Radiologic Technology (AAS)

Consistent with the mission of Wharton County Junior College, the Radiologic Technology program will graduate students with an Associate of Applied Science. The program will afford the opportunity for individual growth, application of knowledge, and articulation to a baccalaureate degree program in the pursuit of continuous knowledge. Upon graduation from the program, the student will have the clinical, problem solving, and communication skills equal to that of an entry-level radiologic technologist, able to meet the needs of our community.

WCJC offers a cooperative program with local hospitals designed to provide understanding, proficiency, and skill in radiologic technology.

The program is accredited by:

• The Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technologists (JRCERT) - 20 N. Wacker Drive, Suite 2850, Chicago, IL 60606-2901. Telephone: 312-704-5300

Graduates may be eligible to sit for the certification exam administered by:

• The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) - 1255 Northland Drive, St. Paul, MN 55120. Telephone: 651-687-0048.

Graduates may be eligible to apply for state licensure through the Texas Medical Board.

The Radiologic Technology (RT) curriculum is a balance of general educational and technical courses, as well as supervised clinical work at local hospitals. These courses provide the student with an opportunity for educational development, as well as occupational competence during the 24-month program.

The Radiologic Technology program has limited enrollment. Applicants, or those seeking further information than what is provided here, should contact the director of the Radiologic Technology program.

Admission Requirements and Procedure

Consideration for acceptance into the Radiologic Technology program is based upon the submission of the following items directly to the Radiologic Technology program:

1. Admission to WCJC:
   Students must apply to WCJC through Apply Texas (www.applytexas.org) and be fully accepted as a student to WCJC by the Radiologic Technology deadline (last Thursday in May).
2. Texas Success Initiative (TSI):
   Students must have satisfied all components of Texas Success Initiative (TSI) before application. If you are unsure if you are TSI satisfied, contact the Office of Admissions and Registration.
3. Application to Radiologic Technology Program:
   Potential students must complete application for admission to the Radiologic Technology program.
4. Transcripts:
   ​A transcript from each college attended, including WCJC, must be turned in with the Radiology program application. **Students must have unofficial transcripts from each college attended even if other colleges appear on WCJC transcripts.
   • Registrar’s Office (official copy)
   • Radiologic Technology program (unofficial copy)
5. Transcript Evaluation Form:
   If you have attended a college other than WCJC, a transcript evaluation MUST be done. This request needs to be submitted prior to the program application deadline. It is highly suggested that the request be submitted one-semester prior to application deadline (fall semester). When the evaluation is complete, it will be emailed to you and a copy forwarded to the Radiologic Technology program. It is the student’s responsibility to make sure the program received the evaluation prior to the application deadline.
6. Pre-requisite Courses and GPA: (Pre-requisite courses required prior to applying)
   BIOL 2401 - Anatomy & Physiology I 
   ​BIOL 2402 - Anatomy & Physiology II 
   • Applicant must submit proof of completion with the application packet due the last Thursday in May. The course must be a “C” or higher. There is no time frame on the prerequisite courses.
7. ACT Requirements:
   A copy of your ACT scores with a composite of at least 18 Enhanced taken within the last five (5) years. Preference is given to those who score 20 or higher. The written portion is not a requirement.
8. Work History:
   Turn in a brief summary of work experience. Admissions points are given to those who have at least six (6) months of medical experience including volunteering.
9. Age Requirement:
   Applicant must be 18 years old by the first day of school (late August).
10. Write an Essay for Admission into the Radiologic Technology Program:
    ​Choose from one of the following topics:
    1. Why Radiology is the career field you have chosen to pursue
    2. Define an adversity you have positively managed
    3. Describe, with specifics, your leadership ability
       
