Curriculum
The School of Radiography provides a structured 21-month curriculum of classroom and clinical education. The 5-semester curriculum is arranged in a logical, progressive sequence, providing instruction and experience in a wide variety of radiographic procedures and state-of-the-art equipment.
The clinical phase begins the first week of the program and continues throughout the length of the program. It is designed to reinforce the concepts learned in the classroom and enable the student to become proficient in all areas of the Radiography field. Clinical experience involves evenly-distributed rotations through all areas of the Radiology Department and OSF OP Centers. Clinical participation is gradual and supervised at all times.
Course Sequence:
Fall Semester, Year 1
Introduction to Radiologic Technology
Imaging Procedures 1
Imaging Procedures 2
Patient Care in Medical Imaging
Medical Terminology
Radiography Clinical 1
Spring Semester, Year 1
Imaging Procedures 3
Radiographic Imaging-Exposure
Medical Ethics and Law
Radiation Physics 1
Radiography Clinical 2
Summer Semester, Year 2
Imaging Procedures 4
Imaging Procedures 5
Radiographic Pathology
Radiography Clinical 3
Fall Semester, Year 2
Digital Imaging
Radiation Physics 2
Radiation Protection and Radiobiology
Specials Procedures
Radiography Clinical 4
Spring Semester, Year 2
Business and Professional Development
Processing and QA
Radiography Registry Review
Radiography Clinical 5
Program Hours
Taking advantage of the Level 1 Trauma Center located within OSF Saint Francis, multiple Prompt Cares operated by OSF, and extensive surgical and radiographic opportunities, student clinical hours include a limited number of early morning, evening and weekend hours, where students are assigned to the specific area. Students are given their schedules at the beginning of each year. Classroom and clinical hours total no more than 40 hours per week. Students are not present during any of the holidays observed by OSF.
In accordance with Accreditation Standards of the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT), students are not permitted to devote more than 40 hours per week, or 10 hours per day, in total program activities, including classes, labs, and clinical rotations.
Clinical Obligations
OSF Saint Francis Medical Center’s Occupational Health Department will conduct a pre-entrance physical on accepted students including drug/toxicology testing, immunization verification, and a two-step TB screen; the student is responsible for the costs.
OSF Saint Francis Medical Center will also conduct a criminal background check on students at no charge to the student.
Students are responsible for their own transportation to and from clinical assignments.
Students must, at their own expense, maintain current CPR (Basic Life Support) throughout the program.
Student Expectations and Graduation Requirements
Program Grading Scale For all didactic and clinical courses, the following grading scale is used:
A 92-100%
B 84-91%
C 76-83%
D 70-75%
F: below 65%
The OSF School of Radiography seeks to graduate professionals who understand the concepts of radiography and medical imaging, and can competently perform as an entry-level radiographer. A certificate of completion/graduation will be given to students who successfully complete all the following:
- Completed didactic courses with a minimum of "C" (76%).
- Completed clinical courses with a minimum of “B” (84%)
- Completed all Clinical Signatures and Competencies
- Completed all clinical hours
- Paid any outstanding fees
- Passed the comprehensive final exam with a minimum 75% (within 3 attempts)
Certification
When academic and clinical education is completed, students are awarded a certificate by the School of Radiography. Graduates are then eligible to take the registry examination of the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT). Successful completion of the examination entitles the technologist to display the title of Registered Technologist, Radiographer or RT(R).
Licensure
In the state of Illinois, persons administering diagnostic ionizing radiation are required to be licensed by the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA), Division of Nuclear Safety (www.iema.illinois.gov). Upon graduation from the program, the student will be issued a temporary license, which may be upgraded to an Active license with proof of successful completion of the ARRT exam.