Please read below to determine if you are eligible to apply. Current or former students may also used the Pre-Advisement Plan on myRichland to review unmet prerequisites. If you have questions, please speak with an advisor in Student Services.

Prerequisites and Admission Criteria

Students may be eligible to apply if the following criteria are met:

• Eligibility for MATH 098 Intermediate Algebra
• Evidence of one year of high school geometry OR Richland MATH 095 (Geometry or its equivalent) with a grade of “C” or above
• Eligibility for ENGL 101
• Nelson Denny reading comprehension score of 12th grade (120) or above
• HLTH 140 Medical Terminology with a grade of “C” or above.
• RADT 101 Introduction to Radiography (offered in fall only) with a grade of “C” or above
• Meet one of the following conditions
  • Completed, or are in progress of completing, the 21 credit hours of the Radiography Program Coursework requirement (BIOL 101*, BIOL 201, BIOL 202, ENGL 101, PSYCH 110, and RADT 101). The courses must be completed with a “C” or better and the Program GPA** must be at least 2.5. Students may be “in-progress” of the coursework at the time of application, but all courses must be complete before the program begins with a “C” or better and a minimum 2.5 Program GPA
  • Obtained the minimum ACT sub scores and composite (Reading (15) Math (15) English (15) Science Reasoning (20) Composite (21)). Students with the minimum ACT scores have the option to complete the Radiography general education requirement in program, but if any are complete prior to admission, they must be with a “C” or better and the Program GPA** must be at least 2.5
  • IEMA Division of Nuclear Safety Limited License

* Students who have completed two years of high school biology and one year of high school chemistry or physics within the last three years with a “B” or better in each course do not need to complete BIOL 101. A humanity or fine art elective is used in substitution.

**For admission, the Program GPA is calculated using the grades and credits earned in the completed Radiography coursework. Coursework that can be completed prior to admission include: BIOL 101, BIOL 201, BIOL 202, ENGL 101, PSYCH 110, and RADT 101. Transfer and Richland credits are used in calculating the Program GPA

Note: The last biology course taken (BIOL 101, 201, 202) must have been completed within the last five years.

The Radiography Program follows the Health Profession selective admissions process. Students use the online Pre-Advisement Plan on myRichland to submit an application during the designated application period. Students who will complete course requirements in the spring semester that precedes the summer semester start of the program may submit their application as soon as they have registered for spring classes.

Students must check their student email to verify completion and status of the application. Online applications can be submitted October 1 through February 1.

Students who submit applications are scored on a rubric and the 12 highest scores are accepted in rank order. In the event of a tie for the twelfth position, the student with the highest RADT 101 score is admitted. Criteria of assessment include the following:

1. Program GPA
2. BIOL 201 Grade
3. Program courses completed
4. ACT Composite
5. RADT 101 (Introduction to Radiography) course score
6. RADT 101 Professional Performance Points

Students lose points on the rubric for biology and RADT 101 withdrawals (W) or repeats within the last five years.

For example: If a student withdraws from BIOL 201 in the fall and then completes it in the spring semester they lose one point for the withdrawal. If a student gets a "D" in BIOL 201 and repeats it with a passing grade the next semester they lose a point for the repeat.

After the deadline, the Radiography Program Director reviews the admission rubrics, ranks students, and determines who is admitted to the program. The rubrics are not attached to any indentifying student characteristics besides the student ID number. This allows the Program Director to review the rubrics using non-discriminatory practices.

The top 12 ranked students are offered conditional admission to the Radiography Program. All applicants are notified in writing of their admission status by mid-March.

Admission is conditional. This means that students must meet certain criteria before beginning the program. The criteria are as follows:

• Return the acceptance forms by the deadline.
• Earn a "C" or above in prerequisite and program coursework in which they are enrolled in the spring semester and have a 2.5 Program GPA
• Submit the Richland Community College Health and Immunization Record form.
• Submit a copy of current American Heart Association BLS Heath Care Provider CPR
• Submit to a mandatory drug screen
• Attend a mandatory one-day program orientation the week following College graduation.

Students who don’t meet all of the above criteria forfeit their admission and the open position is filled from the alternate list.

After the top ranked students are extended conditional admission, an alternate list of other qualified students is developed in the event that someone should cancel or not meet the conditional admission criteria. To remain eligible, students must continue to meet all eligibility requirements. Up to the day prior to the first Radiography course, the alternates may be notified.

