Radiologic Technology Degree Takes You to a top-15 Healthcare Career 

OK, every college degree has its good points, but when it comes down to a healthcare-focused job, few of them can top the radiologic technology degree. For today’s radiologic technologists – rad techs – getting into the growing diagnostic imaging profession with a two-year degree was the right decision.

Radiologic Technologist: a top-15 Healthcare Profession

The U.S. News/Money annual job rankings show that being a rad tech is among the top-15 of all healthcare support jobs. In fact, rad tech has been in the top 20 since 2017.

That’s mainly because imaging technologies offer safer and more accurate ways to see inside the human body without invading the human body. In 2021, physicians ordered more than 300 million scans of various types. It’s radiologic technology degree grads operating the equipment and ensuring the images reveal what they’re supposed to reveal.

According to the market data firm Mordor Intelligence, the diagnostic imaging movement is fueled by fast-advancing technological improvements, growing awareness in seeking preventive care, and the availability of local diagnostic imaging centers. Another factor is the rise of chronic diseases and conditions that come with rising life expectancies.

Earning Their Radiologic Technology Degree: What Rad Techs Say

Of course, it’s good to know the career direction you’re considering has excellent growth, but job satisfaction should always be part of the career-choosing formula. And it turns out that radiologic technologists deliver on the job satisfaction front.

Here’s what three rad techs say after earning their radiologic technology degree – the two-year Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S. degree) in Radiologic Technology.

• From Abby: “I found the combination of patient care and technology appealing. I also enjoy that this field pushes me to be creative when it comes to imaging…every patient’s body build and medical condition is different, so you have to know how to position patients differently.”
• From Ashley: “As a radiologic technologist, you will help others every day. Great imaging helps ensure the patient will be diagnosed accurately. Plus, we get paid quite well considering how many years of schooling we need.”
• From Katelyn: “My favorite part of my job as a radiologic technologist is being in the operating room. The cases are very interesting, and I like working alongside surgeons, helping them obtain the optimal image. I like being in a team environment. Everyone has his or her specific duties, all working together for a common goal.”

Abbey L: Read her rad tech story here.

Here’s How You Can Earn the A.A.S. in Radiologic Technology Degree

The typical A.A.S. in Radiologic Technology program calls for students to complete approximately 24 hours of required and prerequisite classes. These courses set the foundation for advanced skills learning and prepare students to succeed in a world where patient care expectations are high. Examples include communication techniques, psychology, anatomy, and physiology (learning how the human body functions).

The remaining classes, labs, and experiences build practical skills and abilities rad techs will use when in the rad tech workforce. Students advance by demonstrating technical and patient care competencies. Students master imaging concepts and procedures, practice their imaging skills using anatomically correct body replicas, and execute various imaging techniques on equipment similar to equipment used by employers.

After students master imaging techniques and practices competencies, they receive clinical experiences at worksites affiliated with the university’s rad tech program. (That’s a good reason to choose a degree program in an urban location – students have more options regarding imaging environments.)

For Two Years of College, a Top-tier Salary

A radiologic technologist’s salary is higher than many healthcare support roles achieved in a two-year college program. For example, a newly graduated radiologic technologist working in the Midwest has a salary range between $43,827 and $48,000. (A Medical Assistant who does administrative and clinical tasks for physicians or hospitals averages about $35,850.)

Bureau of Labor Statistics data shows that a geographic areas’ demand for rad techs can drive salaries up by 20-30%.

Another top-tier reason to choose the radiologic technology degree is to earn additional imaging certifications. Certifications that increase salary and employment options include magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT), mammography, and sonography.

Your A.A.S. in Radiologic Technology Degree at CUKC

Cleveland University-Kansas City (CUKC) offers an Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) in Radiologic Technology you can earn in as little as two years.

CUKC is a nonprofit, private, chiropractic and health science university in Overland Park, Kansas, a suburban city within the greater Kansas City metro area. Our A.A.S. degree program combines classwork, lab time, and clinical experiences to prepare you for employment as a registered radiologic technologist.

CUKC designed its two-year radiologic technology program with the guidance of imaging center professionals and our instructors have real-life experience performing the imaging work they are teaching.

CUKC graduates will have met the educational eligibility requirements needed to take The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) Radiography Examination to become registered and certified radiologic technologists.

More benefits of earning a radiologic technology degree from CUKC:

• Instruction combines patient interaction skills and technical competency
• On-campus radiologic technology equipment rooms
• Two demonstration suites for technique practice
• Small class sizes
• Real-world clinical experiences in partner clinics throughout Kansas City and the surrounding region
• Classes begin in the spring and fall of each year.

For more details on our two-year A.A.S. degree in radiologic technology, contact an admissions advisor and get this free eBook: Your Complete Guide to a Career as a Radiologic Technologist.