Program Overview
The field of radiology has evolved over the past 100 years into one of the most valuable diagnostic tools in medicine. The discovery of X-rays in 1895 has had a great impact on the medical world. This imaging application of X-rays parallels the development of diagnostic radiology. Services provided range from routine chest films to an elaborate study of body systems that involves tremendously complicated and expensive equipment. The final results of the examination represent the combined efforts of the Radiologic Technologist (the person who takes the X-rays) and a Radiologist (a physician who specializes in the interpretation of the X-ray films and other forms of imaging for diagnosis and treatment). Radiologic technologists may work in departments with the use of modern radiographic and fluoroscopic tools; general vascular and cardiovascular units, nuclear medicine; emergency rooms; and day surgery facilities. Radiologic technologists can be trained in the use of computerized axial tomography (CT scans) and magnetic resonance imaging, commonly called MRI.
The Department of Health Sciences, in cooperation with Baptist Health College Little Rock and St. Vincent Health System Little Rock, offers a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in radiography. The BS program in Radiography does not require a minor. The degree requirements consist of 61 hours of prerequisite course work at UCA and 60 hours taken over 24 months at Baptist Health College Little Rock or St. Vincent Health System Little Rock. In order to receive credit toward a degree from UCA, the student must apply, be admitted to UCA, and complete the prerequisite course work prior to selective admission into the didactic and clinical curriculum at an affiliated hospital radiography program. Students may transfer into the radiography program, but they must complete a minimum of 30 hours of on-campus course work at the University of Central Arkansas prior to selective admission into the didactic and clinical curriculum at an affiliated hospital’s radiography program.
Admission and acceptance into the didactic and clinical curriculum at an affiliated hospital is on a competitive basis. Students applying to the affiliate must have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 in all undergraduate course work to be considered eligible for the didactic and clinical phase of the radiography program. Applicants are required to have the results of the ACT with a preferred composite score of 19 or higher, and a preferred score of 17 or higher in Math & Sciences to be eligible at Baptist Health College Little Rock. The application deadline for the affiliate programs is March 1st and classes begin in early July. Information concerning the affiliate curriculum and requests for applications should be directed to the affiliated hospital programs. All questions regarding prerequisite course work should be directed to the UCA radiography advisor.
The didactic and clinical curriculum of each affiliate is accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT). Graduates of the professional curriculum are eligible to apply for examination by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists.
Program Outline
The UCA Core: Complete 38 hours to meet lower-division UCA Core requirements. This degree is exempt from upper-division (UD) Core requirements. Consult the program advisors for specific details of the UCA Core as it applies to the BS in Radiography.
Other required courses (courses in this list marked with “*” should be used to fulfill the appropriate general education requirement):
- CSCI 1300 or CISA 1300
- * PSYC 1300
- PSYC 3335 or 3323
- * BIOL 1400 or 1440
- BIOL 3406
- BIOL 3407
- * PHYS 1405 or 1410
- * MATH 1390
Mathematics Pathway: First-time, first-year students majoring in Radiography enter the College Algebra Mathematics Pathway and must enroll in MATH 1390 during their first year of study, unless they have been awarded credit for MATH 1390.
- Applicants are required to schedule and complete a tour of both hospital facilities prior to applying.
- Baptist Health College requires 6-8 hours of observation in the field of Radiography. St. Vincent highly recommends applicants complete some observation hours prior to applying.
Didactic and Clinical Curriculum at an affiliated hospital program (60 hours)
Baptist
- RADB 3101 Patient Care in Radiologic Sciences: Advanced Techniques
- RADB 3110 Introduction to Radiography
- RADB 3111 Medical Terminology
- RADB 3114 Medical Ethics and Law
- RADB 3121 Image Analysis I
- RADB 3130 Image Analysis II
- RADB 3133 Radiation Production and Characteristics I
- RADB 3142 Image Analysis III
- RADB 3144 Radiographic Procedures IV
- RADB 3152 Imaging Equipment
- RADB 3201 Patient Care in Radiologic Sciences: Basic Techniques
- RADB 3213 Radiographic Procedures I
- RADB 3223 Digital Image Acquisition and Display
- RADB 3243 Radiation Production and Characteristics II
- RADB 3324 Radiographic Procedures II
- RADB 3332 Radiographic Procedures III
- RADB 3420 Clinical Education II
- RADB 3515 Clinical Education I
- RADB 3530 Clinical Education III
- RADB 4140 Principles of Radiation Biology
- RADB 4150 Image Analysis IV
- RADB 4164 Introduction to Quality Assurance
- RADB 4241 Principles of Radiation Protection
- RADB 4262 Radiographic Pathology
- RADB 4331 Digital Image Acquisition and Display II
- RADB 4351 Radiographic Procedures V
- RADB 4361 Senior Seminars
- RADB 4640 Clinical Education IV
St. Vincent
- RADV 3110 Introduction to Radiography
- RADV 3111 Medical Terminology
- RADV 3112 Image Processing
- RADV 3113 Radiographic Procedures I
- RADV 3114 Medical Ethics and Law
- RADV 3120 Patient Care in Radiologic Sciences
- RADV 3121 Image Analysis I
- RADV 3130 Image Analysis II
- RADV 3142 Image Analysis III
- RADV 3144 Radiographic Procedures IV
- RADV 3215 Clinical Education I
- RADV 3223 Digital Image Acquisition and Display I
- RADV 3224 Radiographic Procedures II
- RADV 3232 Radiographic Procedures III
- RADV 3233 Radiation Production and Characteristics I
- RADV 3243 Radiation Production and Characteristics II
- RADV 3250 Imaging Equipment
- RADV 3420 Clinical Education II
- RADV 3800 Clinical Education III
- RADV 4140 Principles of Radiation Biology
- RADV 4141 Principles of Radiation Protection
- RADV 4150 Image Analysis IV
- RADV 4151 Radiographic Procedures V
- RADV 4162 Radiographic Pathology
- RADV 4164 Introduction to Quality Assurance
- RADV 4231 Digital Image Acquisition and Display II
- RADV 4260 Clinical Education VI
- RADV 4261 Senior Seminars
- RADV 4400 Clinical Education V
- RADV 4840 clinical Education IV
Note: To receive a Bachelor of Science degree in radiography, the student must complete the hospital phase at an affiliate-based radiography program. All prerequisite course work must be complete prior to the program start date.