Radiologic Technology

This Selective Program has a competitive entry selection process based on a competitive point system. Application requirements are included in the description below.

Radiologic Technology

Associate of Applied Science

Radiologic technologists are health care professionals who perform diagnostic imaging procedures utilizing ionizing radiation, such as x-ray examinations, fluoroscopic studies and portable radiography. They are responsible for accurately positioning patients and ensuring that quality diagnostic images are produced. They work closely with radiologists, the physicians who interpret medical images to either diagnose or rule out disease or injury.

The Radiologic Technology Associate of Applied Science degree at South Texas College is an approved program by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges Accreditation Guidelines. The program provides educational and clinical experience that result in extensive knowledge in patient care, radiographic procedures, examination techniques, equipment operation, radiation protection, and image production and evaluation. Throughout the clinical and practicum aspects of the program, students will train in various medical facilities with experienced radiologic technologists.

Students are trained for employment as entry-level radiologic technologists in hospitals, outpatient imaging centers, mobile imaging services and additional medical facilities. Upon successful completion of the program, students will receive an Associate of Applied Science degree in Radiologic Technology. Graduates are also eligible to sit for the national certification examination for Radiologic Technology administered by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT). Successful completion of this exam results in the designation of the title as a Registered Technologist in Radiography, or R.T. (R) (ARRT). The state of Texas also requires that individuals approved to sit for the national certification examination also apply for state licensure before being allowed to practice in this state.

Program Admission Requirements

All applicants must:

1. Participate in the required Prospective Student Information Session at the Nursing & Allied Health Campus. For the session schedule, access the information on the Radiologic Technology Program website online at https://www.southtexascollege.edu/radiology.
2. Be admitted to the college as a high school graduate or GED equivalent.
3. Meet TSI College Readiness Standards, or meet TSI exemption standards.
4. Complete all prerequisite courses with a minimum grade of “B” as listed in the Radiologic Technology AAS degree plan. BIOL 2401 Anatomy and Physiology I must be current within the last 5 years. RADR 1309 Introduction to Radiography and Patient Care must be current within 2 years from the application date. HESI A2 English Language Composite, Science, and Math test scores are required prior to registration to RADR 1309. No minimum score is required for entry in this course.
5. Complete the HESI A2 (Admissions Assessment) Exam as follows: Achieve an English Language Composite Score of 75% or higher, a Science (Anatomy & Physiology) Score of 75% or higher, and a Math Score of 75% or higher. Scores must be current within the last 2 years. HESI A2 exemptions are not permitted.
6. Earn a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale in all courses listed in the Radiologic Technology degree plan. This includes courses completed through South Texas College and transfer courses.
7. Pass a criminal background check, 10-panel drug screen through approved providers, and complete all required immunizations including Hepatitis B series. For more information on these requirements access the Clinical Affairs website: https://nah.southtexascollege.edu/clinical_affairs.html. Students with criminal histories must provide proof of certification eligibility from the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) prior to application.
8. Meet the NAH Functional Abilities Standards available on the NAH Clinical Affairs website at https://nah.southtexascollege.edu/clinical_affairs.html.
9. Submit a completed Program application by stated deadline. For more information access the website at https://www.southtexascollege.edu/radiology.
10. Be 18 years of age or older.
11. Satisfy healthcare agency requirements prior to clinical practice.

Competitive Entry Selection Process

Admission to the Radiologic Technology Associate of Applied Science degree is based on a point system score comprised of GPA of RADT Program prerequisite and general education courses, HESI A2 Exam scores, and optional points which may be obtained from items listed on the Application Form (for example, completion of CSFH 0101 College Success for Healthcare and HITT 1305 Medical Terminology I courses with a B or better). Qualified applicants are numerically ranked from highest to lowest total application points. Due to program size limitations, a number of applicants who meet the program admission requirements may not be admitted to the program. Selection of students is made one time a year during the summer. The deadline for applying to the Radiologic Technology Program is the last Friday in February of the current year. For specific information on the point system utilized for candidate selection, please contact the NAH Program Advisor online at https://www.southtexascollege.edu/radiology.

