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Previous courses Radiography (RAD)

A radiographer is a medical professional who applies doses of ionizing radiation to patients to create medical images of the human anatomy to aid radiologists and doctors in diagnosing and treating illness and injury. These valuable professionals work in hospitals, clinics, medical laboratories, nursing homes, and in private practice.

Radiographers employ a wide range of sophisticated equipment to produce medical images with the least amount of radiation to the patient, so that doctors and other medical professionals may better diagnose and treat injury or disease. Radiologic technologists use their expertise and knowledge of physics, anatomy, physiology and pathology to assess the patient, develop optimal radiographic technique and evaluate resulting radiographic images to determine if additional procedures are warranted. They care for the patient even when acutely ill or traumatized.

The practice of Radiography includes the following modalities (or specialties):

  • Diagnostic Radiography, which "looks at" internal organs, bones, cavities and foreign objects; DR includes cardiovascular imaging and interventional radiography.
  • Fluoroscopy, which is live-motion radiography (constant radiation) usually used to visualize the digestive system, monitor the administration of contrast agents to highlight vessels and organs, or to help position devices within the body (such as pacemakers, guide wires, stents, etc.).
  • CT (computed tomography), which provides cross-sectional views (slices) of the body and can reconstruct additional images from those taken to provide more information in either 2D or 3D.
  • MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), which builds a 2D or 3D map of different tissue types within the body.
  • Mammography, which uses x-ray to image breast tissues.
  • Vascular Interventional Radiography, which is a medical imaging technique used to visualize blood vessels and organs of the body with particular interest in the arteries, veins, and chambers of the heart.

Technology classes begin in summer quarter. Admission to the program is competitive with completed applications received annually. Because students and health care workers in the field may be exposed to infectious materials and communicable diseases, the program emphasizes safety and prevention.

Program Mission and Goals

The mission of the Columbus State Community College Radiography program is to provide a quality educational program that meets the lifelong learning needs of its community. This is achieved by preparing graduates for entry-level employment as radiography science professionals. This mission is consistent with the college's mission statement.

Program Mission Statement

The program holds as its primary objectives the education and training of qualified applicants to become competent radiographers. The program endeavors to instill in students, and subsequently graduates, the following goals:

  • Recognition of the need for lifelong learning in their chosen profession
  • The ability to behave in a compassionate, ethical, and professional manner
  • Completion of all program requirements, competence to meet entry-level expectations of employers, and successfully completion of the ARRT national certification exam
  • The ability to apply skills in communication, critical thinking, and problem solving in the practice of the radiography profession.

Specific Admissions Information for Program

Prospective students are required to attend a mandatory information session to learn detailed program requirements and career opportunities. These sessions are held several times each quarter and are very helpful in answering students' questions. Information session dates are available online under the Admission link or by contacting the Radiography department at (614) 287-5215 or radiography@cscc.edu. Information can also be found on the program webpage: www.cscc.edu/radiography.

Applications are available only by attending one of the mandatory information sessions.

Listed below is a brief overview of additional requirements for admission to the Radiography program:

  • High school graduate, GED, or equivalent
  • Required high school (or equivalent) courses in Biology (grade of "C" or better), Chemistry (grade of "C" or better) and Physics (grade of "C" or better)
  • Completion of  CHEM113, RAD190, PHYS (or equivalent) (grade of "C" or better)
  • Placement into ENGL 101 Beginning Compositions.
  • Placement into MATH 135 Elementary Statistics or Math 148 College Algebra.
  • Placement into "No Reading Required" on COMPASS Test.
  • Completion of the HOBET assessment test.
  • Submission of a written statement relevant to interest and intent in Radiography.
  • Health care experience or 16 hours of observation.
  • Attend radiography mandatory information session.

NOTE: Individuals who have been convicted of, plead guilty to, or plead nolo contendere to a crime may not be eligible to take the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) Radiography Examination according to the ARRT Code of Ethics, Section B.3 Rules of Ethics. For additional information, contact the ARRT (www.arrt.org).

Limited Radiography Certificate

This certificate program meets the requirements of the Ohio Revised Code (3701-72-01 to 3701-72-04) for a General X-Ray Machine Operator. It is designed to meet the learning needs of adults wishing to enter the imaging field of radiography with a limited license. Ohio Law provides two avenues to obtain a license in Radiography for imaging of humans. The limited license (General X-ray Machine Operator) provides opportunities for employment primarily in out-patient facilities which use film-based and/or digital-based imaging systems.

At the completion of the certificate program, the learner will be able to:

  • Demonstrate competence in academic technical courses that meet the ODH requirements
  • Be eligible to apply for the ODH General X-Ray Machine Operator (GxMO) State Examination
  • Demonstrate competence in patient-care skills and radiographic positioning and imaging skills specific to a GxMO
  • Incorporate general education outcomes for effective communication as necessary in a health care setting
  • Incorporate basic related course content to support technical course academic theory and practice
  • Develop technical skills required for employment in outpatient imaging facilities, urgent care centers, and physician practices
  • Develop additional clinical skills needed for employment in subspecialty areas in imaging. Examples include podiatry, chiropractic, general practitioner, outpatient imaging facilities, etc.
  • Move seamlessly from the certificate program to the associate degree program at Columbus State, if desired.

