Radiologic Technology

Admission Requirements:

Note: Subject to change due to Statewide Standardization of Radiologic Technology Programs.

1. In addition to the general admission requirements for the college, admission to the Radiologic Technology Program REQUIRES:
2. Unconditional admission to the College.
3. Minimum of 2.5 GPA for required academic core courses.
4. Current or previous Southern Union students must have a minimum of 2.0 GPA or higher at SUSCC.
5. Transfer students must enter SUSCC on clear academic status (cumulative 2.0 GPA).
6. Official transcripts in the Records Office from ALL post-secondary institutions attended.
7. Minimum of 2.5 high school 12th grade GPA for students without prior college work (GED passage acceptable in place of 2.5 GPA).  **Must have official high school transcript with graduation date on file.
8. Eligibility for English 101 and Math 100 and satisfaction of the College reading requirement. 
9. Official score from ACT National or Residual with a minimum composite score of 18.  (No time limit on when the test was taken.)
10. Submission of completed radiologic technology program application during applicable submission dates only.
11. Applicants should be at least 18 years of age (Alabama Regulations for Control of Radiation Rule 420-3-03(6), "Occupational Radiation Dose Limits" states that all occcupational workers employing ionizing radiation must be at least 18 years of age.)
12. Applicant meets the Essential Functions required for Radiologic Technology Programs.
13. Students cannot apply as a new student while actively enrolled in the Radiologic Technology Program.

Admission to the Radiologic Technology Program is competitive, and the number of students admitted is limited by the number of faculty and clinical facilities available. Meeting minimal requirements does not guarantee acceptance. Students are subject to criminal background checks and random drug testing by an approved agency of the college in order to be eligible for clinical rotations.

Progression Requirements

To progress through and graduate from the Radiologic Technology Program, the student must:

1. Progress through the required radiologic technology curriculum in the prescribed sequence.
2. Attain a grade of 75% or higher in each required radiologic technology course, and a grade of 70% or higher in all general education courses.
3. Maintain ability to meet the Essential Functions for a Radiologic Technology Program with or without reasonable accommodations.
4. Students must successfully complete the Program within 33 months from the initial semester of RAD courses.
5. Submit documentation of clinical requirements as outlined by the Program by scheduled deadline dates.
6. Maintain current professional liability insurance as required by the College.
7. Abide by the policies, procedures, and rules of behavior of the Radiologic Technology Program as published in the Program and College Student Handbooks and as specified in other materials provided.
8. Maintain a personal radiation monitoring device and radiographic identification markers as outlined by the Program.
9. Read and sign the Student Clinical Rotation Contract as outlined by the College.

Students who do not meet progression requirements must withdraw from the Radiologic Technology program and apply for readmission.

Readmission Requirements

Students who interrupt the progression in the Radiologic Technology Program must apply for readmission to the Program. A student who fails to progress during the first semester of the Program must reapply for acceptance as a new student. Students must submit a readmission request no later than midterm of the term prior to a planned reentry. The Program may provide the student a plan for readmission based on clinical availability. The student may be considered for readmission only once. Readmission to the Program also depends upon the availability of clinical space.

Readmission requires:

1. A minimum 2.0 grade point average at Southern Union State Community College.
2. That no longer than 33 months elapse from initial admission term to date of graduation.
3. Students to prove competency in any previous coursework as prescribed by the Program and successfully complete all RAD course(s) in which a D, W or F were received.
4. Ability to meet and comply with standards and policies in the current College Catalog and Student Handbook.
5. Students who have been dismissed from one (1) clinical facilities are ineligible for readmission.
6. Any student dismissed for academic or disciplinary reasons from the College will not be considered for readmission.
7. Students meet all progression requirements.
8. Students who have been out of Radiography classes more than one semester must repeat their criminal background check and drug testing.

Readmission is contingent on space availability.

Transfer Requirements

Receiving advance placement in the Radiologic Technology program requires:

1. Unconditional admission to the College with clear academic status.
2. Ability to meet and comply with standards and policies in the current College Catalog and Student Handbook.
3. Minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.5.
4. No longer than 33 months elapse from the initial admission term to date of graduation.
5. Official transcripts verifying a minimum grade of “C” earned in courses which represent collegiate coursework relevant to the degree with course content and level of instruction resulting in student competencies at least equivalent for those matriculating students. Alabama College System Standardized Radiologic Technology Curriculum courses will be transferred without review of the course syllabus. Verification of knowledge and/or skills may be required.
6. Letter of good standing from Dean or Director of previous Radiologic Technology Program verifying eligibility to return to that program.
7. No more than one (1) semester in which a grade of D or F has been earned in a radiography course.
8. Completion of 25% of total required hours for the A.A.S. Degree in Radiologic Technology at institution conferring degree.
9. Completion of all clinical health requirements, background check and drug screening procedures as required by clinical agencies.

Pregnancy Policy for Radiologic Technology

It is the policy of Southern Union State Community College (SUSCC) to keep individual exposure to ionizing radiation to the absolute minimum, especially during pregnancy. The following procedures are provided to protect both the female student radiographer and SUSCC. Questions or concerns about any policy or procedure regarding pregnancy should be addressed to the Radiation Safety Officer of the Radiologic Technology Program at Southern Union State Community College. Reference material about radiation safety and other related information is available in the Clinical Coordinator’s office.

Pregnancy Policy Procedure

1. A pregnant female radiologic technology student may voluntarily disclose her pregnancy to the Clinical Coordinator in writing if she so chooses. Female student radiographers who become pregnant at any time during their 2-year tenure in the Radiologic Technology Program will be counseled and advised of their rights if pregnancy has been declared.
2. A pregnant student radiographer reserves the right to remain in the program unless it can be determined that unsafe radiation levels are likely to be exceeded.
3. The choice to remain in the program or to be temporarily disenrolled is ultimately up to the student in question.
4. The pregnant student radiographer will be required to sign a statement of understanding regarding the risks involved should she choose to remain in the program. Student must provide a medical release in order to continue clinical education.
5. If the pregnant student radiographer chooses to remain in the program, she will be required to continue to practice all radiation safety and protection techniques. Additionally, she will be required to wear a second radiation detection monitor at the abdomen level beneath the lead apron. The exposure will be recorded as “abdomen dose” and will be monitored monthly for the entire gestation.
6. The student also has the option to withdraw their declaration of pregnancy. Withdrawal of declaration of pregnancy must be done in writing.