Mission Statement
The mission of the Radiography Program is to provide students with a comprehensive education in radiography and to prepare them to enter the radiographic profession as a competent entry-level diagnostic radiographer. The student is to be exposed to all available methods of instruction in both didactic and clinical radiography, including the cognitive (problem solving and critical thinking) psychomotor, and affective domains. Upon graduation from the degree program the student is to be sufficiently prepared to pass the National Registry Examination.
About the Radiography Program
Radiography is an art and science which involves the medical imaging of patients to produce a radiograph for the diagnosis of disease. The main goal of the radiographer is to produce the highest quality diagnostic image using ALARA (As-Low-As-Reasonably-Achievable) Radiation Standards with a minimum amount of patient discomfort.
A radiographer’s job duties involve multiple areas of expertise—trauma, surgery, fluoroscopy, portable/mobiles, and general diagnostic radiography. Constant growth in the field has created many new and exciting careers in Ultrasound (US), Pet Scan, Computerized Tomography (CT), Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), cardiovascular/interventional radiography, radiation therapy, and nuclear medicine.
The radiographer functions in many different roles within the health profession. They may work independently or interact with other members of the health care team such as radiologists, surgeons, emergency medicine physicians, cardiologists, and nurses. Radiographers are employed in hospitals and out-patient facilities such as occupational and urgent care centers, clinics, imaging centers, and doctors’ offices.
Graduates of the Program
Graduates receive an Associate of Science degree in radiography (ASR) and are eligible to take the certification examination of the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) to become certified as a Registered Technologist R.T.(R).
ARRT Cerfication Eligibility
Issues addressed by the ARRT Rules of Ethics include convictions, criminal procedures, military court martials, or any matter described as a gross misdemeanor, misdemeanor, or felony act(s).
Candidates are required to report charges or convictions that have been withheld, deferred, stayed, set aside, suspended, or entered into a pre-trial diversion, or involved a plead of guilty or no contest (nolo contendere). Candidates do not need to report juvenile convictions that were processed in juvenile court, traffic citations that did not involve drugs or alcohol, or offenses that were previously reported to and formally cleared by ARRT.
Candidates who had any license, registration, or certification denied, revoked, suspended, placed on probation, or subjected to discipline by a regulatory authority or certification board (other than ARRT) must contact the ARRT.
Additionally, candidates for certification are required to disclose any honor code violations that may have occurred while attending any institution of higher education (probation, suspension, or dismissal). If any of these situations apply or if a candidate is uncertain about a potential probable cause (drunk driving, possession of alcohol, possession or use of an illegal substance), they must contact the ARRT at (651) 687-0048 to discuss their particular case. This is to prevent the student from having completed the Associate of Science degree program only to be found ineligible to take the ARRT examination.
Indiana Certification Requirements to Practice
State certification is required to operate a unit that produces ionizing radiation. The state accepts the ARRT registry for certification.
Credentials Required to Practice
R.T.(R) Radiologic Technologist
Educational Program
Length of the Program |
The Radiography Program is a 34+ month program.
Structure of the Program |
The Radiography Program is a systemwide program offered at several Indiana University campuses. Although the campuses may have comparable admission standards, program outcomes, and courses, each is individually accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT).
Additional admission and transfer policies are set by individual units. Course content and sequencing may vary.
The general-education courses may be taken on a part-time basis; the clinical/professional program is presented in a full-time, day format, with minimal weekend and evening clinical education.
Design of the Professional Curriculum |
The curriculum follows a pattern designed to educate the radiographer to become adept in the performance of any medical diagnostic radiographic procedure. Courses in radiographic principles, radiographic procedures, clinical application of theory, digital imaging, radiation protection, radiobiology, pathology, and general education are included in the curriculum. Students also receive instruction in the theory and practice of other specialty diagnostic imaging modalities.
Program Facilities |
Program facilities of the Radiography Program are located on the campus of IU South Bend. Clinical education classes are conducted in the radiology departments of area institutions: Memorial Hospital of South Bend; St. Joseph Regional Medical Center campuses in Plymouth and Mishawaka; Elkhart General Hospital; and IU Health—Goshen Hospital.
