Preradiography Program

One Repeat Policy

The IU South Bend Radiography and Medical Imaging Technology Programs mandate that all pre- and clinical/professional students achieve a minimum grade of C (P/Pass or S/Satisfactory) in any course a student may be required to take based upon their admittance status to the IU South Bend campus, placement exam scores, prerequisites, and general education course work. Students receiving a deficit grade (C- or below or U/UN/Unsatisfactory) in their first attempt of a required course must earn a minimum grade of C (P/Pass or S/Satisfactory) for their second completed attempt. Students who do not successfully complete a minimum grade of C (P/Pass or S/Satisfactory) in their second attempt for the course are ineligible to continue in the IU South Bend Radiography/Medical Imaging Technology Programs. This is applied at the time of program application and must be maintained. (Transfer grades must meet the minimum IU standard of C)

General-education courses (20 cr.)

All courses are 3 credit hours, unless otherwise designated.

General-education courses may be taken on a full- or part-time basis.

The courses listed below do not include introductory collegiate classes nor any course mandated by placement exam scores, admission status, and prerequisite criteria.

• ENG-W 131 Reading, Writing, and Inquiry I
• MATH-M 111 Mathematics in the World

• NURS-B 105 Medical Terminology (1 cr.); or
• AHLT-R 185 Medical Terminology (2 cr.)

• PHSL-P 261 Human Anatomy and Physiology 1 (5 cr.)
• PHSL-P 262 Human Anatomy and Physiology 2 (5 cr.)
• SPCH-S 121 Public Speaking

Authorization for PHSL-P 261 Human Anatomy and Physiology 1

To qualify for entry into PHSL-P 261 Human Anatomy and Physiology 1, all preradiography students must meet the following condition:

• Within the last three years, have completed the IU South Bend PHSL-P 130 Human Biology course with a minimum grade of C

If a student has completed human anatomy and physiology at another college or IU system campus, or if additional information is required, they should contact the IU South Bend radiography department by calling (574) 520-4504 to discuss the guidelines for transfer credit equivalency consideration. All human anatomy and physiology transfer courses are evaluated by the IU South Bend biology department to ensure that course curriculum standards were met. Courses outside the IU system must be verifiable by course syllabi from the semesters in which the classes were completed and an official transcript with the course and grade listed.

Minimum Qualifications

At the beginning of November (prior to the year of anticipated entry into the clinical program), students begin the application process for admission consideration into the Clinical/Professional Program. Meeting the minimum criteria listed qualifies applicants for continuation of the admission process. It does not guarantee a student admission into the Clinical/Professional Program.

Criminal History Background Checks

Criminal history background checks are required of all applicants to the clinical professional program in compliance with federal and state regulations for individuals in clinical settings and working with patients and individuals who are vulnerable or minors. Licensure is also contingent upon the absence of most felony and some misdemeanor charges.

Clinical agencies require the IU South Bend Radiography Program to report the findings of a positive criminal background check. The agency has the right to refuse the placement of a student at that agency and this may impair progression through the program. (Positive reports will be reviewed by the program director and discussed with the student about implications for progression in the program and credential licensure as well as any impact on clinical placements.) All communication from the IU South Bend Radiography Program to the agency are treated as confidential and any restrictions or changes in clinical placements will be directly communicated to the student by the program director. For additional information, please contact the program director.

Students are responsible for applying for the criminal history background check and all fees associated with the check upon their application for the clinical program.

Clinical Experience Rotations

A student may be prohibited from participation in Clinical Experience coursework if they have been convicted of certain crimes. These crimes may include but are not limited to: rape, criminal deviate conduct; exploitation of an endangered child and/or adult; failure to report battery, neglect, or exploitation of an endangered child and/or adult; murder; voluntary manslaughter; and operating a vehicle while intoxicated (OWI).

A conviction of any of the above crimes at any time during an individual’s life may prohibit them from entering clinical rotations. In addition, if an individual was convicted of involuntary manslaughter; felony battery; a felony offense relating to a controlled substance; or theft within five (5) years before the individual’s start of clinical rotations, the individual may not be able to enter clinical rotations.

Drug Policy

All admitted clinical professional students will be required to have a drug screen prior to attending clinical experience; and it may be required on demand under certain situations at the clinical site. A positive drug screen may result in removal from the clinical site and possible dismissal from the program.

Program Application Deadline

Every calendar year, at the end of the fall term prior to their anticipated year of entry into clinicals, pre-radiography students apply for the clinical/professional  program from November 1 to the December 15 deadline. (All students must meet specific academic guidelines and criteria to be certified by the department as an eligible candidate for that upcoming year's program.) The applications are available (only during that time-frame) at the radiography department office located in Northside Hall 403.

Completion of 20 Credit Hours

Students are required to complete a minimum of 15 credit hours of general-education coursework with a minimum grade of C by the end of the spring semester of the year of anticipated entry into the Clinical/Professional Program. The remaining 5 credit hours of general-education core courses with a minimum grade of C must be completed by the end of the first summer session in the year of application.

Minimum Grade Requirements

Students must have earned a minimum grade of C for the completed general-education core courses required for the degree without more than one repeat in any course mandated by placement exam scores, admission status, prerequisites, and required general education core coursework.

The Admission Grade Point Average (AGPA) includes grades earned in initial and repeat courses (excluding X grades according to Indiana University policy) that are required to meet general-education standards. Grades/credit hours from introductory, non-GPA bearing, or prerequisite courses are not included in this calculation.

Courses transferred from other institutions are used in calculating this average. Transfer grades must, however, meet Indiana University's minimum grade standard of C or higher. This requirement is applied at the time of program application and must be maintained.

Due to the competitive nature of application to the clinical programs, a student must weigh the benefits of using transfer credit courses versus retaking the required general education core coursework within the IU system.

Minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average

To be considered for admittance into the clinical program, students must have a minimum cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale for all work completed. Courses for which the grades of I, S, P, R, W, or X are assigned are not used to calculate the CGPA since there are no points assigned to these grades. This requirement is applied at the time of program application and must be maintained. (Transfer grades must meet the minimum IU standard of C).

Technical Standards

The IU South Bend Radiography Program has specified technical standards critical to the success of the students in the Clinical/Professional Program. Students must be able to meet the requirements which include the ability to lift and transfer patients to and from a cart, wheelchair, or an x-ray examination table; move, adjust, and manipulate equipment to perform radiographic procedures; review and evaluate radiographs to determine the quality of the image; communicate orally and in writing with patients, doctors, and other personnel; and to follow written and verbal directions. Students must demonstrate these standards with or without reasonable accommodation to succeed in the program. A copy of the Technical Standards Form is sent to each applicant to review and sign, certifying that they can meet those standards.

Program Professional Standards

A student entering the IU South Bend Radiography Clinical/Professional Program must understand that they are entering a field of medicine that requires certain professional standards that other career choices may not.

Professional dress, appearance, and modes of communication must be of certain standards to maintain the confidence and care of the patient. Patients present themselves in all ages, cultures, and of various ethnic origins; therefore, trendy modes of dress and appearance are not allowed.

The program has an established dress code and a code of conduct that students must follow throughout their clinical experience. A copy of the IU South Bend Radiography Program Professional Standards is sent to each applicant to review and sign, certifying that they understand the requirements of the program and that they agree to abide by these standards.

Interview

A personal interview is required. If, however, the number of applications to the program far exceeds the number of positions available, the program’s admission committee reserves the right to limit the number of applicants to be interviewed.

Volunteer Experience

Although not a requirement, volunteer experience is recommended and is very helpful in making a career choice.