Radiation Sciences — B.S. (Entry Level)

Program directors
William Edmunds, professional core 
Timothy Seavey, bachelor core 

Medical Advisor
Alvin L. Hensel

The medical radiographer, or radiologic technologist, is responsible for the accurate imaging of body structures on an image receptor. The technologist provides for patient protection and comfort, determines proper exposure factors, manipulates medical imaging equipment, evaluates the radiograph image for quality, and utilizes digital technologies to archive and transmit the patient's examination images for physician evaluation.

The technologist may also assist the radiologist in specialized radiographic procedures. This may require the use of sterile procedures and universal precautions in the administration of radiographic contrast agents to the patient for the enhanced viewing of body systems and their functions.

The program

The entry-level Radiation Sciences B.S. Program begins with the Autumn Quarter and is based on the completion of one year of prerequisite coursework at any institutionally accredited college or university. The first two years at Loma Linda University primarily emphasizes the core aspects of medical imaging (radiography), beginning with two days per week at a clinical affiliation beginning the third week of the program. The remaining six quarters combine clinical training on a two-to-three-days-per-week basis, with more advanced classroom topics.

The third year of the program allows students to select an area of emphasis in CT, MRI, Administration and Education, Imaging Informatics, Mammography and MRI, Cardiac Imaging, Vascular Imaging, or Advanced Imaging. Clinical affiliation in the final year consists of four quarters split between medical radiography and area-of-emphasis clinical time on a three-to-four-days-per-week basis. 

The schedule may involve limited evening assignments. Clinical and classroom involvement in the program is full time (40 hours/week). Students are free on all national holidays and during quarter breaks.

The baccalaureate degree comprises a minimum of 192 quarter units in the following:

• Loma Linda University general education (GE) requirements.
• Radiation sciences professional and core courses.
• Area of emphasis
• E-Portfolio that comprises academic and professional work, a capstone project, and service learning.

Program learning outcomes (Goals) 

By the end of this program, the graduate should be able to: 

1. Demonstrate clinical competence in medial radiography.
2. Demonstrate the values and attitudes of an entry-level radiographer.
3. Apply concepts from institutional learning outcomes.
4. Investigate concepts of managers and educators who contribute to the imaging disciplines through service and leadership.
5. Discuss leadership principles and advocate for excellence in patient care.
6. Integrate concepts from chosen area of emphasis.

Professional registration and certification

Upon completion of the requirements for the Radiation Science, BS degree, the graduate is eligible to write the qualifying examination of The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) in Radiography (R). Program graduates who pass the ARRT examination in radiography are eligible to pay for and receive the state license (CRT) in California without further testing within five years of passing the ARRT examination. Graduates are encouraged to become members of the California Society of Radiologic Technologists and the American Society of Radiologic Technologists for professional growth and continuing education in their professional discipline.

Graduates completing advanced modalities in their emphasis are eligible for ARRT examinations in CT, MRI, M, CI, and/or VI.

Admission is based on a selective process.  In addition to Loma Linda University and School of Allied Health Professions admissions requirements, the applicant must meet the following requirements:

• High school completion from an accredited institution, or passed the GED.
• A minimum of 45 quarter units (or 30 semester units) at an accredited college or university, including appropriate  AP courses. 
• Observation experience—A minimum of eight hours of career observation in a radiology department is required. Contact the LLU-SAHP Radiation Technology department to obtain the appropriate form.
• Online application—the essay section should include why you are choosing LLU, your process for selecting this profession, what makes you a good candidate, and anything else that helps us get to know you. Contact the department for more information.
• A prerequisite GPA of 2.5 minimum; however, a competitive G.P.A. of 3.0 or higher is preferred.

Prerequisites and corequisites

Courses are listed as they relate to general education domains. Courses preceded by an asterisk (*) are required for admission to the program. Remaining general education courses are taken at LLU within the program. Elective credits taken to meet the minimum 45 units required before matriculation may be selected from the following domains.

Domain 1: Religion (12 quarter units)

(completed during enrollment at LLU)

Domain 2: Arts and humanities (minimum 16 quarter units)

Units must be selected from at least three of the following content areas: civilization/history, art, literature, language, philosophy, religion, or general humanities electives. A minimum of 3 quarter units in an area are required to meet a "content area."

Domain 3: Scientific inquiry and quantitative reasoning (minimum 12 quarter units)

• *Human anatomy and physiology with laboratory, complete sequence (two course minimum)
• *Introductory or general physics at the college level (one quarter/semester)

Domain 4: Social sciences (minimum 12 quarter units)

• Select from two of the following content areas: anthropology, economics, geography, political sciences, psychology, and sociology.
• The human diversity requirement is fulfilled in the portfolio core courses: RTCH 491 Portfolio I and RTCH 492 Portfolio II (approved by the University GE Committee).

Domain 5: Written and oral communication (minimum 9 quarter units)

• *English composition, complete sequence that meets the baccalaureate degree requirements of a four-year college or university
• *Interpersonal communication, oral communication, or public speaking
• Additional courses may include information systems, critical thinking

Domain 6: Health and wellness (minimum 2 quarter units)

• A didactic course in health or nutrition (e.g., personal health, personal nutrition, population health, global health, and community nutrition) minimum of 2 units
• Physical education. Must include at least two separate physical activity courses totaling a minimum of one quarter units.

Other

*Medical terminology

¹

One religion course must be selected from the following: RELT 406 Adventist Beliefs and Life, RELT 423 Loma Linda Perspectives, RELT 436 Adventist Heritage and Health, or RELT 437 Current Issues in Adventism.

²

Fulfills service-learning requirement.

³

May substitute with another humanities course.

⁴

May substitute for another social science course.

⁵

May substitute for another  health course.

Area of emphasis: administration and education 

Area of emphasis: advanced medical imaging

Area of emphasis: cardiac imaging

Area of emphasis: imaging informatics 

Area of emphasis: mammography with MRI

Area of emphasis: special imaging CT/MRI

Area of emphasis: special imaging CT

Area of emphasis: special imaging MRI

Area of emphasis: vascular imaging

Certain aspects of the curriculum require individual scheduling. Time arrangements may be subject to change. Entrance to the clinical year is contingent upon completion of all prior requirements.

A minimum G.P.A. of 2.5 is required for each quarter in the program. 

Normal time to complete the program

Four (4) years — three (3) years (eleven [11] academic quarters) at LLU — full-time enrollment required