Radiologic Technology

The Radiologic Technology Program begins once a year at the beginning of the fall semester. The radiography curriculum is two years (24 continuous months) in length and graduates are awarded an Associate of Applied Science Degree (A.A.S.). Many radiography students choose to complete their general education credits prior to beginning the program courses.

In addition to the classroom coursework, students will also be assigned to clinical settings throughout the region for completion of their clinical courses. Clinical settings range from hospital to clinic settings throughout southwest Minnesota, southeast South Dakota and northwest Iowa. Many clinical settings are within 60 miles of Luverne; however, some sites are up to 120 miles away. Students will be assigned to their clinical setting by the clinical coordinator. Clinical hours will consist of approximately 30-40 hours per week.

Students will rotate between one semester of class followed by a semester of clinicals. While students are in clinicals they will switch between five days a week and four days a week, consisting of 8-hour shifts. They will rotate through up to five clinical sites throughout the duration of the program with the option of one being an evening shift with the hours of 2:00 - 10:00 p.m.

All prerequisite courses are available at any Minnesota West campus or center and online. All prerequisites must be completed prior to starting the program.

• Successful completion of BIOL 2245, Medical Terminology, or equivalent transfer course.
• Successful completion of RADT 1105, Radiographic Basics.
• Successful completion of BIOL 2201, Anatomy, or equivalent transfer course.

Admission to the Radiologic Technology program is competitive. Applicants who have met the minimum admission requirements by the deadline will be reviewed for admission to the program.

Admission to the program is determined by a screening committee based on the following criteria:

• Applicants will be scored and ranked by number.
• Applicants will be given points for each prerequisite and general education course completed and will also be granted points for their respective GPAs.
• Students who have previously applied to the program and/or who have completed observation in a radiology department will also be granted points.
• Students have the option of submitting their official ACT scores. Students will be awarded points if they choose to submit; however, they are not required.
• Students with the highest number of points will be accepted into the program.

See Applicant Assessment Score Sheet.

Written notification will be sent in March to all applicants. The accepted students will be required to attend a mandatory orientation in April in order to maintain their position in the program.

All accepted students will be required to pass two background studies in order to be placed into clinicals and to sit for the national ARRT board exam upon completion of the program. Details will be discussed at the orientation. See below for information on the required background studies.

Minnesota Law requires any person who provides a service that involves direct contact with patients and residents in healthcare facilities licensed by the Minnesota Department of Health to have a background study conducted by the state. An individual who is disqualified from having direct patient contact as a result of a background study, and whose disqualification is not set aside by the Commissioner of Health, will not be permitted to participate in a clinical placement in a Minnesota-licensed health care facility. Failure to participate in a clinical placement required by the academic program will result in ineligibility to qualify for a degree in the program.

When determining eligibility for examination, the ARRT requires that the applicant be of good moral character. Conviction of a crime, including a felony or a gross misdemeanor, with the sole exception of speeding and parking violations is considered to be a violation of the Standards of Ethics. Such violations must be cleared by the ARRT before the applicant can be assigned to an examination. The ARRT Ethics Pre-Application Review is reserved for those who:

• are not enrolled in an ARRT-recognized education program, or
• are more than six months away from graduating from an ARRT-recognized education program.

The radiographer assists the radiologist in the diagnosis of illness, disease and injury. As a part of the medical team, the radiographer is involved in traditional x-ray exams, surgery, emergency care, and fluoroscopic examinations. Graduates will find employment opportunities in hospitals, clinics and other healthcare facilities. Currently, the job market is extremely promising, jobs within technical healthcare are growing at a rate much higher than average. A large percentage of our graduates gain employment at our clinical sites.

The mission of the Minnesota West Community & Technical College’s Radiologic Technology Program is to meet or exceed the JRCERT standards and prepare individuals with the necessary knowledge and skills required of an entry-level Radiologic Technologist. Through the process of continuous improvement, the program faculty and clinical affiliates will provide access to quality radiographic technologists.

The program will continuously evaluate program effectiveness.

• Students who enroll in the program will complete the program.
• Graduates will pass the ARRT radiography exam.
• Graduates will be satisfied with the program.
• Employers will be satisfied with graduate’s performance.
• Graduates seeking employment will be employed.

The student will be clinically competent.

• The student will demonstrate radiation protection practices.
• The student will demonstrate positioning skills.
• The student will demonstrate ability to use radiographic equipment.

The student will use problemsolving and critical thinking skills.

• The student will evaluate images effectively.
• The students will analyze laboratory experiments and applications.

The students will demonstrate professional and ethical behavior.

• The student will demonstrate basic patient care skills.
• The student will demonstrate age-appropriateness in regards to patient care.
• The student will demonstrate professionalism.

The students will effectively communicate.

• The student will communicate within the healthcare setting.
• The student will demonstrate communication skills.

Minnesota West Community and Technical College Radiologic Technology Program is accredited by:

Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
230 South LaSalle Street / Suite 7-500
Chicago, IL, 60604-1411
800.621.7440 / info@hlcommission.org

Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT)
20 North Wacker Drive, Suite 2850
Chicago, Illinois 60606-3182
312-704-5300

The program’s current award is 8 years. General program accreditation information and the current accreditation award letter can be found here. 

The tuition estimates include pre-requisite courses and general education credits along with the program credits. The tuition estimate is based on projected rates for 2023-2024.

Tuition & Fees: $18,548
Textbooks-Radiography: $1,000.00
Textbooks-General Education: variable
Miscellaneous Fees: $1,500
ARRT Exam: $225
Uniform/Shoes: $300
Travel & accommodations: variable

**These figures are only estimates of the program. Costs may vary.

Radiographers use X-rays to create digital images of the patient's anatomy. They help detect bone fractures, locate foreign objects, and show the relationship between bone and soft tissue.

CT Technologists use a rotating X-ray machine to capture slices of the body's anatomy. CT scans allow doctors to see inside organs layer by layer, unlike general X-rays.

Radiologist Assistants are trained radiographers with additional education and certification. They work under a radiologist's supervision, providing advanced patient care, conducting imaging tests, and sharing initial observations with the supervising radiologist.