FAQ - Medical Radiography

Step 1: Research the radiologic technology field in general
Step 2: Attend a free online information session
Step 3: Read all about our program at www.llu.edu/radiography.
Step 4: Apply to the LLU Medical Radiography program early in the application window.

Applicants to our Medical Radiography program at Loma Linda University must be a citizen or permanent resident of the U.S.  If you are an international student seeking to attend Loma Linda University in general, please visit International Student & Scholar Services for more information.

Applications are accepted for the Medical Radiography Program at Loma Linda University between October 1 to February 15​.

About 30-32 seats are available. We receive over 200 applications each year. Acceptance into the LLU Medical Radiography Program is very competitive. Only the highest qualified applicants will be accepted. The minimum GPA is 2.5. The competitive GPA is over 3.7. The early bird deadline is January 1. 

Currently, we do not have a waiting list for our programs; however, our programs are competitive. We often receive two to three times the number of applicants over the number of open seats in each program. Not everyone can be accepted. Some applicants will need to apply multiple times over a 1-3 year period before being accepted.

Yes. All pre-reqs must be completed by February 15.

Prereqs can be taken at any accredited junior college or college. If you find that you are having a hard time getting these classes, GE courses are offered at LLU. To see a list of classes at LLU, visit www.llu.edu/ge.

• Complete the online application, verifying that all questions are answered, and the application fee is included.
• Send the recommendation forms to three (3) individuals to be completed and returned to you or to the School of Allied Health Professions Admissions Department.
• Submit an essay about your reasons for applying to the Radiation Technology program of your choice. The essay is to be included with your online application.
• Arrange to have original transcripts from your high school and all colleges attended sent directly to: Admissions Processing, Loma Linda University  Loma Linda, CA 92350. Transcripts sent from you personally or hand delivered are not considered "official" transcripts.

The application and interview process is thorough and detailed. This means that pre-screening and interview appointments will start once all of the paperwork is completed and transcripts have been received. Not every applicant will receive an interview, but we do our best to communicate with each applicant so everyone knows what is going on during the silence. Pre-screening and interviews will be going on between March and May.

Prerequisites must include the following courses from a regionally accredited college or university:

• 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

Applicants are required to complete a background check, drug test, and TB test a minimum of two times in the program. The student is to possess a current Health Care Provider CPR card offered by the American Heart Association upon admission into the program, and keep it current throughout the program.

The AS in Medical Radiography begins at the end of September, which is the Fall Quarter of each year. Only one cohort starts each year.

For the AS in Medical Radiography, the 21-month program ends in June and culminates with Commencement Ceremonies the second week of June.

Financial aid is available to students depending on credit history. Contact the financial aid department for more information and deadlines. Please note: FASFA applications can begin in October. Students are encouraged to secure educational funding as part of their application process. Start the FAFSA process as soon as possible.

Most of our programs are comprehensive and intense professional programs. We do not recommend that you attempt to work full-time during the program. It is possible to work weekends but on a flexible, part-time basis. Living expenses can be built into financial aid assistance as an option for meeting your living expenses.

Loma Linda University is regionally accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities. The A.S. in Medical Radiography at Loma Linda University holds a specialty accreditation by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology. The program is also approved by the Radiologic Health Branch (RHB) of the state of California, Department of Public Health.

• An individual knowledgeable about the field, either from reading or observing, who knows why she/he wants to enter the profession.
• An enthusiastic, motivated individual who desires to maintain high standards for didactic and clinical performance.
• Strong references from the applicant's prior work supervisors, instructors, or health care professionals knowledgeable about the applicant.
• A person whose transcripts reflect academic excellence in science classes, as well as related courses.
• A person who is motivated to take initiative, be a leader, act professionally, and maintain high standards.
• A person who is motivated and challenged by the University's motto: "To Make Man Whole".

Like many health care positions, x-ray, CT, MRI, nuclear medicine, radiation therapy, and sonography technology jobs are expected to grow much faster than other professions. Furthermore, career advancement opportunities exist in education, administration, research, and in commercial companies as education/application specialists, sales representatives, technical advisors, etc.

Upon successful completion of a program in the Department of Radiation Technology, our graduates are able to sit for that respective national board exam. Classes are taught within the program that prepare students for board exams.

Entrance and completion of this program signifies that the candidate is prepared to practice in the profession. The candidate must be prepared to work in the standing position, do frequent walking, lift and transfer patients, communicate effectively, and perform with both hands.

Foreign transcripts must be evaluated by an approved evaluation center. Please visit LLU International Academic Transcripts for more information.

No, we do not. Our programs are a full-time, day program. Monday to Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. You will also be assigned homework to complete.

The Medical Radiography program is a face-to-face program requiring students to be local to the campus and surrounding clinical sites; however, some courses offer a blended learning environment with some online components.

Hospital or clinic career observation is optional and limited to 8 hours. To request observation at Loma Linda University Medical Center, you must have already applied to the program and email [email protected] for instructions. Please note that the process takes time and requires a flu shot.

Yes. Students are responsible for providing their own transportation to and from school and clinical sites. Some sites are located as much as an hour away from the Loma Linda campus. You are expected to have working transportation throughout the program.

We do the best we can to assign clinical sites as close to your home as possible. In many cases, clinical sites are assigned randomly, for equality.

No. All applicants are considered for acceptance based on qualifications, not on religious beliefs.

Loma Linda University now provides opportunities within courses in the medical radiography program that have been designated as service learning. If you have done volunteer work prior to applying to the program we welcome you sharing that with us in your interview and how it has shaped your viewpoint. Opportunities are provided in the program to participate in service learning locally in the community, as well as applying to join other students on mission trips internationally.