Radiologic Sciences Advising Guide
Department of Radiologic Sciences
What is Radiologic Sciences?
Radiology or Radiologic Sciences is the art and science of applying x-ray in the treatment and diagnosis of patient disease or injury. Radiologic Sciences is a profession, which includes those individuals who perform diagnostic radiographic procedures, nuclear medicine procedures, ultrasound and radiation therapy procedures. Individuals performing these procedures are referred to as Radiographers, Sonographers, or Radiation Therapists and perform and assist physicians in performing examinations in order to determine the presence of disease or injury and treatment of disease processes. Radiographers utilize sophisticated x-ray equipment in recording the hidden structures of the body on radiographic imaging systems. The types of imaging examinations vary considerably and include radiography of the organs and glands of the abdomen and chest, specialized studies of veins and arteries found throughout the body, and radiography of the entire bony components of the human skeleton. The radiologic sciences program at the University of South Alabama offers general diagnostic radiography, specialized imagining (ultrasound, vascular radiography, CT, MRI, and mammography), radiation therapy, and radiology administration.
Career Opportunities in Radiologic Sciences
Employment of radiographers is expected to increase by about 7 percent from 2019 to 2029, faster than the average for all occupations. Although hospitals will remain the principal employer of radiographers, a number of new jobs will be found in offices of physicians and diagnostic imaging centers. As technology advances many imaging modalities are becoming less expensive and more feasible to have in a physician’s office.
In addition to job growth, job openings also will arise from the need to replace technologists who leave the occupation. Those with knowledge of more than one diagnostic imaging procedure—such as CT, MR, and mammography, etc.—will have the best employment opportunities as employers seek to control costs by using multi-credentialed employees.
Salary Trends in Radiologic Sciences
The median annual wage for radiographers was $61,900 in May 2020. Obtaining a specialty area will increase starting salary. Salaries should also increase as experience is acquired. However, whether or not one receives higher salaries depends on the individual and his/her desire to develop new expertise.
High School Preparation
Your admission into the program can be enhanced by completing the requirements for admission on time as well as making sure you have a good background in science and math. High school students wishing to pursue Radiologic Sciences should learn and practice effective time management and study strategies that should transpire into their collegiate career, hopefully helping the student to earn and maintain a competitive collegiate GPA.
How to Major in Radiologic Sciences
To become a registered radiographer or registered radiation therapist an individual
must complete an American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT)-approved educational
program and must have earned at minimum an Associates degree from an institution accredited
by an agency that ARRT recognizes. The degree doesn’t have to be in radiologic sciences
and the individual can earn this degree before or after (within 24 months) graduating
from an ARRT-approved educational program. The individual must receive the degree,
however, before being allowed to take the ARRT examination. To become a registered
sonographer must graduate from an American Registry for Diagnostic Medical
Sonography (ARDMS) approved educational program and must pass two comprehensive examinations.
Regardless of whether a program is hospital or college-based, we recommend students consider the mission and goals of a program in determining which program to attend. Simply stated, our mission is to educate students who want to become Registered Radiographers and who wish to prepare for that career in a college setting, while earning a bachelor's degree.
Students will be placed in the pre-professional radiologic sciences major until admitted by the department into the professional component; this is generally during the summer term immediately prior to the applicant’s junior year. South’s Radiologic Sciences program follows a cohort model which admits new students for each fall term.
Academic Plan
Following an academic plan will help you stay on track to graduate in four years.
To see a sample academic plan for this major, please click here. Degree plans provide only a suggested schedule; make sure to meet with your academic advisor to find the actual schedule that is right for you.
For additional degree information, visit the undergraduate bulletin.
For More Information
If you have additional questions, you should contact any faculty member of the Department of Radiologic Sciences. They will be glad to answer any questions you might have. You can contact our faculty by going to the faculty page and clicking on the name beneath the photo of the faculty member you would like to contact. You may also speak with the departmental secretary by calling (251) 445-9346.
You can find us on campus at:
Department of Radiologic Sciences
HAHN 3015
5721 USA Drive North
Mobile, AL 36688-0002
Phone: (251) 445-9346
Fax: (251) 445-9347
Website: https://southalabama.edu/colleges/alliedhealth/radiologicsciences/
*The information on this page should be considered general information only. For more specific information on this and other majors, please refer to the USA bulletin or contact the department/College directly.