Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is Radiologic Technology?

• Radiologic Technology is the science of using radiation or radioactive substances in a controlled manner for the diagnosis of illness or injury and the treatment of disease. The Radiologic & Imaging Sciences program at USI prepares individuals to function effectively as entry-level radiographers.
2. What is a radiographer?
   
   
   • A radiographer is a radiologic technologist who, under the direction of a physician, performs radiologic (x-ray) examinations of all parts of the human body.
3. How long is the radiology program?
• The radiology program at USI provides a curriculum which includes didactic courses in conjunction with laboratory and clinical experience. The curriculum consists of 1 1/2 years of pre-requisite general education courses and 2 1/2 years of professional education work once the student is accepted into the program.
4. What kind a degree will I receive when I am done with the curriculum for USI's Radiology Program?
   
   
   • After completion of the 4 years of required curriculum, students will receive a BS degree in Radiologic and Imaging Sciences.  Students meeting all American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification and ethics requirements will be eligible to take the national certification examination.
5. Is USI's Radiology program accredited?
• The Radiologic Technology Program is accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT). The program received an 8-year(maximum award) accreditation award during Spring 2018.
6. How many students apply to the program each year?
• Admission to the radiology program is very competitive. On average 37 students each year apply and are interviewed for positions in the program. Out of those 37 students, 19 students with the highest admissions scores are invited into the program.
7. What is the employment outlook in this field?

   Reply comes from US Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics BLS Source page

   • "Overall employment of radiologic and MRI technologists is projected to grow 13 percent from 2016 to 2026, faster than the average for all occupations. As the population grows older, there will be an increase in medical conditions that require imaging as a tool for making diagnoses." 
8. What are the potential earnings for this field?
   
   

   Reply comes from US Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics BLS source page

   • "The median annual wage for magnetic resonance imaging technologists was $69,930 in May 2017.

     The median annual wage for radiologic technologists was $58,440 in May 2017."

9. What is the program's academic calendar?

The Radiology Program is a 28-month program that observes the University Calendar for Fall and Spring semester start and end dates, holidays observed, and breaks. A copy of the University Calendar is posted on the Registrar's webpage of the University's web-site. Students do participate in summer courses including clinical education. Summer course start dates begin during the University's first summer session and is continuous until the end of the second week of August. University summer holidays are observed.

10. Where can I receive more information?

More information can be received by calling 812/465-1181, writing to Joy A. Cook, MS, RT (R) (CT)(MR), Radiology Program Director & Chair, University of Southern Indiana, College of Nursing and Health Professions, 8600 University Blvd., Evansville, IN 47712.