       ​The essay should contain the following criteria and will be awarded points for complete demonstration of stated criteria.
       1. Minimum of one full page with 1” margin top, bottom, and sides, not to exceed two pages in length
       2. Times New Roman or Garamond font with 12 point type
       3. Reference to Radiologic Technology field with demonstration of research of the field and/or topic
       4. Personal statement of interest in imaging regardless of topic selected
       5. Paragraphs as appropriate, opening statement, body, and conclusion
       6. Name and title of paper in header
11. Form signed: (Forms can be found in the application packet)
    • Essential Abilities of a Radiography (Technical Standards)
    • ARRT Eligibility Form
12. Proof of Medical Insurance:
    • Applicants must show proof of medical insurance as a condition of full acceptance to the program.
13. Hepatitis B Requirement:
    ​Applicants must show proof of completion of the Hepatitis B vaccine series or serologic confirmation of immunity to Hepatitis B virus as a condition of full acceptance to the program.
    • If you have never had the Hepatitis B series, it will take six (6) months to complete. You must start the first shot no later than February 1^st and the entire series must be completed prior to the first day of class (late August). The student will be required to get a titer (antibody titer not antigen) to show proof of immunity.
    • If you had the Hepatitis B series as a child, it is recommended that you have the Hepatitis B titer (antibody not antigen) drawn to check the status of immunity. If the titer comes back negative, the applicant must re-start the series and have another titer drawn two (2) months after the last immunization.
14. COVID Vaccine:
    Currently the COVID vaccine is not required but the program reserves the right to add at a later date should clinical sites require it.
15. Information Session:
    Attend an information session prior to May deadline. These sessions will be by appointment only beginning in January of each year. Please call 979-532-6391 and speak to the program secretary for details.
    
    Due to the number of applicants and a limited number of seats available, admission to the program is very competitive and meeting all of the criteria does not guarantee anyone admission to the program. Applicants should submit all necessary information on or before the last Thursday in May.
    
    Prior to the stated deadline, applicants are encouraged to follow-up with the Radiology program secretary to determine if their application is complete.

Preference is given to applicants who have college credit in the following general education courses. Students must receive a grade of “C” or higher in the courses listed to satisfy graduation requirements for the Radiology program.

• MATH 1314 - College Algebra  
• ENGL 1301 - Composition I  
• PSYC 2301 - General Psychology  
• Elective - Humanities/Fine Arts from the AAS General Education Course List (Refer to the college catalog under AAS degree requirements for recommended courses)

Students who do not maintain a grade of “C” or higher in each Radiology course will be dropped from the program.

Criminal Background Checks

Most clinical facilities require that criminal background checks be completed prior to allowing students to participate in clinical training at their facilities. Applicants conditionally accepted into the RT program will be required to complete a criminal background check. Final acceptance into the program is contingent upon a satisfactory background check which will be completed by an approved agency. An applicant with an unsatisfactory criminal background check will not be accepted into the program in the year for which they have applied, but will have the option of completing the following steps and re-applying for the following year:

1. Submit a “Pre-Application Review” with the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT), and
2. Receive ARRT verification of eligibility for possible future ARRT certification.
3. Applicants with criminal offenses may not be eligible to sit for the ARRT exam or become licensed in the state of Texas.
4. Applicants with criminal offenses may be rejected by our clinical affiliations and not be allowed to complete clinical rotations. In that event, the student would need to withdraw from the program.
5. Students currently enrolled must inform the Program Director within 30 days of any criminal offense.

Upon completion of the above steps the applicant may make an appointment with the Program Director to discuss clinical options. The clinical site must be willing to accept the applicant for clinical rotations.

The cost of the criminal background check will be at the applicant’s expense; anticipated cost is estimated to be $52.00.

Drug Screening

Applicants conditionally accepted into WCJC Radiologic Technology Program will also be required to complete a drug screen with negative results. Only drug screens conducted through a college-approved agency will be accepted. The estimated cost of the drug screen is $40.00. For more information regarding the drug screening, contact the Program Director of the RT program.

Expenses

Tuition and Fees: See Financial Information  Section
Books: $1,500 approximately
Uniform: Varies
CPR Course: $30 + book
Liability Insurance: $20 per year approximately
Physical Examination/Immunizations: Varies according to individual physician’s fees and lab fees
Transportation Cost: Varies according to clinical site
Criminal Background Check: $52 approximately
Drug Screen: $40 approximately
TMB License: $80
ARRT Exam: $200
Tablet: Varies according to student preference

Capstone Experience: During the last semester of the program, the capstone experience consists of a total body competency exam that tests the student’s psychomotor skills and a mock registry exam that measures cognitive skills. Students are then allowed to sit for the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists examination.

The Radiologic Technology degree plan below is a sample schedule assuming no previously completed course work.