DEPARTMENT OF RADIOLOGIC SCIENCES

Chair:  Charles W. Newell, Ed.D., RT(R)(MR)(CT)(CV)   (251) 445-9346
Medical Advisor:  Jeffrey C. Brandon, M.D.
Associate Professor:  Newell
Instructors:  Brewer, Cleveland, Cooper, Durick, Jalkh, Pohlmann, Smith
Teaching Technologists:  Davis, Platt

Department of Radiologic Sciences web site
http://www.southalabama.edu/alliedhealth/radiologicsciences
PROGRAMS OFFERED:
Bachelor of Science in Radiologic Sciences
Since its inception in 1976, the Department of Radiologic Sciences has provided a quality educational program with a sustained emphasis upon graduating competent and compassionate healthcare professionals. In so doing, our graduates are prepared to practice their profession in the often complex and global society of the 21st century.     
The baccalaureate program is designed to provide graduates with enhanced career opportunities in radiology as administrators, educators, and advanced imaging specialists.  The curriculum provides a broad education in liberal arts and basic sciences and an in-depth study in radiologic sciences. 
Educational opportunities in diagnostic imaging and advanced imaging modalities such as mammography, magnetic resonance imaging, vascular radiography, computed tomography, radiology administration,  ultrasound, and radiation therapy are offered.   Following completion of the pre-professional component and admission to the professional component of the program, students will study general radiography for three semesters.   At the end of this first year in the professional component, students will select one of the following tracks to complete:  general radiography to include one advanced imaging modality, ultrasound, or radiation therapy.

The general radiography track curriculum includes diagnostic radiology and either mammography, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, vascular radiography, or radiology administration.  Students completing didactic and clinical requirements in these tracks will be eligible to seek certification through the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) in radiography and the advanced modality studied (excluding radiology administration).
The other two baccalaureate tracks allow students completing the first year of general radiography curriculum to select either ultrasound or radiation therapy during their senior year.  Those who choose one of these tracks will not be eligible to seek ARRT certification in radiography, but will be eligible for ARRT certification in radiation therapy or ARRT and American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS) certification as an ultrasonographer upon completion of didactic and clinical requirements.  

Certificate in an Advanced Imaging Modality (Non-Degree Program)
The department offers a three-semester certificate option to former USA certificate graduates and graduates of other programs who want to complete an advanced imaging modality without pursuing the bachelor’s degree. The three-semester certificate option is available only to ARRT- registered radiographers who have completed an associate degree radiography program.   There are six advanced imaging modalities available, and include mammography, magnetic resonance imaging, vascular-interventional radiography, computed tomography, radiology administration, or ultrasound.  Upon completion of the didactic and clinical education requirements, students are eligible to seek ARRT certification in five of the six advanced imaging modalities offered. At the present time, the ARRT does not offer certification in radiology administration.  Students in the certificate track are required to complete only the advanced imaging modality courses for the modality in which they are admitted. Admission of students to the certificate option will be limited based on the number of clinical positions available after degree-seeking students have been admitted.  Students who complete the certificate option may later choose to complete requirements to earn the bachelor degree, which would include completion of all general education courses listed in the pre-professional component.

PRE-PROFESSIONAL COMPONENT
Degree seeking students must complete the 62/63 semester hour pre-professional component prior to enrolling in professional component courses. 

PROFESSIONAL COMPONENT
The professional component (junior and senior years) consists of two years of academic and clinical study in Radiologic Sciences.  The program is six semesters in length, including two summer terms.   All candidates must have satisfied the pre-professional component to qualify for the degree-seeking professional component, but completion of that component does not guarantee admission to the professional component.  Enrollment in the professional component is limited by the number of clinical positions available.   During the professional component, students must be prepared to travel up to 90 miles from campus in order to participate in the clinical education component of the curriculum.  

