Radiography Frequently Asked Questions
WHEN DOES ENROLLMENT FOR THE RADIOGRAPHY PROGRAM TAKE PLACE?
Applications are due by January 31st each year. Program interviews are in March, accepted students will be notified in April, and would begin the Radiography program in May.
WHAT ARE THE PRE-REQUISITES FOR THE PROGRAM?
Students must have completed all prerequisite course work with a final grade of 3.0 or better in each course.
- DMS 100 – Introduction to Diagnostic Imaging
- BIO 132 – Human Biology and/or BIO 253/254 – Human Anatomy and Physiology I & II
- MOA 120 – Medical Terminology
- HOC 130 – Introduction to Health Occupations
I UNDERSTAND THAT THE ACCEPTANCE IS BASED ON A POINT SYSTEM. WHAT ARE THE CRITERIA TO EARN POINTS?
- GPA
- Previous Allied Health Experience
- Grades received in pre-requisite classes
- Job Shadow Experience
- Previous degrees earned (Associate, Bachelor, or Masters)
- Interview Scores
HOW LONG IS THE PROGRAM?
After completion of the pre-requisites, the program is a two year program. This includes 1,672 hours of Clinical Practicum.
WHAT IS THE ADMISSION PROCESS FOR ENTRANCE INTO THE RADIOGRAPHY PROGRAM?
The first step is to submit an application to Jackson College (this can be done on-line). Once accepted, you will want to have official transcripts from other colleges sent to Jackson College for evaluation. You are encouraged to contact a Jackson College Advisor, who will assess what prerequisites courses you will need. Applications for the Radiography program must be turned in before January 31, along with a $50.00 application fee. (Keep in mind that all of your pre-requisites must be completed or in process before you can submit your application!) Once applications are received and evaluated, qualified students will be sent a questionnaire. After the questionnaire is completed and returned, applicants are evaluated once again to determine if they qualify for an interview. Interviews take place in March, and qualified applicants are offered acceptance in the program in April. The Radiography program begins in May and runs for __ Months.
IF I WERE TO COMPLETE THE RADIOGRAPHY PROGRAM, WOULD I BE ELIGIBLE TO BECOME REGISTERED?
YES! Completion of the Radiography Program at Jackson College would prepare you to sit for the ARRT (American Registry of Radiologic Technologists) board exam, which, if passed, would render you a RT (R). (Registered Technologist, Radiography)
WOULD I BE ALLOWED TO WORK WHILE I AM IN THE PROGRAM?
Most students work part-time while in the radiography program. The program does require approximately four (4) days per week of a student’s time on average, which makes it impossible to work full-time and be in the program.
WHO IS A RADIOGRAPHER?
- A professional who works directly with patients in performing radiographic diagnostic procedures.
- A professional who performs diagnostic procedures/tests (tests that are non-invasive, without puncturing or performing incisions on a patient).
- A professional who provides physicians with medical diagnostic information on the structure and function of the area of the body in question.
WHAT IS THE NATURE OF THEIR WORK, WHAT DO THEY DO?
- Perform diagnostic tests using x-rays.
- Work with sophisticated, manually operated equipment outside of a patient’s body to discover what is happening inside their body.
- Radiographers can go on to perform specialized imaging procedures such as CT, MRI, and Mammography.
WHERE DO THEY WORK? WHERE ARE JOB OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE?
- Many opportunities are available throughout the United States for experienced and qualified individuals.
- Clinics, mobile health services, physician’s offices, and hospitals have open positions.
- Medical industry companies also offer work in research and development, sales and marketing, which provide opportunities for international travel.
WHAT IS THE BASIC CURRICULUM FOR A DEGREE IN RADIOGRAPHY?
- A college level diploma in the applied science field.
- On year pre-requisites with curriculum focus in anatomy, physiology, and math.
- Advanced courses on specific methods of diagnostic procedures, and disease entities.
HOW WOULD I LEARN THIS? WHAT METHODS ARE USED TO TEACH STUDENTS?
- Accredited schools that offer Associate or Bachelor Degrees require you to participate in lecture, lab, clinical and didactic settings.
- The program involves two years of clinical and didactic training.
- The Radiography program is accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT).
Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology
20 N. Wacker Drive, Suite 2850
Chicago, IL 60606-3182
312.704.5300 • Fax: 312.704.5304, www.jrcert.org
WHAT COULD I MAKE IN THIS LINE OF WORK?
- The median pay for radiographers and radiologic technologists is $61,370 per year.
HOW IS THE RADIOGRAPHY PROGRAM DELIVERED?
The Radiography program is a face-to-face program delivered on the Jackson Campus of Jackson College.
WHERE ARE THE CLINICAL SITES THAT I COULD BE PLACED AT IN THIS PROGRAM?
- Henry Ford Allegiance Health – Jackson, MI
- Hillsdale Hospital – Hillsdale, MI
- Promedica Hickman Hospital – Adrian, MI
- Saint Joseph Mercy Chelsea Hospital – Chelsea, MI
- Cameron Memorial Community Hospital – Angola, IN
- Parkview LaGrange Hospital – LaGrange, IN
- Michigan Medicine – Ann Arbor, MI