Mission
The mission of the Associate of Science in Radiography program is to provide undergraduate students with academic and clinical foundations to competently perform as radiographers that provide quality patient care, actively participate in the profession, possess the ability to specialize in advanced degree programs and/or imaging specialties, and pursue life-long learning.
Role of the Radiologic Technologist
The South College AS Radiography program prepares students to become members of the health care team in a variety of settings. Radiologic Technologists must be sensitive to patients’ physical and psychological needs, pay attention to detail, follow instructions, work as part of a team, and demonstrate mechanical ability and manual dexterity. Radiologic Technologists operate sophisticated equipment to help physicians, surgeons, and other health practitioners diagnose and treat patients.
Radiologic Technologist Certification
Students successfully completing the Associate of Science degree program are eligible to apply for admission to write the certification examination administered by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists. Successful completion of the ARRT examination provides licensure to practice as a registered radiographer. Students convicted of a felony or misdemeanor may be excluded from clinical experience and/or taking the certification examination.
Overview of the Associate of Science in Radiography Program
The AS Radiography program is designed for students to complete degree requirements in two years. The program is offered in an onground or hybrid delivery method. Both course delivery methods may not be offered at each campus. The degree curriculum integrates didactic and clinical instruction with increasing expectations at each level. A combination of courses from the general education core and the radiography major are required. Clinical sites utilized by the program are geographically dispersed. Students may have to travel outside the local area for clinical placements. Some evening and weekend rotations may be required. Students must complete a separate application to the Radiography program and secure formal admission to the program.
OnGround Delivery
The program is offered in an onground delivery model at the Asheville, Atlanta, Indianapolis, Knoxville, Nashville, Orlando, and Pittsburgh campuses. Onground cohorts are admitted in January at the Asheville, Atlanta, Knoxville, Nashville, Orlando, and Pittsburgh campuses. The Indianapolis campus admits onground cohorts in October and April.
Employing an onground approach, the curriculum integrates the finest elements of face-to-face learning interactions, immersive on-campus laboratory sessions, and clinical education experiences to meet the program objectives. The Associate of Science in Radiography (RAD) program offers a diverse array of instructional techniques tailored for in-person delivery and active participation using slide presentation, whiteboard explanations, group discussions, and multimedia displays. Learning takes on a more hands-on and experiential form when students engage in on-campus and in-person laboratory courses.
Hybrid Delivery
The program is offered in a hybrid delivery model at the Asheville, Knoxville, Nashville, and Pittsburgh campuses. Admission months for cohorts rotate.
Using a hybrid learning model, the curriculum combines the best aspects of online learning activities and interactions, hands-on, on-campus laboratory courses, and collaborative clinical education experiences into an innovative and dynamic learning experience. The Associate of Science in Radiography (RAD) program provides a variety of instructional methods in the online delivery of didactic instruction that includes but is not limited to, synchronous and asynchronous lectures, videos, faculty-led discussions, and assignments. Blended learning occurs when students attend hands-on labs, which will be conducted onground at the campus.
Student Outcomes of the AS Radiography Program
Graduates of this program of study will:
Program Goal #1:
The program will graduate clinically competent students.
Student Learning Outcomes:
- Students will demonstrate proper patient positioning.
- Students will exercise ALARA principles to minimize radiation exposure.
- Students will provide appropriate patient care.
Program Goal #2:
The program will graduate students who communicate effectively.
Student Learning Outcomes:
- Students will effectively communicate with patients.
- Students will effectively present to a group of imaging professionals.
- Students will demonstrate written communication skills.
Program Goal #3:
The program will graduate students who will demonstrate effective critical thinking and problem solving skills.
Student Learning Outcomes:
- Students will perform “non-routine” procedures requiring critical thinking skills.
- Students will adapt to changes and varying clinical situations.
Program Goal #4:
The program will graduate students who will demonstrate professionalism and growth.
Student Learning Outcomes:
- Students will demonstrate professionalism in the clinical setting.
- Students will abide by federal guidelines regarding patient privacy.
The program will continually monitor program effectiveness through assessment and evaluation to ensure that the needs of the community are met.
Admission Requirements
General admission to South College does not guarantee admission to the Associate of Science degree program. Applicants interested in this program are required to visit the college and meet individually with an admissions representative and program faculty to ascertain if their goals can be met by the college. Prospective students declaring Radiography as their major must be generally admitted to South College and meet the following requirements in order to be considered for full admission to the program:
- Complete the South College Imaging Science program application by the stated deadline above.
- Submit documentation of a minimum high school and/or college cumulative GPA of 2.5 or above. All official transcripts must be provided.*
- Meet minimum score requirements on the college entrance examination, OR present documentation of a score of 19 or higher on the ACT Assessment examination, OR present documentation of a 900 combined score or higher on the SAT I examination, OR meet the South College requirements for admission as a transfer student.
- Obtain a minimum grade of “C” or better in one unit of high school biological or physical science. If one unit of high school science has not been earned, a college-level course in chemistry, physics, or biology is required.
- Admission to the cohort is based on the successful completion or transfer of the following prerequisite courses or their equivalents with a grade of “C” or better in a maximum of two attempts. If a student is unsuccessful in two attempts of any of the listed courses at South College, they will no longer be eligible for the program. Withdrawal from the same course twice at South College will count as a failed attempt.
- Complete a mandatory on-ground or online information session.
- Meet specific health and/or essential functions pertinent to the responsibilities performed by the Radiographer. Drug and background screening is required by clinical affiliates. Failure to pass the screen may disqualify a student as a candidate for admission.
- Be able to commit to full participation in a rigorous educational program that requires class participation (whether onground or online depending on track), on campus lab participation, significant out-of-class preparation time, and clinical education assignments off-campus, which may require travel of 1-3 hours round trip. Some clinical rotations may occur in the evening and/or on the weekend.
*Each of these areas is used to rank applicants for full program admission. If minimum standards are met by more applying students than clinical seats, these rankings determine program admission.
Professional Liability Insurance Requirement
All students must be covered under a professional liability and general liability insurance policy during all clinical education. South College has contracted to provide a student blanket medical liability occurrence policy that insures Radiography students for $3 million per incident and $5 million aggregate. The professional liability insurance expense is covered by the Institution.
The Associate of Science in Radiography degree program is currently offered at the Knoxville, Asheville, Atlanta, Indianapolis, Nashville, Orlando, and Pittsburgh campuses (Onground). The Asheville, Knoxville, Nashville, and Pittsburgh campuses also offer a Hybrid format.