Courses

An introductory course in radiographic technology fundamentals. The course focuses on radiographic positioning procedural competency, radiographic exposure principles and application, radiographic image processing essentials, medical terminology, and basic patient care.

Course Learning Outcomes
1. Simulate the performance of twenty-five radiographic procedures of the appendicular skeleton, chest and abdomen using a systematic process while providing patient education and applying safe practices to protect the patient, self and the public.
2. Evaluate radiographic images of the appendicular skeleton, chest and abdomen for image quality and normal anatomy.
3. Explain technical theories verbally and in writing and evaluate the validity of these technical theories in the laboratory setting.
4. Differentiate between the major image receptor technologies by comparing and contrasting the methods of image capture, response, methods of image acquisition, processing, display and storage.
5. Apply medical terminology to the practice of radiologic technology and other medical imaging sciences and identify strategies to determine an understanding of medical shorthand and abbreviations.
6. Identify basic patient care requirements and skills for the radiographer as they relate to the patient's bill of rights, effective communications, patient care and assessment, infection control, medications and administration, and dealing with acute situations.

Study of advanced radiographic positioning procedures, and in-depth radiographic exposure principles and experimental applications. Additional emphasis is on contrast media used in diagnostic imaging, pediatric radiography, and radiography of the skull, sinuses, and temporal bone.

Prerequisite(s): XRT 111 and XRT 151 with a C or higher.

Course Learning Outcomes
1. Simulate radiographic procedures of the urinary system, alimentary tract, biliary tract, complete spine, ribs and sternum, portable radiography and venipuncture technique in the laboratory setting; and evaluate radiographic images for image quality and normal anatomy.
2. Explain technical theories verbally and in writing; evaluate the validity of technical theories in the laboratory setting; apply critical theories learned to work in clinical practice; and protect self and the patient by correctly applying technical factors during imaging procedures.
3. Identify drug classifications, the nature of drug actions, methods of administration and the patient's rights of drug safety; describe the types and specific properties of contrast media, adverse reactions, indications and contraindications, and characteristics of each; recognize major types of reactions to iodinated contrast media, types of patients at risk, precautions prior to administration and treatment for reactions; and differentiate between ionic high-osmolar iodinated contrast media and non-ionic low-osmolar iodinated contrast media.
4. Explain the radiographer's role in dealing with the pediatric patient; list major equipment and immobilization aids required for radiography of children and infants; compare male and female skeletal maturation; identify physical, radiologic and behavioral indicators of child abuse; outline anomolies and pathologic conditions specific to the pediatric patient; explain radiographic procedures of the skeletal, respiratory, circulatory, gastrointestinal, urinary and endocrine systems specific to the pediatric patient.
5. Perform routine radiographic projections of the skull and paranasal sinuses; explain radiographic base lines, landmarks, central ray, body position and structures demonstrated for each; perform patient assessment; and perform radiographic procedures of the skull on the simulated trauma patient in the laboratory setting following protocol.

An overview of diagnostic radiography and its role in health care delivery including specific guidelines, responsibilities, policies, and clinical education experience. Emphasis is on orientation to the program and the clinical setting, radiography as a health science profession, professional ethics, and safety issues.

Course Learning Outcomes
1. Analyze current issues in healthcare that have an effect on various populations and demographics.
2. Describe professional ethical standards.
3. Summarize the basic components of radiation safety and protection.
4. Explain standard precautions for infection control.
5. Differentiate between culture and ethnicity; types of diversity, and cultural biases.
6. Model patient transfer techniques for both ambulatory and non-ambulatory patients.
7. Apply proper methods of oxygen administration.
8. Evaluate patient privacy scenarios for compliance with Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
9. Discuss the effect of historical practices regarding ethical treatment of certain populations.
10. Apply concepts learned on campus to the clinical setting.

A continuation of XRT 151. This course is designed to involve students in supervised direct delivery of diagnostic radiographic services at an assigned clinical education center. A structured clinical learning plan enables the student to gain experience in basic routine procedures and gradually move through mastery learning toward competent clinical attitudes and skills development.

Prerequisite(s): XRT 111 and XRT 151 with a C or higher.