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Radiography Associate Degree (RAD)

Quarter 1

Course Name Credits
RAD 111 Introduction to Radiologic Technology 3
RAD 141 Radiographic Procedures I 4
BIO 261 Human Anatomy 5
MATH 148 College Algebra (or)
MATH 135 Elementary Statistics 5
MULT 102 CPR 1
TOTAL CREDIT HOURS   18

Quarter 2

Course Name Credits
RAD 142 Radiographic Procedures II 4
RAD 261 Clinical I 2
BIO 262 Human Physiology 5
CIT 101 PC Applications I 3
TOTAL CREDIT HOURS   14

Quarter 3

Course Name Credits
RAD 113 Radiologic Science 5
RAD 143 Radiographic Procedures III 4
RAD 262 Clinical II 2
ENGL 101 Beginning Composition 3
TOTAL CREDIT HOURS   14

Quarter 4

Course Name Credits
RAD 118 Radiographic Exposure and Processing 5
RAD 148 Special Radiologic Procedures 4
RAD 263 Clinical III 2
xxx xxx Technical Elective 3
ENGL 102 Essay and Research 3
TOTAL CREDIT HOURS   17

Quarter 5

Course Name Credits
RAD 254 Seminar I 1
RAD 264 Clinical IV 3
RAD 212 Sectional Anatomy 3
MULT 103 Responding to Emergencies 2
SSCI XXX Social Science 100, 101, 102, 105 or GEOG 240 5
HUM XXX Humanities 111, 112, 113, 151, 152, or 224 5
TOTAL CREDIT HOURS   19

Quarter 6

Course Name Credits
RAD 126 Radiation Biology and Processing 3
RAD 222 Computerized Imaging 1
RAD 255 Seminar II 1
RAD 265 Clinical V 3
COMM 200 Business Communications 3
TOTAL CREDIT HOURS   11

Quarter 7

Course Name Credits
RAD 123 Advanced Exposure and Processing 4
RAD 231 Radiographic Pathology 3
RAD 256 Seminar III 1
RAD 266 Clinical VI 3
COMM 105 Speech (or)
COMM 110 Conference and Group Discussion
TOTAL CREDIT HOURS   14
TOTAL DEGREE CREDIT HOURS   107

Students should request a program plan of study from their faculty advisor.

Technical Electives must be selected from the following list of courses:

Course Name Credits
RAD 267 Clinical VII: Elective 3
NURC 101 Nurse Aid Training 5
HIMT 121 Advanced Medical Terminology 3
RAD 190 Radiation Protection for General Machine Operators 2
RAD 141A Intro to Radiography Equipment and Patient Care 0.5
RAD 142A Radiographic Positioning of the Chest Abdomen 0.75
RAD 141B Radiographic Positioning of the Upper Extremities 0.75
RAD 141C Radiographic Positioning of the Lower Extremities 0.75
RAD 142B Radiographic Positioning of the Spine/Skull 0.75
RAD 299 Special Topics in Radiography 1-5

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Limited Radiography Certificate

This Certificate Program meets the requirements of the Ohio Revised Code (3701-72-01 to 3701-72-04) for a General X-ray Machine Operator. It is designed to meet the learning needs of adults wanting to enter the imaging field of radiography with a limited license. The RAD190 course and the modularized RAD141/142 courses are part of the certificates’s technical requirements.

Ohio Law provides two avenues to obtain a license in Radiography for imaging of humans. The limited license (General X-ray Machine Operator) provides opportunities for employment primarily in out-patient facilities which use a film-based and digital-based imaging systems.

General Education Courses (GEC)

Course Name Credits
ENGL 101 Beginning Composition 3
ENGL 102 Essay and Research 3
TOTAL CREDIT HOURS   6

Basic Related Courses

Course Name Credits
MATH 100 (or higher) Dosages and Calculations 2
BIO 101 (or higher) Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology 3
MULT 101 Medical Terminology 2
or    
HIMT 121 Advanced Medical Terminology 2
CIT 101 PC Applications I 3
TOTAL CREDIT HOURS   12

Technical Courses

Course Name Credits
RAD 190 Radiation Protection for General Machine Operators 2
RAD 141A Intro to Radiography Equipment and Patient Care 0.5
RAD 142A Radiographic Positioning of the Chest /Abdomen 0.75
RAD 141B Radiographic Positioning of the Upper Extremities 0.75
RAD 141C Radiographic Positioning of the Lower Extremities 0.75
RAD 142B Radiographic Positioning of the Spine/Skull 0.75
TOTAL CREDIT HOURS   5.5
TOTAL CERTIFICATE CREDIT HOURS   21.5

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