Top 10 X-Ray Tech School Online

In this article, we will be discussing the Top 10 x-ray tech schools online and x-ray technician certificate programs. Radiology is a medical specialty that diagnoses and treats injury and disease using medical imaging procedures such as X-rays and ultrasound. Although all radiology professionals have studied the subject, some have earned advanced degrees and thus earn higher annual salaries. For example, licensed radiologic technologists only need an associate degree to work in this field and earn a median annual salary of $63,710, but a bachelor’s degree can boost their wages and job prospects by demonstrating greater knowledge and clinical experience to employers.

Top 10 X-Ray Tech School Online

1. Oregon Institute of Technology

The Oregon Institute of Technology’s online Bachelor of Science in Radiologic Science degree completion program allows practicing registered radiologic technologists to finish their bachelor’s degree and qualify for a master’s program. The institute may accept transfer credits from professional registries and courses completed at other institutions, and registered technologists in good standing receive 89 credits at the start of the program. Part-time study is possible for the 199-credit online program. Students must also complete a clinical externship at their place of employment as part of the program.

Students complete assignments asynchronously via Canvas and have a set amount of time to complete them. Many courses include a lab component that students complete at their place of employment. Optional web conferencing sessions are held using Zoom. Scholarships and financial aid are available, as well as a payment plan offered by the institute. Students can apply online and request supporting documents for the winter, spring, summer, or fall terms. Career services, peer tutoring, and testing are all available to online students through the Student Success Center.

2. Pima Medical Institute

Certified radiologists who are currently working in the field or have recently graduated from a radiography program will benefit from Pima Medical Institute’s online Bachelor of Science in Radiologic Sciences degree completion program. Health Care Law and Compliance, Advanced Modalities, Culture, and Human Diversity, Statistics, Spanish, Technical Writing, and Pathophysiology are among the courses offered to students. Students must complete a four-credit capstone project in order to graduate. Based on their certification, students receive 46 radiography credits and can transfer up to 15 general education and nine related credits. 

If students transfer general education courses and previously completed radiography courses, they can complete the 120-credit program in 17 months. Asynchronous methods are used to deliver classes online. Students can apply for federal and campus-based financial aid. The career services office assists students in locating internships and jobs after graduation, as well as providing online job search advice. Students must first speak with an online admissions adviser, who will also assist them in transferring credits into the program. Academic planning, tutoring resources, and financial aid are all available to online students.

3. Upstate Medical University

Upstate Medical University’s Bachelor of Professional Studies in Medical Imaging Science is a 48-credit degree completion program. This degree is for professionals who have already earned an associate degree in imaging or a bachelor’s degree in another field and are already certified or eligible to be certified by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (AART). Students can specialize in CT or MRI scanning while earning this degree, and they can complete the program in one year or three semesters after applying for their transfer credits.

This x ray tech school online uses the Blackboard learning management system to deliver online courses. Students take most classes on an asynchronous basis online, but clinical experiences must be completed in person during the week. These can be arranged in their immediate surroundings. Students can apply for federal grants and loans to help pay for tuition and some living expenses, and the school also offers an Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) to help students in need. 

Every year in early March, Upstate Medical University accepts applications for this program, and students begin in the fall. For online students, the school offers a variety of support services, as well as career services for students nearing the end of their programs.

4. Boise State University

The online Bachelor of Science in Imaging Sciences from Boise State University is a degree completion program designed specifically for imaging professionals with previous credentials. The online curriculum at Boise State meets the standards set forth by the American Society of Radiologic Technology (ASRT) for undergraduate degrees. Preventive methods, patient care, research and analysis, law, and health care information technology are all covered in the Boise State Radiology program. A minimum GPA of 2.7 is required of students.

The Canvas learning management platform is used by Boise State University to deliver asynchronous content. Idaho students can apply for a variety of scholarships. For four semesters, the Presidential Scholarship awards $2,500 per semester. Throughout their four years at Boise State, the True Blue Promise Scholarship awards $2,000 per semester. 

Applicants must submit an online application through the university’s website. Students must have completed an Associate of Science, Associate of Arts, or Associate of Applied Science degree, be registered with the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT), and be currently employed as a medical imager to be admitted to this program.

5. Cox College

The 120-credit online Bachelor of Science in Diagnostic Imaging program offers specializations in computed tomography (CT), interventional radiography (IR), DMS echocardiography (ECH), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and healthcare leadership. The length of the degree programs varies. Students can finish the CT program in 4-6 months or the IR program in two semesters, for example. While all classes are online, students can complete their clinical rotations at one of several Missouri hospitals, or the school can assist in arranging clinical experiences in other states.