The Radiography Program does not maintain a waitlist. If not admitted, students must reapply to the program each year.

All admitted students are required to undergo a fingerprint-based background check before beginning the clinical portion of the Radiography Program. The background check is coordinated by the Health Professions Office. The cost of the procedure is covered in the Radiography Program summer course fees.

A student with a positive background check including misdemeanors or felony offenses including convictions or charges resulting in a plea of guilty, plea of nolo contendere (no contest), withheld or deferred adjudication, suspended or stay of sentence, pre-trial diversion activity, or military court-martial are be allowed to enter the clinical portion of the program until the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists Pre-Application Review Process (ARRT > Educators & Students > Ethics Review Application) is completed and clearance from the ARRT Ethics committee is obtained.

Professional Integrity and Code of Ethics

Richland’s Radiography Program holds its students to a high standard. The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists Standards of Ethics (ARRT > Technologists > Comply with Ethics Requirements) serves as the basis of Richland’s Professional Integrity Policy and Code of Ethics.

Affiliation agreements with our clinical partners require students submit documentation of health and safety requirements. Failure to comply for any reason may result in withdrawal of offer of admission or dismissal from the program.

Under no circumstances are students to attend clinical without current immunizations, initial Mantoux TB and current CPR certification. The student must provide documentation to the Health Professions Division that immunization requirements are met.

Candidates must have the strength, manual dexterity, & mobility to accomplish the following:

• Frequently push/pull objects in excess of fifty (50) pounds
• Perform manipulative skills
• Move about freely in imaging rooms & maneuver equipment in other areas of the hospital such as surgery and patient’s room

Vision and Hearing--Candidates must be able to:

• assess patient’s condition by asking questions, listening to responses, & observing patient
• review charts
• visually evaluate radiographic image quality

Other tasks typically performed by radiography program students can be found at the ARRT Radiography Task Inventory.

Drug and Alcohol Testing

All admitted students submit to an initial drug screening as part of their conditional admission requirements. In addition, any of the clinical sites or faculty may require Richland Community College Radiography Program students to submit to random drug tests for cause. Any student refusing to comply, or who test positive, is not allowed to participate in clinical experiences. Students who refuse to comply with testing will be dismissed from the program. If the test results are positive, action is determined by the faculty committee. The student is responsible for any costs incurred by the clinical affiliate for drug testing.

Health Insurance

Students are encouraged to obtain their own health insurance coverage. None is provided through the College.

The AAS in Radiography is made up of 72 credit hours including general education, and radiography core courses. Listed below is a breakdown and description of the degree’s course requirements.

Associate of Applied Science in Radiography

• General Education and Elective Credit Hours - 18 Credit Hours
• Radiography Core Credit Hours - 54 Credit Hours
• Total Credit Hours - 72 Credit Hours

• Obtain a “C” or better in all prerequisite, general education and program courses
• Maintain a minimum Program GPA of 2.5
• Complete all lab competencies with a minimum of 84%.
• Complete all RCC required clinical proficiency exams.
• Complete all ARRT required clinical proficiency exams.
• Meet standards of the ARRT/ASRT Code of Professional Ethics
• Return film ID markers or make reimbursement.
• Return film badge holder or make reimbursement.

You can apply to the Radiography Program as long as you demonstrate that all general education courses and RADT 101 will be completed prior to beginning the program. All courses must be completed with a "C" or better and the program GPA must be at least 2.5. Students are awarded additional points on the rubric for ACT scores at or above the minimum requirement.

The Cumulative GPA includes the grades and credits earned in all coursework attempted at Richland. The Program GPA is calculated using only the grades and credits you’ve earned in the coursework applicable to the program-of-interest. Transfer and Richland credits are used in calculating the Program GPA. If a course has been repeated, the most recent grade is used in calculating the Program GPA, in accordance with the college policy. Although some course work can be completed in program, if a student has completed it prior to admission, it is calculated in the Program GPA. Each program has specific requirements regarding a minimum Program GPA for admission, progression, and graduation.

If you withdraw from a course and then complete the course with a passing grade later, you will lose only one point for the withdrawal on the scoring rubric. If you withdraw from a course in the fall, complete the same course in the spring and fail it, then complete it the next fall with a passing grade, you will lose two points on the scoring rubric: one point for the withdrawal and one point for the repeat.