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Radiography

Through courses taught on the main campus and clinical experiences in area radiography departments, Austin Peay State University’s radiography program prepares students to gather diagnostic images through procedures such as chest x-rays, skeletal images, fluoroscopy and occasionally computed tomography(CT) imaging. Whether you are interested in working with patients, pursuing a career a secondary modality, or salesperson within the industry, APSU’s program will provide you with the knowledge, skills and abilities employers are seeking.

APSU does NOT have a sonography program. Completing the radiography pathway will provide you the bachelor's required for applying to many programs in the area. 

Mission Statement 

The mission of the Radiologic Technology Program is to provide entry level training in the field of imaging science. 

The goal of the program will be to fulfill the needs of healthcare providers in the community and surrounding regions.  Serving people by being a provider requires critical thinking and technical skills to offer the best possible care.  To prepare the students to meet these requirements, they are provided with various levels of training.  This training includes theory, clinical practice, didactic learning, laboratory testing, and competency testing in the clinical setting.  Upon successful completion of the program, graduating students will be prepared to meet the requirements for an entry-level position in radiology.

PROGRAM AT A GLANCE

DEGREE EARNED
Bachelor of Science in Radiologic Science (BSRS)

PREREQUISITES
Core courses for a Bachelor of Science

2024-2025 Bulletin Core Requirements

SUGGESTED COURSE OF STUDY
DOWNLOAD PROGRAM 4-YEAR PLAN

ADMISSION

Competitive. Acceptance includes overall grade point average of 2.5 or above, a minimum of a C in all prerequisite courses except Chem 1010, 1011, 1020, 1021 and phys 1010, 1011, 1020, 1021, which require a B grade, completed application, 24 hours of observations with technologist evaluations, essay, coursework completion, official transcripts and references. If potential cohorts are not differentiated by GPA, observation hours scores, and application scores, interviews may be utilized for the advisory committee to decide acceptance. 

PROGRAM LENGTH
24 months; classes begin during summer following acceptance. The program follows the APSU Academic Calendar


APPLICATION
Due by Feb. 28 of the semester in which the student will complete core courses for a Bachelor of Science. *If a student would like to observe at a Vanderbilt facility, they will have to go through the Vanderbilt Observational Experience department.https://www.vumc.org/observational-services/welcome

Immediate update not reflected on the application--Only 12 hours of observation are now required, 4 hours at 3 locations.

DOWNLOAD RADIOGRAPHY APPLICATION

Current Student Handbook

Student and Clinical Handbook

Radiography Goals

Goal # 1:  Student(s) will demonstrate Clinical Competence.
Outcomes:
      
A. The student will demonstrate proper positioning skills.
       B. The student will produce diagnostic quality images.
     

Goal #2:  Student(s) will develop communication skills.
Outcomes:
       A. Students will have effective oral communication in the clinical setting.
       B.  The student will demonstrate the ability to write a research paper by using appropriate citations and synthesis of ideas. 

Goal #3:  Student(s) will demonstrate Critical Thinking Skills.
Outcomes:       
        A.  Students will perform non-routine exams and demonstrate the ability to modify routine protocols.
        B.  Students will have the ability to critique exams for image quality (positioning and technique)

Goal #4:  The program will provide our healthcare community with quality radiologic technologists.
Outcomes:
       
A.  Students who begin the program will graduate.
        B.  Graduates will pass the ARRT exam on the first attempt.
        C.  Employers will be satisfied.               
        D.  Graduates will find employment as radiographers.
        E.  Graduates will indicate that the program prepared them to perform the duties of an entry-level radiologic technologist.

Programmatic Accrediting 

The radiography program is accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology
20 North Wacker Drive, Suite 2850
Chicago, IL 60606-3182
312-704-5300
Email: mail@jrcert.org

The program's current accreditation award is 8 years. General program accreditation information and the current accreditation award letter can be found here.

Programmatic Effectiveness Data

Programmatic data including job placement rate, ARRT national registry exam pass rate, and program completion rate can be found here: Effectiveness Data

JOB PROSPECTS
The Bureau of Labor and Statistics projects the employment of radiographers to grow 7 percent from 2019 to 2029, faster than the average for all occupations. 

STARTING SALARY
$65,000 (on average)

For more information, contact Jennifer Thompson at (931) 221-6516.

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