Mission
This program provides high-quality instruction that prepares graduates to be successful on the national certification examination and graduate with employable skills as an entry-level radiographer. In addition, graduates may choose to continue their education, studying emerging advanced modalities.
Goals
- 65 percent of the students entering the program graduate within 36 months
- 85 percent of the graduates be successful on the national certification exam
- Upon graduation, 90 percent of employers and graduates are satisfied with their entry-level skills in radiography
- The pass rate for clinical competency and performance evaluations will be 95 percent on the first attempt and 100 percent on the final attempts.
Program Overview
The Radiologic Technology Program was established at Texas Southmost College in 1975. Students in this program participate in two years of academic and clinical training, learning the fundamentals of radiologic technology in the classroom and college lab, which is equipped with fully digital X-ray equipment. Students practice concepts learned in the classroom at area hospitals with qualified clinical instructors at clinical affiliates that also have state-of-the-art digital x-ray equipment. The clinical portion of the student’s education is conducted in Brownsville, Harlingen, and Weslaco hospitals. This program has been carefully structured so students can gain confidence in their clinical skills.
With new technological advancements, career opportunities in the field of diagnostic imaging are continually expanding. Registered technologists also have career opportunities in specialized areas like CT, MRI, mammography, and angiography.
Requirements for admission to the Radiologic Technology Program are as follows:
- Admission to TSC (acceptance to TSC does not necessarily guarantee acceptance to the Radiologic Technology Program)
- Completion of the Application for Admission to the Radiologic Technology Program. The application deadline is the last work day in August.
- Test score results – ACT Exam
- Transcripts of all previous high school or college work or GED scores
- Prerequisites: BIOL 2301, 2101, 2302, 2102
Students will be selected from the applicant pool based on scores from the ACT and grades in the following courses: Human Anatomy and Physiology I (Biology 2301), Human Anatomy and Physiology II (BIOL 2302), College Algebra (MATH 1314), and Composition I (ENGL 1301). While College Algebra and Composition I are not prerequisites for admission, good grades in these courses could raise students’ ranking in the applicant pool.
This form may be used to help determine if students meet the requirements to apply. The score at the bottom will be used to consider admission to this program.
PRE-REQUISITES
BIOL 2301 Human Anatomy and Physiology I (3 credit hours)
General biological principles; cellular biology; emphasis on human integumentary, skeletal, muscular, and nervous systems and related topics.
Prerequisite or concurrent enrollment: BIOL2101.
BIOL 2101 Human Anatomy and Physiology I – Lab (1 credit hour)
Cells, tissues; skeletal, muscle, nervous systems. Includes dissections and instrumentation related to basic hands-on human anatomy and physiology.
Prerequisite or concurrent enrollment: BIOL 2301
BIOL 2302 Human Anatomy and Physiology II (3 credit hours)
Continuation of BIOL 2301; Includes human urogenital, circulatory, respiratory, digestive, and endocrine systems; human development; emphasis on nutrition, metabolism, electrolytic and fluid balance
Prerequisite: BIOL 2301 and BIOL 2101. Prerequisite or concurrent enrollment: BIOL 2102.
BIOL 2102 Human Anatomy and Physiology II – Lab (1 credit hour)
Emphasis on endocrine, cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, urinary, and reproductive systems. Includes related dissections and instrumentation designed to facilitate a basic hands-on understanding of human anatomy and physiology.
Prerequisite: BIOL 2301 and 2101. Prerequisite or concurrent enrollment: BIOL 2302.
Upon satisfactory completion of the TSC Radiologic Technology curriculum, graduates receive an Associate of Applied Science degree. They are eligible to take the registry examination for certification as a Registered Radiologic Technologist by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT). Students must also take and pass a comprehensive examination (exit exam) before taking the ARRT registry exam.
Students who have completed all program requirements will be provided with an ARRT application. The State of Texas requires individuals who operate ionization equipment to be certified. State licensure information and applications will also be provided to qualified students who have met all graduation requirements.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
- All students must have a physical exam, up-to-date immunizations, and CPR Certification before receiving clinical assignments.
- Criminal background checks will be required of allied health students before receiving clinical assignments.
- Applicants with a history of a felony or misdemeanor should contact the program director for additional information. They may also submit a Pre-Application Review of Eligibility Form to the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists to determine their eligibility for the A.R.R.T. examination.
CERTIFICATION
Graduates can sit for the national certification examination for Radiologic Technology administered by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT). In addition, the State of Texas requires that individuals apply for state licensure before being allowed to practice in this state.
MORE INFORMATION
Effective September 1, 2017, HB 1508, 85th Leg., R.S. (2017), amended Chapter 53 of the Texas Occupations Code to add Subchapter E relating to notice to applicants to and enrollees in certain educational programs regarding the consequences of a criminal conviction on eligibility for an occupational license.
Pursuant to Chapter 53, Subchapter E, of the Texas Occupations Code, please be advised that Texas Southmost College offers programs that lead to an occupational license as defined under Texas Occupations Code 58.001. Licensing authorities may have guidelines concerning prior criminal convictions that would make an individual ineligible for the issuance of a given license. If you are enrolled in a program that may prepare an individual for an occupational license and/or if you later decide to change to a program that prepares you for an occupational license as defined under Texas Occupations Code 58.001, in accordance with state law, please be advised of the following:
- An individual who has been convicted of an offense may be ineligible for issuance of an occupational license upon completion of the educational program;
- Each licensing authority that may issue an occupational license to an individual who completes an educational program must establish guidelines that state the reasons a particular crime is considered to relate to a particular license and any other criterion that affects the decisions of the licensing authority.
- Local or county licensing authorities may issue additional guidelines related to criminal history. Applicants should contact their respective local or county licensing authority for more details.
- A person may request a criminal history evaluation letter regarding personal eligibility for a license issued by a licensing authority under Texas Occupations Code 53.102.
Note that the provisions of Chapter 53 of the Texas Occupations Code relating to the consequences of criminal conviction do not apply to licenses granted by the Supreme Court of Texas, law enforcement officers (Texas Occupations Code Chapter 1701), emergency medical services personnel (Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 773), or persons licensed by the Texas Medical Board, the Texas State Board of Pharmacy, the State Board of Dental Examiners, or the State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners that have been convicted of a felony under Chapter 481 or 483 or Section 485.003 of the Texas Health and Safety Code. If you are seeking one of these licenses, please be aware that other law provisions may apply to the consequences of a criminal conviction.
All applicants to and enrollees of Texas Southmost College are encouraged to review all applicable eligibility requirements for the respective occupational license. Questions related to eligibility requirements should be directed to the applicable licensing authority.
