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General Overview

Medical Imaging (Radiologic Technology) is the health profession concerned with the direct administration of radiation, primarily x-rays, in disease diagnosis and injury assessment. Medical imaging studies have been a cornerstone in medical diagnosis for decades; however, technological advances and the addition of new imaging modalities now place medical imaging among the most dynamic, expanding and high demand fields in clinical medicine.

Student performing an interventional procedure.

Medical imaging clinical practice includes: general radiography such as orthopedics, pediatrics and mammography, vascular imaging, cardiac catheterization studies, computerized tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging. Medical imaging professionals are employed in medical centers, community and private hospitals, clinics, and physicians’ offices.

Upon completion of the program, graduates receive the Bachelor of Science degree and may be eligible to take the national certification examination administered by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT).

Mission

The radiologic science program prepares students to practice competently, safely, and effectively as medical imaging professionals in diverse health care environments with awareness of global health issues. The academic and clinical foundation in the curriculum develops graduates with professional flexibility and adaptability to assume prominent roles and responsibilities after graduation in both career and scholarly pursuits.

Goals

  1. Develop competent, safe, and effective medical imaging professionals.
  2. Support development of skills necessary to practice in diverse health care environments and to acquire prominent roles in radiologic science.
  3. Program curriculum, teaching methods, and philosophy promote development of integrative, critical thinking, and communication skills to include written, oral, and electronic discourse.
  4. Graduates successfully pursue scholarly activities such as contributions to the profession and post-baccalaureate education.
  5. Encourage global awareness of cultural and health care perspectives.

Student Learning Outcomes

Students progress through the curriculum and meet course learning objectives that culminate in the accomplishment of the student learning outcomes below:

1. Obtain a level of clinical competence appropriate for an entry-level medical imaging professional

  • Students will demonstrate accurate patient positioning techniques.
  • Students will utilize radiographic exposure factors to optimize image quality and minimize patient dose.
  • Students will practice radiation protection principles for patient and occupational safety.

2. Possess critical thinking skills to adapt to changing clinical environments and patient needs

  • Students will adapt procedures based on patient needs and clinical situation limitations.
  • Students will analyze images to ensure diagnostic quality.

3. Exhibit professionalism through consistent, responsible, and ethical behavior

  • Students will provide nondiscriminatory care for all patients.
  • Students will adhere to program policies and procedures.

4. Demonstrate effective communication skills

  • Students will practice effective oral communication skills in the classroom and in the clinical setting.
  • Students will demonstrate effective written communication skills.

Program Accreditation

The UNC Bachelor of Science in Radiologic Science Degree Program is accredited by the
Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology
20 North Wacker Drive, Suite 2850
Chicago, IL 60606-3182
312-704-5300
Email: mail@jrcert.org

The program’s current accreditation award is 8 years with our next review in 2030.  General program accreditation information and the current accreditation award letter can be found here:

https://www.jrcert.org/programs/university-of-north-carolina-at-chapel-hill/

Program Outcomes and Information

The information below provides snapshots of academic-related performance in the Bachelor of Science in Radiologic Science Program. The Program Effectiveness Data is reported annually to the JRCERT. Visitors to our division website are encouraged to contact our office with any questions or requests for more information. The program director may be reached at (919) 966-5147.

Credentialing/Certification Data:

Our BS degree program has sustained an overall 100% pass rate on the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists Radiography Certification Examination since the program began in 1976. The yearly exam score averages are consistently above the national average when compared to all radiography programs in the nation. In addition, our students have a 100% pass rate on the post-primary examinations they pursue related to their area of clinical specialty studied while in the program. Not all graduates of the program complete the national certification examination due to changes in career paths or moving onto graduate school. The data below is based on the graduates who took the examination.

Number of first-time examinees taking the national certification examination within the most recent five-year period:

2023: 10   2022: 10   2021: 14    2020: 6    2019: 12

Percentage of first-time examinees passing the national certification examination on the first attempt, within the most recent five-year period:

2023: 100%    2022: 100%    2021: 86%    2020: 100%    2019: 100%

Kudos to our graduates on their success rate with national certification! These graduates have earned these scores with no examination preparation beyond their coursework and clinical experiences completed during the program. The program curriculum and learning outcomes for each course build a foundation of content knowledge and application strategies that allow the students to be highly successful not only on the certification examinations, but in their careers and graduate school education.

Career/Job Placement Data:

Our graduates pursue a range of career opportunities within medical imaging, as well as in post-graduate education and professional school programs. The five-year (2019-2023) employment average is 96%.

Graduates, who were not seeking medical imaging employment, either attended medical school or other professional programs immediately following the program, were working outside of medical imaging (Teach for America, military duty), or were not seeking employment due to personal reasons. Three percent were lost in graduate follow-up. These percentages change when we review positions many years out from graduation as more graduates return for additional education and others complete their education and return to the employment market.

The BS degree program provides the rigor expected at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in addition to providing the foundation for a health professions career. Given the nature of the program, our admissions process is designed to carefully seek candidates who are academically prepared as well as those having a keen sense of responsibility, maturity, and commitment toward their education. That being said, we would anticipate some attrition due to academic difficulties and life situations that may preclude the individual from fulfilling all the requirements and expectations of the program.

We offer the only BS degree program for medical imaging professionals in our state. Our faculty feels an obligation to extend the degree opportunity to those medical imaging professionals who are in the field but have not yet earned their undergraduate degree. The number of students admitted each year to the entry-level professional program may vary based on available high-quality clinical sites and the number of returning imaging professionals entering the class.

Program Completion Rate Data:

The five-year (2019-2023) program completion rate is 91%. Reasons for non-completion are academic difficulty, academic plans change, and decision to begin medical school.

Completion rates within the most recent five-year period:

2023: 83%    2022: 91%    2021: 93%    2020: 88%    2019: 100%

Program Improvement

We encourage comments and suggestions from the community on our program design described on this website and reflections on our outcomes data presented in this section of the website. Primary program review occurs each summer with ongoing programmatic evaluation and assessment occurring mid-academic year, as well as the ongoing semester processes. There is ample opportunity for any interested parties to participate in the ongoing evolution of this degree program. You may contact any faculty member or the program director to find out how you can participate.

For further information please contact:

Joy Renner, M.A., R.T.(R), Director
Division of Radiologic Science
3063 Bondurant Hall, CB# 7130
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7130

(919) 966-5147