Frequently Asked Questions


Frequently Asked Questions

What's the first step to apply?

First, you must be enrolled at ACC. Please see this page for information about how to get started.

What is the ACC Computed Tomography Program?

The ACC Computed Tomography (CT) program is a 2-semester (effective Fall 2020) advanced technical certificate program. The CT program is designed to prepare the student to take the Advanced Certification Examination in Computed Tomography administered by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT).

Who can apply to the CT program?

The CT program is offered to imaging professionals with a primary current certification in one of the following areas: Radiology R.T.(R)(ARRT), Nuclear Medicine R.T.(N)(ARRT or NMTCB), or Radiation Therapy R.T.(T)(ARRT).

Please note that the ARRT requires the candidate must hold primary pathway registration with the ARRT or the NMTCB in a supporting discipline and document completion of specific clinical experience requirements.

How many students are accepted into the CT program?

The number of students that we accept is based on the number of clinical training facilities that we have available.

Is the CT program offered every year?

The program is offered on an as-needed basis. It is dependent on CT faculty staffing and having 70% student enrollment to make the program. If there are not sufficient applications, the program will not be offered. The program is offered in the Fall and Spring semester (effective Fall 2020).

How do I apply to the Computed Tomography program?

Information can be found on the Application Process page.

I do not have a medical imaging background. Can I apply to the CT program?

Unfortunately, you are not eligible to apply to ACC’s CT program. You must be an imaging professional that holds a current Texas State Medical Radiologic Technologist (MRT) and primary ARRT certificate in one of the following areas: Radiology R.T.(R)(ARRT), Nuclear Medicine R.T.(N)(ARRT or NMTCB), or Radiation Therapy R.T.(T)(ARRT).

What is the difference between declared and undeclared student?

Declared – Declared applicants are classified as students who require the clinical and didactic component. These students are eligible to enroll in the three didactic courses and two clinical courses covered in the Fall and Spring semester.

Undeclared – Undeclared applicants are classified as students who do not require the clinical component. Undeclared means that only the didactic coursework is required. These applicants may already work in the CT field or have made personal arrangements for clinical training, and only are seeking the didactic portion of the coursework.

As an undeclared student, do I have 2 years to complete all the procedures needed by the ARRT?

Yes, the ARRT policies and guidelines apply to both declared and undeclared applicants. ​Both students will have 24 months to complete the ARRT competency requirements.

From ARRT.org: Candidates for ARRT post-primary certification and registration must — within the 24 months before submitting their applications — complete and document specific procedures as outlined in the clinical experience requirements (see Appendix B). 

Please visit www.arrt.org for more information on the CT post primary pathway option.

I am a Limited Radiologic Technologist (LMRT) and hold a current state license. Can I apply to the CT program?

Unfortunately, you are not eligible to apply to the ACC CT program. The state license allows you to be employed in that state to perform limited radiography. The state license and ARRT certification are two separate entities.

You must be an imaging professional that holds a current primary certification in one of the following areas: Radiology R.T.(R)(ARRT), Nuclear Medicine R.T.(N)(ARRT or NMTCB), or Radiation Therapy R.T.(T)(ARRT).

Please note that the ARRT does administer a Limited Scope of Practice in Radiography Examination. The ARRT administers the examination to state approved candidates under contractual arrangement with the state and provides the results directly to the state. This examination is not associated with any type of certification by the ARRT.

I have a certification from the American Registry of Computed Technologists (ARCTT). However, my employer requires a certification from the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT). Can I apply to the CT program?

Unfortunately, you are not eligible to apply to the ACC CT program. The CT program is designed to prepare the student to take the post primary certification examination administered by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT). You must be an imaging professional that holds a current primary certification in one of the following areas: Radiology R.T.(R)(ARRT), Nuclear Medicine R.T.(N)(ARRT or NMTCB), or Radiation Therapy R.T.(T)(ARRT).

I am a new radiology graduate from an accredited Radiologic Technology program. Can I apply to the CT program?

Yes, you can apply to the ACC CT program. You must pass the ARRT radiology certification exam on your first attempt. You must submit a copy of the ARRT card before the course withdrawal deadline published in the course syllabus/ACC Academic calendar. If you do not pass your ARRT examination in radiology on the first attempt, your application will be withdrawn and you will not be eligible to continue in the CT program.

I am a new graduate from an accredited program in one of the following areas: Nuclear Medicine, or Radiation Therapy. Can I apply to the CT program?

Yes, you can apply to the ACC CT program. You must submit a copy of the ARRT card in a supporting category before the course withdrawal deadline published in the course syllabus/ACC Academic calendar. If you do not pass your ARRT examination in a supporting category on the first attempt, your application will be withdrawn and you will not be eligible to continue in the CT program.

I am a new imaging graduate. Is patient care experience in imaging required?

Patient care experience is preferred, but not required. You will find that patient care experience is extremely helpful in the CT environment. Patient care experience used to rank applicants is defined as employed as an imaging technologist either full-time in radiology, nuclear medicine, or radiation therapy. Clinical patient care experience as a student will not be accepted in the applicant ranking process. Applicants with zero to less than one year will receive zero patient care experience points in the ranking process.

I have been employed in the imaging field for more than one year. How does this help me in the ranking process?

Full-time employment will help you in the ranking process. You must submit a patient care experience form completed by a supervisor or human resources representative to verify employment as an imaging professional. Points will be awarded as follows:

  • New graduates and/or less than one year full time work experience = 0 points
  • 1-5 years full time employment = 1 point
  • 6-10 years full time employment = 2 points
  • 10 years & over = 3 points
  • CT/MRI Scan + 1 year = 3 points

I hold a primary ARRT certification in Radiography, Nuclear Medicine or Radiation Therapy, but I have never been employed in the imaging field. Can I apply to the CT program?

