Radiologic technologists make up the third-largest group of healthcare professionals—surpassed in number only by physicians and nurses. A primary responsibility of many technologists is to create images of patients’ bodies using the latest in digital imaging technology.
Welcome to the Medical Radiography program webpage. Please look at the content here to help answer questions about pre-requisite coursework requirements, our admissions window, program cost, program curriculum, and much more. This program has been around for decades and the leadership team works to improve the experience for our students every year. There are many programs that can prepare you for the radiography (ARRT) board exam, however, the program here at LLU has a longstanding tradition of going beyond the content specification to help students grow into a professional that is ready to lead and advance their careers. In addition, the faith-based health care and service-learning aspect of the University provide a much richer experience that is unique to Loma Linda University. I hope you consider becoming a future student here within the School of Allied Health Professions on your journey towards becoming a radiologic technologist.
Will Edmunds, M.Ed., R.T. (R)
I love being a radiography student at Loma Linda University. LLU allows me to have a balance of spiritual, mental, and physical wholeness, which allows me to appreciate my blessings and cherish my life's journey. In the Radiography program, I feel challenged, and I’m well on my way to being prepared to enter my new career after graduation.
NOTE: The COVID-19 pandemic has caused program leadership to think creatively so that students wishing to enter the radiography profession can still do so. Where we can we are teaching classes online. We do have students back in their clinical rotations, and we are adhering to strict standards and protocols for personal protection. Please continue to look into this career. We are here to help you answer the questions you have.
Step 1: Review the website, brochure, and FAQ in detail.
Step 2: Attend a free online information session. This is recommended for all applicants. You will talk to a live program guidance counselor during this 30-45 minute presentation.
Step 3: Start the application process
Step 4: Schedule Career Observation. Contact Mr. Will Edmunds, program director, at wedmunds@llu.edu or 909-558-4931, to schedule career observation or discuss ARRT ethics issues. Download the career observation form.
Contact Christine Wetmore at (909-558-4931) (cwetmore@llu.edu) with general registration and prerequisite questions
Plan to complete all prerequisites by June of the year you plan to attend (you can continue to take prereqs during the application process)
The Radiographer’s job is to position the patient, determine exposure factors, manipulate medical imaging equipment, evaluate radiographic image quality, provide patient comfort, and oversee patient and medical team radiation protection. Radiographers participate in fast-paced work challenges in a variety of health care settings. Radiographers must provide a positive patient experience, possess the ability to be accurate and calm under pressure, and critically think through challenges. Radiographers perform exams for diagnosis, including fluoroscopy procedures such as VCUGs, swallow studies, small bowel follow-throughs, and barium enemas. The career outlook is positive. Medical Radiography opens the door to advancement in CT, MRI, CVI, Cardiac Electrophysiology, Radiation Therapy, Nuclear Medicine, Radiology Administration, Radiology Education, and Radiologist Assistant.
Watch a Video About the Medical Imaging Programs at LLU
The A.S. in Medical Radiography Program is a 21-month/40-hour-per-week full-time, day-time, face-to-face program. Beginning every September, students complete academic and lab instruction, and complete over 1,850 clinical hours of radiography experience. The A.S. in Medical Radiography Program is a rigorous program, focused on high-quality patient care, professionalism, and service learning. Students are enrolled for 48 weeks the first year and 56 weeks the second year. Breaks are given between quarters. Students should expect to give full-time attention to this demanding program.
Students in the past have needed to adjust their personal schedules to make this program a priority. Students should also plan to drive to their clinical assignments, which are assigned to each student at the beginning of the program. Students are expected to be responsible, accountable, and dependable. and behave and communicate with high professional standards. Attendance at all classes, clinical hours, and program events is expected. Students are expected to be able to perform the essential job functions throughout the program and on into the profession. Students must maintain a minimum overall and quarterly GPA of 2.5 and above. Over 24-hours of service learning is built into the program.
The Medical Radiography Program at Loma Linda University, School of Allied Health Professions, provides a quality educational experience focused on the whole person, preparing students to be registry-eligible, entry-level radiographers, equipped with the knowledge, skills, values, attitudes, and behaviors appropriate for providing excellent patient care and safely managing radiation exposure.
Our vision is to be known by our students, alumni, clinical instructors, faculty, professional community, and staff as the Medical Radiography Program of choice. Additionally, we want the program experience to be known as "a close family" that is exciting, challenging transforming and fun.
