Radiation Sciences — B.S. (Entry Level)

Program Director

  • Michael F. Iorio, Ph.D., M.P.A., RT(R)(CT)(ARRT) CRT

Medical Advisor

  • Alvin L. Hensel, M.D.

The medical radiographer, or radiologic technologist, is responsible for producing  accurate images of body structures during medical imaging procedures. During these procedures, technologists comfort patients, determine proper exposure factors using As Low As Reasonably Achievable (ALARA) principles, manipulate medical imaging equipment, evaluate radiographs for quality, and utilize digital imaging technologies to archive and transmit medical images for physician evaluation. Radiologic technologists also assist radiologists with specialized imaging procedures that may require the use of sterile procedures and universal precautions in the administration of radiographic contrast agents for the enhanced viewing of body structures and functions.   

The Program

The Entry-Level Bachelor of Science in Radiation Sciences (EL BSRS) is a full-time, 3 year program that includes online and on-campus classes. This program is designed to provide students with a pathway to satisfy the educational requirements of the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) and apply for the ARRT credential in Radiography.

The EL BSRS program begins in the fall term, and during the first two years, students focus on professional and core classes. The third year of the program allows students to select advanced specialty classes in areas such as Computed Tomography (CT), Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Cardiac Interventional Radiography (CI), Vascular Interventional Radiography (VI), Mammography (M). 

The academic and clinical schedule may involve limited evening assignments. Clinical and classroom involvement in the program is full-time (40 hours/week). 

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

  • Loma Linda University general education (GE) requirements. 
  • Radiation sciences professional and core courses. 
  • Advanced specialty classes. 
  • Professional portfolio that includes academic and professional projects, a capstone project, and service-learning activities. 

Program learning outcomes (Goals) 

  1. By the end of the program, graduates should be able to:

    1. Demonstrate clinical competence.
    2. Communicate effectively.
    3. refine skills related to critical thinking, information literacy, quantitative reasoning, oral and written communication.
    4. apply concepts from advanced specialty courses.
    5. Demonstrate comprehension of emotional intelligence and moral leadership concepts.
    6. Evaluate trends in healthcare.

The Radiation Sciences BS Entry-Level Program is accredited for 8 years by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT), 20 North Wacker Drive, Suite 2850, Chicago, IL 60606-3182; telephone: 312/704-5300. The program is also approved by the Radiologic Health Branch (RHB) of the state of California, Department of Public Health MS 7610, P.O. Box 997414, Sacramento, CA 95899-7414; telephone: 916/327-5106.

https://www.jrcert.org/programs/loma-linda-university/

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

  • High school completion from an accredited institution, or a passing score on the GED exam.
  • A minimum of 45 quarter units (or 30 semester units) completed at an accredited college or university, including appropriate AP courses. 
  • Observation experience—A minimum of eight hours of career observation in a radiology department. Please contact the LLU-SAHP Radiation Technology department to obtain the appropriate form.
  • Submission of an online application to the program.
  • A prerequisite GPA of 2.5 minimum; however, a competitive GPA of 3.0 or higher is preferred.
  •  

Prerequisites 

Courses are listed as they relate to general education domains. Courses preceded by an asterisk (*) are prerequisites. 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 matriculation 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 is required to satisfy a content area.

Domain 3: Scientific Inquiry and Quantitative Reasoning (minimum 12 quarter units)

  • *Human anatomy and physiology, complete sequence (typically two courses, with a lab for each course)

Domain 4: Social Sciences (minimum 12 quarter units)

  • Units must be selected from at least two of the following  content areas: anthropology, economics, geography, political sciences, psychology, and sociology. A minimum of 3 quarter units is required to satisfy a content area.
  • 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).
  • *Psychology (introduction, general, or developmental) OR sociology (introduction or general). Psychology is preferred.   

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 and 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

