Department Information

(251) 445-9346

Department of Radiologic Sciences website
http://www.southalabama.edu/alliedhealth/radiologicsciences

Department of Radiologic Sciences Faculty

Programs Offered

Bachelor of Science in Radiologic Sciences

Since its inception in 1976, the Department of Radiologic Sciences has provided a quality educational program with a sustained emphasis upon graduating competent and compassionate healthcare professionals. In so doing, our graduates are prepared to practice their profession in the often complex and global society of the 21st century.

The baccalaureate program is designed to provide graduates with enhanced career opportunities in radiology as administrators, educators, and advanced imaging specialists. The curriculum provides a broad education in liberal arts and basic sciences and an in-depth study in radiologic sciences.

Educational opportunities in diagnostic imaging and advanced imaging modalities such as mammography, magnetic resonance imaging, vascular radiography, computed tomography, radiology administration, ultrasound, and radiation therapy are offered. Following completion of the pre-professional component and admission to the professional component of the program, students will study general radiography for three semesters. At the end of this first year in the professional component, students will select one of the following tracks to complete: general radiography to include one advanced imaging modality or radiology administration; ultrasound; or radiation therapy.

The general radiography track curriculum includes diagnostic radiology and either mammography, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, vascular radiography, and/or radiology administration. Students completing didactic and clinical requirements in these tracks will be eligible to seek certification through the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) in radiography and the advanced modality studied (excluding radiology administration).

The other two baccalaureate tracks allow students completing the first year of general radiography curriculum to select either ultrasound or radiation therapy during their second year. Those who choose one of these tracks will not be eligible to seek ARRT certification in radiography, but will be eligible for ARRT certification in radiation therapy or ARRT and American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS) certification as an ultrasonographer upon completion of didactic and clinical requirements.

For those who hold ARRT-approved associates or bachelor’s degrees, the dept. offers several programs including 1) a Bachelor of Science in Radiologic Sciences degree program (Bridge program), 2) an online Bachelor of Science in Radiologic Sciences degree program, and 3) certification or continuing education opportunities in advanced imaging modalities.

Certificates

The Dept. of Radiologic Sciences offers non-degree seeking Registered Radiographers the option of receiving an additional modality (specialty) of their choice independent of a bachelor’s degree. The advanced modalities offered in this certificate program include mammography, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), vascular radiography, computed tomography (CT), radiology administration, ultrasound, and radiation therapy.

This certificate program is designed for:

• Registered Radiographers who wish to study an advanced modality as a means of continuing education.
• Registered Radiographers who already hold a baccalaureate degree in a major other than Radiologic Sciences and choose to study an advanced modality, without earning a second baccalaureate degree.

Note: Federal financial aid is not available at this time for these certificate programs for non-degree seeking students.

Radiology Administration

The certificate program in Radiology Administration would allow a student who is registered as a radiologic technologist with the American Registry of Radiologic Technologist (ARRT) to receive didactic instruction and practical experience in radiology administration. This will prepare the student to sit for the certified radiology administrator (CRA) examination given by the Association for Medical Imaging Management (AHRA). This certificate program will be offered as a pre-baccalaureate or a post-baccalaureate option for a student. The program will be three semesters in length and consist of thirteen semester hours.

The courses offered will include instruction in human resource management, asset resource management, fiscal management, operations management and communication and information management.

Radiation Therapy

The certificate program in radiation therapy would allow a student who is registered as a radiologic technologist with the American Registry of Radiologic Technologist (ARRT) and who has a baccalaureate degree or is seeking a baccalaureate degree to receive didactic instruction and clinical experience in radiation therapy. This will prepare the student to sit for the certification examination given by the ARRT. This certificate program will be offered as a pre- baccalaureate or a post-baccalaureate option for a student. The program will be three semesters in length and consist of 44 semester hours. The courses offered will include instruction in patient care, treatment, dosimetry, simulations, and procedures performed by the radiation therapist.

Ultrasound

The certificate program in ultrasonography (US) would allow a student who is registered as a radiologic technologist with the American Registry of Radiologic Technologist (ARRT) to receive didactic instruction and clinical experience in US. This will prepare the student to sit for the certification examination given by the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS). This certificate program will be offered as a pre-baccalaureate or a post-baccalaureate option for a student. The program will be three semesters in length and consist of 34 semester hours. The courses offered will include instruction in patient care, image production, and procedures performed by the ultrasound technologist.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging

The certificate program in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) would allow a student who is registered as a radiologic technologist with the American Registry of Radiologic Technologist (ARRT) to receive didactic instruction and clinical experience in MRI. This will prepare the student to sit for the certification examination given by the ARRT. This certificate program will be offered as a pre-baccalaureate or a post-baccalaureate option for a student. The program will be three semesters in length and consist of twelve semester hours. The courses offered will include instruction in patient care, image production, and procedures performed by the MRI technologist.

Computed Tomography

The certificate program in computed tomography (CT) would allow a student who is registered as a radiologic technologist with the American Registry of Radiologic Technologist (ARRT) to receive didactic instruction and clinical experience in CT.   This will prepare the student to sit for the certification examination given by the ARRT. This certificate program will be offered as a pre-baccalaureate or a post-baccalaureate option for a student. The program will be three semesters in length and consist of twelve semester hours. The courses offered will include instruction in patient care, safety, image production, and procedures performed by the CT technologist.

