Bachelor of Science in Medical Imaging Technology

Program Description

The Bachelor of Science in Medical Imaging Technology (B.S.M.I.T.) degree program at IU South Bend is constructed to give students who are striving for an increased level of expertise in the areas of medical imaging that include Computed Axial Tomography (CT), Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), and Diagnostic Medical Sonography (Ultrasound) specialized instruction to reach their career goals. The program consists of liberal arts education courses, didactic and professional coursework in the chosen advanced medical imaging modalities and hands-on instruction in the clinical environment using the most up-to-date imaging technology.

Student Population Served

• Students who enter the Radiography Program (preradiography) with the goal of obtaining a bachelor’s degree with advanced clinical professional medical imaging instruction beyond radiography within an intended field of study
• Students currently enrolled in an associate degree program
• Currently practicing registered radiographers R.T.(R)s who want to obtain a bachelor’s degree for career advancement with advanced specialized medical imaging instruction

Program Objectives and Goals

The Bachelor of Science in Medical Imaging Technology graduate at IU South Bend will:

• Acquire an outstanding level of instruction in the areas of liberal arts education, didactic professional coursework, and clinical education that will have encompassed the cognitive (problem solving, critical thinking, verbal, and written communication), psychomotor, and affective domains
• Be educated to meet the demands of an advanced level medical imaging professional including excellent clinical patient care skills in both oral and written communication formats
• Demonstrate mastery of instruction content to successfully pass the specific advanced medical imaging certification examination
• Function as a multi-skilled, bachelor’s degree prepared, competent imaging professional who will provide compassionate and highly efficient patient care services

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)

Admission Requirements

Students may apply for admission into the Bachelor of Science in Medical Imaging Technology Program at any time after qualifying for formal admission to IU South Bend. Upon acceptance to the program, all students classified as pre-B.S.M.I.T. may enroll in the general-education coursework required for the bachelor’s degree. The courses may be taken at any Indiana University campus or may be accepted as transfer credit hours from other accredited institutions; contact the program advisor for specific information. (Students also have the option of taking general-education coursework leading to the B.S.M.I.T. degree while pursuing their associate degree.)

Students who have received a radiography degree from a program accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT) will be considered transfer students for the purpose of fulfilling the Campus-Wide general-education requirements at IU South Bend.

Those seeking application to the Clinical/Professional Program must meet the minimum criteria listed below to be considered eligible for entry into the clinical component of the degree. 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.

• Apply for and be granted admission to IU South Bend.
• Meet with, and be formally advised by the program clinical coordinator.
• Submit a formal application for admission consideration by April 1 of the year of anticipated entry into the B.S.M.I.T. Clinical Program (clinical applications are available March 1 of the year of anticipated entry in the radiography/medical imaging department office, Northside Hall 403).
• Complete an Associate of Science in Radiography or similar degree at a JRCERT accredited institution and submit an official transcript to the IU South Bend admissions office for a transfer credit audit.
• Submission of evidence of American Registry of Radiologic Technologist Good Standing certification as a Registered Radiographer R.T.(R) or documentation which validates registry eligibility at time of application to the B.S.M.I.T. Clinical/Professional Program.
• All students (including transfer) must have earned a minimum grade of C for the completed general-education courses required for admission to the degree without more than one repeat in any course including remedial and prerequisite course work.
• Must have a minimum CGPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale for all coursework completed.
• Must have a minimum 2.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale for all entry-level clinical professional training in radiography.
• Complete a questionnaire/essay.
• Submit three letters of recommendation following the guidelines set forth in the application process.

Criminal History Background Checks (B.S.M.I.T.)

Criminal history background checks are required of all medical imaging clinical students 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 Medical Imaging 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 progress 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 communications from the IU South Bend Medical Imaging 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.

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.

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

Drug Policy

All students admitted to the B.S.M.I.T. Clinical/Professional Program will be required to have a drug screen prior to attending clinical experience and it may be required on demand under certain situations in the clinical site. A positive drug screen may result in removal from the clinical site and possible dismissal from the program.

Transfer Students

Transfer Credit Policy

Due to the competitive nature of application to our clinical program, a student must weigh the benefits of using transfer credit courses versus retaking the required general education course work within the IU system. For students seeking to use transfer credits from within the IU System and/or outside institutions to meet the required general education course work for the Bachelor of Science degree in Medical Imaging Technology (BSMIT), the following policy applies:

Minimum 2.5 cumulative grade point average (CGPA) | Students must have a minimum cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale for all work completed to be considered for admittance into the pre-medical imaging technology program.

If a student is seeking to use transfer credits (per approval by the Indiana University South Bend Radiography/Medical Imaging Department) from an outside institution(s) to meet the general education course requirements for the BSMIT degree and that institution’s CGPA does not meet the minimum 2.5 criterion, the student will be deemed a “probationary provisional student,” and the following requirement will be applied at the time of their program application and must be maintained (transfer grades must meet the minimum IU standard of C).

Probationary Provisional Student | To be considered a fully qualified pre-medical imaging technology admit, the student must demonstrate their ability to achieve academic success by completing a minimum nine credit hours of required general education course work at IU South Bend with a minimum CGPA of 2.5 or higher. To meet the IU South Bend Vera Z. Dwyer College of Health Sciences and IU academic educational standards, all grades must be a minimum of C. This is applied at the time of program application and must be maintained.

Intercampus Transfer

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. The program clinical coordinator will evaluate all didactic, clinical laboratory, and clinical experience courses (if applicable).

Transfer from Non-Indiana University Radiography Program

Students in good academic standing at another university who wish to transfer should contact the program advisor or program director. Radiography courses completed at another university or clinical education institution must be evaluated by the program director for transfer equivalents and student placement. Students must supply documentation, including an official transcript or validation of course completion, and copies of the syllabi for each radiography course completed at another university or clinical education institution. These syllabi will be evaluated in comparison to the IU South Bend radiography courses. Students are encouraged to contact the IU South Bend Radiography/Medical Imaging Program at least three months prior to the semester they wish to begin at IU South Bend.

Graduation Requirements

Satisfactory completion of the general-education, didactic, clinical laboratory, and clinical experience course work. All course work must be completed in compliance with the academic and professional policies of the program and school.