Medical Radiography Degree Program

What Is a Medical Radiography Technologist?

Medical Radiography — also often referred to as radiology — is a broad term within the health care field that encompasses several different types of diagnostic imaging techniques that utilize ionizing and non-ionizing radiation to view inside the human body. Most often you’ll think of it as synonymous with X-rays, also known as projectional radiography. Other medical radiography procedures include computed tomography (CT) scans, dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scans, fluoroscopy, and more.

Radiography is used to assess and diagnose issues all over the body:

• A hard-tissue X-ray can be used to look at bone fractures, bone conditions like osteoarthritis or osteosarcoma, and growth studies
• Soft-tissue X-rays can be used to look for tell-tale “shadows” in the lungs, heart, bowl, neck and skull
• CT scans are a vital tool used for detecting strokes, tumors, edemas, emphysema, coronary artery disease, Crohn’s and other abdominal diseases, and more
• DEXA scans are a key tool in studying bone density

Radiography technologists are trained in the safe operation of all these types of diagnostic equipment, responsible for adjusting and maintaining the machines, preparing patients for the procedure, ensuring that the correct areas of the body have been imaged clearly, updating their findings in the patient’s records, and coordinating with physicians and other members of the health care team in assessment and diagnosis.

How Do You Become a Medical Radiography Technologist?

Because of the complex nature of the medical equipment they work with, medical radiography technologists are generally required to have an associate degree from an accredited, qualified school. Most states also require radiographic technologists to be licensed and certified by national professional organizations like the American Registry of Radiographic Technologists (ARRT) or the American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT). Some states — like California — will also ask you to have the appropriate licensures from the Department of Public Health, Radiologic Health Branch.

At Casa Loma College, our MRAD associate degree program has been designed to follow the curriculum recommendations and guidelines of all those organizations. We adhere to the ASRT Practice Standards and the ARRT Standard of Ethics and prepare graduates with the necessary skills to sit for certification exams. It’s important to note that any good medical radiography degree program should also include a significant number of hours dedicated to hands-on clinical work, both in lab settings and through externships.

What Will You Learn in MRAD Classes?

The 22-month Associate of Applied Science Degree in Medical Radiography at Casa Loma College is a blended learning program that covers general education, medical-focused topics, and clinical practicum by utilizing a combination of online and in-person classes. Students get practical experience through lab work, as well as in a wide variety of health care settings through externships, and it’s all completed in just six consecutive semesters. The program is accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES) and approved by the American Registry of Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists, the American Society of Radiologic Technologists, and the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists.

Our radiography courses cover topics like:

• Principles of radiographic image production
• Radiographic procedures
• Radiographic anatomy and pathophysiology
• Radiographic sciences
• Ethics for science and health
• Medical terminology
• Advanced topics in radiography and registry review

What’s the Outlook for Radiography Careers?

Employment for radiologic technologists and technicians is projected to grow much faster than the average through 2031 — by 11% in California. 

Most of these jobs will likely come from hospitals given that, as of 2021, they employed well over half (58%) of all radiologic and radiographic technologists. As Americans continue to age, the need for qualified operators of diagnostic equipment to detect injuries and illnesses using X-rays, mammography, and CT imaging will continue to grow. This means that radiographic technologists from accredited degree programs are projected to be in-demand.

Get Started With a Medical Radiography Program

If you’re ready to meet this increasing demand for skilled radiographic technology professionals throughout the United States, Casa Loma College is here for you. Enroll in our Associate of Applied Science Degree in Medical Radiography and be on your way to a new career in less than two years.

At Casa Loma, we’re here for our students, from enrollment to graduate and beyond, with everything from assistance with financial aid to career placement and job search resources. Be a part of the community at Casa Loma and contact us today about our MRAD associate degree program.