Magnetic Resonance Imaging

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CT/MRI/NUC

NOTE: Cox College has begun the teach-out process for all of the imaging programs in the Academic Year 2024-2025 and concluding in December of 2025. The Cox College program will no longer be admitting students after the fall of 2024. Imaging education moving forward can be found at the other members of the Alliance or in the region.

 

Learn more about Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) provides incredible images of the human body using magnetic fields and radio waves. An MRI technologist is an expert in high-definition brain and spinal imaging. MRI is also the exam of choice for complete stroke evaluation, muscle and joint imaging, many kinds of cancer, and is quickly becoming a valuable tool in women’s health and breast imaging.

Program Description

Enjoy the flexibility of online learning! The Cox College MRI Program is completed online in just two semesters. Students are prepared for the ARRT registry in MRI. All courses in the MRI program will be transferred to the Cox College Bachelor of Science in Diagnostic Imaging degree program. All students entering the MRI program receive up to 64 transfer credits toward the BSDI and 24-27 credit hours for completing the program. After passing the ARRT registry examination in MRI, a total of 88-91 credit hours are applied to the BSDI degree program.

Clinical Sites

Students have the availability of pre-arranged clinical sites in Missouri, or you may contact the program adviser (Paige.Reinstein@coxcollege.edu) with questions regarding alternative clinical sites outside of Missouri. MRI students opting to complete clinical rotations in Springfield will benefit from several available clinical sites and a variety of scanners.

Application and Admissions

Admission Deadline: April 1st
Interviews: April 1st – April 15th
Decisions Mailed: April 15th – April 30th

Primary Student Job Shadowing Deadline: March 1st

Applicants to the MRI program must have:

  • A minimum of an associate’s degree in any field and/or be a registered radiologic technologist or registry-eligible with successful completion of the ARRT radiologic technology registry prior to the program start date or unrestricted license.
    • Alternatively, applicants credentialed in Nuclear Medicine Technology (ARRT (N), NMTCB), Radiation Therapy (ARRT (T)), or Sonography (ARRT, ARDMS) may apply as these are supporting disciplines of Magnetic Resonance Imaging.
  • Completed a minimum of 16 hours of job shadowing in an MRI department at any hospital with a job shadowing program (only required of Non-RTR applicants).
    • Job shadowing should be completed within one year of applying.
    • Applicants should have the required job shadowing completed by March 1st in order to meet the  application deadline
    • Completed pre-requisite courses with a “C” or higher prior to the beginning of the MRI core curriculum:
      • College algebra, statistics, or higher mathematics course (3 credits)
      • Human Anatomy (lab not required)* (3-4 credits) OR Human Anatomy & Physiology 1 (lab not required)* (3-4 credits)
      • Medical Terminology (3 credits)
      • Oral or Written communications (3 credits)
    • * BIOL 117 Introduction to Anatomy & Physiology (3 credits) is accepted to meet the Human Anatomy requirement or as a refresher course if applicable.

    Core science pre-requisite courses must be taken within 5 years prior to admission to the MRI primary pathway. Exceptions may be made for applicants currently employed in an allied health profession.

 

To apply to the Cox College MRI Program, the applicant must:

  • Complete the Cox College application and check “Bachelor of Science in Diagnostic Imaging”
  • Submit the Specialty Diagnostic Imaging program application
  • Submit all official college transcripts
  • Submit a personal resume and two letters of recommendation
  • Submit a copy of professional imaging credentials (ARRT, NMTCB, ARDMS)
  • Submit the MRI Applicant Safety Form
  • Submit the Clinical Affiliate Request form if requesting a clinical site outside of the CoxHealth system
  • Submit the Job Shadowing Form. Click here to schedule job shadowing at CoxHealth
  • Minimum 3.0 GPA in an imaging program or academic degree