Academic Catalog

Radiologic Technology

Program Description

Radiologic Technology is a science combining advanced technology and human compassion. Radiologic Technologists use their knowledge of physics, human anatomy and physiology to create permanent medical images. This is a profession that requires a dependable personality with a mature and caring nature.

The Radiologic Technology Program has been in operation since 1961 and is accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (www.jrcert.org) and approved by the California Department of Public Health - Radiologic Health Branch. Foothill College is accredited by Western Association of Schools and Colleges.

After 23 consecutive months of competency based, clinical, classroom, and laboratory instruction, and completion of all General Education requirements, graduates receive an Associate in Science degree in Radiologic Technology and qualify to apply to take the California State Licensing Exam, the California State Mammography Exam, and the ARRT National Registry Exam in Radiography.

Learn more about the program on the Radiologic Technology website.

Program Learning Outcomes

  • Graduates will demonstrate entry-level competency skills in accordance with national and state regulatory agencies.
  • Graduates will value and implement proper radiation safety for patients, self, and others.

Career Opportunities

Job opportunities are available in various settings such as hospitals, health care facilities, physicians' offices, mobile imaging companies, industrial plants, research centers, government agencies, commercial sales, and marketing. An average salary is $114,000 per year. Opportunities for advancement are in management, research, education, sonography, computed tomography, mammography, interventional radiology, and magnetic resonance imaging.

Award Type(s)

  • AS = Associate in Science Degree

Units Required

  • Major: 117.5

Program Application

Admittance to this program is through an application process. Program information, admission criteria, and application to the program can be found at the Radiologic Technology program website.

Program Prerequisites

Must be completed with a grade of "C" or better unless otherwise noted.

  • High school diploma or a valid G.E.D.
Intermediate Algebra or equivalent5
CHEM 25FUNDAMENTALS OF CHEMISTRY5
or CHEM 30A SURVEY OF INORGANIC & ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
or any equivalent chemistry course that includes a laboratory
BIOL 40A
BIOL 40B
BIOL 40C
HUMAN ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY I
and HUMAN ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY II
and HUMAN ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY III
15
or a semester each of Anatomy and Physiology with a GPA of 2.5 or higher
AHS 52MEDICAL TERMINOLOGY (or a medical terminology course of at least 3 quarter/2 semester units)4
R T 200LRADIOLOGIC TECHNOLOGY AS A CAREER (or equivalent)1.5
One of the following:5
COMPOSITION & READING
HONORS COMPOSITION & READING
ADVANCED COMPOSITION & READING
or equivalent
COMM 2INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION (or equivalent)5

Associate Degree Requirements

English Proficiency
Select one of the following:
ENGL 1ACOMPOSITION & READING5
ENGL 1AHHONORS COMPOSITION & READING5
ESLL 26ADVANCED COMPOSITION & READING5
or equivalent
Ethnic Studies
Any course in the ETHN (Ethnic Studies) subject code, currently approved for Area F of CSU GE and Area 7 of IGETC
Mathematics Proficiency
College-level math course at or above the level of Intermediate Algebra

A minimum of 90 units is required1 to include:

  • Completion of one of the following general education patterns: Foothill General Education, CSU General Education Breadth Requirements or the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC)
  • Core courses (117.5 units)
1

Additional elective course work may be necessary to meet the 90-unit minimum requirement for the associate degree.


Note: All courses pertaining to the major must be taken for a letter grade. A GPA of 2.0 or better must be maintained in all college course work. In addition, a grade of "C" or better is required for all core courses used for the degree.

Core and Support Courses

Core Courses

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
Summer SessionUnits
AHS 50A INTRODUCTION TO ALLIED HEALTH PROGRAMS 1.5
R T 50 ORIENTATION TO RADIATION SCIENCE TECHNOLOGIES 2
R T 53 ORIENTATION TO RADIOLOGIC TECHNOLOGY 4
 Units7.5
Fall Quarter
R T 51A FUNDAMENTALS OF RADIOLOGIC TECHNOLOGY I 4
R T 53A APPLIED RADIOGRAPHIC TECHNOLOGY I 4.5
R T 53AL APPLIED RADIOGRAPHIC TECHNOLOGY LABORATORY I 1
R T 54A BASIC PATIENT CARE FOR IMAGING TECHNOLOGY 2
R T 55A PRINCIPLES OF RADIOLOGIC TECHNOLOGY I 3
 Units14.5
Winter Quarter
AHS 50B INTERPROFESSIONAL PATIENT COMPETENCIES 0.5
R T 51B FUNDAMENTALS OF RADIOLOGIC TECHNOLOGY II 4
R T 53B APPLIED RADIOGRAPHIC TECHNOLOGY II 4.5
R T 53BL APPLIED RADIOGRAPHIC TECHNOLOGY LABORATORY II 1
R T 54B LAW & ETHICS IN MEDICAL IMAGING 2
R T 55B PRINCIPLES OF RADIOLOGIC TECHNOLOGY II 3
 Units15
Spring Quarter
R T 51C FUNDAMENTALS OF RADIOLOGIC TECHNOLOGY III 4
R T 53C APPLIED RADIOGRAPHIC TECHNOLOGY III 4.5
R T 53CL APPLIED RADIOGRAPHIC TECHNOLOGY LABORATORY III 1
R T 54C RADIOGRAPHIC PATHOLOGY 3
R T 55C PRINCIPLES OF RADIOLOGIC TECHNOLOGY III 3
 Units15.5
Summer Session (10 Weeks)
R T 53D APPLIED RADIOLOGIC TECHNOLOGY IV 9
R T 64 FLUOROSCOPY 3
R T 72 VENIPUNCTURE 1.5
 Units13.5
Second Year
Fall Quarter
R T 52D DIGITAL IMAGE ACQUISITION & DISPLAY 3
R T 61A RADIOLOGY RESEARCH PROJECT I 1
R T 62A ADVANCED MODALITIES IN IMAGING 3
R T 63A RADIOGRAPHIC CLINICAL PRACTICUM I 10.5
 Units17.5
Winter Quarter
R T 61B RADIOLOGY RESEARCH PROJECT II 1
R T 62B SPECIAL PROCEDURES & EQUIPMENT 3
R T 63B RADIOGRAPHIC CLINICAL PRACTICUM II 10.5
R T 65 MAMMOGRAPHY 3
 Units17.5
Spring Quarter
R T 62C PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN RADIOLOGY 3
R T 63 ADVANCED RADIOGRAPHIC PRINCIPLES 3
R T 63C RADIOGRAPHIC CLINICAL PRACTICUM III 10.5
 Units16.5
 Total Units117.5