Radiologic Technology
Associate of Applied Science
Program Overview
The Radiologic Technology Program educates the student for a career as a Radiologic Technologist. Radiologic Technologists use specialized equipment to perform diagnostic procedures on patients. They use X-rays to produce images that aid in diagnosing disease, trauma and physiological malfunction. Radiologic Technologists develop and critique radiographic images. They may assist physicians (Radiologists) who specialize in the use of ionizing radiation to diagnose and treat disease and injury. The student graduating from the RADR program is awarded an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Radiologic Technology.
Program Mission
The Radiologic Technology Program functions in accordance with the mission statement of Laredo College. We strive to provide an educational experience that will produce competent entry level radiographers capable of addressing the needs of the constantly changing and challenging health care environment.
Job Opportunities
Salary
Salaries for Registered Radiologic Technologists vary depending on the setting (hospital, private practice, home health, outpatient rehab centers, etc.) and location. The average annual salary for new Registered Radiologic Technologists for this region is approximately $60,000 a year.
Program Costs
The tuition and fee schedule for RT student is the same as for regular college students. See the current LC catalog to determine fees. Students are charged tuition and fees based on their residency classifications at the time of registration. The tuition and fee schedules are based on semester hours. Additional expenses for RT students include the purchase of a uniform(s), a watch, tennis shoes, books, software, liablility insurance, and Standard Exam Software needed throughout the program, and Trajecsys are at the student's expense.
The approximate cost for special items for the RT students are as follows (these fees are subject to change according to current applicable rates):
- Admission Cost (background check, physical, CPR, etc.) $300.00
- Uniforms $350.00
- Books $2,500.00
- ASRT Membership/RT Club Fees $150.00
- Capstone review $150.00
- Laptop/Software $1,000.00
Accreditation
The Radiologic Technology Program is accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT). The JRCERT is the only organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (USDE) to evaluate and accredit education programs in radiography and radiation therapy, which includes Magnetic Resonance and Medical dosimetry. Graduation from a JRCERT-accredited program assures that the program graduate is competent to provide safe and high quality patient care. Laredo College Radiology Program was awarded 5 year accreditation by the JRCERT in 2022.
The RT Program is accredited to accept 12 students into the program each year. Students who successfully complete the program are eligible to sit for the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists exam. Students may need a negative criminal background check prior to taking their National Registry Exams.
The Laredo College Radiologic Technology program promotes accountability and transparency by making available it’s program’s mission statement, goals, student learning outcomes, yearly radiology registry exam pass rates, employment opportunities, admission policies, tuition and fees, refund policies, academic calendars, academic policies, clinical information/obligations, grading system, graduation requirements, criteria for transfer credit, articulations for transfers, etc. This information is published in the LC Radiology Program Student Handbook located in the radiology programs website; www.laredo.edu.
The Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology accreditation of the Radiologic Technology Program satisfies state educational requirements in all states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Thus, students graduating from the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology accredited Radiologic Technology Program are eligible to take the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) and apply for licensure in all states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. For more information regarding state qualifications and licensure requirements, refer to the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) website at https://www.arrt.org/.
The Radiologic Technology program is accredited by the
Program Outcomes
Please see Statistical Data below.
Marketable Skills
In addition to acquiring the knowledge and skills required to become a RT, students also develop marketable skills that are valued by employers. These skills include:
- Active Listening
- Monitoring
- Speaking
- Reading Comprehension
- Critical Thinking
Complaints
Concerns or complaints about the RT program, faculty, a student or graduate of the RT Program by a clinical instructor, employer of a graduate, another student, or the general public should be directed in writing to the RT Program Director. You can download the Complaint Referral Form or obtain one by contacting the department secretary. Complaints may be submitted via email, fax: 956-721-5431, or mail.
The RT Program Director and faculty will review and investigate all complaints made against the RT Program, faculty, a RT student, or graduate. They will address the concerns and identify methods to resolve the issue. If the issue is not resolved, then the complaint should proceed with the appropiate chain of command:
- Program Director
- Dean of Health Sciences
- Provost/Vice President of Academic Affairs
The complaint forms' records will be kept in a locked file in the Radiology Technology Department Office for two years.
Campus Location
Laredo College South Campus
College of Health Sciences
5500 South Zapata Highway
Laredo, TX 78046
For additional information, students may contact Ms. Hortencia Gonzalez at 956-721-5262 or via email hortencia.gonzalez@laredo.edu.
Statistical Data
Please click here.
Admission Information
1. Application
Applications are being accepted from March 1st through the last Thursday in May.
- Apply for admission and be accepted to Laredo College (click here for more information)
- Follow the application process for the Health Science Programs.
Applications are being accepted from March 1st through the last Thursday in May.
https://webportalapp.com/sp/laredo_radiologic_technology
2. Selection Process
Admission into the RT Program will be based on the following:
- The applicant must have completed and passed all prerequisite courses with a grade of "C" or better before that last Thursday in May (application deadline) of the applied year: BIOL 2301, BIOL 2101 (Anatomy and Physiology I), ENGL 1301, and RADR 1309 Introduction To Radiography and Patient Care with a grade of "C" or better.