Accreditation |
The Radiography Program is accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology.
General Policies
Program Planning |
Program advisors are available to assist students in planning for their program and for meeting degree requirements. It is the student’s responsibility to acquaint themselves with all the regulations and policies and to remain properly informed throughout their studies.
All provisions of this publication are in effect as soon as a student begins the Radiography Program. Preradiography and clinical/professional students, however, are subject to policy and curriculum changes as they occur. Curriculum changes during progress toward the degree may result in the revision of degree requirements.
Code of Ethics |
Students preparing to enter the profession of radiography are expected to follow the Code of Ethics for the Radiologic Technologist. Each person, upon entering the profession, inherits a measure of responsibility and trust in the profession and the corresponding obligation to adhere to standards of ethical practice and conduct set by the profession. The code was adopted by the American Society of Radiologic Technologists.
It is the clinical/professional student’s responsibility to know, understand, and follow the Code of Ethics for the Radiologic Technologist.
- The radiologic technologist conducts himself or herself in a professional manner, responds to patient needs, and supports colleagues and associates in providing quality patient care.
- The radiologic technologist acts to advance the principle objective of the profession to provide services to humanity with full respect for the dignity of mankind.
- The radiologic technologist delivers patient care and service unrestricted by concerns of personal attributes or the nature of the disease or illness, and without discrimination on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, or socio-economic status.
- The radiologic technologist practices technology founded upon theoretical knowledge and concepts, uses equipment and accessories consistent with the purpose for which they were designed, and employs procedures and techniques appropriately.
- The radiologic technologist assesses situations; exercises care, discretion, and judgment; assumes responsibility for professional decisions; and acts in the best interest of the patient.
- The radiologic technologist acts as an agent through observation and communication to obtain pertinent information for the physician to aid in the diagnosis and treatment of the patient and recognizes that interpretation and diagnosis are outside the scope of practice for the profession.
- The radiologic technologist uses equipment and accessories; employs techniques and procedures; performs services in accordance with an accepted standard of practice; and demonstrates expertise in minimizing radiation exposure to the patient, self, and other members of the health care team.
- The radiologic technologist respects confidences entrusted in the course of professional practice, respects that patient’s right to privacy, and reveals confidential information only as required by law or to protect the welfare of the individual or the community.
Admission
General Information |
Students may apply for admission to the Preradiography Program after qualifying for regular admission to Indiana University. Upon acceptance to the program, students enrolled in general-education courses required for the Associate of Science degree are classified as preradiography.
Admission to the Clinical/Professional Program is based upon each applicant’s admission grade point average (AGPA) of the completed preradiography general-education core courses, a math/science grade point average (M/S GPA), a personal interview, and a rating point system. A maximum of 21 students are admitted each summer session II. Students must be certified by the program advisor as eligible to apply for the Clinical/Professional Program and must submit a formal application for admission consideration by December 15 prior to the year of anticipated entry.
Students enrolled in the Preradiography or Clinical/Professional Program are subject to academic standards as established by IU South Bend. Failure to maintain these standards could lead to academic probation or dismissal from the program. The standards are explained to students during their initial orientation/advising session.
If students have a disability and need assistance, special arrangements can be made to accommodate most needs. For the hearing impaired, SPRINT provides services at (800) 743-3333. For more information, contact the program director.
Transfer Students |
Students wishing to transfer between campuses should check for the process on the campus to which they are transferring. To transfer to the IU South Bend campus, the student must submit an intercampus transfer request through the registrar’s office. Intercampus transfer requests are evaluated individually by the program advisor or program director on the basis of the student’s academic record in general-education coursework.
Transfer from Non-Indiana University Radiography Program |
Students in good academic standing at another university who wish to transfer should contact the program advisor. Preradiography courses completed at another university must be evaluated by the program advisor for transfer equivalents and student placement.