PROGRAM ACCREDITATION
The radiography and radiation therapy programs are accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology.    For more information go to www.jrcert.org.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS FOR THE BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN RADIOLOGIC SCIENCES PROGRAM

1. Completion of all required pre-professional courses by the end of the summer semester prior to desired admission for Fall semester.  Students are admitted to the professional component in the Fall semester only.
2. Completion of a Department of Radiologic Sciences application, available at www.southalabama.edu/alliedhealth/radiologicsciences.
3. Submit official college transcripts for all coursework not completed at the University of South Alabama.  Transcripts are not required if the coursework has already been transferred to USA.
4. Application deadline is May 1.
5. Submit official ACT or SAT scores, regardless of previous educational background.  If individual scores for Math, English and Natural Sciences on the ACT are below 18, it is strongly advised that the test be retaken.  ACT or SAT scores must be submitted by the application deadline of May 1.
6. Submission of three (3) completed personal reference forms by the application deadline.  Reference forms are available at www.southalabama.edu/alliedhealth/radiologicsciences.
7. Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 (“C” average) on previously completed college-level courses.  Transcripts must be submitted by the application deadline.  For students who are attending or have attended USA, the USA GPA will be used.  GPA’s from outside courses are not averaged into the USA GPA.
8. Acceptance to the University of South Alabama.
9. Students applying for admission to the professional component must complete four (4) hours of observation in a hospital Radiology department prior to reporting for admission interview.  Following submission of the departmental application, applicants may call the Department of Radiologic Sciences at (251) 445-9346 any time after January 10th during the year in which they plan to enroll, and schedule a hospital observation
   appointment. Observation form and instructions are available at www.southalabama.edu/alliedhealth/radiologicsciences.
10. Meet program technical/core performance standards.  Core performance standards are fundamental tasks and skills that are required for successful completion of the program.  They have been outlined and are available upon request and on the department web site.
11. Complete a brief writing assignment conducted on the day of interview.
12. Complete a personal interview with members of the Radiologic Sciences Admissions Committee.
13. Applicants will be screened on the basis of past educational performance and the potential for the number of openings available.  Therefore, acceptance into the University does not guarantee admission into the program.  Likewise, admission into the program does not guarantee a position in a particular track/modality for one’s senior year.
14. Student acceptance into the program is provisional pending completion of a drug screen and background check requirements as specified in the acceptance letter.  Refusal to submit will result in nullification of acceptance into the program.
15. Proof of medical insurance must be provided following official notification of acceptance into the program.  Due date will be specified in the acceptance letter.
16. ARRT certified radiographers who have completed the pre-professional component and are seeking the baccalaureate degree may apply for admission into the second year (senior year) of the professional component.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS FOR CERTIFICATE OPTION (ELIGIBLE TO RADIOGRAPHERS NOT SEEKING THE BACHELORS DEGREE)
Graduates of associate degree accredited radiography programs wishing to complete advanced modality courses only to earn a certificate in mammography, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, vascular radiography, radiology administration or ultrasound are required to meet the admissions requirements for B.S. students excluding requirements #1 and #9 above.   Note that a radiation therapy certificate is not offered.   Students who complete the certificate track may later continue their education to meet bachelor degree requirements. 

CORE PERFORMANCE STANDARDS
Core performance standards are fundamental tasks and skills that are required for successful completion of the program.  They have been outlined and are available upon request and on the department web site. 

SPECIAL FEES
Special lab fees are assessed for the following courses:
RAD 307 - $15
RAD 308 - $15
RAD 309 - $15
RAD 417 - $15
RAD 418 - $15
A $25 professional liability fee is assessed annually ($12.00 each in fall and spring and $1.00 in summer)

REQUIREMENTS FOR A BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN RADIOLOGIC SCIENCES  
Pre-Professional Component  (62/63 semester hours)
English Composition (EH 101) 3
English Composition (EH 102) 3
Biology Elective (BLY 101 or 121) 4
Biology Elective (BLY 102 or 122) 3
Psychology (PSY 120) 3
Humanities Elective 3

(PHL 110, 121, 131, 231, 240, EH 215, 216, 225, 226, 235, 236, LG 111, 112, 211, 212, 131, 132, 231, 232, 151, 152, 251, 252, 171, 172, 271, 272, AFR 101, AIS 105)

Public Speaking (CA 110) 3
History Elective*                                                                   
(HY 101, 102, 135, 136) 3
Social Science Elective 6
(HY 101, 102, 135, 136, AN 100, 101, ECO 215, 216, GEO 114, PSC 130, PSY 250, SY 109, 112, AIS 115, 201)
Pre-Calculus Algebra (MA 112) 4
Anatomy & Physiology I (BMD 114) 4
Anatomy & Physiology II (BMD 115) 4
Fine Arts Elective 3
(ARH 100, 103, 123, ARS 101, MUL 101, DRA 110)
Intro to Computer App  (CIS 150)   3
Physics (PH 104 or 114)     4-5
Literature Elective* 3
(EH 215, 216, 225, 226, 235, 236)  
Statistics  (ST 210)   3
Infectious Disease in Health Care (BMD 210)**  3
*Must take a sequence in either History or Literature
**May substitute microbiology or parasitology for BMD 210

