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radiography-degree-program

RADIOGRAPHY

ASSOCIATE DEGREE

Home » Academics » Programs & Training » Health Sciences » Radiography Associate Degree

About our Radiography
Associate Degree

The radiographer, a vital member of the healthcare team, utilizes sophisticated X-ray equipment to obtain diagnostically valuable images of any body part. In order to perform radiographic procedures, the radiographer must have a good working knowledge of not only human anatomy and radiographic procedures, but also radiation physics, principles of imaging, radiation protection and quality assurance. Employment opportunities include hospitals, private offices and outpatient clinics, and specialties such as mammography, computerized tomography, vascular and interventional radiography, and magnetic resonance imaging.

The curriculum maintains clinical affiliations with many hospitals in southern Maine, as well as several orthopedic offices in Portland. This program prepares individuals to become radiographers at the associate degree level. Upon completion of the program, graduates are eligible to apply to take the certification examination of the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists, ARRT.

Mission

The overall mission of the Radiography program is to educate and train highly skilled, competent, professional radiographers to serve patients using imaging modalities to perform radiographic diagnostic procedures. The didactic and clinical education provides a broad spectrum of professional functions consistent with standards of current professional practice and which include: performance of general radiographic procedures utilizing a variety of equipment, utilization of radiation protection techniques, employment of critical thinking skills, utilization of professional communication skills and observance of confidentiality of information and appropriate patient care skills.

What opportunities does this program provide?

SMCC graduates in this program have gone on to work as:

  • Radiographer
  • Radiologic Technologist

SMCC graduates have used our transfer agreements to continue their education at:

  • Johnson & Wales University
  • Maine College of Art
  • Mount Holyoke College
  • Saint Joseph’s College
  • Southern New Hampshire University
  • Thomas College
  • University of Maine
  • University of New England
  • University of Southern Maine
  • Wellesley College

Available transfer agreements for this program include:

Estimated Full-Time Degree Completion Time

80-credit-hours-4.5-semesters

Please note, these estimates are based on a student taking an average of 15 credits per semester and do not include college preparatory or developmental courses.

Interested in viewing full program and course details?

Are you a current student?

Be sure to view the degree program requirements for your specific program. Log into MySMCC and click My Maine Guide, MyDegree to learn more.

Prerequisites:

  • College-level Math and English
  • Anatomy & Physiology I with lab (with a grade of B- or higher)
  • The following Radiography entrance test scores for ATI TEAS
    • Math – 68.8% or higher
    • Reading – 72.3% or higher
    • English – 66.7% or higher
    • Science – 57.4% or higher
    • Total Score – 66.1% or higher
    • Learn more about the ATI TEAS
  • View additional info about applying
  • Attend an Info Session

Related Programs

Not ready to commit to a degree program? We may have other options that work for you.

Did you know that we offer a broad array of short-term workforce training programs that allow you to enter the workforce and start earning quickly? These programs are a great way to enter a career in your area of interest and to become accustomed to college classes. They are also often grant-funded (free of charge to trainees). And, if you find you want to keep going, we can help you find a related academic degree or certificate program of interest with which you can continue your education.

Learn More:

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Accreditation, Outcome Data & Licensure Information

Graduation Outcomes

Clinical Objective

Goal 1: Students demonstrate critical thinking skills necessary to function effectively in the clinical setting.
  1. Students will adapt knowledge of positioning and exposure factors to routine and non-
    routine situations.
  2. Students will use critical thinking skills to analyze and optimize image quality.
Goal 2: To graduate students who possess the knowledge and skills of an entry level radiographer to clinically perform radiographic exams competently while demonstrating quality patient care.
  1. Students will perform routine and non-routine exams.
  2. Students will pass the ARRT examination on the first attempt.
  3. Students possess knowledge of procedures, radiation protection, and patient care.
  4. Students will demonstrate ethical values relative to quality patient care.
Goal 3: Students demonstrate professional development and growth consistent with the program’s mission and expected outcomes.
  1. Students will participate as members of their state’s professional society, (Maine Society of
    Radiologic Technologists).
  2. Students will orient to other imaging modalities.
  3. Students will demonstrate professionalism in didactic and clinical settings.
Goal 4: Students will demonstrate the competence of entry level radiographers who will meet the needs of the health care community.
  1. Graduates pass the ARRT exam with an average grade of 85% or higher.
  2. Employers will indicate overall satisfaction with the graduates’ performance.
  3. Graduates will be employed within 12 months after graduation.
  4. Graduates will be satisfied with their education and meet the needs of the health care
    community.
  5. First semester radiography students will be retained and will graduate from the program.
Goal 5: Students will demonstrate professional written and verbal communication skills.
  1. Students will demonstrate professional communication skills in the didactic setting.
  2. Students will demonstrate professional communication skills in the clinical setting.

