Across Virginia, radiology technicians are in high demand. This is especially true for the city of Alexandria and the rest of northern Virginia--six of the cities and counties where demand is highest are located in the northern region of the state. An associate's degree is typically the minimum educational requirement for those looking to enter the profession, and colleges with radiology training programs are located throughout the Washington D.C. metro area.
Montgomery College
The Takoma Park campus of Montgomery College offers a program leading to an Associate's of Applied Science degree in Radiologic Technology. Admission is competitive, as new students are admitted only once a year and entering classes are limited to 27 students. All students must have a minimum GPA of 2.5 and be eligible to take college-level English and math classes before they can apply. Additionally, applications will not be considered if the student has not met the required minimum scores on the TEAS, a test that covers basic skills in math, science, and reading/English. To be given priority consideration for admission, students should have successfully completed introductory English, a medical terminology class, and two semesters of human anatomy before applying.
The program requires six semesters of full time study and begins each year in late May. Clinical experience at locations throughout the Washington DC area is an important part of each semester, with the final semester culminating in a 10-week full time clinical rotation.
Montgomery College
7600 Takoma Ave.
Takoma Park, MD 20912
240-567-5000
cms.montgomerycollege.edu
Prince George Community College
The Associate's in Radiography program at Prince George Community College marks its 40th year in 2010. The program admits 32 new students once a year to begin in the fall semester. In order to be admitted, students must have completed introductory courses in English, math, anatomy, and medical terminology with a C or better in each class. Applicants must also satisfactorily pass a physical examination and criminal background check before they can begin the program. Once students are admitted, they are expected to attend full time and adjust their schedule so that they can attend classes and clinicals during daytime hours. The program is five semesters in duration, and students must complete all radiography classes with a C or better in order to progress to the next semester's courses. Clinical sites are assigned by faculty members and include clinics and hospitals throughout the region.
Prince George Community College
301 Largo Road
Largo, MD 20774
301-322-0733
academic.pgcc.edu
College of Notre Dame of Maryland
The College of Notre Dame of Maryland, a women's college in Baltimore, offers a bachelor's degree in Radiological Science. Students spend their first two years taking science prerequisites such as anatomy, chemistry, and physics along with required core courses like history and religion. In their junior year, students begin taking classes in their major. Each student chooses to specialize in radiography, nuclear medicine technology, or diagnostic medical sonography. In addition, students must choose either a second specialization from the aforementioned three or a minor in business. Students who choose the business track take required classes in finance, communication, and management and then have the option to take business electives in such areas as economics, leadership, marketing and computer information systems. Practicing radiologists can take short-term advanced programs in specialties such as magnetic resonance imagining or computerized tomography. Students who have an associate's degree in radiography can also enroll in Notre Dame's Weekend College program to earn their bachelor's degree.
College of Notre Dame of Maryland
4701 N. Charles St.
Baltimore, MD 21210
410-435-0100
ndm.edu/Academics
Tags: Notre Dame, students must, College Notre, College Notre Dame, Community College, Dame Maryland
