Radiography Major

Ball State’s Associate in Science in Radiography prepares you to become a medical imaging professional.

As a graduate of our program, you’ll be equipped for a unique and fulfilling career that combines one-on-one interactions with patients with the challenge of operating technical equipment.

Our program’s mission is to prepare students with educational experiences and environments to become successful entry-level radiographers who demonstrate the highest level of professionalism and academic, technical, and clinical competence in serving their patients, customers, community, and the profession.

Program graduates are eligible to apply for the national certification exam administered by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT). Individuals who pass the exam are known as Registered Technologists in Radiography, R.T.(R)(ARRT). Licensing is also required in most states to work as a radiographer. Many states, including Indiana, use the ARRT Radiography credentialing examination as part of the state licensing process.

What You Will Learn

In our program, you’ll learn to become an entry-level radiographer. These are highly skilled professionals qualified by education to perform x-ray procedures to assist in diagnosing and treating medical conditions.

The responsibilities of a radiographer can include:

• performing radiation safety and quality control procedures
• preparing and administering contrast media
• operating imaging equipment
• positioning patients for procedures
• evaluating radiographs for diagnostic quality
• providing basic nursing and medical care
• preparing data for physician interpretation

Program Requirements

This associate degree program is divided into two phases and takes a minimum of 26 months to complete. The Ball State University radiography program is offered in cooperation with IU Health Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis.

1. The first, or prerequisite, phase and University Core Curriculum (UCC) takes place on the Ball State campus and includes course work in the sciences and the University Core Curriculum.
2. The second, or professional, phase takes place in Indianapolis where medical, technical and clinical courses are taught at IU Health Methodist Hospital and other clinical settings.

 Credits

Total: 62

• Prerequisite Phase and University Core Curriculum: 26
• Professional Phase: 36

Courses

The core component of our radiography program involves 11 specialized, hallmark courses in radiography that will prepare you for a wide variety of real-world work experiences in the profession. As one of our students, you will have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in healthcare facilities working with patients of all ages. Program faculty present a variety of learning experiences in a laboratory environment that will enable you to learn the skills you need to care for patients. Carefully structured clinical assignments provide you with approximately 1,200 patient contact hours of real-world experience under the supervision of skilled preceptors.

Professional phase courses you will take include:

• AHSC 201 Introduction to Medical Imaging and Patient Care
• AHSC 224, 225, 226 Radiographic Procedures 1, 2, 3
• AHSC 228, 229, 230 Radiographic Principles 1, 2, 3
• AHSC 231, 232, 233, 234 Clinic 1, 2, 3, 4 Radiography

For a complete list of all the courses you will take and their descriptions, please see our Course Catalog.

View Catalog

What Can You Do with a Degree in Radiography?

Radiographers can work in a variety of settings including hospitals, private offices, independent imaging centers and mobile and traveling services. Other employment opportunities may require additional education following the radiography program such as corporate sales, other imaging disciplines (CT, MR, ultrasound, etc.), education and management.

Ready to Apply?

You will need to be admitted to both Ball State University and the professional phase of the program to complete this degree.

APPLY TO BALL STATE
Please review the university's admission criteria and apply online. Admission is competitive, so apply early!

APPLY TO PROFESSIONAL PHASE
Admission to the university does not guarantee admission to the professional phase of the radiography program.

Admission Requirements

• Students may complete the required radiography prerequisite and UCC courses upon admission to the university. Admission to the professional phase requires a separate application and is competitive. Admission to the university, satisfactory completion of the prerequisite and UCC courses and fulfillment of program admission requirements does not guarantee admission to the professional phase of the program. The radiography program designates the number of students admitted to the professional phase each year based on clinical setting capacity.
• All accepted students to the professional phase of the program must provide documentation of BLS and required immunization/tests and successfully complete a background check and mandatory drug testing performed by IU Health.
• To participate in the professional phase of the program, no accepted student may appear on specific Federal exclusion lists.

To apply for admission to the professional phase students must:

• Meet with the Radiography Major Advisor.
• Be a current Ball State student by December 1 of the year immediately prior to the professional phase application deadline. All transfer credits must be evaluated and appear on the official BSU transcript.
• Successfully complete 12 of the 26 hours of radiography prerequisite and UCC courses.
• Earn a minimum of 2.75 overall GPA from the required radiography prerequisite and UCC courses.
• Disclose any termination from a healthcare facility.
• Meet the following requirements for the math/science courses (ANAT 201, MATH 125, PHYS 215):  
  • Complete 2 of the 3 required math/science courses.
  • Complete within the past seven years or must be retaken.
  • Not repeat any math/science course more than one time.
  • Earn a grade of C or higher for all required math/science courses.
• Read the most current Radiography Program documents posted on the BSU website at www.bsu.edu/radiography: Radiography Program Instructions and Application, Radiography Program Policies, Procedures, and Information; Radiography Check Sheet.
• Be a minimum of 18 years of age by the first day of the professional phase of the program due to occupational radiation exposure limits of minors and to meet legal clinical setting policies.

Retention Requirements

To maintain admission and participate in the professional phase of the Radiography Program students must:

• Successfully complete all 26 hours of the radiography prerequisite and UCC courses by the end of spring semester prior to beginning the professional phase.
• Earn a grade of C or higher for all required math/science courses.
• Earn a minimum of 2.75 overall GPA from the required radiography prerequisite and UCC courses.
• Earn a grade of C or higher in all professional courses.

Application

Go online to Radiography Program Instructions and Application to obtain the most current radiography program application and instructions. Only the most current application will be accepted. Complete the application, follow the instructions and attach the required documentation. All information must be received in the Department of Nutrition and Health Science office (HB 530) no later than 5:00 p.m. local time (EST) on the first business day of February. Incomplete and late applications may not be considered.

 Selection

Applicants will be ranked using the following formula: (GPA of completed, required prerequisite and UCC courses x 8) + (GPA of completed, required prerequisite and UCC math/science courses x 17).

Want to Learn More?

The best way to get a true feel for Ball State is to spend some time here, so we encourage you and your family to schedule a campus visit. Take a tour, attend an information session, meet with a professor in our area, and ask plenty of questions. Or if you’d rather speak to someone directly by phone or email, please feel free to
contact us.