Cox College » Associate of Science in Radiography

Radiography requires a high level of professional responsibility, knowledge, and technical skill. Technologists are trained to use x-rays to perform diagnostic and therapeutic exams with a high degree of accuracy while providing excellent patient care. Technologists may work in a variety of settings, including large hospitals, trauma centers, outpatient imaging centers, physician clinics and even mobile imaging units.

Program Overview

The Associate of Science in Radiography (ASR) program is your gateway to a career in diagnostic imaging. Students completing the ASR program are highly skilled in performing diagnostic x-ray procedures and providing patient care in a variety of situations. After successful completion of the Cox College ASR program graduates are eligible to apply to the Bachelor of Science in Diagnostic Imaging degree program.

The ASR degree requires 25 general education credits prior to beginning the radiography program courses. Most students complete the prerequisite courses in one year or less and the radiography program courses are completed over just 5 semesters.

The ASR program is accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT). The program is structured to optimize the learning and application of the clinical skills and concepts required of professionally competent radiographers. The radiography program has existed since 1954 and has continually strived for educational, clinical and professional excellence.

Curriculum and clinical assignments are designed to facilitate comprehension and competency. First-year students concentrate on the basic academic courses. Clinical education begins with laboratory demonstrations, practice on phantoms and simulated patients. Students will perform radiologic examinations under supervision within the radiology department beginning in the second semester of the program.

Second-year students focus on advanced studies with increased responsibility and independence within the clinical setting. The clinical curriculum includes the opportunity to rotate throug the specialty modalities, including: CT, MRI, ultrasound, radiation therapy, mammography, nuclear medicine and cardiovascular interventional technology.

Mission

The mission of ASR program is to produce professional, competent radiographers. The faculty strive to instill in graduates high standards of education, clinical training and patient care as well as personal and professional pride. Our commitment is to provide graduates with the knowledge and skills necessary to meet the challenges of their careers.

Goals

Upon completion of the Radiography program, the graduate will be able to:

demonstrate technical competency by consistently producing diagnostic-quality radiographs using appropriate procedures
use critical thinking skills to make appropriate and responsible decisions based on reason and applied knowledge
communicate effectively with patients, technologists and physicians
use the ALARA principle and appropriate procedures to minimize radiation exposure to their patients, co-workers and themselves
successfully complete the ARRT certification exam in radiography.

Objectives

In support of the goals listed above, graduates of the ASR program will be able to accomplish all of the following objectives:

apply knowledge of anatomy, physiology, pathology, positioning and radiographic techniques to accurately demonstrate anatomical structures on a radiograph or other image receptor while maximizing patient comfort and radiation protection
use principles of body mechanics, medical hygiene and radiation protection to ensure the health and safety of the patient, the technologist and others
exercise good independent judgment and assume responsibility for personal and professional behavior within moral, ethical and legal standards
think critically, creatively and independently to be able to adapt positioning and techniques to produce optimum radiographic images when confronted with unusual and challenging conditions
function as an effective member of the radiology team by utilizing proper written and oral communication skills specific to a medical environment
operate within safe limits and evaluate the performance of radiographic imaging systems; identifying and reporting malfunctions to appropriate personnel
apply quality assurance principles and procedures to maximize image quality during image formation and processing
pursue professional growth through continuing education and the open-mindedness necessary to adapt and succeed in an ever-changing health care environment
provide high quality and timely patient care through application of nursing skills, including phlebotomy, EKG and emergency procedures
function as an effective practitioner of radiologic sciences in varied medical settings such as hospitals, clinics and mobile services
demonstrate basic skills in computed tomography, cardiovascular interventional technology, mammography, magnetic resonance imaging, nuclear medicine, ultrasound and radiation oncology are integrated to optimize the entire radiological aspect of patient care
successfully complete the certification examination administered by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT).

Application and Admissions

Please note changes to the application deadline, general education requirements, and job shadowing experience requirements.

To apply to the ASR program you must have completed 1 core science and 2 additional general education courses listed below. Science and additional general education courses must total 10 credits or more. All general education courses are prerequisites for the professional portion of the program and must be completed prior to beginning radiography program courses. Applicants must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 on the required general education courses.

Required General Education courses (25 credit hours)

*denotes core science courses

To apply to the ASR program you must:

Complete the Cox College application
Complete the ASR program application
Submit all official transcripts
Submit 1-2 page personal essay covering the following: 1)Accomplishments that have given you the greatest satisfaction, 2)Your reasons for selecting the radiologic technology as a career, and 3)Your plans and aspirations for the Future
Submit two letters of recommendation sent on your behalf
Submit documentation of 4 hours of Job Shadowing. To schedule your job shadowing experience please visit this link.
Application deadline is December 22 for Fall admisisons.

For more information contact Admissions at

417/269-3401
admissions@coxcollege.edu