Radiological Science - BS

There is a national shortage of radiographers. And that shortage is expected to continue.  If you think you'd like a career as a radiographer, our bachelor's degree program is for you.

As an incoming freshman, you'll spend your first two years taking courses through the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford on campus. During your third and fourth years, you'll study at the School of Radiography at Bradford Regional Medical Center, our local hospital. If you are already a certified RT, you will receive 50 credits from Pitt-Bradford when you are admitted to the program. And then, you can attend the University on a part-time or full-time basis to complete the requirements for your BS degree.

Qualified RTs enter the workforce as radiographers but often expand their skills and obtain advanced certifications in CT scanning, mammography, magnetic resonance imaging (MRIs) ultrasound and other developing technologies. 

Certified radiographers work in hospitals, physician offices and out-patient imaging centers. They operate some of healthcare's most sophisticated technology.

What you can do with a degree in Radiological Science. Suggested plan of study.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS for the PRE-RADIOLOGICAL SCIENCE PROGRAM

Successful completion of a minimum of 16 units including:

• 4 units in English
• 2 units in Mathematics (1 unit must be in Algebra)
• 3 units in Social Science
• 1 unit in Biology with a related laboratory
• 1 unit in Chemistry with a related laboratory
• 5 units academic electives

Prospective students will be admitted directly with a minimum cumulative high school grade point average of 2.5 and a minimum SAT score (or ACT equivalent score) of 960 (old test) or 1040 (new test). Students transferring from another college or university must have completed a minimum of 12 college-level credits with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.5. Students failing to meet these criteria may be admitted to a preparatory program.

All applicants must arrange for all information to be released and sent to the Office of Admissions before any admissions decision can be rendered.

PROGRESSION REQUIREMENTS and ADMISSION TO THE RADIOLOGICAL SCIENCE MAJOR

Students admitted to this program start their studies at the university as a Pre-Radiological Science major, taking courses that meet university graduation requirements. At the end of the first year of study, a student should have a 3.0 GPA or better to progress to the second year, which must be maintained throughout the entire second year of studies. During the spring term of the sophomore year, students apply to BRMC for admission into the School of Radiography. The deadline for applications is Feb. 1. To be admitted to the school, a student must be in good academic standing at the university. Because of limited numbers of openings at BRMC in any given year, preference for admission is given to students who have performed well academically. In the past, this has meant that in general, students with a 3.0 or better GPA who have satisfied all course requirements (with special attention paid to performance in the “core courses”) at the university have been admitted. This may vary from year to year, however, depending on the number of applicants who apply for the available openings (currently up to 16 openings each year).

Required general education courses include:

• ENG 0101 - ENGLISH COMPOSITION 1
• ENG 0102 - ENGLISH COMPOSITION 2
• FS 0102 - FRESHMAN SEMINAR
• WRITNG 1305 - TECHNICAL WRITING
• MATH 0110 - FUNDAMENTALS OF MATHEMATICS
• Arts and Letters three courses * - 9 Credits
• SOC 0101 - INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOLOGY *
• PSY 0101 - INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY *
• Economics or Political Science-one course* - 3 Credits
• History-one course * - 3 Credits
• PHIL 0214 - BIOETHICS
• History, Cultures, and Philosophical Inquiry-one course*
• BIOL 0212 - HUMAN ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY 1
• BIOL 0213 - HUMAN ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY 2
• BIOL 0222 - HUMAN ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY LAB 1
• BIOL 0223 - HUMAN ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY LAB 2
• PHYS 0103 - CONCEPTS OF MODERN PHYSICS
• PEDC - Physical Education - 1 Credit
• RADSC 1451 - CAPSTONE: RADTN SCI

Others:

• RADSC 0111 - BASIC HUMAN NEEDS
• Electives (6 upper level credits) - 6 Credits

Note:

* Challenge examinations and CLEP options available for select courses.

Required radiological science courses include:

Introduction to Radiological Technology and Medical Ethics
Medical Terminology
Elementary Radiation Protection
Radiographic Anatomy
Radiographic Physics
Radiographic Procedures I
Methods of Patient Care
Radiographic Procedures II
Radiation Protection II
Radiographic Film Evaluation I
Radiographic Film Processing
Radiographic Pathology
Radiographic Exposures
Film Evaluation II
Radiographic Procedures III
Special Equipment and Maintenance
Radiation Biology
Radiographic Film Evaluation III
Department Administrative Technique
Radiographic Film Evaluation IV
Clinical Experience
Clinical Review

Please be advised

Please be advised that some programs or courses of study require that students complete rotations, fieldwork, internships/externships and/or teaching assignments at facilities external to the university, while other programs or courses of study may offer voluntary internships or externships at facilities external to the university. Depending on the program or course, such facilities will or may require a criminal background check, an act 33/34 clearance (if applicable), and perhaps a drug screen to determine participant qualification or eligibility. Additionally, in order to become licensed, many states will inquire as to whether the applicant has been convicted of a misdemeanor, a felony, or a felonious or illegal act associated with alcohol and/or substance abuse.

Additional Information:

The main track is what we call a 2+2 program: Students complete four full semesters (during the freshman and sophomore years) of course work on the Pitt-Bradford campus. Then during the third and fourth years, students pursue full-time study at BRMC's School of Radiography. 

The second option is available to those people already certified and employed in radiography and who have graduated from a program accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiological Technology such as the one at BRMC. These students attend Pitt-Bradford for two years of full-time study or its equivalent in part-time study to earn a bachelor's degree.

In both options, 50 academic credits from the accredited radiographic program are applied toward the 120 credits needed to graduate with a bachelor's degree.

These are just some of the positions our recent graduates have.

• Radiographer, Penn Highlands Elk, St. Marys, PA 
• Radiographer, Cole Memorial Hospital, Coudersport, PA
• Radiology technologist, Kane Community Hospital in Kane, PA
• Radiographer, Warren General Hospital in Warren, PA
• Radiological technician, Bradford Regional Medical Center
• Radiographer, Penn Highlands Healthcare in Dubois, PA
• Radiographer, Bradford Regional Medical Center
  
  

Graduate School:

• Washburn University