Pictured | Alejandra Figueroa | Medical Imaging Technology | South Bend, Indiana (hometown)

Bachelor of Science in Medical Imaging Technology

Program Description

The Bachelor of Science in Medical Imaging Technology (BSMIT) program is designed to provide students seeking additional education beyond the Associate Degree in Radiography and offers course work and clinical field experience in Computed Tomography (CT), Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Cardiovascular Imaging (CV) and Ultrasound. Diagnostic radiography is generally considered the gateway to a career in the medical imaging profession. Students seeking to gain experience and expertise in an advanced imaging modality may do so through formal education and clinical field experience such as that provided by the BSMIT program. The program consists of modality-specific coursework designed to complement clinical field experience course work that is completed at affiliated clinical agencies in the region.

Upon successful completion of the program graduates earn a BS degree in Medical Imaging Technology and are prepared as competent, knowledgeable professionals prepared to take the national credentialing exam in their elected imaging modality (CT, CV, MRI or Ultrasound). The program is designed to prepare students in all imaging modalities to sit for the national credentialing exam sponsored by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) or the Association of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS) for ultrasound. Additional information about the ARDMS can be found at www.ardms.org

The BSMIT program consists of formal course work, much of which is taught online, and 24-34 hours of clinical experience each week and can be completed in 2 semesters (fall and spring) for those students who wish to pursue CT, MRI or Cardiovascular Imaging and 4 semesters for ultrasound. If classes meet, it is one day per week. This allows the student a degree of flexibility in scheduling clinical practicum/clinical experience course work.

Mission Statement

The mission of the Medical Imaging Technology Program is to provide our students with a comprehensive education in the medical imaging modality of their choice. The student is to be exposed to all available methods of instruction in the didactic and clinical areas including the cognitive (problem solving and critical thinking), psychomotor and affective domains.  Upon graduation from the program, the student is to be sufficiently prepared to pass the appropriate national professional certification examination and practice as a clinically competent medical imaging professional in the regionally served community.

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 Goals

• To provide the medical imaging technology student with satisfactory instruction in both didactic and clinical medical imaging technology coursework
• To expose the student to adequate instructional content to pass the appropriate medical imaging professional certification examination
• To provide the regionally served community with qualified individuals who can function as clinically competent medical imaging professionals

Graduates with a Bachelor of Science in Medical Imaging Technology 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.

Objectives and Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the BSMIT Program, graduates technologists will be:

• a competent, knowledgeable, registry-eligible entry-level imaging technologist in a given modality.
• a critical thinker who is able to demonstrate solid problem-solving skills, rational inquiry and intellectual curiosity.
• an effective communicator who is capable of relaying accurate information and communicating appropriately with patients, colleagues, physicians and members of the health care team.
• an imaging technologist who practices within an ethical and legal framework for the imaging profession and demonstrates ethical behavior related to patient privacy, security and confidentiality of protected health information (PHI).
• a culturally competent health care provider who respects and is sensitive to the  cultural and social needs of a variety of individuals encountered in the health care setting.
• a professional role model who promotes the positive image of the medical imaging profession through one’s actions, behaviors and professional affiliations.

Program Planning

All provisions of this publication are in effect as soon as a student begins the Bachelor of Science in Medical Imaging Technology (BSMIT) Program. Pre-medical imaging and Clinical/Professional students are subject to policy and curriculum changes as they occur. Any change made during progression toward the degree may result in the revision of degree requirements.

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-BSMIT 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 BSMIT 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 BSMIT 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 BSMIT 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

Specific Quantitative Admission Criteria for the BSMIT Clinical Professional Program

Admission for the BSMIT Clinical/Professional Program is competitively based. All didactic, clinical, and clinical laboratory coursework will be evaluated by program faculty to ensure that course curriculum standards are met. Students must attain a minimum CGPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale for all course work completed. For all entry level clinical training in radiography (didactic and clinical experience practicum) a student is required to maintain a minimum 2.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale for the entire program.

GPA for all clinical professional course work completed at any associate degree level in a radiography program or approved equivalent program (75 percent).

GPA for all clinical experience course work completed at any associate degree program in radiography or approved equivalent (25%).

Certifications and Licensure

Before starting the BSMIT program, all students must be registered by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT).  The program is designed to prepare students in all imaging modalities to sit for the national credentialing exam sponsored by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) or the Association of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS) for ultrasound.

Clinical Regulations and Policies

Clinical field experience and clinical labs are taught off campus at affiliated clinical agencies which include Memorial Hospital, St. Josephs Regional Medical Center, Plymouth and Mishawaka campuses, IU-Goshen Health and Elkhart General Hospital.

All students should be able to meet the technical standards for the BSMIT program, unless special accommodations are made.  A drug screen and clinical background check must be completed before entering the program.  

The ARRT requires a specific number of repetitions across all selected procedure categories to be eligible to sit for the national registry exam.  The number of repetitions is attainable over the course of designated clinical semesters; however some students may not be able to complete all the required repetitions to apply for the registry.  It will therefore be the responsibility of the student to acquire all necessary repetitions on his or her own time.  Post-graduation repetitions will require the signature of a registered technologist or radiologist for verification.  It will be the responsibility of the student to ensure that proper documentation is attained for these repetitions.  Please refer to the ARRT website at www.arrt.or g and refer to “Education/CE” and click on “Post Primary Certification – Clinical Experience” to review modality-specific information that is provided.  Each student who wishes to sit for the ARRT credentialing exam will need to contact the ARRT directly and request a Certification Handbook and Application Material packet at www.arrt.org.

Criminal History Background Checks (BSMIT)

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 BSMIT 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.

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).

Reinstatement and Withdrawals

Students who withdraw from the BSMIT Program must meet with program faculty for an exit meeting within seven days of the withdrawal.  Students are required to turn-in all ID badges, agency parking permits and any and all equipment that belongs to the program and its clinical affiliates.

Progression and Graduation Policies

In order to graduate, the student must:

• receive a passing grade of C or above in all didactic and clinical courses
• pay all fees
• have all Clinical Experience time completed
• not be on academic or clinical probation
• complete all required clinical rotations
• complete all required clinical objectives for each clinical rotation
• fulfill all clinical competency requirements of the BSMIT Program in accordance with established professional standards
• be in attendance and actively involved in the May commencement ceremonies

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