FAQ
No, the University does not offer its own program in radiology. We have an academic partnership with Salt Lake community College. The students complete courses at SLCC and can attend the University for their clinical education
How do I become a radiographer?You need to check with the program itself to see what their requirements for admission are as they are all different. SLCC requires certain pre-requisite courses to be completed with minimum grades and then the student is placed on a waiting list. At Weber, a one year biomedical core is required and then the student applies to the program. They select students each year and do not do a wait list.
Is the SLCC waiting list really ten years long and what do I do while I am waiting to get in?Historically, the students wait on the average of two years to get into the SLCC program even though they will give you a longer target date. Many students apply to more than one program and others will do something else and not remove their name from the list. Occasionally last minute spots come up in late August and if you are ready to start, you may move up quickly. While you are waiting you can take the extra classes you will need to get your AS degree at SLCC. Check with them to see what they are. You could take classes in phlebotomy, first aid, EMT and CPR. Anything to make you a better radiographer and more marketable. You can also work and save as much money as possible as the radiology program is full-time and quite demanding. You could take a back pack trip to Paris; just make sure someone is checking your position each summer as the list is updated.
What types of programs does the University offer in radiology?The University offers programs in the advanced imaging areas of nuclear medicine, CT, and MRI. They also have academic partnerships in radiography, sonography, and vascular sonography. There are also clinical education opportunities in mammography and interventional radiography.
Do the advanced programs in MRI, CT and Nuclear Medicine offer a degree?No, the advanced programs award a certificate of completion, not a degree and the student will be eligible for the ARRT and/or NMTCB certification examination. The programs are independently managed through the University Health Care, Department of Radiology and not directly affiliated with the University of Utah. Weber State will grant a student credits towards their bachelors degree if they have certification in an advanced area. Contact Weber State for details on this opportunity.
Do you have to be a certified radiography to get into the advanced programs?The MRI and CT program require certification in radiography, nuclear medicine or radiation therapy for admission. The nuclear medicine program will accept a radiography certification or a bachelor's degree in a science related field. See program descriptions for more information.
I have heard that you do not need to be a certified radiographer in order to become an MRI technologist, is this true?Yes, but.....ARRT has made MRI a primary certification which means that you could directly go into a program in MRI without completing radiography. However, in order to take the ARRT certification, the program must be approved by the ARRT. The University's program is not set up that way. If it was, the program would need to be increased in length. If this is the route you want to take, then you will need to search for this type of program. Most hospitals and state licensure requires that you be a radiographer, nuclear medicine technologist or radiation therapy technologist to practice MRI. In Utah, you need to be licensed as a radiographer to practice MRI.
What is the job outlook and pay scale for a career in radiography?There are always jobs in the medical field and always will be. Radiography programs need to limit the number of students they select; therefore the market will never become flooded. The pay for the radiology field has increased about 20% in the last 3 years. For the most accurate and up to date information on radiology salaries, visit www.asrt.org for their recent salary survey (2007).
Do you get paid more if you have a degree in radiology?According to the 2007 ASRT salary survey, a Masters degree RT was making $4,000 more than a certificate RT. However, this is probably due more to the fact that the Masters RT had more job responsibility than the certificate RT. Some institutions will award a higher pay rate for a degree than others and some do not. Most administrators are more interested in certifications and experience as opposed to degrees unless you are getting into education or management, then degrees are highly respected.
How can I find out more about careers in radiology to see if this is what I want to do?Visit a radiology department and observe what a radiographer does. Interview people who are in the field and ask them what they like and dislike. Do research on the internet. www.asrt.org is a great resource. Look at the pay scale and decide if this is where you will be comfortable at. Look at the curriculum to see if you can handle it and if it is challenging enough. Ask your self do I want to work with sick and injured people? Which radiology program is the best one to go through? The most important thing about a radiology program is if it is accredited. If not, you will not be able to take the ARRT certification examination. Consider location, cost, clinical affiliates and reputation. You may also want to consider admission requirements. How do they differ and how will that affect you?
Are the University programs accredited?The nuclear medicine program is accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Nuclear Medicine (jrcnmt). The MRI and CT program are not accredited. Upon successful completion of the MRI and CT program, graduates are eligible to take the national certification examination given by the ARRT. As of October 2007, there were not jrcert accredited programs in MRI.
Is there financial aid available for the University Programs?No, Financial aid is not available for the University programs because they are managed through the hospital and not the University itself, they are not approved by the Board of Regents and do not receive state or federal funding. However, the tuition is reasonable and the program lengths are short.
How much will it cost to get an education in radiography?Look at the program you are interested in, multiply full-time tuition by 5 semesters and you will have a ball park figure. Instate tuition will range approximately $10,000 for the entire program. For radiography, there is financial aid from SLCC and Weber State.
Do I need CT, MRI and Nuclear Medicine certification to practice?You will need nuclear medicine certification to practice. You do not need CT and MRI certification however it is preferable and quite often warrants a pay increase. Will I need a state license to practice and how do I get that? Whether or not you need a state license is dependant on what state you are practicing in and if they have licensure laws. About 33 states do require licensure for radiology. Utah does have licensing laws for radiology. Once you pass your national boards, you apply for licensure through the Division of Occupational and Professional Licensure (DOPL). They require a fee, proof of certification and an ethical questionnaire.
Have more questions?If it is about radiology programs, please contact Salt Lake Community College or Weber State if you live and want to go to school in Utah. If you are interest in the advanced programs at the University, you can contact the Education Director, Marlene Johnson at 801-585-6753 or marlene.johnson@hsc.utah.edu
