Education Options for Radiology Technologists

There are three education options to become a radiology technologist: certificate or diploma, associate degree and bachelor’s degree. Each primarily requires a different amount of time. Which you choose may depend on your career ambitions, finances, and how quickly you want to begin working in the field.

Overview

“The main route to become a radiologic technologist is to attend a radiography program,” says Peter Rath, MPA, R.T. (R), ARRT, a radiology technician on staff at the American Society of Radiologic Technologists, where he evaluates continuing education programs. “An associate or bachelor’s degree makes you eligible for certification, which you need in order to work as a radiographer.”

Here, we explain the three educational paths so you can decide which is the best fit for you.

Education Paths

“Students in a radiography program must gain knowledge as well as clinical skills,” Rath says, explaining what students should expect from their education.

Certificate or Diploma

A certificate or diploma program will qualify you to create one type of radiologic image—for instance, X-rays or MRIs—so you’ll need to choose a procedure to specialize in.

Associate Degree

An associate degree in radiology technology is the minimum education required to work as an X-ray technician—also known as a radiology technologist, radiologic technologist and radiographer. You’ll also need an associate degree to earn the Registered Radiologic Technologist R.T. (R) certification.

Bachelor’s Degree

A bachelor’s degree in radiologic science provides more in-depth and advanced training. Earning a bachelor’s may also allow students to pursue training and hands-on experience in imaging procedures beyond X-rays, such as CT imaging and mammography.

Online Programs

If you’re looking for an alternative to traditional, in-person education, you might be interested in online programs for radiologic technology.

Associate and bachelor’s degrees require in-person work, such as learning how to operate equipment and position patients. That means “online” programs are more accurately called hybrid programs.

In a program like this, you’ll take coursework covering topics such as medical ethics and medical terminology online and do your clinical program in person at a medical facility approved by your program.

Online programs can offer more flexibility than campus programs by allowing students to attend class online in real time or watch a videotaped class at their convenience.  An online program in radiologic science may be a good fit for people who are working, have caregiving responsibilities, or have other limitations that make traditional education difficult.

Online programs may not be a good fit for everyone, however. Students who are self-motivated, independent learners are more likely to thrive in this learning format.

Online programs can offer more flexibility than campus programs by allowing students to attend class online in real time or watch a videotaped class at their convenience.  An online program in radiologic science may be a good fit for people who are working, have caregiving responsibilities, or have other limitations that make traditional education difficult.

What to Look for in a School

When choosing a school to become a radiology technologist, you’ll need to consider many factors, including:

Any school you consider, though, should be accredited.

The Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology is the primary accrediting agency for programs. Earning a degree from an accredited school is a requirement to earn a certification as a radiology technologist, and nearly all workplaces will require RTs to be certified.

Licensure and Certifications

More than 75% of states require radiology technologists to be licensed, and the vast majority require them to be certified by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT). Moreover, nearly all employers require radiographers to be certified, so regardless of state requirements, it makes sense to pursue this credential.

Most states have their own licensing procedures and requirements, so check with the state where you plan to work to find out what they are.

Salary and Job Outlook

Salaries for radiology technologists can vary based on where you live, where you work, your experience, whether you’re certified, and more.

As in many healthcare fields, radiography is growing to meet increased demand as the large baby boomer generation ages—and lives longer. Patients in this generation may need medical imaging to diagnose cancers, lung infections, heart disease, in addition to broken bones.

“Employment rates for radiographers continue to be high, stable, and growing,” Rath says. The BLS projects jobs to grow by 5.5% through 2032.

Financial Aid

You’ve already learned that you need to attend an accredited radiology program to earn certifications. Your program should be accredited if you want to take advantage of financial aid or apply for the FAFSA.

Federal student aid can make your education more affordable. Your individual circumstances, including income and family size, will determine how much, if any aid, you are awarded.

In addition, most colleges and universities offer financial aid. By taking advantage of all the resources available, you can make earning a degree in radiography more affordable.