A new applicant pool is established for each admission period. Applicants who were not admitted for the current application period must re-apply to be considered for a later application period. The number of students accepted into the program annually is dependent upon available resources. Should any of the accepted applicants decline admission, an alternate will be offered acceptance to the program. In the case of tied applicants, finalists will be chosen based on the date of application.

NOTE: Please see program webpage for additional information regarding the application process at https://www.southtexascollege.edu/radiology.

Graduation Requirements

To earn an Associate of Applied Science degree in the Radiologic Technology Program, students must meet college graduation requirements and complete all coursework as prescribed in the degree plan with a minimum grade of “C” in didactic courses and minimum grade of “B” in the clinical/practicum courses. Students must also pass the written examinations as required in the final Capstone course.

Program Learning Outcomes

1. Students will demonstrate efficient patient care skills and techniques that will promote safety in the work environment.
2. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the radiographic appearances of normal and abnormal anatomical structures in the human body.
3. Students will be able to apply the principles and practices of radiation protection during diagnostic procedures in order to minimize exposure to the patient, public, and the radiographer.
4. Students will demonstrate competence in performing diagnostic imaging procedures through the application of learned positioning and radiographic techniques.
5. Students will be able to recognize and apply the medicolegal aspects of the radiology profession to include the rights of the patient, occupational personnel, and medical facilities.

Advisory Committee Members

Charlie Aguirre, RT(R), CNMT, Director of Radiology, South Texas Health System - McAllen Medical Center/McAllen Heart Hospital
Marisela Borjas, RT(ARRT), RDMS, Valley Lead Sonographer, Driscoll Children’s Hospital
Ralph Martinez, RT(R), BSM, Director of Radiology, Mission Regional Medical Center
Hermilo Peña, MBA, RT(R)(CT)(MR), Supervisory Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist, VA Texas Valley Coastal Bend Health Care System
Jose F. Tovar, MSHA, RT(R), Director of Diagnostic Imaging, Rio Grande Regional Hospital
Laurence Weinreich, MBA, CRA, RT(R), Director of Radiology, Edinburg Regional Medical Center and Children's Hospital
Sandra Yanez, RT(R), Director of Radiology, Doctors Hospital at Renaissance

Radiologic Technology Associate of Applied Science

TSI Liable

Plan of Study Grid

Pre-requisite		Credit Hours
RADR 1309	Introduction to Radiography and Patient Care 1	3
BIOL 2401	Anatomy and Physiology I 2	4
Math Elective 2		3
ENGL 1301	Composition I 2	3
	Credit Hours	13
First Year
Fall
BIOL 2402	Anatomy and Physiology II	4
RADR 1411	Basic Radiographic Procedures	4
RADR 1313	Principles of Radiographic Imaging I	3
RADR 1360	Clinical	3
	Credit Hours	14
Spring
Social and Behavioral Sciences Elective 2		3
RADR 2401	Intermediate Radiographic Procedures	4
RADR 2305	Principles of Radiographic Imaging II	3
RADR 1266	Practicum I	2
	Credit Hours	12
Summer
RADR 1267	Practicum II	2
	Credit Hours	2
Second Year
Fall
RADR 2331	Advanced Radiographic Procedures	3
RADR 2309	Radiographic Imaging Equipment	3
RADR 2266	Practicum III	2
	Credit Hours	8
Spring
Humanities Elective 2		3
RADR 2217	Radiographic Pathology	2
RADR 2313	Radiation Biology & Protection	3
RADR 2267	Practicum IV	2
	Credit Hours	10
Summer
RADR 2335	CAPSTONE: Radiologic Technology Seminar	3
RADR 2166	Practicum V	1
	Credit Hours	4
	Total Credit Hours	63

¹

HESI A2 exam scores are required prior to registration for RADR 1309 Introduction to Radiography and Patient Care.

²

Identifies courses to fulfill minimum 15 credit hour General Education requirement.