Advanced Imaging Courses
Expand your primary imaging credentials with additional post-primary certifications in Computed Tomography (CT), Mammography (MAMMO), and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) courses.
Program Details
Pennsylvania College of Health Sciences offers courses to students enrolled in the BSHS program or in Open Studies to become eligible for post-primary certifications in CT, MAMMO, and MRI. The courses are designed to meet structured educational and clinical requirements established by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT).
Both the theory and clinical course designs includes flexibility for the individual who is working. The theory courses are offered in a 5-week accelerated online format, where the clinical courses offer flexibility in the amount of credits or time spent in clinical. Contact the college’s admission team for more information.
Theory Courses
RAD 301 Principles of Computed Tomography
(3-credit online course, Spring Semester)
The course includes in-depth instruction and guidance in the study of the principles of computerized tomography (CT). Successful students will be prepared to take the ARRT CT examination and will also be prepared for entry level practice as a CT technologist. Areas of instruction include imaging processes and procedures, CT physics, patient care and radiation protection processes.
RAD 311 Magnetic Resonance Imaging
(3-credit online course, Spring Semester)
The course provides an introduction to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Areas of instruction include patient care, imaging procedures and physics, instrumentation, and ARRT MRI registry preparation.
RAD 360 Mammography
(3-credit online course, Spring Semester)
This course is designed to provide radiologic technologists with specific education required for advanced certification in mammography. This course includes breast anatomy and physiology, fundamental mammography positioning, pathology and treatment of breast disease and interventional
procedures. Additionally, the foundational concepts of both analog and digital mammographic equipment, quality assurance and quality control equipment and film critique will be discussed.
Clinical Courses
RAD 302 Computed Tomography Clinical
(1- to 5-credit clinical course, 60- 300 hours in clinical).
This course includes in-depth instruction and guidance in the study of the principles of Computerized Tomography (CT). Successful students will gain knowledge in imaging processes and procedures, CT physics, patient care, and reradiation protection to properly prepare them for the ARRT CT post-primary certification exam.
Students have the flexibility in creating their own clinical schedule to meet the registered credit hours in clinical time. Students will be assigned to one clinical site to complete the necessary procedures outlined by the ARRT. Students are required to register for a minimum of 2 credits or 120 hours in clinical the first semester; any subsequent semesters student may then register for 1 credit. On average, students register for 3 credits (180 hours of clinical) to complete the required procedures and become eligible for the ARRT CT exam in one semester. Students must be a certified imaging technologist to take this course. Students may take this course and RAD 301 simultaneously.
RAD 312 MRI Clinical
(1- to 5-credit clinical course, 60- 300 hours in clinical)
This course is designed to provide the technologist with the clinical experience to apply for the ARRT advanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging certification examination. Instruction will emphasize screening and safety, pathology,
imaging protocols, patient care and contrast media use and preparation explicit to MRI scanning.
Students have the flexibility in creating their own clinical schedule to meet the registered credit hours in clinical time. Students will be assigned to one clinical site to complete the necessary procedures outlined by the ARRT. Students are required to register for a minimum of 2 credits or 120 hours in clinical the first semester; any subsequent semesters student may then register for 1 credit. Due to the nature of MRI scans taking longer to complete, students should plan to take this course more than one semester to complete the ARRT requirements. Students must be a certified imaging technologist and complete RAD 311 prior to taking this course.
RAD 361 Mammography Clinical
(1-credit clinical course, 60 hours in clinical)
Instruction in this course is designed to provide the radiologic technologist with the clinical experience required for advance certification in mammography. Students will engage in mammography exams, quality control tests, patient education, interventional and special examinations of the breast and radiographic image analysis.
Students have the flexibility in creating their own clinical schedule to meet the 60 hours in clinical time. Students must be a certified radiologic technologist and complete RAD 360 prior to taking this course.
View the ARRT Post-Primary Certification requirements here:
Admission Requirements
This program is open to professionals who hold an associate degree in a specified health care field.
View Requirements
