Requirements and Details
The radiologic technology program focuses on general radiography. Training in sonography (ultrasound imaging) is done in dedicated sonography programs (not at St. Cloud State). The St. Cloud State radiologic technology program does not include any clinical training in sonography (ultrasound imaging).
The Bachelor of Science degree in radiologic technology requires a prescribed curriculum and clinical course work at an affiliated hospital.
U. S. citizenship or permanent residency status is required for all students in this major.
During the first two years, students take science courses and liberal education courses at St. Cloud State. The clinical radiologic courses are taken during the last two years and are completed at one of St. Cloud State's clinical affiliates. This is called the clinical internship phase (or sometimes the clinical phase) and the courses in it prepare students to take the national certification examination in radiologic technology as well as fulfill the graduation requirements for the bachelor’s degree in radiologic technology from St. Cloud State.
This major requires job shadowing (PDF) (done as a college student — after high school graduation and after the first day of classes in the fall of the first year at St. Cloud State) that can be done at any hospital or clinic that does x-ray imaging. The traditional way to do this is to contact the diagnostic imaging departments of hospitals close to where you live and ask them if you can do the job shadowing there. See also the “Frequently Asked Questions” section.
Admission to St. Cloud State does not guarantee a clinical internship. Acceptance to clinical internships is competitive and is based on criteria set by the hospital affiliates. All of the on-campus pre-clinical requirements should be completed by May of the year in which the clinical phase begins.
I am a high school student. What are the first steps that I need to take?
- Learn as much as you can in high school.
- Take as much math and physics as you can in high school. It is not required that you take these courses in high school (you can take the necessary math and physics at St. Cloud State), but they will be very helpful.
- Apply for admission to St. Cloud State.
- Once accepted by the university, indicate that you want your major to be Radiologic Technology.
- Take courses at St. Cloud State.
- Meet with your academic adviser.
- Do the job shadowing as soon as possible after you start classes at St. Cloud State.
I am a transfer student. What are the first steps that I need to take?
- You don’t have to complete any courses before you come here. We even accept students right out of high school.
- Do your best at the college you are attending now.
- As soon as possible, apply for admission to St. Cloud State.
- Do the job shadowing as soon as possible. You are strongly encouraged to do this as soon as possible since you are already a college student; it is best not to wait until you come to St. Cloud State. Notify the director as soon as the job shadowing is done.
- Once accepted by the St. Cloud State admissions office, indicate that you want your major to be Radiologic Technology.
- Get academic advising at St. Cloud State.
- Take courses at St. Cloud State.
Applying for formal admission to the program
- Formal admission to the program is secured by obtaining a clinical internship at one of the approved clinical affiliates.
- Students apply for admission to the clinical sites during the fall semester in which they are taking PHYS 308.
- Application deadlines vary by clinical site. See details at this link: Radiologic Technology Clinical Affiliates | St. Cloud State University
- Acceptance to clinical internships is competitive and is based on criteria set by the hospital affiliates.
Requirements for applying to a hospital internship (for current St. Cloud State students)
- Be a currently-enrolled St. Cloud State student for both fall and spring semesters prior to the date when the internship would begin.
- Complete the required milestones for the major.
- Meet the minimum GPA requirement set by the clinical internship sites.
- Be on track to satisfactorily finish all on-campus courses by the end of May before the internship starts. Avoid taking any required courses in the summer before the start of your planned internship.
Is this program accredited?
Yes, our Radiologic Technology program is accredited (both the non-clinical courses and the clinical courses).
The non-clinical courses are taught on our campus and are accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (the accrediting body for colleges and universities in the Midwestern United States).
The clinical courses are taught off-campus at our partner hospitals which are accredited to deliver the clinical portion (by JRCERT, which is the accrediting body for clinical Radiologic Technology programs).
Additional Resources
- All required courses for the major can be taken at St. Cloud State. No courses need to be taken before you come here.
- Official RADT course descriptions
- Official PHYS course descriptions
- Job shadow report form (PDF)