When you earn the Radiologic Technology associate degree, you’ll be part of a profession allowing physicians to diagnose diseases earlier, more accurately, and avoid the risks of invasive procedures. No wonder The New England Journal of Medicine named medical imaging one of the top medical developments over the past 1,000 years.
When you become a radiologic technologist – also known as a radiographer or an X-ray technologist – you’ll see the many ways diagnostic imaging delivers better healthcare. Also rewarding: the pride that comes as you realize you’re improving patient care by helping doctors diagnose conditions and diseases faster and more accurately.
You’re not only working directly with patients and as part of a medical team, but you’re also helping make healthcare less expensive. A Harvard Medical School research report showed that every $385 spent on imaging resources reduced hospital stays by one day.
Another way to think about the value of a fully accredited radiologic technology program is that radiologic technologists have been among the top-25 healthcare support roles in the yearly U.S. News jobs survey since 2018.
What’s unique about radiologic technology programs offering the 2-year Associate of Applied Science degree program is how it directly prepares you for the workforce. Most classes are devoted to the skills and knowledge required to succeed in the rad tech profession.
The learning outcomes are designed to prepare students for the national certifying exam by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) and to meet state licensing requirements.
In addition to the traditional class environment, you’ll have lab sessions to practice imaging skills, usually with live and demonstration units, and access to anatomically correct human body replicas.
Finally, once you reach specific competencies, you’ll have supervised clinical experiences to round out your abilities on the way to becoming a registered radiologic technologist.
Medical imaging has advanced dramatically since the discovery of X-rays in 1895, and the pace of change keeps accelerating.
Ultrasound (Sonography) began in the 1960s. Computed Tomography (CT scanning) started in the mid-1970s. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) from the 1980s has evolved into open MRI systems.
Today, increased computing capabilities and accelerated processing speeds result in new technologies such as 3D mammography, 3D ultrasonic holography, and PET scans (Positron Emission Tomography), which can see problems within individual human cells.
Clearly, the future of medical imaging and earning a radiologic technology associate degree is very bright.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the top four imaging professions all have a growth rate above 6% through at least 2031.
Salaries will differ by region and with demand. For example, a rad tech’s starting salary averages between $46,000 and $48,000 per year in the Midwest. With experience, compensation grows.
Survey data from Salary.com says graduates with a radiologic technology degree and several years of experience can have an average national salary between $53,178 and $67,169.
There are more work settings than you think. Radiologic technologists are needed in
Becoming a radiologic technologist is a great way to care for patients and use advanced technology. Not many occupations have this combination of high-tech/high-touch skills.
What you’ll learn by earning a radiologic technology degree
Best of all, your path to a radiography career opens the door to additional credentials. For example, once you’ve entered the profession as a radiologic technologist (R), you can decide to add expertise in other medical imaging fields:
You can learn more about career options, registration/certification, state licensing, and professional societies within the profession through the American Registry of Radiation Technologists (ARRT).
Cleveland University-Kansas City (CUKC) offers an Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S. degree) in Radiologic Technology you can complete in as little as two years through our full-year schedule.
CUKC is a nonprofit, private university in Overland Park, Kansas, a suburb of more than 195,000 residents within the Kansas City metro area. For more than 100 years, CUKC has been educating and developing leaders in health promotion. Our College of Health Sciences provides next-level healthcare programs in life sciences and health promotion.
Our comprehensive rad tech program was designed with the guidance of imaging center professionals. Our radiologic technology program is accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT).
Other benefits of choosing Cleveland University-Kansas City:
For more details about our 2-year radiologic technology program, request information here and get the free eBook, Your Complete Guide to a Career as a Radiologic Technologist.
