Radiography Program
Interim Program Director: Mr. William S. Heathman, BS, RT (R): 685-4691
Secretary: 685-4600
PROGRAM GOALS ORIENTATION NIGHTS ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS CURRICULUM & PROGRAM STRUCTURE THE FIELD OF RADIOGRAPHY OTHER IMAGING CAREERS FACULTY INFORMATION ADVANCE PLACEMENT PROGRAM ADVANCED COURSES ACCREDITATION CERTIFICATION CLINICAL OBSERVATION VISIT PROGRAM POLICY EXCERPTS MIDLAND COLLEGE MAIN PAGE
Mission Statement:
The mission of the Midland College Radiography Program is to provide for both the professional and the personal development of each student in the field of radiography, and to respond to the continuing education needs of the medical imaging community. Click on Program Goals for more specific information.
Orientation nights are held the second Monday in August, November, February and April and are strongly recommended. All orientations begin at 7:00 p.m. in the Health Sciences Building Lecture Hall, and last about an hour and a half.
Accrediting agencies limit the number of students allowed in the program to 12 per class. The following prerequisites must be documented by the last day of spring semester: 1. Application for admission to Midland College; 2. Exemption or successful completion of the THEA test according to Midland College guidelines, (call the counseling office for information); 3. Successful completion of the NET (Nursing Entrance Test) with minimum scores of 52% composite, 52 percentile on reading, and 58 percentile on mathematics, (call the MC testing center for information); 4. Submission of a completed application and transcripts documenting pertinent courses to the Health Sciences Division secretary. 5. Successful completion (70%) of the Pre-Admissions HIPAA Module available through the Health Sciences Continuing Education department; 6. Completion of a Clinical Observation Visit (minimum of 2 hours) at the Midland Memorial Hospital Radiology Department; The admissions process is conducted in two stages: Academic qualification and the selection process:
STAGE I: Academic Qualification requires completion of all prerequisites listed above. In addition, a minimum of 60 points must be achieved on the Academic Qualification Rating Form. Points are awarded for related courses completed, honors courses, grade point average, and NET scores. A minimum GPA of 2.51 is required to continue to Stage II. Of those applicants achieving 60 qualification points, only the 30 top-rated candidates are advanced to Stage II.
STAGE II: The Selection Process consists of ratings from the Clinical Observation Visit, a computer-based essay, and a personal interview. For the observation visit, candidates are rated on appropriate attire and hygiene, participation and attentiveness, and professional behavior, using a structured form. The essay is conducted in conjunction with the interview. Responses to essay questions are rated first for quality, then again separately for writing composition skills, and ability to follow instructions. The interview is conducted by three professionals using a structured form. Candidates are rated based on conduct, motivation and interest, understanding of the field, communication skills, attitude toward patient care and teamwork, adaptability to stressful situations, reasoning ability, planning, and understanding of the general program policies contained in the program Policy Excerpts. The Policy Excerpts are available in hard copy from the Health Sciences Division secretary or by attending an orientation night, and also online at the above link.
Interviews (and essays) are held in May for the class starting the following fall. A total of 70 admission points are possible for Stage II, 20 points for the observation visit, 20 points for the essay (10 for quality and 10 for composition), and 30 for the verbal interview (10 from each interviewer). Candidates are notified of their acceptance status within 10 days of the interview. A short alternate list is maintained until classes begin in the fall.
The vaccination series for Hepatitis B is required for admission into the radiography program. The second infection in the series, which is taken one month after the first, must be completed before May 15.
Curriculum and Program Structure:
The Midland College Radiography Program is a 23-month program that includes summer semesters. It leads to an Associate of Applied Science Degree as well as eligibility for professional certification. The program is affiliated with Midland Memorial Hospital and Diagnostic Imaging Associates (an outpatient radiology clinic) and other centers to provide a comprehensive clinical experience for students. Students must complete over 1600 hours of clinical experience in the two years.
Academic courses include extensive anatomy and positioning, patient care, imaging physics and technique, and radiation biology and protection. A strong background in general sciences and math is highly recommended. See the Radiography Courses page for specific information about courses.
Clinical experience is integrated with didactic coursework throughout the program, by alternating "course days" and "clinical days" right from the beginning semester. Although on class days the student's load varies according to how many support courses were completed before starting the program, clinical days are always eight-hour days. Program courses do not always follow the regular college calendar, and some clinical hours are required between regular semesters. Therefore a strong time commitment is required of students throughout the program, with 25 to 40 hour weeks plus homework.
Personal Information Pages for Faculty:
Midland College offers a unique Advanced Placement Program for practicing imaging technologists who are already certified but wish to obtain an associate degree: Forty credit hours in radiography are awarded upon proof of certification with an appropriate agency, and the associate degree can then be completed with an additional 22 to 32 credit hours.
Midland College offers advanced evening/weekend courses for practicing imaging technologists. Theory and Clinical Courses are available in mammography, sectional anatomy, magnetic resonance imaging, and computed tomography. These courses can applied toward an associate degree through the advanced placement program, or toward an enhanced skills certificate, and also count as continuing education credits for re-certification.
Accreditation: The Midland College Radiography Program is accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology, 20 N Wacker Drive, Suite 800, Chicago, IL 60606-3182, phone 312-704-5300. The program is also reviewed by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, and the Texas Coordinating Board for Higher Education, in their accreditation of Midland College.