Is It Time to Advance your Career?

Completing your Bachelor's Degree Online is Easier Than You Think!

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Loma Linda University's Bachelor of Science in Radiation Science program is unique because it offers a flexible learning program at a competitive tuition rate. Students can choose part-time and full-time options, allowing them to work around their busy professional schedules. Average part-time students can complete their degree in 1-2 years  depending on transfer credits from their entry level imaging program. You may be closer than you think! Contact us to find out!

START HERE: Attend a free online information session to gain information about this program, as well as other options for growing your career. 

Program Resources

BSRS Program Components

The Bachelor's in Radiation Sciences is comprised of the following elements:

  1. Professional Core (a student's entry-level imaging degree, such as medical radiography) taken prior to program entry. This usually takes 2 years full-time.
  2. BSRS Program Core (required for all students to take): 1 year part-time.
  3. BSRS Program Emphasis (customized focus of the degree): 1 year part-time.
  4. Loma Linda University general education requirements (General Education) for baccalaureate degrees. Contact the program director for guidance.

BSRS Program Portfolio: Part of the core curriculum, students will be required to complete a ePortfolio comprised of academic and professional work, a signature project, and service learning (40 hours).

Program Objectives

  1. Provide an ethically-based leadership program that enables graduates to serve communities in the imaging professions.
  2. Graduate administrators, educators, imaging informatics professionals, and clinical imaging professionals who advance the imaging professions through advocacy and professional practice.

How to Begin

  •  Step 1: Contact the program director for advisement (work-up). Email is best. Send a copy of your transcripts if you have them, the emphasis in which you may be interested, and the state in which you live.
  •  Step 2: Once you have a work-up complete, you will meet with the program director for an advisement session.
  •  Step 3: Apply to the program
  •  Step 4: Arrange to have your official transcripts sent directly to the Office of Admissions for the School of Allied Health Professions. Official transcripts must be sent directly to LLU from the school where credits were earned.

Admissions Requirements

  • The prospective student must have certification from the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) or equivalent specialty certification. Eligibility to continue is subject to student's obtaining certification. It should be understood that the University will not sign or validate registry documents of students who obtained their training in another program.
  • The prospective student must be a graduate of an approved program (or the equivalent) in Radiologic Technology, Computed Tomography, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Radiation Therapy, Nuclear Medicine, or Diagnostic Medical Sonography (Ultrasound).
  • Prospective students should not expect admission into the program if their cumulative grade point average is below 2.5 (science and non-science subjects are computed separately).
  • Prospective students are advised to apply six months prior to the quarter of entry (see program start dates below).
  • Prospective students are advised to contact the program director prior to applying to discuss requirements and establish an academic learning plan.
  • Prospective students from entry-level programs (medical radiography, sonography, etc.) who are eligible to take their professional board examination(s) for certification, but who have not had the opportunity to do so, are given provisional status for one quarter.
  • Prospective students must reside (for the entirety of their degree) in a state that has authorized LLU to teach distance education. 
    Please refer to the LLU State Authorization page for additional information

Program Start Dates

Students can enter the BSRS program any quarter: 

  • Summer Start Applications - Open Nov 1st - Close April 1st
  • Fall Start Applications - Open Feb 1st - Close July 1st
  • Winter Start Applications - Open May 1st - Close Oct 1st
  • Spring Start Applications - Open Sept 1st - Close Feb 1st

Program Length

Depending on the transfer of units, emphasis selection, and degree requirements, students will be required to complete between 36 and 100 units. On average (between 2015-2021), students take 61 quarter units to complete their degree. Between 2015 and 2021, the average student took 2.25 years to complete their degree, averaging 7 units per term (half-time status). For students who do not require an area of emphasis (it is transferred in), the average is closer to 1 year.

Emphasis Information

Students have the ability to custom tailor their degree by choosing an area of emphasis in which to focus their studies:

  • Administration: 1 year, 24 units - Online
  • Education: 1 year, 24 units - Online
  • Science (PA, Pre-Med, and other advanced degrees): 15-20 quarter units selected from the natural sciences in the areas of biology, microbiology, chemistry, math, statistics, or physics. Courses must be taken from two different content areas with the approval of the program director. These courses are taken at your local college/university. A minimum grade of C+ (2.3) is required for all courses. In many cases, students have already completed many of these courses.
  • Clinical Practice: The didactic (not including clinical units) coursework from a clinically-based imaging specialty (diagnostic sonography, cardiac sonography, nuclear medicine, radiation therapy, dosimetry) can be applied to the BSRS online core classes to complete the BSRS program 
  • Special Imaging - CT/MRI: This program offers certificates, as well as an emphasis in the BSRS program.
  • Cardiovascular Imaging: This program offers certificates, as well as an emphasis in the BSRS program.

A maximum of 70 semester or 105 quarter units from an accredited community college will be accepted, not including units for clinical training. Students who have completed a hospital training program are allowed up to 50 community college-level units of academic credit on the basis of their registry certificate (ARRT)

Degree Emphases

Students have the ability to custom tailor their degree by choosing an area of emphasis in which to focus their studies. Each emphasis is 24 units in addition to the BSRS Core curriculum. The average student completes the program in 2 years as a part-time student (full-time options available). Click the corresponding links to learn more:

  • Education Emphasis - ONLINE
    • Pursuing career advancement in education is fun, challenging, and rewarding! The radiation sciences needs quality teachers equipped with current evidence-based theory of learning and teaching.
  • Administration Emphasis - ONLINE
    • The radiation sciences needs educated and experienced administrators equipped with current evidence-based theory of leadership, management, finances, decision making, and human resources.
  • Cardiac and Vascular Imaging Emphasis 
    • Cardiac Interventional (CI) and Vascular Interventional (VI) technologists work in a highly specialized field operating sophisticated imaging equipment. This technology provides detailed fluoroscopic images of the human body, assisting physicians with quality patient diagnosis and treatment.
  • Imaging Informatics (PACS) Administration Emphasis

Accreditation: Assuring Quality

The BSRS program is accredited by WASC (Western Association of Schools and Colleges) which provides the option to transfer credits or to pursue other health care related options at LLU.  

What can I do with this degree?

The program is highly flexible, creating a multitude of opportunities for graduates to advance career or academic goals.

  • 40% of our graduates complete an emphasis in science, allowing them to advance in to programs such as PA (our most common), MS Radiologist Assistant, Medicine, OT, PT, and other degrees such as the MSRA.
  • 20% of students complete the administration emphasis. This emphasis allows for entry-level supervision positions, advanced degrees (as stated above), employment with imaging vendors, and other employment opportunities requiring a BS degree.
  • 20% of students complete the education emphasis or imaging informatics (PACS). These emphases allow for basic instruction in the medical imaging professions, PACS administration, and more. Students also find employment in positions requiring a BS degree or entry into advanced degrees (as states above). Several graduates of the informatics emphasis have found employment with imaging vendors such as Agfa.
  • 20% of students complete an emphasis in advanced modalities such as CT, MRI, Cardiac Imaging, Vascular Imaging, Sonography, Radiation Therapy, and Nuclear Medicine. These emphases also allow for entry into advanced degrees or employment opportunities requiring a BS degree.

For information on wage differences between degrees and certifications, visit the ASRT wage and salary survey report.

Contact Us

Brigit Mendoza

REQUEST INFORMATION

Brigit Mendoza, M.A.M., R.T. (R)
Program Director
bcmendoza@llu.edu

Department of Radiation Technology
School of Allied Health Professions, Room A-829
Loma Linda, CA 92350
909-558-4931