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Associate of Science
On Campus College of Health Professions
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Develop expertise in a high-demand healthcare field.

Join the fast-growing field of radiography and serve an essential role in diagnosing patients. As a radiographer, you will perform diagnostic imaging, such as X-rays, to aid doctors in properly treating patients. Radiographers must be highly trained in the technical administration of radiation and imaging equipment, as well as skilled in patient care. Radiographers have a range of job opportunities in acute, ambulatory, long-term healthcare settings, and physicians’ offices, with patients of all ages and medical needs.

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About the Program

Program Length: 2-3 years (part-time study)
Courses: 62 credits
Degree: Associate of Science in Radiography

The associate degree in radiography at Sacred Heart University equips you with the foundational skills and knowledge for a career in radiography. Combining sciences with the humanities, our curriculum not only readies you for entry-level work in the medical field, it also prepares you for lifelong learning.

Program coursework covers a range of topics in the radiologic sciences, including:

  • Basic equipment operation
  • Quality control
  • Radiation protection
  • X-ray circuits
  • Digital imaging
  • Specialized modality imaging

Student Learning Outcomes

  • Students will be prepared to function as entry–level professionals in the healthcare delivery system. Students will apply entry-level positioning skills. Students will select appropriate exposure factors for quality imaging. Students will practice appropriate radiation protection.
  • Students will demonstrate appropriate communications skills. Students will use appropriate vocabulary and language to orally convey information, concepts and ideas. Students will use a systematic approach to locate and use information to plan and write professional papers.
  • Students/graduates will develop and practice effective problem solving skills and critical thinking skills. Students will manipulate technical factors for non-routine examinations. Students will adapt positioning for trauma patients. Students will produce solutions to real-world clinical situations. Students will critique radiographic images for diagnostic quality.
  • Students/graduates will understand the importance of professional growth and development. Students will demonstrate good interpersonal relationships with patients, clinical staff and clinical instructors. Graduates will participate in professional activities with state or national societies. Graduates will demonstrate charity and respect for the human dignity and rights of all individuals. Graduates will utilize professional judgment in delivering patient care. Graduates will contribute to society through involvement in community service activities.
  • The program will continuously monitor program satisfaction and ARRT exam pass rates, job placement and student completion rates in compliance with JRCERT accreditation. Graduates will pass the ARRT national certification on 1st attempt within 6 months post-graduation. Of those pursuing employment, graduates will be gainfully employed within 12 months post-graduation. Students will complete the program within 24 months Graduates will be satisfied with their education. Employers will be satisfied with the graduate’s performance. 

Faculty

Meet the radiography faculty

Admission Requirements

Admission to the radiography major is based on the successful fulfillment of the College admission requirements. Review general admission criteria.

Clinical Experience

Ample clinical experience in local healthcare facilities and on-site skills laboratory work allow you to apply what you learn in the classroom to a real-world setting. Clinical affiliates provide access to a sufficient variety and volume of radiographic and fluoroscopic procedures to offer students an educationally valid clinical experience. Clinical experiences provided at St. Vincent’s Medical Center, Griffin Hospital, Norwalk Hospital, Stamford Hospital, multiple orthopedic centers, acute care facilities and other free-standing medical imaging facilities throughout the Fairfield and New Haven counties. Clinical rotations are generally from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. depending on the specific clinical assignment. At least once per semester, students will be assigned to an evening rotation from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. In the second year, students will rotate through other medical imaging modalities such as CT, MRI, interventional, radiation therapy and more. Sites are located up to 30 miles from the campus and students are responsible for all transportation and parking costs.

View Student Learning Outcomes

The hands-on learning at clinical and in our lab on campus is my favorite part of the program. Every day at clinical is a new experience where I learn something. I enjoy applying what we learn in the classroom to the clinical setting.

Curriculum

Students may complete the full 62-credit curriculum at SHU, or transfer in credits for Core classes, if eligible.  

All students must successfully complete the following Core coursework prior to beginning Radiography Major coursework: A&P I (BIO 206 & 208), A&P II (BIO 207 & 209), College Algebra (MA 106), and First Year Writing Seminar (FYWS 105).

Radiography Core Curriculum (26 Credits)

Effective for students beginning summer 2023 or later. A Humanities elective course is also required.

