Radiologic Sciences, Bachelor of Science
Program Overview
The accelerated Bachelor of Science in Radiologic Sciences (B.S.R.S.) program provides registered radiographers the essential skills and knowledge needed to meet the needs of the radiology profession in the roles of leader, educator, and/or administrator. The program presents higher advanced skills of Radiologic Sciences for optimum patient care in advanced modalities and effective leadership in administrative positions. Created using the American Society of Radiologic Technology’s (ASRT) Bachelor of Science in Radiologic Sciences curriculum guidelines, ECPI University’s Bachelor of Science in Radiologic Sciences program provides a broader knowledge base and skill set beyond the entry-level radiographer. Advanced standing credits are awarded for past radiography coursework. The program is delivered in an online format with a part-time or full-time option.
Program Outcomes
Upon completion of the Bachelor of Science in Radiologic Sciences program, the student will be able to:
- Demonstrate problem-solving/critical-thinking skills that provide ethical and safe patient care in all areas of radiology, including advanced modalities
- Perform in the role of supervisor/manager for a radiology department using leadership skills in the areas of communication, quality management, and team building while maintaining quality of care and safe practices
- Analyze the relationships between major stakeholders in the U.S. healthcare delivery system and individual caregiver responsibility to provide optimum patient care
- Apply principles of diversity, cultural competencies, and health literacy to professional practice
- Professionally communicate with diverse groups of people including patients, peers, administrators, and health professions to ensure patient safety and quality radiographic care
- Practice a holistic, professional, and ethical approach to health care
For additional information about the program link to: https://www.ecpi.edu/programs/radiologic-sciences-bachelor-degree. To see the Student Consumer Information link to: https://www.ecpi.edu/student-consumer-services which provides additional information on the future careers, success, cost, and financing for this program. For information on the University Completion and Graduation Rates, please see About ECPI University on the ECPI website.
In approximately one year, through ECPI University’s year-round schedule, a full-time student can earn a Bachelor of Science in Radiologic Sciences. The part-time schedule is approximately 1.5 years in length.
About the Medical Radiography Profession and Advanced Credentials
With a Bachelor of Science in Radiologic Sciences, the radiographer has the potential to qualify for leadership and administrative roles in the radiology profession, as well as potential positions in advanced modalities. The Bachelor of Science in Radiologic Sciences courses will enhance decision-making skills for leaders in a dynamic allied health profession. The Bachelor of Science in Radiologic Sciences student will also be able to choose a specialized modality to study with the American Society of Radiologic Technology’s (ASRT) learning modules. The modalities available are CT or MRI. Completion of the ASRT modules, brings the graduate one step closer to registration in an advanced modality.
Required Certifications
The student will need to be an ARRT Registered Radiographer in good standing and will need to have an associate degree or certificate in radiography from an accredited institution to gain admittance to this program.
Program Outline
To receive the Bachelor of Science in Radiologic Sciences degree, students must earn a minimum of 120 degree credit hours which includes 53 advanced placement credits from the required Associate Degree or certificate in Radiography and 20 transfer credits from the prerequisites listed below. The degree completion program consists of 47 semester credits, which can be completed in a minimum of 3 semesters for the full-time option and 5 semesters for the part-time option. The program requirements are as follows:
Prerequisite Credits
Arts and Sciences
20 semester credit hours
| BIO101 | Human Anatomy and Physiology I | 3 |
| BIO104 | Human Anatomy and Physiology II | 3 |
| CIS108 | Office Applications | 2 |
| COM115 | Principles of Communication | 3 |
| ENG110 | College Composition | 3 |
| HUM205 | Culture and Diversity: Exploring the Humanities | 3 |
| PSY105 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
Program Requirements
Core Curriculum
32 semester credit hours
| RAD300 | Radiology /Healthcare Administration | 3 |
| RAD310 | Radiology Administration Law and Ethics | 3 |
| RAD330 | Sectional Anatomy | 4 |
| RAD360 | Specialized Imaging Modalities | 3 |
| RAD370 | Advanced Patient Assessments | 3 |
| RAD380 | Pathophysiology | 4 |
| RAD400 | The Effective Radiology Supervisor | 3 |
| RAD420 | Healthcare Delivery Systems | 3 |
| RAD480 | Professional Capstone | 3 |
| HCA400 | Health Information Systems | 3 |
Arts and Sciences
15 semester credit hours
Bachelor of Science in Radiologic Sciences-Specific Policies
Admissions Requirements. The Bachelors of Science in Radiologic Sciences (B.S.R.S.) program requires applicants to have an associate’s degree or certificate in Medical Radiography. All applicants must hold a valid, ARRT certification to practice radiography in the United States, and hold a minimum 2.5 GPA. Students who do not meet the 2.5 GPA requirement may apply for admission to the B.S.R.S. program on a provisional status. Upon successful completion of the first semester of the B.S.R.S. curriculum, a student may apply for a change of status from provisional admission to the full admission. All applicants are required to submit a resume demonstrating current work experience as a radiographer.
