Radiologic Sciences Advising Guide

Department of Radiologic Sciences

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What is Radiologic Sciences?

Radiography or Radiologic Technology is the art and science of applying x-ray in the treatment and diagnosis of patient disease or injury. Radiologic Sciences is a profession, which includes those individuals who perform diagnostic radiographic procedures, nuclear medicine procedures, and radiation therapy procedures. Individuals performing these procedures are referred to as Radiographers or Radiation Therapists and perform and assist physicians in performing examinations in order to determine the presence of disease or injury and treatment of disease processes. Radiographers utilize sophisticated x-ray equipment in recording the hidden structures of the body on radiographic imaging systems. The types of x-ray examinations vary considerably and include radiography of the organs and glands of the abdomen and chest, specialized studies of veins and arteries found throughout the body, and radiography of the entire bony components of the human skeleton. The radiologic sciences program at the University of South Alabama offers general diagnostic radiography, specialized imagining (ultrasound, vascular radiography, CT, MRI, and mammography), radiation therapy, and radiology administration.

 

Career Opportunities in Radiologic Sciences

Employment of radiologic technologists is expected to increase by about 7 percent from 2019 to 2029, faster than the average for all occupations. Although hospitals will remain the principal employer of radiologic technologists, a number of new jobs will be found in offices of physicians and diagnostic imaging centers. As technology advances many imaging modalities are becoming less expensive and more feasible to have in a physician’s office.

In addition to job growth, job openings also will arise from the need to replace technologists who leave the occupation. Those with knowledge of more than one diagnostic imaging procedure—such as CT, MR, and mammography, etc.—will have the best employment opportunities as employers seek to control costs by using multi-credentialed employees.

 

Salary Trends in Radiologic Sciences

The median annual wage for radiographers was $61,900 in May 2020.  Obtaining a specialty area will increase starting salary. Salaries should also increase as experience is acquired. However, whether or not one receives higher salaries depends on the individual and his/her desire to develop new expertise.

 

High School Preparation

Your admission into the program can be enhanced by completing the requirements for admission on time as well as making sure you have a good background in science and math, and your ACT scores have been forwarded in a timely manner. Competitive ACT scores range from 22-24 (or SAT equivalent) in each math, science, and English. High school students wishing to pursue Radiologic Sciences should learn and practice effective time management and study strategies that should transpire into their collegiate career, hopefully helping the student to earn and maintain a competitive collegiate GPA.

 

How to Major in Radiologic Sciences

To become a registered radiographer an individual must complete an American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT)-approved educational program and must have earned at minimum an Associates degree from an institution accredited by an agency that ARRT recognizes.  The degree doesn’t have to be in radiologic sciences and the individual can earn this degree before or after (with 24 months) graduating from an ARRT-approved educational program.  The individual must receive the degree, however, before being allowed to take the ARRT examination.

Regardless of whether a program is hospital or college-based, we recommend students consider the mission and goals of a program in determining which program to attend. Simply stated, our mission is to educate men and women who want to become Registered Radiographers and who wish to prepare for that career in a college setting, while earning a bachelor's degree.

Students will be placed in the pre-professional radiologic sciences major until admitted by the department into the professional component; this is generally during the summer term immediately prior to the applicant’s junior year. South’s Radiologic Sciences program follows a cohort model which admits new students each fall term.

 

Academic Plan

Following an academic plan will help you stay on track to graduate in four years. 

To see a sample academic plan for this major, please click here.  Degree plans provide only a suggested schedule; make sure to meet with your academic advisor to find the actual schedule that is right for you.

For additional degree information, visit the undergraduate bulletin.

 

For More Information

If you have additional questions, you should contact any faculty member of the Department of Radiologic Sciences. They will be glad to answer any questions you might have. You can contact our faculty by going to the faculty page and clicking on the name beneath the photo of the faculty member you would like to contact. You may also speak with the departmental secretary by calling (251) 445-9346.

You can find us on campus at:

Department of Radiologic Sciences
HAHN 3015
5721 USA Drive North
Mobile, AL 36688-0002
Phone: (251) 445-9346
Fax: (251) 445-9347

Website: https://southalabama.edu/colleges/alliedhealth/radiologicsciences/

*The information on this page should be considered general information only. For more specific information on this and other majors, please refer to the USA bulletin or contact the department/College directly.