Course Learning Outcomes
1. Competently perform a minimum of five radiographic procedures on patients in the clinical setting under the direct supervision of a licensed radiographer.
2. Apply general radiation safety and protection practices associated with radiographic examinations.
3. Perform image acquisition and processing using current and emerging technologies.
4. Develop skills in patient verification, education, care, protection and safety in the clinical setting.
5. Model the role of a radiologic sciences professional by demonstrating ethical behavior, using scientific terminology and developing an awareness of cultural factors that necessitate adapting standard radiographic exam protocols.
6. Evaluate radiographic images in concordance with standards for image quality, identification of artifacts, and formulation of corrective actions.

A continuation of XRT 152. This course is designed to involve students in supervised direct delivery of diagnostic radiographic services at an assigned clinical education center. A structured clinical learning plan enables the student to gain experience in standard routine procedures and gradually move through mastery learning toward competent clinical attitudes and skills development. Additional laboratory focus is on mammography including competency testing.

Prerequisite(s): XRT 122 and XRT 152 with a C or higher, and PHY 141.

Course Learning Outcomes
1. Competently perform a minimum of fifteen radiographic procedures on patients in the clinical setting under the direct supervision of a licensed radiographer.
2. Apply general radiation safety and protection practices associated with radiographic procedures.
3. Perform image acquisition and processing using current and emerging technologies.
4. Demonstrate skills in patient verification, education, care, protection and safety in the clinical setting.
5. Model the role of a radiologic sciences professional by demonstrating ethical behavior, using scientific terminology and developing an awareness of cultural factors that necessitate adapting standard radiographic exam protocols.
6. Evaluate radiographic images in concordance with standards for image quality, identification of artifacts, and formulation of corrective actions.
7. Develop team building skills by participating in a group project on a topic focused on valuing diversity and develop public speaking skills by presenting findings on the team's diversity issue.
8. Build on patient care skills through a variety of activities in the laboratory including to establish and maintain a sterile field; simulate a pediatric chest procedure; recognize various tubes and catheters and their functions; simulate procedures dealing with the trauma patient, EKG, vital signs and communicable diseases.

Study of advanced radiography of the facial bones by producing and evaluating phantom radiographic images. Continuation of advanced radiographic exposure utilizing theory, applications, and problem solving. Additional focus is on the fundamental principles of radiation biology and protection with emphasis on implications for technologists.

Prerequisite: XRT 153 with a C or higher.

Course Learning Outcomes
1. Describe the operational differences among various medical imaging systems and explain how these differences impact user workflow and technical decisions.
2. Identify key components of the x-ray circuit, technical factors, and quality assurance data that influence imaging performance and safety.
3. Analyze mathematical problems related to imaging equipment and technical factors, including voltage waveform, beam restriction, gride usage, and radiation interactions, to determine their effect on image quality.
4. Evaluate imaging systems and technical decisions in terms of image acquisition methods and image quality to produce diagnostically acceptable images using evidence-based reasoning.
5. Assess how operator knowledge and ethical technical decisions may introduce bias or constraints in image acquisition and patient safety standards.
6. Formulate logical conclusions about optimal imaging techniques and protocols by integrating data from image evaluation, histograms, and digital processing parameters.

Designed to provide students in the diagnostic imaging sciences a basic understanding of three dimensional structure relationships of normal anatomy. Transverse, cornal, sagittal orientation of visceral anatomy of the head, neck, thorax, abdomen and pelvis will be presented with emphasis in the transverse plane. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance images will be used as supplemental learning tools.

Prerequisite(s): XRT 153 with a C or higher

Course Learning Outcomes
1. At the completion of the course the student will: relate three dimensional structural relationships of normal anatomy of the brain, thorax, abdomen, and pelvis.
2. Examine the transverse, coronal, and sagittal planes orientation of visceral anatomy of the brain, thorax, abdomen and pelvis.
3. Interpret computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) images for normal anatomic structures of the brain, thorax, abdomen, and pelvis.

Designed to examine medical images for pathologic processes as compared to normal anatomy and topography. The main focus is on the study of changes which occur as a result of disease and injury which necessitate alteration of standard radiographic exposure applications. Probes pathology of the respiratory system, alimentary tract, and the hepatobiliary system.

Prerequisite: XRT 153 with a C or higher.

Course Learning Outcomes
1. At the completion of the course the student will: assess patient conditions based on provided clinical information.
2. Determine the diagnosis of pathological conditions for selected body systems by applying knowledge of disease signs and symptoms.
3. Determine the diagnosis and treatment of the pathological conditions for each selected body system through critical thinking case studies.
4. Correlate the relationship of the disease signs and symptoms with the use of diagnostic procedures.

