to the clinical setting. (Prerequisite: 10-526-168, Radiography Clinical 1)
Course Typically Offered: Summer Fall SpringPrepares radiography students to perform routine radiologic procedures on various parts of the body including the skull, spine, and gastrointestinal systems. Students apply knowledge of human anatomy to position the patient correctly to achieve the desired result. (Prerequisites: Enrolled in Radiography program; 10-526-149, Radiographic Procedures 1; 10-806-177, General Anatomy & Physiology w/ B or better)
Course Typically Offered: SpringIntroduces radiography students to the principles and application of x-ray technology. Students analyze how x-rays are produced and determine the corrective actions necessary for common equipment malfunctions. (Prerequisite: Enrolled in Radiography program)
Course Typically Offered: SpringPrepares radiography students to analyze radiographic images for quality. Students apply quality control tests to determine the causes of image problems including equipment malfunctions and procedural errors (Prerequisite: Enrolled in Radiography program)
Course Typically Offered: Summer Fall SpringThis third level clinical course prepares radiography students to perform radiologic procedures on patients with supervision and direction. Students apply radiation protection and standard precautions in the production of radiographs in a health care setting while adhering to legal and ethical guidelines. An emphasis of the course is the demonstration of communication and critical thinking skills appropriate to the clinical setting. (Prerequisite: 10-526-192, Radiography Clinical 2)
Course Typically Offered: Summer Fall SpringThis science of psychology course is a survey of multiple aspects of behavior and mental processes. It provides an overview of topics such as research methods, theoretical perspectives, learning, cognition, memory, motivation, emotions, personality, abnormal psychology, physiological factors, social influences, and development.. (Prerequisite: Cumulative GPA of 2.6 or greater OR satisfactory reading and writing assessment scores OR 10-831-107, College Reading and Writing 1 with "B" or better OR Corequisite: 10-831-102, English Comp Prep).
Course Typically Offered: Summer Fall SpringPrepares radiography students to determine the basic radiographic manifestations of pathological conditions. Students classify trauma related to site, complications, and prognosis and locate the radiographic appearance of pathologies (Prerequisite: Enrolled in Radiography program)
Course Typically Offered: FallThis course introduces the study of diversity from a local to a global perspective using a holistic, interdisciplinary approach that encourages exploration and prepares students to work in a diverse environment. The course introduces basic diversity concepts, examines the impact of bias and power differentials among groups, explores the use of culturally responsive communication strategies, and compares forces that shape diversity in an international context. (Prerequisite: Next Gen Rdg score greater/equal to 250 AND Writing score greater/equal to 237; OR ACT Rdg score greater/equal to 16 AND English greater/equal to 15; OR 10-831-107, College Reading and Writing with a B or better.)
Course Typically Offered: Summer Fall SpringIntroduces radiography students to imaging modalities with an emphasis in computed tomography and cross-sectional anatomy. (Prerequisite: Enrolled in Radiography program or consent of program director)
Course Typically Offered: FallThis course focuses on developing effective listening techniques and verbal and nonverbal communication skills through oral presentation, group activity, and other projects. The study of self, conflict, and cultural contexts will be explored, as well as their impact on communication. (Prerequisite: Next Gen Rdg score greater/equal to 250 AND Writing score greater/equal to 237; OR ACT Rdg score greater/equal to 16 AND English score greater/equal to 16; OR preparatory course-contact an academic advisor at 920-498-5444)
Course Typically Offered: Summer Fall SpringThis fourth level clinical course prepares radiography students to perform radiologic procedures on patients with supervision and direction. Students apply radiation protection and standard precautions in the production of radiographs in a health care setting while adhering to legal and ethical guidelines. Students are encouraged to demonstrate independent judgment in the performance of clinical competencies. (Prerequisite: 10-526-193, Radiography Clinical 3)
Course Typically Offered: Summer Fall SpringThis fifth level clinical course prepares radiography students to perform radiologic procedures on patients with some supervision. Students apply radiation protection and standard precautions in the production of radiographs in a health care setting while adhering to legal and ethical guidelines. Students are encouraged to demonstrate independent judgment in the performance of clinical competencies. (Prerequisite: 10-526-199, Radiography Clinical 4)
Course Typically Offered: Summer Fall SpringBasic understanding of theoretical foundations of ethical thought; analyze/compare relevant issues using diverse ethical perspectives; critically evaluate individual, social/professional standards of behavior--applying a systematic decision-making process. (Prerequisite: Next Gen Rdg score greater/equal to 250 AND Writing score greater/equal to 237; OR ACT Rdg score greater/equal to 16 AND English greater/equal to 15; OR 10-831-107, College Reading and Writing with a B or better)
Course Typically Offered: Summer Fall SpringProvides preparation for the national certification examination prepared by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists. Emphasis is placed on the weak areas of the individual students. Simulated registry examinations are utilized. (Prerequisite: Enrolled in Radiography program or consent of program director)
Course Typically Offered: SpringThis final clinical course requires students to integrate and apply all knowledge learned in previous courses to the production of high quality images in the clinical setting. Students apply radiation protection and standard precautions in the production of images in a health care setting while adhering to legal and ethical guidelines. Students are encouraged to demonstrate independent judgment in the performance of clinical competencies. (Prerequisite: 10-526-190, Radiography Clinical 5)
Course Typically Offered: SpringLearners develop knowledge/skills in planning, organizing, writing, editing. Students will also analyze audience/purpose, use elements of research, format documents using standard guidelines, and develop critical reading skills. (Prerequisite: High school GPA greater/equal to 2.6; OR ACT Reading score greater/equal to 16 AND English greater/equal to 18; OR Next Gen Reading score greater/equal to 250 AND Writing score greater/equal to 260; OR "preparatory course(s)", contact academic advisor at 920-498-5444)
Course Typically Offered: Summer Fall SpringPrepares radiography students to protect themselves and others from exposure to radioactivity. Students examine the characteristics of radiation and how radiation affects cell biology. Students apply standards and guidelines for radiation exposure. (Prerequisite: Enrolled in Radiography program or consent of program director)
Course Typically Offered: Spring