- Admission into the Radiologic Technology Program is based on:
a. GPA (25%) The student must have a cumulative grade point average of 2.5 or greater and achieve a grade of "C" or better on all required prerequisite courses. A student who has not attended LC must have a cumulative grade point average of 2.5 or greater from each academic institution attended and a grade of "C" or better on all prerequisite courses.
b. Entrance Exam HESI for Radiography (25%) HESI Information
c. Introduction to Radiography and Patient Care (25%)
d. Interview (25%) - The top 20 finalists according to GPA, Entrance Exam, Introduction to Radiography score, and Interview will be considered. The top 12 finalists who score the highest on the admission criteria (GPA, Entrance exam, Introduction to Radiography and Patient Care score, and Interview) will be accepted for the fall semester.
- The applicant will be notified by LC's official means of communication regarding program admission status.
3. Acceptance
A student accepted into the RT program must submit the following prior to the first day of class (the student is responsible for all the fees associated with these procedures):
A completed Health Sciences Department Immunization Form that includes:
To access Immunization Form, please click here.
- Proof of immunizations (Hepatitis A (Recommended), Hepatitis B, MMR, Varicella, Bacterial Meningitis)
- TB skin test or chest x-ray (every 2 years)
- Tetanus, Diptheria, and Pertussis (Tdap) shot (every 10 years)
- American Heart Association BLS Health Care Provider CPR certification. Certification must remain current for the duration of the program.
- Negative criminal background checks completed through CastleBranch.com and the local sheriff's office. As stated on the Health Sciences Department Application, documentation of a negative criminal background must be submitted to complete the application and admission process.
- A negative 10-Panel urine drug screen
- A completed Health Sciences Department Physical Examination Form. To access form, please click here.
- Influenza vaccine (annually)
The Laredo College Radiology Program is required to obtain a criminal background record on an annual basis for any student who may be placed in a clinical site that deals with the care of the elderly, the care of children, and the care of the client in a mental health facility. All student applicants shall submit a negative background check (should have no criminal record) to be considered eligible for acceptance and continuation in the Radiologic Technology Program.
All student applicants shall submit a negative background check (should have no criminal record) to be considered eligible for acceptance and continuation in the Radiologic Technology Program.
The Radiologic Technology Program adheres to the Equal Opportunity Policy as listed in the LC Manual of Policy FA (LEGAL), click here to access policy.
Program Student Handbook
- To access 2024-2025 RT Student Handbook, click here.
Clinical Education Resources
| Link/URL | Description |
| https://www.arrt.org/ | The American Registry of Radiologic Technologist |
| https://www.asrt.org/ | American Society of Radiologic Technologist |
| https://txsrt.org/ | Texas Society of Radiologic Technologists, Inc. |
| https://www.acr.org/ | American College of Radiology |
Plan of Study
| Recommended Course Sequence | Semesters Offered | Credit Hours |
| Pre-Requisites | ||
| BIOL 2301– Anatomy and Physiology I (C) | Fall, Spring, Summer I & II | 3 |
| BIOL 2101 – Anatomy and Physiology I Laboratory | Fall, Spring, Summer I & II | 1 |
| ENGL 1301– English I ( C) | Fall, Spring, Summer I & II | 3 |
| RADR 1309 – Introduction to Radiography & Patient Care | Fall, Spring, Summer I & II | 3 |
| TOTAL SEMESTER CREDIT HOURS: | 10 Hours | |
| First Semester - Fall Admission | ||
| BIOL 2302 – Anatomy and Physiology II (C) | Fall | 3 |
| BIOL 2102 - Anatomy and Physiology Lab | Fall | 1 |
| RADR 1311 – Basic Radiographic Procedures | Fall | 3 |
| RADR 1213 – Principles of Radiographic Imaging I | Fall | 2 |
| RADR 1260 – Clinical-Radiologic Technology | Fall | 2 |
| TOTAL SEMESTER CREDIT HOURS: | 11 Hours | |
| Second Semester – Spring | ||
| RADR 2401 – Intermediate Radiographic Procedures | Spring | 4 |
| RADR 2309 – Radiographic Imaging Equipment | Spring | 3 |
| RADR 1261 – Clinical – Radiologic Technology | Spring | 2 |
| PSYC 2314 – Life Span Growth and Development (C) | Spring | 3 |
| TOTAL SEMESTER CREDIT HOURS: | 12 Hours | |
| Summer Session I | ||
| RADR 1360– Clinical – Radiologic Technology | SSI | 3 |
| TOTAL SEMESTER CREDIT HOURS: | 3 Hours | |
| Summer Session II | ||
| RADR 1361– Clinical – Radiologic Technology | SSII | 3 |
| TOTAL SEMESTER CREDIT HOURS: | 3 Hours | |
| Third Semester – Fall | ||
| RADR 2205 – Principles of Radiographic Imaging II | Fall | 2 |
| RADR 2431 – Advanced Radiographic Procedures | Fall | 4 |
| RADR 2260 – Clinical – Radiologic Technology | Fall | 2 |
| PHIL 2306 – Introduction to Ethics (C) | Fall | 3 |
| TOTAL SEMESTER CREDIT HOURS: | 11 Hours | |
| Fourth Semester – Spring | ||
| RADR 2217 – Radiographic Pathology | Spring | 2 |
| RADR 2313 – Radiation Biology and Protection | Spring | 3 |
| RADR 2235 – Radiologic Technology Seminar 3 | Spring | 2 |
| RADR 2360 - Clinical – Radiologic Technology | Spring | 3 |
| TOTAL SEMESTER CREDIT HOURS: | 10 Hours | |
| AAS DEGREE MINIMUM: 60 SEMESTER CREDIT HOURS/PATHWAY TOTAL: 60 SEMESTER CREDIT HOURS | ||