RESOURCES FOR:
Applications for Fall 2010 Admission are accepted from Sept. 1, 2009 - Dec. 1, 2009.
Students must apply and be formally accepted into the Radiologic Technology (RT) program prior to enrolling in any RT program courses. See Application Procedures and the RT Application Planning Guide.
- What does a Radiologic Technologist do?
- What are the job opportunities for Radiologic Technologists?
- What is the average/starting salary?
- Where and when is the Radiologic Technology program offered?
- What are the admission requirements for this program?
- How many students do you accept and how is selection determined?
- How do I improve my chances of getting accepted?
- What classes do I take to become a Radiologic Technologist?
- Is the Radiologic Technology program accredited?
- What kind of time commitment is required to complete the program?
- Are there any other requirements I should be aware of while completing this program?
- How much will it cost to complete this program?
- After I complete this program, are there any other requirements before I can work?
For more information on the Radiologic Technology program, please contact Coordinator’s Assistant Candice Rodgers at 618-235-2700, ext. 5355 or e-mail at candice.rodgers@swic.edu.
What does a Radiologic Technologist do?
Southwestern Illinois College's Radiologic Technology program prepares students to safely and effectively use radiographic equipment to produce x-rays for the purpose of diagnosing and treating illnesses and injuries. Radiologic Technologists provide vital information concerning structure and function of the human body, enabling physicians to make accurate diagnoses to pursue care and treatment. Radiologic technology encompasses a variety of specialities and plays an invaluable role in the practice of medicine. Radiologic technologists play a key role in the total spectrum of medical imaging of health care services. Contact the SWIC Career Activities and Employment Center for possible job shadowing or mentoring opportunities in Radiologic Technology.
For further information regarding the field of radiology, refer to the American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT) web site, the Illinois State Society of Radiologic Technologists (ISSRT) Web site and the U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Handbook.
What are the job opportunities for Radiologic Technologists?
RTs work in a variety of settings including hospitals, health care facilities, oncology centers and physicians' offices. Job opportunities continue to grow as the medical field continues to promote outpatient medical services and the elderly population increases.
SWIC RT graduate survey results (averaged over a three-year period) indicate 100 percent of the RT graduates are employed six months after graduation.
What is the average/starting salary?
The average starting salary is $38,000-$40,000, depending on the type and location of the health care facility.
Where and when is the Radiologic Technology program offered?
Radiologic Technology courses are offered at the Belleville campus with clinical experience at hospitals/clinical facilities within the district or in the St. Louis region. The program begins in the summer, with clinical experience starting in the fall semester of the first year and continues throughout the two-year program. RT courses are generally held during the day, with some evening opportunity available. The required general education courses can be taken at the Belleville, Sam Wolf Granite City or Red Bud campuses.
What are the admission requirements for this program?
To apply for admission to the Radiologic Technology program, applicants must submit the following:
Official Transcripts/Proof of completion of pre-requisite courses:
The following pre-requisite courses must have been completed within 10 years preceding February 1 with no grade lower than a "C." College course grades supersede high school grades when both appear on official transcripts. The most recent grade in courses meeting these requirements is used in determining an applicant's admission qualifications and rank.
In addition students must submit:
- Official High School Transcripts/GED
- Official transcripts from all colleges, universities or accredited schools of Radiologic Technology attended.
- Those students who have completed college level courser must have a Southwestern cumulative GPA of 2.0 or greater to be considered for admission. Applicants may earn additional points on their application for general education courses completed with a "B" or better.
- The Compass test identifies skill level in math, reading and writing. Students must score high enough to be eligible to enroll in ENG 101 and MATH 94. If results are too low, students must complete required developmental courses prior to enrolling in ENG 101, BIOL 105 or MATH 94.
How many students do you accept and how is selection determined?
In the summer semester, the Radiologic Technology program generally accepts 40 students at the Belleville campus. Selection of qualified applicants for the Radiologic Technology program will be based upon a numerical ranking procedure, using ACT scores or SWIC GPA, high school and/or college grades and percentage of those general education courses completed prior to admission with a grade of "B" or better. See RT Application Planning Guide. Information on the ACT test, the numerical ranking procedure and the admission process is available from Southwestern Enrollment Services office.
To arrange a meeting with a counselor or obtain more information on the entrance requirements for the Radiologic Technology program, call or visit the Belleville Campus, 2500 Carlyle Ave., 618-235-2700, ext. 5206; Candice Rodgers 618-235-2700, ext. 5355; the Sam Wolf Granite City Campus, 4950 Maryville Road, 618-931-0600, ext. 6633; or the Red Bud Campus, 500 West South 4th Street, 618-282-6682, ext. 8114.
Applicants will be notified of their status regarding admission as quickly as is possible given the number of applications received; typically late March or early April. In the event that there are fewer qualified candidates than there are spaces available, applications will continue to be accepted until the program's maximum capacity has been reached or until the first week of classes during the summer semester. Contact the Enrollment Services office at 618-235-2700, ext. 5541/5542 or the Counseling Center at 618-235-2700, ext. 5206 to obtain information of a possible application deadline extension. The college reserves the right to fill the program in those years when there are fewer applicants than spaces available by whatever means it deems necessary to assure both academic integrity and fairness in the selection process.
