Entry-Level Radiation Sciences, BS

How to Begin:

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.

• Step 1: Attend a free online information session. This is recommended for all applicants and is an opportunity to virtually meet with our faculty to learn more about our program and ask questions.
• Step 2: Start the application process. Please note that 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.
• Step 3: Schedule the career observation. Contact [email protected] to schedule the career observation or to discuss ARRT ethics issues.
• Step 4: 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).  Any GE you wish to transfer over must be completed by the end of our Summer quarter prior to potentially starting the program in the Autumn quarter.

ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS

In addition to Loma Linda University and School of Allied Health admissions requirements, the applicant must also complete the following requirements:

• High school completion from an accredited institution or passed the GED.
• A minimum of 45 quarter units (or 30 semester units) at an accredited college or university.
• Observation experience—A minimum of eight hours of career observation in a radiology department is required. Contact the department to obtain the appropriate form.
• Online application, three references, an essay, and transcripts from all schools attended including high school.  The essay should include: why you are choosing LLU, your process for selecting this profession, what makes you a good candidate, and anything else that helps us get to know you. Contact the department for more information.
• A prerequisite GPA of 2.5 minimum; however, a competitive GPA of 3.0 or higher is preferred.
• Preference is given to those who have previously completed volunteer hours in the community (not a requirement).  

Take Your GE at LLU

Students attending any clinical affiliation are required to have current health-care provider adult, child, and infant cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR-BLS) certification for all scheduled clinical experiences. CPR certification must be completed at the American Heart Association health-care provider level.  Intravenous (IV) certification will be required with an online course and on-campus lab for Entry-level students and those in emphases requiring IV training. Either of these items is the responsibility of the student to finance as part of the program cost. This may be earned prior to beginning the program of study or may be obtained at Loma Linda University. Classes are available on campus at Life Support Education, University Arts building, 24887 Taylor Street, Suite 102.

Prerequisites (45 quarter / 30 semester units):

• Complete sequence of college English
• Medical terminology
• Interpersonal communication, oral communication, or public speaking
• Human anatomy and physiology, complete sequence (typically two courses, with a lab for each course)
• College algebra or higher
• Psychology (introduction, general, or developmental) OR sociology (introduction or general). Psychology is preferred.   
• Elective courses (humanities, natural science, social science, etc.) to reach the 45-unit minimum for EL BSRS. 

GE courses are required for a BS degree at LLU. Completion of these courses in addition to the prerequisite requirements to save time and money while in the Entry-BSRS program. They are NOT required for entry.

General Education Requirements

*Indicates prerequisite from above

Domain 1: Religion (12 quarter units)

• Completed during enrollment at LLU. Transfer of religion is not permitted (religion transfer in will count as a humanities course)

Domain 2: Arts and Humanities (minimum 16 quarter units)

Minimum of 16 quarter or 11 semester units in 3 different content areas selected from civilization/history, art/music, literature, language, philosophy, religion, or general humanities)

Domain 3: Scientific inquiry and quantitative reasoning (minimum 12 quarter units)

Minimum of 12 quarter or 8 semester units - a statistics course in this domain will be complete during matriculation in the BSRS program)

Domain 4: Social sciences (minimum 12 quarter units)

Minimum of 12 quarter or 8 semester units in 2 different content areas selected from anthropology, economics, geography, political science, psychology, or sociology - cultural diversity requirement met in program)The human diversity requirement is fulfilled in the portfolio core courses: RTCH 491 Portfolio I and RTCH 492 Portfolio II (approved by the University GE Committee).

Domain 5: Written and oral communication (minimum 9 quarter units)

Minimum of 9 quarter or 6 semester units - domain fulfilled in its entirety with the English composition sequence and communication prerequisites listed above; no additional courses/units are needed in this domain)Remaining courses may be selected from the following content areas: computer information systems, critical thinking, and public speaking.