For video lectures, contact with professors, and interactive clinical work, students use the Canvas Learning Management System and ARC Media. The CoxHealth Foundation and CoxHealth Auxiliary offer merit and need-based scholarships to students. Graduates of this program, according to Cox, have a 99 percent first-time pass rate on licensure exams and a 100 percent job placement rate. 

For both college admission and the BSDI program, in particular, students must apply online. Advisors at Cox will assist students in transferring credits from other institutions. August, January, and May are the months when classes begin.

6. University of Oklahoma

The College of Allied Health at the University of Oklahoma offers an online Bachelor of Science in Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences – Radiation Sciences. This degree completion program is for imaging professionals who already work in the field or have a certificate. Correlative imaging, health administration, instrumentation, and safety are among the topics covered in the program, which concludes with a multidisciplinary capstone seminar. Depending on transfer credits, students can complete their degree in as little as 18 months.

Students use the Canvas learning management system for their classes, but they can also use tools like Zoom, MyMedia, and TopHat. The program accepts transfer credits as well as work experience credits, and students can cover tuition costs with grants and loans. The program also includes an interdisciplinary component that prepares students to work in a healthcare setting across multiple departments, making them more marketable. Students must apply by June 1 for the fall semester, and by November 1 for the spring semester. Interested students can request a transcript review to see which of their previous courses are transferable. 

7. University of Cincinnati

For students who already have a certification and an associate degree in medical imaging or radiation therapy, the University of Cincinnati offers an online Bachelor of Radiation Science Technology degree completion program. The program is 60 online credit hours long and can be completed full-time or part-time. An internship and a capstone project are also required. Students will take administrative, leadership, and advanced clinical courses in addition to general liberal arts core courses. The course is completely online. The Canvas learning management system allows for asynchronous learning. Some classes run for seven weeks, while others run for fourteen weeks.

Military benefits, federal financial aid, scholarships, and payment plans are all available, and online students can use career services for job search assistance. Students can apply online for the summer, fall, or spring semesters. Upon admission, each student is assigned an academic adviser and a Student Success Coordinator. Tutoring, virtual access to the library and writing center, and technical support are all available to online students.

8. IUPUI

Medical imaging technology principles and procedures, anatomy and pathology, research, advanced diagnostic imaging, medical imaging theory, ethics and health professionals, and more are all covered in IUPUI’s online Bachelor of Science in Medical Imaging Technology. This 120-credit program can be completed part-time or full-time. The program is taught by faculty from multiple Indiana University campuses. IUPUI students use the Canvas learning management system to access their courses. Writing assignments, discussion boards, lectures, videos, quizzes, and other activities may be included in classes.

Financial aid is available to students through the x-ray tech school online. Veterans and military personnel (as well as their dependents) have access to the school’s Veterans and Military Personnel Office. IUPUI Career Services is available to students. Prospective students must fill out an application and submit any supporting documents online. Applications are reviewed as they are received on a rolling basis. IUPUI offers personalized application assistance, interactive orientation services, success coaching, math and writing assistance, career services, online library resources, and 24/7 support to online students.

9. Midwestern State University-Texas

Midwestern State University-Texas offers an online Bachelor of Science in Radiologic Sciences degree completion program for licensed radiologists. The 130-credit program includes 51 general education credits, such as history, mathematics, speech, and government; 33 hours of advanced professional courses; and 42 professional certification credits for students who hold a radiology license. Students may be eligible for academic credit if they complete an internship. Before graduating, the program requires that you pass a writing test. It can be done full-time or part-time.

Coursework is primarily asynchronous and completed online using the D2L platform. Except for speech, which students can take in person or at another university, all classes are online. Students may also receive credit for some courses through testing and may transfer other general education course credits with approval. Students can only take two courses in the first semester, but they can take up to four in subsequent semesters if they perform well. The university provides transfer students with scholarships as well as other forms of financial aid.

Prospective students must apply online and be accepted to both the university and the program. Students who study online have access to the bookstore and research databases, as well as academic advisers and coursework and writing tutoring.

10. University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences

The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences offers an online bachelor’s degree completion program in radiologic imaging sciences. Professionals with an Associate of Science in Medical Imaging or an Associate of Applied Science in Radiologic Technology who have completed 35 hours of prerequisites are eligible for this degree. A clinical practicum and between 25 and 40 additional credits are required for the program. English, algebra, humanities, anatomy, and social sciences are all required courses. 

