School of Radiologic Technology

Vision: To uphold a higher standard in our baccalaureate Radiologic Technology Program as measured by employer satisfaction surveys, national registry examination pass-rates and program accreditation status.

Mission: To share with our students experience, values and enthusiasm to help them become competent, caring registered technologists. We want our students to be able to function effectively in diverse situations in any health care setting and to be committed to professional growth and life-long learning.

Program Goals

The goals of the Radiologic Technology Program include:

A.  To provide a basic educational background for the student’s continued professional growth and development; to prepare students who can demonstrate technical proficiency in all skills relevant to the profession; to prepare students such that they will demonstrate professional behaviors and qualities consistent with expectations of employers.

B.  To provide registered radiologic technologists locally and nationally.

C. To produce graduates who will assume leadership roles in the RT program.       

Clinical Education Sites

The primary clinical education site is CHI St. Alexius Health in Bismarck. The medical center provides students with a wide-range of clinical experience. The facility also gives precedence to a variety of modalities: CT, MRI, nuclear medicine, ultrasound, radiation therapy and mammography. In addition to CHI St. Alexius Health, other sites may be used for clinical education. Students are responsible for associated travel, room and board expenses.

RT curriculum consists of a two year pre-professional program and a two year professional program. Enrollment in the pre-professional curriculum does not guarantee admission into the professional Radiologic Technology Program. A separate application must be made to CHI St. Alexius Health / University of Mary Radiologic Technology Program to be considered for admission.

The following documents must be in the file of any applicant before it will be acted upon:

1. Application to program
2. High school and current college transcripts
3. ACT score
4. Three letters of recommendation/reference
5. A $25.00 non-refundable processing fee with application
6. Release form

An interview will be considered if the documents are in before December 15 and if the student has a minimum overall GPA of 2.5 with a minimum GPA of 2.5 in the science courses. There are approximately twenty interviews granted each year. Personal interviews are scheduled by the admissions committee and take place generally in January. Candidates are selected on the basis of previous academic background, personal interview, and meeting the technical standards. Candidates selected for admission into the program will be notified by mail and will have up to seven days to respond with an acceptance of the position offered or a denial of this position. If the program does not hear from the selected candidate within this seven day time frame, the position will be offered to an alternate student.

Student recruitment and matriculation policies are non-discriminatory with respect to race, color, religion, gender, age, disabilities, or national origin.

Fee and Tuition

Standard University of Mary tuition applies to all professional courses. Tuition is payable to University of Mary and is subject to change without notice. Student expenses, in addition to tuition, include books, uniforms, shoes, a calculator and a graduation pin. Travel and housing expenses related to out-of-state clinical practicum are the student’s responsibility.

Stipends and housing and food reimbursements are not provided. Discounted meals are available at CHI St. Alexius Health’s cafeteria.

Financial Aid

Financial aid is available through University of Mary’s financial aid office. For more information, call (701) 255-7500.

In addition, CHI St. Alexius Health offers scholarship opportunities. The Brita Eriksen Memorial fund is an educational assistance loan for students, as is The Wilbur Heidt and Tony Niemann Memorial Scholarship. Scholarships are based on financial need and academic standing. Applications are available through the RT Program.

Holidays and Breaks

The Radiologic Technology Program follows University of Mary’s academic calendar; most university holidays are honored by the program.

Student Employment Policy

Students frequently find it necessary to work while enrolled in the professional program. Successful completion of the program should be the priority for students, therefore students will negotiate schedules with their employers to accommodate the school schedule. Under no circumstances are work commitments, job interviews or employee orientations legitimate reasons for missing class, being late to class or leaving class early.

The RT Program accepts ten students each year. A non-refundable $25.00 application fee is required. Applications should be completed and turned in to the RT Program by December 15 for consideration for admission into the professional program. (Directions on how to apply are below.) The professional program begins at the end of August each year.

Students must complete B.S. graduation requirements upon completion of the professional curriculum in order to be awarded the Certificate of Completion from the Radiologic Technology Program.

Steps in the Admission Process

1. Apply for admission to University of Mary.
   
2. Apply for admission to the Radiologic Technology Program. (Admission to University of Mary is a prerequisite for admission to the RT program.)
3. Send official copies of all college transcripts from other universities to the School of Radiology.
4. Prior to the December 15 deadline, submit to the RT Program the following:
   1. Completed application form  
   2. $25.00 application fee (non-refundable)  
   3. High school transcripts
   4. College  transcripts are due by January 1
   5. Act scores  
   6. Three letters of recommendation / references  
   7. Signed waiver forms
5. Appear for a personal interview with the RT Program admissions committee, if invited. (The admissions committee determines whether the applicant meets preliminary qualifying criteria and contacts qualified applicants to schedule the personal interview.)