Domain 6: Health and Wellness (minimum 2 quarter units)

Minimum of 2 quarter or 1 semester unit(s) with 1 course in health or nutrition required and 2 PE courses totaling a minimum of 1 quarter unit required)Courses in General Education (GE) that have been taken prior to entry to the program may fulfill GE requirements in the program (except religion). 

The baccalaureate degree comprises a minimum of 211-215 quarter units in the following:

General education (can be transferred prior to beginning the BSRS program or completed during matriculation in the BSRS program).

• Professional didactic core
• BSRS didactic core
• Religion
• Clinical affiliation

Advanced specialty classes Professional Registration & Certification

Upon completion of the requirements for the EL BSRS program. Graduate  are eligible to apply to the qualifying examination of The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) in Radiography (R). Program graduates who pass the ARRT examination in radiography are eligible to pay for and receive the state license (CRT) in California without further testing within five years of passing the ARRT examination. Graduates are encouraged to become members of the California Society of Radiologic Technologists and the American Society of Radiologic Technologists for professional growth and continuing education in their professional discipline.

In consultation with the program advisor, students have the opportunity to select classes in advanced specialty areas to fulfill the minimum degree and program requirements. These classes include areas such as: Cardiac Interventional Radiography (CI), Computed Tomography (CT), Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Mammography (M), Vascular Interventional Radiography (VI), education, and management. Completion of advanced specialty courses does not guarantee satisfying minimum ARRT post primary pathway requirements for credentials in these advanced specialty areas.Program Goals (Learning Outcomes)

Upon completion of the program, graduates should be qualified to:

• Demonstrate clinical competence.
• Communicate effectively.
• Refine skills related to critical thinking, information literacy, quantitative reasoning, oral and written communication.
• Apply concepts from advanced specialty courses.
• Demonstrate comprehension of emotional intelligence and moral leadership concepts
• Evaluate trends in healthcare.

Year 1

Year 2 

*Except for clinical affiliation, all courses in Year 2 are offered online.

Year 3

*Summer and Fall courses are offered online, except for clinical affiliation.  Winter and Spring courses are offered on campus, except for advanced specialty courses.

*General education class if applicable

**Advanced specialty classes are offered online

Clinical Assignments

The 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.

Advanced Specialty Courses (offered online unless otherwise indicated)

ELIGIBILITY FOR ARRT CERTIFICATION

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.

CLINICAL ASSIGNMENTS

The EL BSRS 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.

TERM DATES

The Entry-level Radiation Sciences, BS 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.

• Fall                     Last week in September – Second week in December
• Winter                First week in January – Second week in March
• Spring                Last week in March – Second week in June
• Summer             Last week in June  – Last week in September

Frequently Asked Questions:

• Is a degree required to apply to the EL BSRS program? 
  • No, only the prerequisites.
• Is membership in the Seventh-Day Adventist church required to apply to the EL BSRS program?  
  • No.
• Is the EL BSRS program aid eligible? 
  • Yes.
• Is the EL BSRS program accredited? 
  • Yes, by WSCUC (regional) and JRCERT (professional).
• Is the EL BSRS program online? 
  • This program incorporates on campus, online, and hybrid instructional methodologies.

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.

OUR MISSION

The Radiation Sciences, BS Program at Loma Linda University provides a quality educational experience focused on the whole person. The program prepares 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

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.

OUR VALUES

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.

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/

Program Learning Goals and Outcomes

Core Program Goals:

• Demonstrate clinical competence (JRCERT)
• Communication effectively (JRCERT)
• Develop critical thinking skills (JRCERT)
• Develop and refine skills related to critical thinking, information literacy, quantitative reasoning, oral and written communication (Program Core)
• Apply concepts from advanced specialty courses (Program Core)
• Demonstrate comprehension of emotional intelligence and moral leadership concepts (Program Core)
• Evaluate trends in healthcare (Program Core)

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%

Meets the requirements for JRCERT Standard 1.10.