Lecture on the investigation of the tissues, skeletal, muscular, and nervous systems. This section is for students interested in athletic training, exercise science, physical therapy, occupational therapy, or physician assistant programs. This course does not count as a Biology elective in the major or minor. Three hours of lecture per week. A prerequisite to BI 207.
Prerequisite: Pre: BI-111 BI 113

Lecture involves the investigation of endocrine, cardiovascular, lymphatic, respiratory, digestive, urinary, and reproductive systems. This section is for students interested in athletic training, exercise science, physical therapy, occupational therapy, human movement, or physician assistant programs. This course can count as a Biology elective in the major or minor. Three hours of lecture per week.
Prerequisite: Pre: BI-206 and BI-208

Laboratory involves investigation of the tissues, skeletal, muscular, and nervous systems. Three hours of laboratory.
Prerequisite: Pre: BI-111 BI-113

Laboratory involves the investigation of endocrine, cardiovascular, lymphatic, respiratory, digestive, urinary, and reproductive systems. Three hours of laboratory.
Prerequisite: Pre: BI-206 and BI-208

These two seminars are Sacred Heart University's academic signature common core. They are a direct reflection of the University's Mission. These seminars provide students with an understanding of the roots and development of the Catholic Intellectual Tradition as an interdisciplinary, ongoing 2,000 year conversation between the great writers, thinkers, and artists of the Tradition and the cultures in which they lived, asking fundamental questions about God, humanity, nature, and society. Using seminar pedagogy, these seminars ask students to join in this conversation and relate the texts and ideas of the seminars to students own lives and to the world in which they live.
Prerequisite: Take FYS or FYWS 125

Students will develop their critical thinking skills across disciplines and in different modes of discourse.

In this course, students learn about and use the writing process to reflect on and develop their communication skills, with particular attention to the academic and professional forms they will use in and outside of the university.

This one-semester course is designed to improve algebraic skills. Topics include functions, equations, and inequalities in one variable; linear, quadratic, polynomial, and rational functions; exponential and logarithmic functions; systems of linear equations in two variables. Algebraic techniques and applications are stressed.

Introduction to psychology as the science of behavior, focusing on the physiological, cognitive, learning, sociocultural, and psychodynamic bases of behavior.

Radiography Major Curriculum (36 Credits)

Designed to provide the student with an orientation to radiography the course includes: a review of program policies and procedures, professional organizations and standards, medical terminology, an intro to image acquisition and evaluation, basic equipment operation and quality control, basic radiation protection, and patient care and education. Additional skills taught are phlebotomy and electrocardiogram techniques and vital signs. Imaging procedures are included with an emphasis on lecture-laboratory study of RAD 101 required Competencies. Following classroom/lab activities, students are scheduled for supervised clinical education. The student is assigned to clinical experience two days a week mastering RAD 101 required competencies. Along with assisting the radiographer, emphasis is placed on interpersonal communication skills with peers, staff, and patients.
Prerequisite: Take BI-206 BI-207 BI-208 BI-209 MA-106ý& FYS-125 or FYWS-125

Radiography II is designed to provide the student with a continuation of image acquisition and evaluation, equipment operation, to include image receptors continuation of geriatrics, bariatric and patient care and education, with an emphasis on medical emergencies and pediatric patients. Imaging procedures with an emphasis on lecture-lab study of RAD 112 required competencies are included. Following classroom/lab activities, students are scheduled for supervised clinical education. The student is assigned to clinical experience two days a week mastering RAD 112 required competencies, with an emphasis on trauma, geriatric and pediatric techniques.
Prerequisite: Take RAD-101 PS-110

This course will provide the student with a transition into the second year of radiography. Emphasis will be on review of clinical skills and competencies completed in RAD 101 and RAD 112.
Prerequisite: Take RAD-112

Radiography III is designed to provide the student with advanced concepts in radiation protection, including radiation biology, x-ray interaction with matter, radio sensitivity; and minimizing radiation exposure. A study of radiographic pathology is included. Imaging procedures are included with emphasis on lecture-lab study of RAD 221 required competencies including cranium and an overview of special views. Following classroom/lab activities, students are scheduled to supervised clinical education. The student is assigned to clinical experience three days a week mastering the required RAD 221 competencies.
Prerequisite: Take RAD-200

This course is designed to provide the student with x-ray circuits, fluoroscopic, digital imaging and computed radiography, PACS, and a comprehensive review in preparation for the successful completion of the ARRT Certification Examination. Imaging procedures are included with emphasis on lecture/lab study of RAD 232 competencies. An introduction to CT Scanning, MRI Imaging, Sonography, Nuclear Medicine, Women's Imaging, and Radiation Therapy included along with a comprehensive review of past competencies. Following Classroom activities, students are scheduled for supervised clinical education. The student is assigned to clinical experience three days a week mastering RAD 232 required competencies as well as reviewing all past level competencies. Emphasis is placed on student selected areas of concentration.
Prerequisite: Take RAD-221

Accreditation

The associate of science degree radiography program at Sacred Heart University is accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT). The program’s current length of accreditation is the maximum accreditation award of eight (8) years. JRCERT contact information is: 20 North Wacker Drive, Suite 2850, Chicago, Illinois, 60606-3182, (312) 704-5300, mail@jrcert.org, www.jrcert.org.

Where Can You Go with an Associate Degree in Radiography?

In addition to working as a radiologic technologist, you can take your education to the next level.

Bachelor's in Health Science

Radiography Concentration
Earn a BS in Health Science focused on the radiography field through SHU's College of Health Professions.

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