Nashville – Bachelor of Science in Health Science with Concentration in Radiography
Program Quick Facts
| Duration | 42 months (full-time) |
| Start Dates | January/April/June/October |
| Format | On-campus or Hybrid |
| Accreditation | N/A |
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In our Bachelor of Science in Health Science program with a Concentration in Radiography, you’ll work to gain advanced knowledge and training in using radiographic equipment to provide quality images to physicians as they diagnose, monitor, and treat a range of medical conditions. As you grow your imaging and patient care skills in Nashville, you’ll work to gain hands-on experience in lab simulations and in clinical settings under the supervision and guidance of experienced professionals. In your classes, you’ll also discuss healthcare administration, leadership strategies, research standards, and current trends and issues in the field. Our faculty continually review and update our program to reflect new procedures and technologies in the field. As a graduate, you’ll have worked to supplement your knowledge and skills in radiography to pursue advanced positions within a healthcare team, including management roles in imaging departments. You’ll also be eligible to apply to write the certification exam administered by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists.
Develop Essential Skills In
- Patient care and assessment
- Imaging procedures and instrumentation
- Radiation safety
- Quality control
- Health science research
- Administration and leadership
- Healthcare law and ethics
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Learning Outcomes
Program Goal 1
The program will provide a quality education, both clinical and didactic, in the health sciences to prepare health professionals for advanced positions or leadership roles in accordance with professional and accreditation guidelines.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
- The students will demonstrate clinical competence in their selected modality.
Program Goal 2
The program will graduate students who are equipped with communication skills essential for advanced and leadership roles.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
- Students will present an oral presentation in an appropriate and professional manner. Students will demonstrate proper written communication skills.
Program Goal 3
The program will introduce students to research development utilizing research activities and fundamental processes.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
- Students will demonstrate various research techniques, resources, sampling, and statistical procedures. Students will acquire the skills to prepare a manuscript.
Program Goal 4
The program will meet the needs of the community by monitoring program effectiveness.
Radiologic Technologist Certification/Licensure
Students successfully completing the Associate of Science degree program in Nashville are eligible to apply for admission to write the certification examination administered by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists. Successful completion of the ARRT examination provides licensure to practice as a registered radiographer. Students convicted of a felony or misdemeanor may be excluded from clinical experience and/or taking the certification examination. We work diligently with all students in preparation for certification examinations.
As of December 2020:
States with no Licensure Required: AL, AK, ID, NC, MO
States with ARRT Certification Required but No State Licensure Required: CO, DC, GA, OK, MI, MN, PA, VA (ARRT if hospital, State Licensure and ARRT if office/clinic)
States with Licensure and ARRT Required: AR, AZ, CA, CT, DE, FL, HI, IA, IL (ARRT & IEMA), IN, KS, KY, LA (ARRT & LSRT), MA, MD, ME, MS, MT (ARRT & MBRT), ND, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OR (ARRT & OBRT), RI, SC, TN, TX, UT, VT, WA, WI, WV, WY
Graduation from the South College Nashville program qualifies you to sit for the certification exam. Passing of the certification exam is required in order to apply for state licensure. Licensure requirements may vary from state to state. Statutory and regulatory requirements can be found on each state’s board website.
Need to Know More About the Bachelor of Science Health Science with a Concentration in Radiography Program? Here Are Frequently Asked Questions!
Radiography is a medical imaging technique that uses a small amount of radiation (X-rays) to create images of the inside of the body. These images, called radiographs, are used to help diagnose and plan treatments for various conditions, such as fractures and infections. During the procedure, an X-ray beam passes through the body, and the portion of the rays that is absorbed or scattered creates an image on a detector.
How it works
- An X-ray machine sends a beam of high-energy X-rays through the body.
- Different body tissues absorb or scatter the X-rays to different degrees, with denser materials like bone absorbing more than soft tissues.
- The X-rays that pass through the body are detected, and the resulting pattern is used to create a black and white image.
- In modern radiography, the images are usually recorded on a computer.
- Sometimes, a contrast agent (like a dye) is used to make certain structures, such as blood vessels, easier to see.
What is it used for:
- Medical: Diagnosing fractures, infections, tumors, and other conditions in areas like bones, lungs, and the heart.
- Dental: Capturing images of teeth, jawbone, and the oral cavity to identify dental issues.
- Industrial: Inspecting materials for defects without damaging the objects themselves.
- Therapeutic: Delivering high-energy X-rays to treat conditions like cancer.
Radiology is the medical specialty of interpreting medical images, while radiography is the process of creating those images, typically using X-rays. A radiologist is a medical doctor who reads and interprets scans to diagnose and treat conditions, while a radiographer is a technician who operates the machinery to perform the scans.
Radiology
Who they are:
A medical doctor who specializes in interpreting medical images to diagnose diseases and guide treatment.
What they do:
Read and analyze scans (X-rays, CTs, MRIs), provide diagnostic reports, and may perform interventional procedures.
Education:
Requires an undergraduate degree, medical school, and a radiology residency of several years.
Analogy:
The “detective” who analyzes the evidence from a crime scene.
Radiography
- Who they are: A trained medical professional who operates the imaging equipment.
- What they do: Position patients, operate machinery like X-ray and CT machines, and produce high-quality images for the radiologist to interpret.
- Education: Typically requires an associate’s or bachelor’s degree and a certification exam.
- Analogy: The “photographer” who takes the picture.
Studying radiography is challenging, particularly in areas like radiographic physics, bony anatomy, and positioning, but it is not impossible and can be very rewarding. Success depends on hard work, a willingness to learn, and finding a study style that works for you. The program involves both academic learning, such as medical terminology and anatomy, and practical, physical work.
Academic challenges
Physics:
The technical level of physics in radiography can be difficult for some, requiring an understanding of the mechanics of X-ray equipment.
Anatomy and terminology:
You will need to learn a significant amount of detailed anatomy and medical terminology.
Positioning:
Mastering the technical skill of correctly positioning patients for images is a key and difficult part of the curriculum.
Practical and physical challenges
Hands-on work:
Radiography programs include a significant amount of clinical training, which can be physically demanding and require manual handling of patients.
Pace:
The program is often fast-paced and organized, requiring you to stay on schedule.
Emotional and mental demands:
The job can expose you to graphic circumstances and injuries, which can be emotionally difficult.
Students successfully completing the Associate of Science degree program are eligible to apply for admission to write the certification examination administered by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists. Successful completion of the ARRT examination provides licensure to practice as a registered radiographer. Students convicted of a felony or misdemeanor may be excluded from clinical experience and/or taking the certification examination. We work diligently with all students in preparation for certification examinations.
As of December 2020:
States with no Licensure Required: AL, AK, ID, NC, MO
States with ARRT Certification Required but No State Licensure Required: CO, DC, GA, OK, MI, MN, PA, VA (ARRT if hospital, State Licensure and ARRT if office/clinic)
States with Licensure and ARRT Required: AR, AZ, CA, CT, DE, FL, HI, IA, IL (ARRT & IEMA), IN, KS, KY, LA (ARRT & LSRT), MA, MD, ME, MS, MT (ARRT & MBRT), ND, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OR (ARRT & OBRT), RI, SC, TN, TX, UT, VT, WA, WI, WV, WY
Graduation from the South College program qualifies you to sit for the certification exam. Passing of the certification exam is required in order to apply for state licensure. Licensure requirements may vary from state to state. Statutory and regulatory requirements can be found on each state’s board website.
Yes there are some options. Please scroll up on this page to see those options available to those that qualify.