Professional Component
All students admitted to the professional component are required to complete the following courses during their first year in the B.S. program:
Junior year professional component    (41 semester hours)
Fall:  RAD 300, RAD 304, RAD 307, RAD 310, RAD 312  (15 hrs)
Spring:  RAD 301, RAD 308, RAD 315, RAD 318, RAD 335  (15 hrs)
Summer:  RAD 302, RAD 309, RAD 324, RAD 320  (11 hrs)

Senior year professional component   (35-42 semester hours)
Note:  Course requirements and semester hours vary based on the educational track followed.
Track 1:  General Radiography to include one advanced modality^.    (Study of ultrasound or radiation therapy is not an option in the General Radiography Track)
Fall:  RAD 403, RAD 411, RAD 415 AND
Mammography:   RAD 472  (total 15 semester hrs) or
Computed tomography:  RAD 464  (total 15 semester hours) or
Magnetic resonance imaging:  RAD 468  (total 15 semester hours) or
Vascular radiography:   RAD 460  (total 15 semester hours) or
Radiology administration: RAD 430 & RAD 432  (total 17 semester hours)
Spring:  RAD 404, RAD 437, RAD 499 AND
Mammography:   RAD 473 (total 13 semester hours) or
Computed tomography:  RAD 465  (total 13 semester hours) or
Magnetic resonance imaging:  RAD 469  (total 13 semester hours) or
Vascular radiography:   RAD 461  (total 13 semester hours) or
Radiology administration: RAD 433 & RAD 435  (total 15 semester hours)
Summer:  RAD 405, RAD 494 AND
Mammography:   RAD 474  (total 10 semester hours) or
Computed tomography:  RAD 466  (total 10 semester hours) or
Magnetic resonance imaging:  RAD 470  (total 10 semester hours) or
Vascular radiography:   RAD 462  (total 10 semester hours) or
Radiology administration: RAD 440  (total 7 semester hours)
Track 2:  Ultrasound  Only (31/33 semester hours)
Fall:  RAD 417, RAD 423, RAD 320*, RAD 411 (12/14 hrs)
Spring:  RAD 418, RAD 421, RAD 424 (11 hrs)
Summer:   RAD 425, RAD 427  (8 hrs)
*RAD 320 required if not previously completed
Track 3:  Radiation Therapy  Only (42/44 semester hours)
Fall:   RAD 441, RAD 448, RAD 320*, RAD 446, RAD 450, RAD 452  (15/17 hr)
Spring:  RAD 442, RAD 455, RAD 453, RAD 454, RAD 499 (15 hr)
Summer:  RAD 443, RAD 456, RAD 458  (12 hr)
*RAD 320 required if not previously completed
*Students who complete Track 1 (Radiography to include one advanced modality) will be eligible to apply for continuation in the program to study any additional modality to include ultrasound and radiation therapy.

TRANSFER STUDENTS
Students may transfer no more than 64 semester hours  from a community college.  To earn a B.S. degree, students must complete a minimum of 25 percent of the credit hours required for the degree through instruction in upper level courses (300, 400) at USA, and must complete  15 semester hours in the major.  Two “W” (writing component) courses must also be taken at USA.

TOTAL HOURS REQUIRED BY PROGRAM/TRACK

• Track 1:  Bachelor degree, General Radiography to include either mammography, computerized tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, vascular radiography, or radiology administration:    141-143 semester hrs
• Track 2:  Bachelor degree, Ultrasound modality only:   134-137 semester hours
• Track 3:  Bachelor degree, Radiation therapy only:  145-148 semester hours
• Certificate only in mammography, computerized tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, vascular radiography, or radiology administration  (Only available to certified radiographers):  12-13 semester hours 
• Certificate only in ultrasound (Only available to certified radiographers):   31-33 semester hours

For more information regarding requirements, admissions, and FAQs, go to http://southalabama.edu/alliedhealth/radiologicsciences. 

Department of Radiologic Sciences
5721 USA Drive North, HAHN 3015
Mobile, AL  36688-0002
Telephone:  (251) 445-9346
Fax:   (251)  445-9347
Email: radsciadmissions@usouthal.edu

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