We will accomplish our mission and vision by setting and achieving high standards of excellence in professional behavior, academic and clinical education, customer service, and collaborative success, in addition to living to the core values of Loma Linda University: integrity, compassion, excellence, purity/self-control, humility, justice, and freedom.
The LLU Medical Radiography program stands out because of its family environment, caring faculty, low student-to-faculty ratio, and emphasis on professionalism, service learning, interprofessional education, values development, transformation, and the whole person. The bar is set high in this program, and the students who engage in all that the program offers are the ones who experience the highest student success.
Service learning is built into the Medical Radiography program. Each student will complete 24 hours of service learning within their first and second year of the program. The motto of the School of Allied Health Professions is "To Lead, To Heal, To Service," so it is no wonder that service--whether local or international--is part of our curriculum. Students also have opportunities to serve on international mission trips.
Interprofessional education is all about collaboration--to build friendships, trust, and respect--between all of the different health care specialties. Second year medical radiography students attend an interprofessional lab where they roll-play scenarios with medical, dental, nursing, pharmacy, behavioral health, and allied health students in order to grow in their ability to work on the health care team.
Applicants are required to complete a background check and possess a current Health Care Provider CPR card offered by the American Heart Association. To remain in the program students must maintain a 2.5 GPA, pass three program milestones, pass a mock board exam, and adhere to the Program’s professional code of conduct. Students at some clinical sites may need a drug test.
Program Resources
The A.S. in Medical Radiography program in the Department of Radiation Technology at Loma Linda University is accredited by the following organizations:
The A.S. in Medical Radiography complies with the Radiologic Health Branch Title 17.
While in the Program, students will
Goal 1: Students will demonstrate clinical competence
Outcomes:
Goal 2: Students will communicate effectively
Outcomes:
Goal 3: Students will develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills
Outcomes:
Goal 4: Students will demonstrate the values and attitudes of an entry-level radiographer
Outcomes:
Goal 5: The Program will demonstrate measures of outcome in relation to its mission statement and goals
Outcomes:
Meets the requirements for JRCERT Standard 1.10.
View our faculty page
Loma Linda University has a financial aid office. It is recommended that applicants and students talk directly with the LLU Financial Aid Office. Applicants can also visit the FAFSA.gov website for more information.
The follow program prerequisites (42 quarter-units or 28 semester units) are required for the A.S. in Medical Radiography program. We will no longer be requiring a mathematics pre-requisite starting with the 2022-2023 admission cycle (Fall 2023 start).
University Catalog - Radiation Technology Programs
| Year 1 - Fall Quarter | Units |
|---|---|
| RTMR 202 Clinical Orientation (2 days/week) | 1 |
| RTMR 224 Legal Issues in Radiography | 1 |
| RTMR 246 Professional Communication & Presentation | 2 |
| RTMR 253 Med Radiography Procedures 1 | 3 |
| RTMR 253L Med Radiography Procedures Lab 1 | 1 |
| RTMR 285 Principles of Radiography 1 | 3 |
| AHCJ 326 Fundamentals of Health Care | 2 |
Total: 13
| Year 1 - Winter Quarter | Units |
|---|---|
| RTMR 221 Radiologic Patient Care | 2 |
| RTMR 254 Med. Radiography Procedures II | 3 |
| RTMR 254L Med. Radiography Procedures Lab II | 1 |
| RTMR 284 Radiation Protection & Biology | 2 |
| RTMR 286 Principles of Radiography II | 3 |
| RTMR 371 Medical Radiography Affiliation I (2 days/week) | 1 |
Total: 12
| Year 1 - Spring Quarter | Units |
|---|---|
| AHCJ 328 Wholeness Portfolio I | 1 |
| RTMR 247 Languages for Radiographers | 1 |
| RTMR 255 Med. Radiography Procedures III | 2 |
| RTMR 255L Med. Radiography Procedures Lab III | 1 |
| RTMR 283 Radiologic Physics | 3 |
| RTMR 372 Medical Radiography Affiliation II (3 days/week) | 2 |
| RELT 423 Loma Linda Perspectives | 2 |
Total: 12
| Year 2 - Summer Quarter | Units |
|---|---|
| RTMR 373 Medical Radiography Affiliation III | 3 |
Total: 3
| Year 2 - Fall Quarter | Units |
|---|---|
| RTMR 305 Introduction to CT 1 | 2 |
| RTMR 325 Radiologic Pathology | 1 |
| RELR 475 Art & Science of Whole Person Care | 2 |
| RTMR 374 Medical Radiography Affiliation IV (4 days/week) | 2 |
Total: 7
| Year 2- Winter Quarter | Units |
|---|---|
| RTMR 306 Introduction to CT II | 2 |
| RTMR 363 Comprehensive Review I | 2 |
| RTMR 375 Medical Radiography Affiliation V | 2 |
Total: 6
| Year 2 - Spring Quarter | Units |
|---|---|
| RTMR 344 Professional Development and Service Learning | 3 |
| RTMR 365 Comprehensive Review II | 2 |
| RTMR 386 Medical Radiography Affiliation VI | 2 |
Total: 7
Please Note: C- grades or below are not transferable for credit. If you repeat a class the latest grade is recognized. Courses must be from an Accredited Institution.
