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The program is no longer accepting applications for 2008 enrollment. This site will be updated in September 2008 with information on 2009 enrollment. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are questions that the program faculty frequently answers. All questions are addressed more fully herein.
1. How difficult is it to be accepted into the program?
The increased interest in radiography over the past few years has indeed resulted in an increased number of applicants applying for a limited number of positions in the program and has therefore made the application process more competitive. Given this fact, for any applicant to be considered for acceptance they will need to demonstrate a history of successful academic performance as well as a personality that is compatible with both the academic and healthcare environment. Our selection panel evaluates many factors when selecting candidates for the program and has found that there is no one “model” for the ideal student. There is no one factor or attribute that can guarantee acceptance into the program.
2. If there is such a large demand for radiographers why do you limited the number of students in the program?
We accept a limited number of students at each clinical site to ensure that each student receives enough opportunities for hands-on experience to master the skills required of a radiographer. We believe it is better to produce a more qualified technologist rather than just more technologists.
3. What do you look for when evaluating candidates?
We look for individuals who have a strong background in biological sciences and mathematics. (And good grades) This can come from high school or college-level course work. We also look for work experience with customer contact and service-oriented emphasis. Candidates should possess good interpersonal communication skills and a discernable interest in health care.
4. How can I enhance by chances of being accepted?
Given the tremendous interest in our program, we cannot guarantee that any candidate will be accepted. The program will stop short of prescribing a specific plan to any or all candidates. Each candidate is expected to introspectively evaluate his/her own strengths and weaknesses and to establish a plan that will address relevant weaknesses. Should a candidate not be accepted, we are always happy to discuss with a candidate our perceived strengths and weaknesses.
The ideal candidate will possess a healthy balance of characteristics and skills deemed desirable by the faculty. The ideal candidate:
- Has a proven record of academic success, particularly in math and sciences;
- Has work experience with the public in the service sector;
- Is knowledgeable of the field of radiography, including the less-than-desirable aspects;
- Possesses a strong work ethic, positive attitude, and caring demeanor desirable of a health-care giver;
- Communicate well verbally and in writing;
- Is knowledgeable of his/her own strengths and weaknesses.
5. I’m concerned about the travel. Is it worth it?
The program faculty is sensitive to the inconveniences of traveling for classes and clinical assignments and makes every reasonable effort to minimize the travel expectations. However, traveling is a necessary and reasonable expectation given the learning opportunities that result. We are proud of the comprehensive education in medical imaging that we provide, which will greatly benefit our graduates as they seek employment opportunities.
The program does have a central classroom located at St. Vincent Hospital in Indianapolis. Approximately half of the class sessions (about once a week) will require students at St. Joseph Hospital in Kokomo and Saint Johns Health System in Anderson to travel to Indianapolis for some classes. However, by conducting classes at each student’s clinical site, we have effectively reduced travel expectations by half. Additionally, the program requires some traveling to clinical sites throughout Indiana during the senior year.
To help offset the expenses of travel, the program keeps tuition and book expenses very reasonable. While the tuition costs of some local programs can reach $13,000, our tuition is a very reasonable $5,000. Most programs also require students to travel to multiple clinical sites or a central campus for academic classes. We encourage candidates to inquire of all programs regarding their travel expectations and to weigh the costs of travel with tuition and textbook expenses.
We believe that our program is one of the most cost-effective programs in this region that is able to offer a comprehensive approach to education in varying settings and access to state of the art technology to ultimately make our graduates highly marketable!
6. Can you get an associate degree?
Yes. Following successful completion of our program, one may earn an associate degree from one of many local colleges with whom we maintain articulation agreements. That college will provide a list of required courses one must complete in order to satisfy their requirements. Click Pathways to Continuing Education to learn more.
7. Are college programs better than hospital programs?
The short answer is: no. Radiology managers do not express a preference for college graduate, entry-level radiographers. Hospital graduates tend to have more clinical experience and must master the same radiography curriculum prior to graduation. If a radiographer aspires to become a manager or educator, they may wish to acquire an associate and bachelor degree. Cross-training in CT, MRI, ultrasound, cardiac cath, and angiography do not require a college degree.
8. What is the starting salary for rad techs?
The starting salary varies throughout the country. Entry level salaries in Indiana range from $32,000.00 to $40,000.00.
9. I completed an anatomy (or physics, or medical terminology, or…) course in college, why do I have to complete those courses in your program?
Although courses may have similar names and subject matter, the program courses are presented with an emphasis on material that is relevant to radiography.
10. Can I get financial aid? Scholarships? Tuition assistance?
The program does not participate in Title IV financial funding and therefore does not offer financial aid opportunities. Thus Pell Grants, Stafford Loans, and other state and federal-sanctioned aid do not apply. As a result, the program does keep tuition and textbook expenses very reasonable.
While the program does not offer scholarships, per se, we do offer to senior year students a limited number of tuition reduction opportunities in exchange for an employment commitment. If the tuition agreement is offered, student tuition will be reduced by half ($2500 for the entire program) for a two year employment commitment with any hospital within St. Vincent Health. Neither the program nor St. Vincent Health guarantees that an employment offer will be made.
We encourage candidates to seek scholarship opportunities throughout their local communities and local civic organizations. We will be happy to work with any third-party payer who will guarantee tuition or textbook payment on behalf of an enrolled student.
11. Can I work full-time while attending this program?
This is a very common and poignant question and an issue we cannot emphasize enough to be seriously considered by each individual applying to the program. Although we cannot dictate what a student does outside of the program past experiences have demonstrated that it is extremely difficult to successfully meet the requirements of the program while working a full time schedule. Some factors to consider beyond an individuals personal stamina and abilities are:
- Physical and mental demands of the job.
- Flexibility of work schedule
-weekend vs after program hours
-ability to reduce/switch hours to accommodate program demands
- Additional personal/family responsibilities
- Study time requirements outside of program hours
- Are you a quick learner or an individual that needs to spend a fair amount of time to master material
Many students do work part-time while in the program. The program faculty, while sympathetic and understanding of the situation cannot lower the performance expectations of a student. Ultimately it is for each individual to honestly evaluate their abilities, both physical and academic and determine if after the commitment to the program hours and the hours to the job that there is enough time left to eat, sleep, study, travel, and for family while still meeting the requirements of the program…for 22 months.
12. Do you allow students to attend part time? … evenings or weekends?
The program is full time and 22 months in length. During the week a student will spend 3 days in the clinic usually from 7:30am – 3:30pm and 2 days in the classroom usually from 9:00am – 2:00pm. The program is unable to accommodate applicants seeking any form of part time education.
13. Are there any pre-requisites?
The program does have academic pre-requisites that must be met to be considered. Below is summary of the pre-requisites.
- An applicant must be 18 years of age by August 1 of the year applying for enrollment.
- Minimum 15 credit hours of 100 or higher level courses completed from a regionally accredited institution
- Minimum 2.50 college GPA (4.00 scale)
- Completion of the following general education areas:
- Mathematics / Logical reasoning – minimum 3 credit hours
- Communication – minimum 3 credit hrs
- Completion of at least 6 or more credit hours from the following general education areas; Information Systems, Social / Behavioral Science, Natural Sciences