The full-time program is 45 weeks (Nine, five-week terms) in length. The part-time option is 15 terms or approximately 5 semesters. The classes are delivered online. There are no clinical externships needed to complete the program.
Students are required to successfully complete an Online campus orientation before they are enrolled for classes. In addition, students are encouraged to take an online tutorial available via the internet at http://ecpicollege.com/?id=test#. These resources provide information on the nature of faculty/student interaction, prerequisite technology competencies and skills, technical equipment requirements, and availability of academic support services information pertaining to technical requirements, etc.
Attendance. Attendance and participation are required. The attendance policy requirements for online classes are documented in each individual course. A student may be dropped from a course if the student is absent more than 20% of the scheduled total course hours.
Late Assignments. All assignments will be submitted electronically to the classroom assignment drop box established for the assignment. If the classroom server is down, students may submit the assignment to the faculty member’s ecpi.edu email address by the deadline and later post the assignment to the drop box.
Make-up examinations are at the sole discretion of the course faculty member and are discouraged.
Program Purpose. The program is dedicated to providing educational opportunities for qualified registered radiographers from diverse backgrounds in caring for individuals, families, and communities and preparing graduates for the practice in a variety of healthcare settings. A foundation for lifelong personal and professional learning is built upon a broad base of liberal arts and sciences, humanities, and radiologic technology theories to help students develop ethically reflective radiography skills that will uphold the ideals of today’s healthcare delivery system. Through evidence-based clinical decision-making in radiography practice, the development of leadership skills, the professional radiographer will be educated to serve and benefit a multicultural society across the lifespan.
Philosophy of the Bachelors of Science in Radiologic Sciences Program. The B.S.R.S. program believes that:
- Every person has value due to the unique experiences and knowledge that s/he brings to the community. The community is enriched by its members and the differences that they contribute to making a diverse and heterogeneous culture. Since every patient is different and rich in their history and background, so, too, must be the members of the healthcare team.
- Radiography is both an art and a science, dynamic due to the technology that supports the field and the many members that aid in providing optimum patient care. Radiography is grounded on many theories and principles from radiologic biology and physics, to incorporating compassionate care for all stages of illness, both acute and terminal. As vital members of the health care team, radiographers assist in providing answers to the questions asked from the initial diagnosis to the ongoing care for the chronically ill.
- Professional values and value-based interventions are vital to radiography education. Professional and social skills are needed to provide and receive proficient communications with patients, other members of the allied health team, and physicians from all services. The radiographer will be prepared to effectively and professionally communicate with all patients and their families.
- Critical thinking, clinical competence, and accountability are necessary to provide optimum patient care in an ever-changing environment. Radiographers work in radiology, surgery, the emergency department, as well as other areas of a healthcare facility and need a multi-dimensional skill set to provide care to the patients in those areas.
- Lifelong learning is part of the radiography profession due to the continuing education credits required by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT). The process and mindsets related to lifelong learning were initiated in the associate degree program and will be continued in the BSRS curriculum. Learning ideally mixed with enjoyment, is what will provide skill sets that will continuously evolve throughout the course of a radiographer’s career. Moving to advanced modalities, a career path taken by many radiographers, will enrich the learning process, and will enhance the profession by adding dimensions and employability for the dually registered radiographer.
Progression. Students must achieve a grade of C or higher in all courses to progress. Students must pass all general education classes with a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher. If a student fails a radiography course, they must meet with the radiography program director. If a second failure occurs in any course in the program, the student will be placed on probation. If a student fails the same course a third time, they will be dismissed from the program.
Student Evaluation. The faculty uses the objectives of the overall program and individual courses as criteria for student evaluation. A development student portfolio is created across the curriculum and submitted as evidence of accomplishment of the program outcomes in the final radiography course. Student grades are determined by a variety of formative and summative evaluation methods.