Applications are accepted between October 1 to April 1, with a priority deadline of February 15. There is no waiting list. Thirty-two to 35 seats are available for each cohort. The fee for applying is $60. To have the application fee waived, attend a free online information session or attend the annual Loma Linda University Open House in January.
Applicants must complete a minimum of 42 quarter units (28 semester units) with a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher, and a prerequisite GPA of 2.5 or higher (3.0 GPA preferred), submit official college and high school transcripts, 8 hours of career observation, three references, and an admissions essay. The application process is competitive, and acceptance is based on GPA, the interview, and application information. Preference is given to those who have previously completed volunteer hours in the community.
Eligibility for the ARRT certification exam may be affected if the applicant has a prior felony or misdemeanor conviction. Prior to applying to this program the applicant should contact the ARRT at 651-687-0048 to determine if eligibility will be granted.
We have clinical sites located in Loma Linda, Redlands, San Bernardino, Hemet, Palm Springs, Riverside, Apple Valley, Murrieta, Los Angeles, and the Imperial Valley. Students are expected to provide their own transportation to and from clinicals, which could be up to 60 miles one way. Students are assigned to a clinical site at the beginning of the program.
The A.S. in Medical Radiography Program follows the Loma Linda University Quarterly academic terms. The program begins each September. The Fall quarter runs from the end of September to mid-December. The Winter quarter runs from the first part of January to mid-March. The Spring quarter runs from the end of March to the middle of June. The Summer quarter runs from the end of June to approximately to the beginning of September. Below are general term dates for each quarter; however, please refer to the Academic Calendar since the actual dates change yearly.
Essential job functions and technical standards in the field of medical imaging are tasks, duties, and responsibilities expected to accomplish the job’s purpose and objectives. Some of the categories of essential functions include physical, vision and hearing, mental, communication, and professional. Essential job functions provide significant insight into the choice of Radiography as a career. The Radiography career is demanding on many levels. It is very important that the prospective student honestly evaluate their own ability to perform the job. Examples of the essential job functions outlined below help explain the demands of the radiography profession, and are in place for the safety of the student, patients, and the health care provider team.
Some of the physical demands include: lifting and carrying 50 lbs, bending, balance, pushing gurneys and portable imaging equipment, transferring 250 lb. patients, walking, prolonged standing with a heavy lead apron, stamina throughout an 8-10 hour shift, manual dexterity, agility, and ability to provide first aid or life support.
Some of the vision and hearing demands include: reading, distinguishing between colors, and visibly and audibly observing patients. Some of the communication demands include: communicating in English, appropriately responding to verbal and non-verbal communication, and writing and speaking skills.
Some of the mental demands include: learning new information, repeating previously learned information, understanding technical information, applying theoretical concepts to clinical practice, thinking critically, and making critical decisions. Some professional demands include: interacting with patients of different ages, cultures, and health conditions; maintaining patient confidentiality and adhering to HIPAA; adapting to the demanding and changing health care environment; staying calm while working under pressure; and interacting appropriately on a team.
Students must maintain essential job functions and technical standards throughout the program. A complete list of essential job functions will be made available during the interview process. Students are required to demonstrate physical, mental, vision and hearing, communication, and professional functions during the pre-entrance physical exam by the applicant’s health care provider prior to full acceptance into the program. If at any time the student is unable to perform these essential job functions, or if a student is removed from a clinical site due to essential job functions not being met, continuance in the program will be re-evaluated and could result in dismissal from the program.
wedmunds@llu.edu
909-558-4931 Department Office
909-558-7965 Fax
bboyd@llu.edu
909-583-3033 Direct Cell
909-558-4931 Department Office
909-558-7965 Fax
