Radiography, A.S.

Curriculum

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Program Description

This program educates student radiographers in the imaging of body structures and organs. These procedures utilize some of the most sophisticated technology in modern medical practice.

Policies

The A.S. Radiography Program Manual contains the policies of the program. By enrolling as a radiography student, each applicant agrees to abide by the regulations as outlined.

All students must present:

1. Proof of health insurance before entering the clinical environment, and must maintain this insurance for the duration of the program.
2. Yearly verification of tuberculosis screening. If the test is positive, refer to the Communicable Disease Policy in the Student Handbook for additional information.
3. Updated immunization records including hepatitis B, MMR and Tetanus-Diphtheria.
4. Verification of varicella vaccination or show immunity (titer).
5. Evidence of physical examination within three months prior to beginning a professional program.
6. Verification of current BLS certification in professional cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) from the American Heart Association, including infant, child, and adult CPR (certifications completed through on-line offerings are NOT acceptable).
7. Successful annual completion of mask FIT test, as administered by the program or obtained independently.

A background check is required for admission into the Radiography Program. The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) and various state licensing agencies require disclosure of all misdemeanor and felony convictions. The results of the background check may impact eligibility for certification and licensure and should be determined in advance of beginning an educational program. For further information, see the A.S. Radiography Program Manual.

A professional program fee will be charged to cover the additional costs of the Radiography Program (see the Fee Schedule in the Financial Information section).

Mental and Physical Requirements for Applicants

Applicants seeking admission to the Associate of Science degree program must be able, with or without reasonable accommodation, to:

• Visually observe and assess a patient, discriminate color and depth, read and accurately complete reports, and visualize diagnostic/monitoring equipment in dimmed light.
• Auditorily monitor and assess patient health needs, monitor various equipment and background sounds, and communicate by telephone.
• Verbally communicate in a clear and concise manner.
• Communicate with others in appropriate professional verbal and written form.
• Read and interpret relevant medical data from patients’ charts, reports, and orders.
• Safely lift and transfer patients to accomplish bed/chair/stretcher transfer with assistance or assistive devices.
• Safely push a gurney or wheelchair.
• Stand or sit for an extended period of time.
• Demonstrate sufficient manual dexterity necessary to perform activities specific to each professional program.
• Demonstrate critical thinking skills sufficient to think clearly and act professionally, safely, and accurately in stressful situations.
• Professionally interact with individuals, families, and groups from a variety of social, emotional, cultural, and intellectual backgrounds.

In addition to the above listed criteria, the following requirements are specific to the Radiography Program including, but not limited to:

• Push and operate portable imaging equipment.
• Reach and operate equipment up to a height of six feet above the floor.

Admission

A successful applicant for admission to the Radiography Program must meet the AdventHealth University (AHU) general admission requirements and:

1. Submit the Radiography Program Application, once admitted to the University. The application can be accessed at http://my.ahu.edu.
2. Have a minimum cumulative high school unweighted GPA of 2.70 or have taken 12 or more college credits with a minimum GPA of 2.70 from a regionally accredited institution. GPAs presented to the admissions committee for each applicant will be a cumulative record of all college-level work. Applicants that have completed a minimum of 12 college-level credits at AHU and have completed the prerequisite courses by the application deadline will be given preference for program admission. Applicants should be advised that the prerequisite course, College Algebra, must be completed by the program start date.

3. A minimum ACT composite score of 19, or a combined SAT score of 990. Applicants with 24 or more credits from a regionally accredited college are exempt from taking the ACT or SAT.

4. Successfully complete College Algebra and Introduction to Microcomputers with a minimum grade of “C” (2.00).
5. Submit two recommendations on AHU Recommendation Forms. If an applicant to an undergraduate program has completed at least one trimester at AdventHealth University (AHU) before being admitted to a program, one of the two recommendations must come from any AHU faculty member, adjunct professor, tutoring coordinator, chaplain, or academic coach/advisor. Special recommendation forms for this requirement are available in the Office of Enrollment Services.
6. Each applicant is required to write an essay as part of the admission process. The essay should address each of the following: the applicant’s reasons for wanting to enter the Radiography program; the applicant’s reasons for wanting to pursue this course of study at AHU, a faith-based institution, and future goals; the applicant’s characteristics and abilities that qualify him or her for this profession; the applicant’s motivation for choosing a career in Radiography; and the applicant’s perception of how radiologic technologists contribute to healthcare and how an educational experience at AHU will enable the applicant to make future contributions. Essays are reviewed for clarity, correct spelling, grammar, and content.
7. Competitive applicants will be invited to attend an interview. Meeting minimum admissions requirements does not guarantee an invitation for an interview.  Every applicant who wishes to be accepted to the program must complete the interview process.