Yes, you can apply to the ACC CT program. Please note that the absence of patient care experience may lower your overall ranking score against other applicants. Clinical patient care experience as a student will not be accepted in the applicant ranking process. Applicants with zero work experience in a supporting discipline will receive zero patient care experience points in the ranking process.

What is the CT ranking process?

The CT ranking process helps determine which applicants will be accepted into the CT program. The process uses grade points that are awarded for supporting coursework. Patient care experience points are awarded based on documented paid work experience in radiology, nuclear medicine, and radiation therapy.

What supporting courses are used in the CT ranking process?

Supporting courses are used to award grade points in the application process. You must submit school transcripts that clearly show the grade awarded. Transcripts that do not clearly show grades awarded will not be accepted in the CT ranking process. The following courses are supporting courses that are used to rank CT applicants:

  • College Algebra/Equivalent or Passing math placement test
  • Introduction to Speech Communications
  • Introduction to Computing
  • Patient Care Course
  • Human Anatomy or Anatomy & Physiology

Grade Point Distribution:

  • A = 4 grade points
  • B = 3 grade points
  • C = 2 grade points
  • D or F = 0 grade points
  • CR = 2.5 grade points

Prerequisite Course(s) not taken earn 0 grade points.

I have not taken one or more of the supporting CT courses? Can I apply to the CT program?

Yes, you can apply to the ACC CT program. Please note that the absence of one or more of the supporting courses may lower your ranking amongst other applicants. Absent supporting courses will receive zero grade points in the ranking process.

What courses are in the CT degree plan and when are they offered?

Effective Fall 2020

Prerequisite Courses:

  1. RADR 2205 – Principles of Radiographic Imaging
  2. RADR 2209 – Radiographic Imaging Equipment

Fall Semester:

  1. CTMT 1291 – Special Topics in Computed Tomography
  2. CTMT 2336 – Computed Tomography Equipment and Methodology
  3. CTMT 2460 – CT Clinical

Spring Semester:

  1. CTMT-2332 – Principles of Computed Tomography
  2. CTMT-2461 – CT Clinical

CTMT 1291, CTMT 2332 and CTMT 2336 are didactic online or hybrid (distance learning) courses.

CTMT 2460 and CTMT 2461 are a clinical internship. Please see “How are clinic hours structured?” below.

The CT clinical times conflict with my current schedule. Can I change my clinical training hours or days?

Unfortunately, clinic training days and times cannot be changed or altered. It is highly recommended that declared students in the CT program work or have outside commitments of less than 24 hours per week due to the time commitments involved. Declared students should expect to spend up to 40 hours per week on clinical and didactic course work.

As a declared student, can I do clinicals at my current place of employment?

No, you are not allowed to do clinicals with your employer. ​You will be assigned to a different site.

How are clinic hours structured?

Clinic hours are structured and not flexible. There may be slight variation on start and end times depending on the clinical site, but it will be during the day and on M-W-F (ex. 7 a.m. – 3 p.m., or 8 a.m. – 4 p.m., or 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.).

  • Clinical hours can only be completed at an approved clinical affiliate and sites will be assigned at the sole discretion of the program.
  • Only one student can be scheduled for clinical hours at a time, including students from other programs and employees in training.
  • The clinical affiliate may decline a student at any time and for any reason.
  • Clinical sites are offered in the greater Austin Metro area and consist of hospital and outpatient imaging centers.

Will I be assigned to more than one clinical facility while in the program?

Every effort is made to limit clinical rotations to one site during the semester. However, occasionally a student may need to be placed at a second site during the semester due to unforeseen circumstances.

Is there a tardy or absence policy for the CT program?

Yes, there is a strict attendance policy for clinical. Students should consult the course syllabus for details.

The didactic courses are offered online or hybrid (online and laboratory) as distance learning courses. These courses require completion of weekly assignments. Completion of these weekly assignments constitutes attendance in distance learning courses.

Are there any safety concerns with training in the CT environment that will prevent me from applying to the CT program?

Safety concerns in the CT environment include exposure to ionizing radiation, iodinated contrast media, hospital grade disinfectants, blood and bodily fluids and disease. However, these sources are of no greater risk than other medical imaging professions.

Who can I contact if I need more information?

Please feel free to contact CT program faculty member Maria Kelly at [email protected], or phone (512) 223-5818 for more information. You may also contact one of our Health Sciences Offices:

Eastview Campus Health Sciences
Building 8000, Room 8356
3401 Webberville Road
Austin, TX 78702
Phone: (512) 223.5700
or toll-free (888) 626.1697

Round Rock Campus Health Sciences
Building 3000, Room 3105
4400 College Park Drive
Round Rock, TX 78665
Phone: (512) 223.0220

Search the Health Sciences Website

Computed Tomography Updates

  • ACC Health Sciences Regional Simulation Center

    As the area’s number one educator of healthcare professionals, ACC’s Health Sciences Area of Study equips students for the important work that lies ahead. Our program is amongst the best in the state, and our graduates outperform students from across the nation.

    Read more
  • ACC and AFD Celebrate Five Years of Red Angels Partnership

    A new plaque proudly hangs on the walls of ACC’s Health Sciences building at Eastview Campus — celebrating five years of making a difference in the community.

    Read more
  • CT Program Application Period and Deadline

    Computed Tomography Program applications are accepted annually from April 1 to June 15 at 5 p.m. If the deadline falls on a weekend or holiday, the due date will end on the next business day. Please visit the Application Process page for more information.

    Read more