Students must take required courses in special population imaging, advanced patient care, and current health-care issues. Electives include mammographic procedures, cardiac interventional procedures, and MRI physics. Students should work as radiographers and take classes part-time, according to the university. ExamSoft, O2, blog sites, Wikispaces, and Google apps are all used to supplement the Blackboard learning management system. Scholarships and tuition waivers are available, as well as emergency loans.

Supplementary documents are mailed after applications are completed online. Fall, spring, and summer admissions applications are accepted. The bookstore, writing assistance, and access to the university’s Student Success Center are all available to online students.

Online X-ray Programs: Common Courses

Although radiology programs differ in their course offerings, most of them have a few courses in common. This is because professors want to train diagnostic imaging specialists who can not only perform one set of tests but also cross-train on new technology to meet their employers’ needs. We’ve listed a few of the classes that most radiology students will take below.

1. Fundamentals of Computed Tomography: Students learn how to use CT scans to diagnose illnesses and injuries, as well as their limitations. Professors instruct on the scan process, including safety protocols and contrast agent administration. Professors may cover basic interpretation of results, even though doctors are responsible for diagnoses.
2. Introduction to Diagnostic Medical Sonography: The use of sound waves to retrieve images is covered in this course. Students learn how to use sonography in real-life situations, such as echocardiograms for cardiovascular imaging and ultrasound in obstetrics and gynecology. A patient care, professional behavior, and ethics are all topics covered by the faculty.
3. Introduction to MRI: This course covers the fundamentals of MRI, including how to operate the equipment and interpret the results. Students learn about the physical processes involved in revealing organs and tissues using magnets and contrast agents. Faculty emphasize patient safety around magnets and common reactions to MRI tube immersion.
4. Physics in Diagnostic Imaging: Faculty teach the scientific principles that allow machines to render diagnostic images in diagnostic imaging. Image formation and processing, magnetism, and basic electronics may all be covered in class. Students learn about contrast (including the use of nuclear medicine) and the effects of the body’s structures on imaging, which will be covered in greater depth in later courses.
5. Sectional Anatomy: Students studying radiology learn about the human body’s systems and how they interact. Professors frequently debate which imaging apparatus best reveals each system. The emphasis is on the physical plane visible in various types of images, as well as the limitations of each.

How to Apply to a Program

It’s time to apply after you’ve made a list of your top colleges. Because online radiology bachelor’s degrees are almost all completion programs, their application processes are often similar to those of on-campus programs.

1. Fill out an online application: Students enter their personal information so that the college can keep track of who they are and what they’ve already accomplished. Some x-ray tech schools online may require applicants to submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at this time in order to begin receiving financial aid consideration.

2. Official transcripts must be submitted: Students must request that official transcripts from their associate degree institution be sent to the new college. Most x-ray tech schools online have a minimum GPA requirement, which is usually between 2.5 and 3.0.

3. Provide registration proof: Applicants must demonstrate that they have passed at least one radiology certification exam, which varies by program. Prospects may need to request proof of registration from one of the following organizations, or an admissions officer may use a website-based verification tool:

• American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS)
• American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT)
• Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board (NMTCB)

4. Provide additional evidence: Some colleges ask for 1-3 letters of recommendation from professors or managers, others for a written reflection or responses to a series of essay questions, and most will request a resume if the applicant has professional work experience.

The Value of an Accredited Online X-ray Tech Degree

Accreditation is an important qualification to consider for all future college students. Every college on OnlineU is nationally or regionally accredited, ensuring that your education is legitimate and that your credits will transfer to any future master’s degree program. Most radiologic specializations require students to complete an accredited program before taking the licensing exam. Before committing, prospective students should double-check that an online bachelor’s degree is also accredited at the program level. 

Most radiologic specializations require students to complete an accredited program before taking the licensing exam. The organizations that accredit radiology programs, as well as the specialties they cover, are listed below.

• American Registry of Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists: MRI
• Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs: Diagnostic medical sonography
• Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology: Radiography, MRI, and medical dosimetry
• Joint Review Committee on Educational Programs in Nuclear Medicine Technology: Nuclear medicine technology

Review the licensure requirements in the state where you want to practice to ensure that your program is accredited by the proper body.

Conclusion

If you’re interested in pursuing a career in radiology, there are several colleges that offer online bachelor’s degrees in the field. These x-ray tech schools online offer a variety of specialized paths with a variety of concentrations, but they are all degree-completion programs for registered radiologic technologists (also called radiographers). Most schools accept 70-90 transfer credits from an associate degree in radiology, allowing students to begin advanced imaging coursework right away.

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