Admission into all professional programs is competitive. Each program has a maximum number of students that can be admitted each year. Students meeting the admission requirements for a given program qualify to be considered for admission to that program. However, due to the competitive nature of each program’s admission process, meeting minimum admission requirements does not guarantee acceptance. Students may be given preferential consideration for admission to degree and certificate programs when they have successfully completed 12 college-level hours at AHU.

Each applicant accepted to an on-campus professional program is expected to pay a nonrefundable deposit of $200 to reserve his or her place in the program. The applicant’s acceptance letter will contain a deposit amount and deadline indicating when the deposit must be received by the University. Once the student enrolls in the program, this deposit will be applied toward the student’s account. Students who have paid the deposit, but decide not to enroll in the program, will forfeit the deposit. If that student is admitted to the same program at a later date, he or she will be required to pay the full deposit amount again. If an applicant is admitted to a program with prerequisites in progress and becomes ineligible for admission due to his or her grades, a full refund will be provided. A professional program deposit is not transferable to another department. Online Education students are not required to pay a program deposit.

Progression

Students may progress in the Program when they:

1. Earn a minimum grade of “C” (2.00) in each radiography course.
2. Earn a minimum grade of “C” (2.00) in each of the following cognate courses: Anatomy & Physiology I & II, Sectional Anatomy, Medical Terminology, and Survey of Physics. Successfully repeat courses in which the minimum grade of “C” (2.00) was not achieved.¹ No more than two courses may be repeated, only one of which may be a radiography course. Courses may be repeated in the following combinations: one radiography course and one cognate course, or two cognate courses.²
3. Present annual verification of tuberculosis screening and updated immunizations including Hepatitis B. verify current BLS certification in professional cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) from the American Heart Association, including infant, child, and adult CPR.

¹Students earning a “C-” (1.70.) or below in a radiography course will be removed from the program.

Reapplication to the program does not guarantee readmission.

²Students who subsequently fail the same or any other radiography or cognate course will be dismissed from the program.

Readmission

Students are considered for readmission to the Radiography Program when they meet admission requirements and:

1. Submit a Readmission Application to the Radiography Program director eight weeks prior to the trimester in which seeking admission.
2. Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.00.
3. Meet the program policies regarding health records, BLS certification in professional cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) from the American Heart Association, FIT testing, and a current background check.
4. Undergo a faculty review of prior academic and clinical performance; including reason(s) for withdrawal or dismissal; along with evidence of the applicant’s efforts to strengthen areas of weakness.
5. Meet the time limits for program completion as outlined in the Academic Catalog.
6. Students may be required to audit previous courses as appropriate. 

If a lapse of time greater than two years occurs in a student’s program of study, prior radiography credits will not be accepted.

Students who have been permanently dismissed are not eligible for readmission.

Readmission is limited to a single occurrence. Students may not be readmitted more than once into the Radiography Program.

Readmission is not automatic and is contingent on available space. Students readmitted will be held to the current program policies.

Completion

AdventHealth University (AHU) will consider students for graduation and conferral of an Associate of Science degree in Radiography when they meet the general University requirements for graduation and accomplish the following:

1. Complete a minimum of 73 trimester hours of credit.
2. Complete the prescribed course of study (see “Curriculum” below) for the degree, with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.00.
3. Achieve a minimum grade of “C” (2.00) in each radiography and cognate course.
4. Complete a minimum of 50% of credit hours in residence at AHU before graduation.
5. Complete the service-learning requirement. Please refer to your A.S. Radiography Program Manual for more information.

Completion of degree requirements shall not exceed four years (see Time Limits in the Academic Information section).