After the interview, applicants are notified by mail regarding their admission status.

Admission Criteria

1. This internship is contingent upon your finishing and passing all pre-requisite courses. A failing grade in any core course automatically forfeits your internship position.
   
2. Scoring results are based on a formula that allots point value for certain areas. Total points for the applicant are split into two areas. The percent total is based on a formula that includes your college GPA, ACT scores, anatomy and physiology GPA, work experience and letters of  reference. The remaining percent is calculated from your personal interview. Applicants are ranked in order. The top ten are selected, and up to three alternates are chosen.
3. Your overall GPA must be a minimum of 2.5 .
4. Your science and math GPA must be a minimum of a C in each course.
5. Your written and communication skills are taken into account. 

Admission is competitive; fulfillment of admission criteria does not guarantee admission.

Upon admission, students are required to submit a $200.00 non-refundable acceptance fee to the program within five working days. This fee holds a spot in our program for you and is applied toward your clinical expenses. If we don’t hear from you, we will move on to an alternate candidate.

Clinical Expenses

1. Anatomical markers
   
2. Computer access (monthly logs, evaluations, daily time records, memos, etc.)
3. Film badges (monthly)
4. Name tags
5. Debit cards

Essential Functional Requirements

To perform essential functions required of radiologic technologists, applicants for admission must be able to:

1. Efficiently perform manual tasks requiring hand-eye coordination, strength and fine motor manipulative skills.
   
2. Move quickly in small, confined spaces and use stairs.
3. Comprehend and follow basic instructions.
4. Communicate in an effective manner.
5. Have the intellectual capacity to calculate and select proper technical \ exposure factors for radiographic examinations.

Transfer Students

Pre-professional credits may be transferred from other accredited colleges or universities. Requirements for the Bachelor of Science degree include completion of 32 semester hours of credit classified as university residency credit. Transferring students must meet University of Mary residency graduation requirements upon completion of the RT professional curriculum. It is in the best interest of transfer students to fulfill residency requirements prior to admitting to the RT Program. Transfer students are advised to discuss their options with a representative of University of Mary’s registrar office.

Foreign Student Policy

The Radiologic Technology Program welcomes applications from foreign students. Students whose native language is not English are required to earn a minimum score of 540 on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and undergo an oral evaluation of communication skills before the RT Program considers the applicant for admission. Foreign students must meet the same academic and financial requirements listed in University of Mary’s catalog.

Health Requirements

Physical examinations are required as a condition for admission into the RT Program. These examinations are completed at St. Alexius Medical Center, free of charge, shortly before fall classes begin, unless circumstances require otherwise.  All students should possess their own health insurance coverage.

Progression and Promotion

To progress through the professional radiologic technology program, students must maintain a composite semester grade of a B. If on probation due to grades, a student must meet the following criteria to remain in the program:

1. Receive a minimum composite grade of B in all remaining semesters
   
2. Cumulative GPA must be a B, or 3.0 GPA, at the completion of the following semester.

A student receiving an I (incomplete) in any course at the end of any semester has the following semester to complete the coursework and achieve a passing grade. If the student does not complete the coursework by the end of the following semester, the student will be dismissed from the program. If a student receives a semester grade of F in any individual course at any time during the program, the student will immediately be dismissed from the program.

Options After Dismissal

1. Re-application to the program at a future date
   
2. To seek another career (advising is available.)

Re-application does not guarantee re-admission. Dismissal from the program also may result from failure to comply with University of Mary, CHI St. Alexius Health or RT policies. These policies are available to all students.

Non-Discrimination Policy

No applicant is refused admission to University of Mary or the Radiologic Technology Program on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex or marital status.

Upon fulfilling the RT Program and University of Mary graduation requirements, students are awarded a Certificate of Completion and the Bachelor of Science degree. The Certificate of Completion is required for eligibility to take the American Registry of Radiologic Technologies (ARRT) credentialing examination. The Certificate of Completion requirements are:

1. All RT courses must be completed with a minimum cumulative grade of ‘B.
   
2. All University of Mary bachelor’s degree requirements must be fulfilled, including the residency credit requirements.
3. Students must be able to demonstrate personal behaviors and qualities consistent with the profession’s code of ethics.
4. Students must comply with all policies and regulation of the Radiologic Technology Program, CHI St. Alexius Health and University of Mary.
5. Students must successfully complete all terminal competencies.

National Board Examinations

ARRT examinations are computerized and offered daily to qualified applicants. Upon verification of the applicant’s eligibility and receipt of the examination fee, the Radiologic Technology Program authorizes the applicant to take the examination.