Clinical Credit Hours

The Radiography Program defines its contact-to-credit hour ratio for the clinical experience as:

Clinical Credit Hours’ Calculation:

Clinical Hours calculated at 60 hours per credit.

  • CP 1: 15wks. x 16 hrs. = 240 clinical hours/60 credit hours = 4 credits
  • CP 2: 15wks. x 16 hrs. = 240 clinical hours/60 credit hours = 4 credits
  • CP 3: 6wks. x 40hrs. = 240 clinical hours/60 credit hours = 4 credits
  • CP 5: 15wks. x 24hrs. = 360 clinical hours/60 credit hours = 6 credits
  • CP 6: 15wks. x 24hrs. = 360 clinical hours/60 credit hours = 6 credits

Skills

  • Perform radiographic examinations on pediatric, adult and elderly individuals who present a variety of challenges.
  • Utilize a variety of radiographic and image processing equipment in a variety of clinical settings.
  • Utilize appropriate radiation protection techniques for patients and personnel.
  • Deliver appropriate patient care in a variety of clinical situations.
  • Demonstrate attention to clerical detail relative to all aspects of clinical examinations, including archiving, filing and retrieval of images.
  • Interact professionally and competently with other health care personnel.
  • Communicate to patients the basic procedural details of special imaging modalities such as interventional angiography, mammography, CT and MRI.
  • Be eligible to apply for the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists’ examination in diagnostic radiography.

Conflict Resolution Policy

All Southern Maine Community College students may access the grievance procedure to resolve a problem or complaint. However, the Radiography program faculty recognize that many situations or problems can be resolved in lieu of a more formal procedure. Therefore, the following represents the program policy for problem resolution.

Step 1

Problems are best resolved at the lowest possible level. Therefore, if a student has a problem with a particular didactic or clinical instructor, the student and instructor should discuss the issue(s) and try to arrive at a resolution to the problem, which is acceptable to both individuals.

Step 2

If resolution cannot be reached at step 1, student should; within 10 days; discuss any clinical issue with the Clinical Coordinator, or any didactic or class issue with the Program Director. Faculty will complete evaluation and decision-making within 10 days after initial discussion.

Step 3

If resolution cannot be reached at step 2, student; within 10 days; should discuss the issue with the Chair of the Division of Health Sciences. Faculty will complete evaluation and decision-making within 10 days after the initial discussion.

Step 4

If resolution cannot be reached at step 3, student should make arrangements to speak with the Dean of Students.

This policy is not intended to, in any way, supersede the College’s grievance procedure; it simply recognizes that most problems can be resolved quickly to the benefit of all concerned.

Out-of-State Licensure

If you are completing this program and will be seeking licensure in another state, please download our Out-of-State Licensure document.

Program Accreditation

The SMCC Radiography Program is accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT). The Radiography Program was re-accredited in 2020 and awarded a 5-year accreditation. To learn more about exam pass rates, job placement rates and completion rates, download the Radiography Program Effectiveness handout.

Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT)
20 N. Wacker Drive, Suite 2850
Chicago, IL 60606-3182
(312) 704-5300
https://www.jrcert.org/

Costs & Financial Aid

This degree program may have specific associated costs which are important to know before attending. We encourage you to apply for financial aid which provides funds in the form of grants and scholarship (free), loans (need to repay) and student employment (earned money.)

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Additional Admissions Requirements:

Please note that our Health Sciences programs have additional requirements.
For more information, visit our Health Science Applicants webpage.

Contact Us:

Admissions: 207-741-5800 or admissions@smccME.edu 

Department Chair: Louise Ouellette, 207-741-5595 or louellette@smccME.edu

A three-credit class averages

LESS THAN
$400

Full-time tuition & fees

$3,880
PER YEAR

*Additional program costs may apply.

3 CAMPUSES

South Portland, Brunswick & Online