In the event there are more qualified applicants than spaces available in this program, those applicants residing outside the SWIC district or in a district that does not have a joint agreement with SWIC for this program, will not be eligible for consideration or admission if there are more applicants than positions to be filled. Resident status is determined by address on file with the Enrollment Services office by Feb. 1.
The admission procedures for the Radiologic Technology program are in accordance with Illinois law. The law requires that programs not having sufficient space and resources to accommodate all applicants will accept those applicants best qualified, using rank, ability and achievement test scores as guides, with preference given to students residing within district.
How do I improve my chances of getting accepted?
Applicants are rated by a point system. To find out what you can do to accumulate points see the RT Application Planning Guide.
For an individual review of your application, contact Allied Health Coordinator's Assistant Candice Rodgers at 618-235-2700, ext. 5355 if needed.
What classes do I take to become a Radiologic Technologist?
Acceptance to the program is required before an applicant will be permitted to register for RT courses.
Associate of Applied Science (0028)
This is a 73 credit hour, two-year accredited degree program, which can be completed in four semesters and two summers. The curriculum includes biological and social sciences, RT technical courses, and assigned clinical experiences. There are 17 credit hours of general education courses and 56 hours of radiologic technology courses. General education courses can be completed prior to admission; otherwise all courses must be completed during the semesters indicated.
Clinical experience courses are completed off campus in various RT employment settings. Students may be required to travel outside of the college district for clinical experience courses and must have background checks and drug testing prior to the first clinical course. Clinical practice courses begin in the first fall semester and continue every semester until program completion. Clinical practice is conducted during the day shift.
Is the Radiologic Technology program accredited?
Southwestern Illinois College's Radiologic Technology program is accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology, located at 20 N. Wacker Drive, Suite 900, Chicago, IL 60606-2901; phone: 312-704-5300, e-mail: mail@jrcert.org. The program's curriculum is guided by the standards developed by the JRCERT. Our accreditation status means SWIC has meet the standards required and helps to assure the public that our curriculum will graduate competent clinicians. It also allows the college's RT graduates to take the licensure examination in any state that requires a license to practice radiologic technology.
What kind of time commitment is required to complete the program?
First year students
- Summer - classroom & lab - Monday through Thursday
- Fall - classroom, lab and 15 clinical hours per week
- Monday - Thursday - two days clinical and two days classroom
- Spring - classroom, lab, and 15 clinical hours per week
- Monday - Thursday - two days clinical and two days classroom
Second year students
- Summer - 30 hours clinical experience per week for eight weeks
- Fall - classroom & clinical - 20 clinical hours per week
- Monday - Thursday and 1/2 Friday (two days classroom and two-and-a-half days clinic)
- Spring - classroom & clinical - 20 clinical hours per week
- Monday - Thursday and 1/2 Friday (two days classroom and two-and-a-half days clinic)
Students are responsible for their own transportation to all classes and clinicals assigned by the program. Specific clinical placement cannot be guaranteed. Students may be required to travel outside the college district for clinical experience courses and must undergo background checks and drug testing. Clinical practice begins in the fall semester of the program. Students should check the location and schedule of classes to ensure availability and access.
Are there any other requirements I should be aware of while completing this program?
- Applicants accepted to this program must attend all required orientation sessions, meet program specific medical requirements and must be able to perform the essential functions of the job with our without reasonable accommodations. Any applicants or enrolled students are encouraged to meet with Special Services to discuss potential issues associated with meeting these requirements at 618-235-2700, ext. 5368.
- Auto and health insurance are required during clinical education courses. Students are personally responsible for any costs incurrred for injuries occurring during their clinical experience.
- RT students will be required to possess current CPR certification at the Healthcare Provider level, show proof of immunizations, TB test, physical examination, and verify health insurance coverage before beginning any clinical experience.
- Criminal Background Check , random drug test, and name search on government registries which prohibit employment in health care professions are also required prior to clinical experience courses. Positive results from the drug test and the student listing on prohibitory government registry will result in dismissal from the program. Dismissal for positive criminal background check, drug test, or listing on government registry does not qualify students for refund of tuition or lab fees. Students who have concerns regarding their status with the above regulations are encouraged to discuss the matter with the program coordinator or coordinator's assistant prior to seeking admission.
- Applicants admitted to the program must follow the requirements for graduation at the time they are admitted and must meet all course, program, degree, and sequencing requirements specified. Students are responsible for program policies as listed in each year's RT Student Handbook. Students who fail to meet program specific requirements will be dropped from the program and may be required to re-apply and compete for admission in the succeeding semester.
How much will it cost to complete this program?
The estimated cost of the RT program for the 2009-2010 academic year is $9,400. The total costs incurred are inclusive of Health Examination fees, Hepatitis B vaccine series, criminal background check and drug testing fees, and necessary supplies and equipment, such as uniforms, name pins, etc. For more details see the program cost sheet.
Financial aid is available subject to financial need and satisfactory academic progress requirements set by the college. The SWIC Foundation office offers many scholarships and there is a student worker program for which financial aid eligibility is not required.
After I complete the program, are there any other requirements before I can work?
Upon successful completion of the RT curriculum, graduates are awarded an Associate in Applied Science Degree and are eligible to take the national examination for the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT).
The SWIC graduate licensure pass rate averaged over the last three years is 97 percent.