Interventional Radiography

The certificate program in Interventional Radiography (IR) would allow a student who is registered as a radiologic technologist with the American Registry of Radiologic Technologist (ARRT) to receive didactic instruction and clinical experience in cardiac and vascular interventional radiography. This will prepare the student to sit for the certification examination given by the ARRT. This certificate program will be offered as a pre-baccalaureate or a post- baccalaureate option for a student. The program will be three semesters in length and consist of twelve semester hours. The courses offered will include instruction in patient care, image production, and procedures performed by the interventional and cardiac radiography technologist.

Mammography

The certificate program in mammography would allow a student who is registered as a radiologic technologist with the American Registry of Radiologic Technologist (ARRT) to receive didactic instruction and clinical experience in mammography. This will prepare the student to sit for the certification examination given by the ARRT. This certificate program will be offered as a pre- baccalaureate or a post-baccalaureate option for a student. The program will be three semesters in length and consist of twelve semester hours. The courses offered will include instruction in patient care, image production, and procedures performed by the mammography technologist.

Pre-professional Component

Degree seeking students must complete the 56-63 semester hour pre-professional component prior to enrolling in professional component courses. Applicants to the professional component of the Radiologic Sciences program are permitted to complete courses from the pre-professional component in the summer term immediately prior to their intended entry into the professional component of the program. 

Professional Component

The professional component (typically, students' junior and senior years) consists of two years of academic and clinical study in Radiologic Sciences. The program is six semesters in length, including two summer terms. All candidates must have satisfied the pre-professional component to qualify for the degree-seeking professional component; neither admission into the University of South Alabama nor completion of the pre-professional component guarantees admission into the professional component of Radiologic Sciences. Enrollment in the professional component is limited by the number of clinical positions available, which is equally true for the advanced modalities. During the professional component, students must be prepared to travel up to 90 miles from campus in order to participate in the clinical education component of the curriculum.

Program Accreditation

The radiography and radiation therapy programs are accredited by:

The Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology
20 North Wacker Drive, Suite 2850
Chicago, Illinois, 60706-3182

For more information go to www.jrcert.org.

Admission Requirements for the Bachelor of Science in Radiologic Sciences Program

1. Completion of all required pre-professional courses by the end of the summer semester prior to desired admission for Fall semester. The professional component of Radiologic Sciences is Fall entry only.
2. Completion of a Department of Radiologic Sciences application, available at https://www.southalabama.edu/colleges/alliedhealth/radiologicsciences/bsradsci.html, to include payment of application fee.
3. Acceptance to the University of South Alabama. Current students are not required to submit an additional application for admission to the University of South Alabama. 
4. Submit official college transcripts for all coursework not completed at the University of South Alabama. Current students are not required to submit additional transcripts for coursework that has already been accepted by the University of South Alabama. 
5. Current students are may be eligible for Early Decision; Early Decision applications and supplemental items are due by April 1. The absolute final application deadline is May 1.
6. Submission of three (3) completed personal reference forms by the application deadline. Reference forms are available at https://www.southalabama.edu/departments/eforms/colleges/alliedhealth/radreferenceform.pdf.
7. Have a minimum cumulative overall (USA and transfer) GPA of 2.0 ("C" average) on previously completed college-level courses, as well as at least a "C" in all math and Sciences courses. Transcripts must be submitted by the application deadline.
8. Students applying for admission to the professional component must review additional information assigned at the time of application. 
9. Meet program technical/core performance standards. Core performance standards are fundamental tasks and skills that are required for successful completion of the program. They have been outlined and are available upon request and on the department website under Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ).
10. Complete a brief writing assignment conducted on the day of interview.
11. Complete a personal interview with members of the Radiologic Sciences Admissions Committee.
12. Applicants will be screened on the basis of past educational performance and the potential for the number of openings available. Therefore, acceptance into the University does not guarantee admission into the program. Likewise, admission into the program does not guarantee a position in a particular track/modality for one's senior year.
13. Student acceptance into the program is provisional pending completion of any remaining general education and prerequisite coursework, a drug screen, and background check requirements as specified in the acceptance letter. Refusal to submit will result in nullification of acceptance into the program.
14. Proof of medical insurance must be provided and maintained throughout the program following official notification of acceptance into the program. Due date will be specified in the acceptance letter.
15. ARRT certified radiographers who have completed the pre-professional component and are seeking the baccalaureate degree may apply for admission into the second year (senior year) of the professional component.
16. International students must score a minimum of 76 on the TOEFL exam to include the following minimum sub-scores on the IBT:
    • Listening 20
    • Speaking 20
    • Reading 18
    • Writing 18

The IELT exam will not be used as an admission requirement to the Radiologic Sciences Program

Special Fees

• Books: Approximately $700-800
• Uniforms: Approximately $250
• Clinical Data System: One-time payment of $150
• Drug Screen: Approximately $25
• Background Check: Varies based on number of prior residences, but approximately $50
• Personal Medical Insurance: Must possess throughout program

Degrees, Programs, or Concentrations

Degree Programs

Certificate Programs

Courses

Faculty