*College Algebra or higher 

Sophomore
Autumn QuarterUnits
AHCJ 326Fundamentals of Health Care2
PSYC 1011,10Introduction to Psychology4
RTMR 202Clinical Orientation1
RTMR 224Legal Issues in Medical Radiography1
RTMR 246Professional Communication & Presentation2
RTMR 253Medical Radiography Procedures I3
RTMR 253LMedical Radiography Procedures Laboratory I1
RTMR 285Principles of Radiography I3
Winter Quarter
RTCH 371Radiography Clinical Affiliation I2
RTMR 221Radiologic Patient Care2
RTMR 254Medical Radiography Procedures II3
RTMR 254LMedical Radiography Procedures Laboratory II1
RTMR 282Imaging Physics, Radiobiology, and Radiation Protection3
RTMR 286Principles of Radiography II2
SPAN 101 Introduction to Spanish1,104
Spring Quarter
ANTH 3151,10Cultural Anthropology4
RTCH 372Radiography Clinical Affiliation II3
RTMR 247Languages for Radiographers1
RTMR 255Medical Radiography Procedures III3
RTMR 255LMedical Radiography Procedures Laboratory III1
RTMR 325Radiologic Pathology1
REL_ 4__ Religion course103
Junior Year
Autumn Quarter
AHCJ 2251,10History of Radiation and Imaging 1890-19403
RTCH 32410Introduction to Imaging and Therapeutic Modalities in the Radiation Sciences3
RTCH 374Radiography Clinical Affiliation IV3
RTCH 46410Moral Leadership3
REL_ 4__ Religion course103
Winter Quarter
AHCJ 2261,10History of Radiation and Imaging 1940-Present Day3
AHCJ 31810Emotional Intelligence and Leadership Skills for Health-Care Professionals3
REL_ 4__Religion course103
RTCH 375Radiography Clinical Affiliation V3
RTCH 48910Effective Communication for Supervisors3
RTSI 36710Cross-sectional Radiographic Anatomy2
Spring Quarter
AHRM 47510Health-Care Research and Statistics4
RTCH 376Radiography Clinical Affiliation VI3
RTCH 38510Radiologic Trends in Health Care2
RTSI 361 (MRI specialty only)10MRI Physics I2
RTII 35410Introduction to Informatics3
Summer Quarter
RTCH 373Radiography Clinical Affiliation III3
RTCH 38710Writing for Health-Care Professionals3
RTCH 46710Management of a Radiologic Service3
RTCH 4912,10Portfolio I3
PSYC 2261,10Life-Span Development4
Senior Year
Autumn Quarter
DTCS 3011,10Human Nutrition3
PEAC 1101,10Independent Activities1
RTCH 378Radiography Clinical Affiliation VIII1
RTCH 4922,10Portfolio II3
Advanced Specialty Classes102-8
Advanced Specialty Clinic**3
Winter Quarter
RTCH 379**Radiography Clinical Affiliation IX1
RTMR 363Comprehensive Review I2
PHIL 204 Introduction to Philosophy1,103
Advanced Specialty Classes102-8
Advanced Specialty Clinic**3
Spring Quarter
RTCH 380**Radiography Clinical Affiliation X1
PEAC 1101,10Independent Activities1
RTCH 327Professional Development1
RTMR 365Comprehensive Review II3
Advanced Specialty Classes104-8
Advanced Specialty Clinic**3
Summer Quarter
RTCH 377Radiography Clinical Affiliation VII1
REL_ 4__ Religion course103
Advanced Specialty Classes105-10
Advanced Specialty Clinic**3
 Total Units: 161-182
**

If necessary in consultation with advisor. 

1

GE if necessary to meet degree requirement in consultation with advisor. 

2

Meets service-learning requirement 

10

Online class

 Advanced Specialty Courses

AHCJ 305. Infectious Disease and the Health-Care Provider. 1 unit
AHCJ 402. Pathology I. 4 units
AHCJ 403. Pathology II. 3 units
CEPT 245 Cardiovascular Anatomy and Physiology. 3 units
CEPT 251. Cardiac Electrophysiology and Rhythm Recognition I. 2 units
CEPT 252. Cardiac Electrophysiology and Rhythm Recognition II. 2 units
HCBL 346. Legal and Ethical Environment in Health Care. 3 units
HCBL 434. Financial Management for Health Care. 3 units
HLIN 430. Quality Management and Performance Improvement in Health Care. 3 units
RTCH 364: Comprehensive Laboratory Review. 1 unit
RTCH 384. Topics in Radiation Technology. 1-4 Units.
RTCH 413. Management Practicum I. 3 units
RTCH 450. Advanced Imaging Clinical Affiliation. 3-12 units
RTCH 454 Computed Tomography Clinical Affiliation. 3-12 units
RTCH 455 MRI Clinical Affiliation. 3-12 units
RTCH 456 Cardiac Interventional Clinical Affiliation. 3-12 units
RTCH 457 Vascular Interventional Clinical Affiliation. 3-12 units
RTCH 458 Mammography Clinical Affiliation. 3-12 units
RTCH 480 Mammography Principles and Procedures. 3 units
RTCH 485 Digital Management in Radiology. 3 units
RTED 415 Teaching Practicum in the Radiation Sciences. 3 units
RTED 475 Curriculum Development for the Radiation Sciences. 3 units
RTED 476 Adult Learning Theory for the Radiation Science Student. 3 units
RTED 477 Learning Activities and Assessment for the Radiation Sciences. 3 units
RTII 354 Introduction to Informatics. 3 units
RTMR 384 Topics in Medical Radiography. 1-3 units
RTSI 344 Pharmacology for Imaging Professionals. 4 units
RTSI 345 Cardiac/Interventional Procedures. 3 units
RTSI 351 Angio/Interventional Procedures I. 3 units
RTSI 352 Angio/Interventional Procedures II. 3 units
RTSI 356 Vascular Anatomy and Physiology. 3 units
RTSI 359 Vascular Imaging Review. 1 unit
RTSI 360 Cardiac Imaging Review. 1 unit
RTSI 361 MRI Physics I. 2 units
RTSI 362 MRI Physics II. 2 units
RTSI 364 CT Patient Care and Procedures. 2 units
RTSI 365 MRI Patient Care and Procedures. 2 units
RTSI 369 CT Physics. 2 units

Time to Degree

  • Four (4) years — three (3) years (eleven academic quarters) at LLU — full-time enrollment.
  • One-year prerequisite coursework.