Medical Radiography (X-ray), AS

Step 1:  Review the website and FAQ in detail.

Step 2: Attend a free online information session. Applicants are required to attend an online information session.

Step 3: Start the application process. Please note the you must be a citizen or permanent resident of the U.S. to be eligible for this particular program. For more information, please visit International Student & Scholar Services.

• Apply Online 
• Apply for Financial Aid (FASFA) 
• Request to have high school and college transcripts sent to Loma Linda University

Step 4: Schedule the career observation. Contact [email protected] to schedule the career observation.

Step 5: Plan to complete all prerequisites by June of the year you plan to attend (you can continue to take pre-reqs during the application process).

Please contact the Department of Radiation Technology at 909-558-4931 or [email protected] for general admissions and prerequisite questions.

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.

Register to Attend a Free Online Information Session to learn more.

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 lab instruction, and fulfill clinical hours in a hospital/outpatient facility. 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.

Our Mission

Our mission is to prepare students to be registry-eligible, entry-level radiographers who are equipped to provide excellent patient care and safely manage radiation protection and exposure.

Our Vision

Our vision is to be the #1 radiography program of choice where we are motivated by excellence and compassion, where relationships are close and transformational like family, and where career dreams become reality.

Our Values

Welcoming

• We create a safe learning environment where every voice is heard. 

Excellence

• We strive to achieve excellence in all we do.

Collaboration

• We promote cooperation, commitment, and teamwork.

Accountability

• We aim for equity and fairness in all of our procedures and practices.

Respect

• We honor diversity and recognize the worth and contribution of all. 

Equity

• We aim for equity and fairness in all of our procedures and practices. 

What Makes Us Unique

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.

Program Requirements

Applicants are required to complete an annual drug test, an annual background check, proof of vaccinations with titers and possess a current Basic Life Support (BLS) for Health Care Providers CPR card offered by the American Heart Association upon admission into the program. To remain in the program students must maintain a 2.5 GPA, follow program policy, and adhere to the program’s professional code of conduct.

Career Observation

Applicants must complete 8 hours of career observation prior to the interview. Applicants can request to do career observation at the Loma Linda University Medical Center only after they apply to the program. Email [email protected] for more information and to set up observation hours after your application has been submitted.

Program Resources

• Attend the Loma Linda University Open House
• Request Information
• Schedule a Campus Tour

Program Accreditation

The Loma Linda University Radiography program is accredited by the

Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology

20 North Wacker Drive, Suite 2850

Chicago, IL 60606-3182

312-704-5300

Email: [email protected]

Goal 1: Students will demonstrate clinical competence.

Outcomes:

1. Students will use ALARA principles to perform radiographic procedures of diagnostic quality.
2. Students will apply appropriate patient care and radiation protection practices for radiographic procedures.

Goal 2: Students will communicate effectively.

Outcomes:

1. Students will clearly explain radiographic procedures to patients.
2. Students will demonstrate appropriate communication for diverse populations.

Goal 3: Students will develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

Outcomes:

1. Students will critically think through the adjustment of radiographic methods (position and/or technique) in accordance with accepted standards and protocols.
2. Students will evaluate radiographic images to determine diagnostic quality and acceptability.

Goal 4: The Program will demonstrate measures of outcome in relation to its mission, goals and student learning outcomes.

1. Graduation rate: at least 75%
2. Program satisfaction: at least 75%
3. Employer satisfaction: at least 75%
4. Students will earn a passing score on their first ARRT attempt: at least 75%
5. Students will secure jobs within 6 months of graduation: at least 75%

ASMR Program Outcomes

The following program outcomes are measured in the ASMR program. Upon completion of the program, the graduate should be qualified to:

1. Demonstrate clinical competence (JRCERT)
2. Communicate effectively (JRCERT)
3. Develop critical thinking skills (JRCERT)
4. Demonstrate critical thinking through examination of ideas and evidence before formulating an opinion or conclusion (Program Core)
5. Demonstrate the ability to reason and develop evidence-based decisions using numerical information (Program Core)
6. Demonstrate the ability to identify, locate, evaluate, utilize and share information (Program Core)

 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.

• Financial Information (FAFSA.ed.gov)
• Tuition and Fees

The following program prerequisites (42 quarter units or 28 semester units completed at an accredited institution) are required for the A.S. in Medical Radiography program.

• Complete sequence of college English
• Medical terminology
• Interpersonal communication, oral communication, or public speaking
• Human Anatomy with a Lab or Introduction to Human Anatomy and Physiology with a Lab
• Psychology (introduction, general, or developmental) OR sociology (introduction or general).  Psychology is preferred.  
• Elective courses (humanities, natural science, social science, etc.) to reach the 42-unit minimum for ASMR
• Take Your GE at LLU

University Catalog - Radiation Technology Programs

Program Curriculum

Total: 13

Total: 16

Total: 16

Total: 3

Total: 12

Total: 12

Total: 13

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.

CLINICAL ASSIGNMENTS

The ASMR program clinical sites are 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 from the university. Students are assigned to a clinical site at the beginning of the program.

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Application Window & Timeline

Applications are accepted between October 1st and February 15th. Interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis, and offers of acceptance will be determined by the end of June.  There is no waiting list.

Priority consideration will be given to applicants who have all prerequisite coursework complete and have submitted applications by December 31.  In-progress or projected prerequisite coursework must be completed by June 20th.

Interview & Application Requirements

Applicants must complete a minimum of 42 quarter units (28 semester units) with a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher. A competitive GPA of 3.4 or higher is recommended. Applicants must submit official transcripts, complete eight hours of career observation, provide three references, and submit a personal essay. Applicants can continue to take prerequisites during the application process, with the goal to complete them by June of the year of matriculation. All applicants are required to attend the free online information sessions available to register at https://alliedhealth.llu.edu/academics/radiation-technology. Not all applicants will receive an interview.

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.

PROGRAM EFFECTIVENESS DATA

The following is the most current program effectiveness data. Our programmatic accreditation agency, the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT), defines and publishes this information. Click here to go directly to the JRCERT webpage.

CREDENTIALING EXAMINATION

The number of students who pass, on the first attempt, the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification examination, or an unrestricted state licensing examination, compared with the number of graduates who take the examination within six months of graduation. The five-year average benchmark established by the JRCERT is 75%.
 

JOB PLACEMENT

The number of graduates employed in the radiologic sciences compared to the number of graduates actively seeking employment in the radiologic sciences within twelve months of graduating. The five-year average benchmark established by the JRCERT is 75%.
Job Placement Rate
number employed

PROGRAM COMPLETION

The number of students who complete the program within the stated program length. The annual benchmark established by the program is 85%.

The Loma Linda University Radiography Program is accredited by JRCERT. 
The Loma Linda University Radiography Program is accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology 
20 North Wacker Drive, Suite 2850 
Chicago, IL 60606-3182 
312-704-5300 
Email: [email protected]

The program’s current award is 8 years. General program accreditation information and the current accreditation award letter can be found on the JRCERT site LLU program information page. https://www.jrcert.org/programs/loma-linda-university/