The study of advance imaging such as special procedures, interventional radiography, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging. Fundamentals applications of quality assurance for diagnostic radiology occurs in the energized x-ray laboratory. Additional focus is on radiographic equipment analysis and concepts of radiography management.

Prerequisite(s): XRT 211, XRT 215, and XRT 251 with a C or higher.

Course Learning Outcomes
1. At the completion of the course the student will: discuss advanced imaging procedures including new cutting-edge technology in the areas of angiography, interventional radiology, three-dimensional imaging and emerging technologies.
2. Design a diagnostic radiology quality assurance program, perform quality control tests, assess outcomes based on acceptance parameters and outline a quality improvement plan.
3. Reconstruct the general components of radiographic, fluoroscopic, mobile and digital imaging systems, and compare and contrast the functions of each.
4. Examine the functions of management, design basic tools characterizing effective operation within a radiology department and discuss the importance of customer service in today’s health care delivery.

A continuation of XRT 220. Designed to examine medical images for pathologic processes as compared to normal anatomy and topography. The main focus is on the study of changes which occur as a result of disease and injury which necessitate alteration of standard imaging exposure applications. Probes pathology of the all systems including respiratory, gastrointestinal, hepatobiliary, urinary, reproductive system, osseous system and joints,heredity and nutritional changes and the central nervous system. All aspects of the imaging of neoplastic conditions will also be reviewed.

Prerequisite: XRT 220.

Course Learning Outcomes
1. At the completion of the course the student will: determine patient conditions by correlating clinical information with radiographic images.
2. Assess the "normal" chest radiograph.
3. Correlate an assigned disease with patient treatment and progress through the development of a patient chart.
4. Synthesize radiographic exposure technical factors to adjust for various pathologic conditions.
5. Research selected diseases and present pathological findings.

A continuation of XRT 153. This course is designed to involve students in supervised direct delivery of diagnostic radiographic services at an assigned clinical education center. A structured clinical learning plan enables the student to gain experience in advanced procedures and gradually move through mastery learning toward competent clinical attitudes and skills development.

Prerequisite: XRT 153 with a C or higher.

Course Learning Outcomes
1. At the completion of the course the student will: competently perform advanced radiographic positioning including the radiographic procedures of the facial bones and orbits.
2. Apply general radiation safety and protection practices associated with radiologic examinations and basic computed tomography.
3. Perform image acquisition and processing using current and emerging technologies.
4. Provide patient verification, education, care, protection and safety
5. Model the role of a radiologic sciences professional by demonstrating ethical behavior, using scientific terminology and develop an awareness of cultural factors that necessitate adapting standard radiographic exam protocols.
6. Evaluate radiographic images in concordance with standards for image quality, identification of artifacts, and formulation of corrective actions.

A continuation of XRT 251. This course is designed to involve students in supervised direct delivery of diagnostic radiographic services at an assigned clinical education center. A structured clinical learning plan enables the student to gain experience in advanced procedures and move through mastery learning toward competent clinical attitudes and skills development. Additional emphasis is on procedural proficiency leading to professional competence. Completion of all clinical education requirements and submission of the student's clinical portfolio is essential in order to graduate.

Prerequisite(s): XRT 211, XRT 215, and XRT 251 with a C or higher.

Course Learning Outcomes
1. At the completion of the course the student will: competently perform advanced radiographic positioning and procedures including trauma and mobile radiography.
2. Apply general radiation protection practices associated with radiologic examinations and basic computed tomography.
3. Perform image acquisition and processing using current and emerging technologies.
4. Provide patient verification, education, care, protection and safety.
5. Model the role of a radiologic sciences professional by demonstrating ethical behavior, using scientific terminology and developing an awareness of cultural factors that necessitates adapting standard radiographic exam protocols.
6. Evaluate radiographic images in concordance with standards for image quality, identification of artifacts, and formulation of corrective actions.
7. Complete all remaining radiographic, image assessment and patient care clinical competency requirements for graduation.

This is not a required course. It is designed as an extension of the clinical education experience for those students who need additional time to successfully complete the required clinical competencies/graduate outcomes. Primarily intended as a supplement to XRT 252 and offered concurrently with XRT 153 (seven week summer session).

Course Learning Outcomes
1. At the completion of the course the student will complete all remaining radiographic, image assessment and patient care clinical competency and graduation requirements.

See the Program Director.

Check if course is offered:
Intersession 2026
Spring Semester 2026