{"id":9588,"date":"2018-10-31T09:38:43","date_gmt":"2018-10-31T14:38:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sites.austincc.edu\/health\/?page_id=9588"},"modified":"2025-08-29T19:04:59","modified_gmt":"2025-08-30T00:04:59","slug":"faq","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/sites.austincc.edu\/health\/radr\/faq\/","title":{"rendered":"Frequently Asked Questions"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Future Students<\/h3>\n

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Frequently Asked Questions<\/h1>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_toggle title=”What’s the first step to apply?”]First, you must be enrolled at ACC. Please see this page<\/a> for information about how to get started.[\/vc_toggle][vc_toggle title=”I want a career in health care but I don\u2019t want to work with needles or body fluids. Will radiology be a good choice for me?”]Radiologic technologists must work with all types of patient conditions including patients with IVs, catheters, drainage tubes and ostomy bags. Radiologic technologists must be able to provide direct patient care before, during and after the exam. Patients may experience nausea, vomiting, fainting and even cardiac arrest while being x-rayed. The technologist is the primary care-giver when the patient is in the radiology department.[\/vc_toggle][vc_toggle title=”How many times can I take the TEAS exam?”]There is no limit to the number of times the TEAS exam can be taken for the Radiology program.\u00a0 The TEAS exam score accounts for 40% of your ranking score.
\nSee the Radiology program’s Selection Process<\/a><\/p>\n

A sample admission ranking formula can be found\u00a0here<\/a>.[\/vc_toggle][vc_toggle title=”What skills or backgrounds do most radiologic technologists have?”]There is no specific background that ensures an individual will be successful in the Radiology Program or as a radiologic technologist. While the technologist uses imaging technology, the patient care aspect is equally important. Strong math and science backgrounds, excellent psychomotor\/hand-eye coordination, organization, concentration and interpersonal skills are a must to learn and work as a radiological technologist.[\/vc_toggle][vc_toggle title=”How long does it take to learn to be a radiologic technologist?”]Austin Community College offers an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) Degree and a Limited Medical Radiologic Technologist Certificate (LMRT) program. The Associate\u2019s degree in Diagnostic Medical Imaging \u2013 Radiology takes 2 years to complete and the LMRT certificate program is completed in one year. <\/span>[\/vc_toggle][vc_toggle title=”Will I be able to advance my education in radiology after completing the AAS degree program?”]Austin Community College offers Advanced Technical Certificates in <\/span>Computed Tomography<\/b><\/a> , <\/span>Magnetic Resonance Imaging<\/b><\/a> and <\/span>Cardiovascular Interventional Technology<\/b><\/a> for students who graduate with the Associate\u2019s Degree. Each of these programs is two semesters in length.\u00a0 Students may also continue their education with a <\/span>Bachelor of Science degree from other colleges and universities.<\/span><\/p>\n

Students who complete the LMRT certificate program can advance their education by bridging over to the Associate of Applied Sciences Degree program.<\/span>[\/vc_toggle][vc_toggle title=”What is the outlook for jobs in radiology in the Austin\/Central Texas area?”]Medical imaging continues to expand and grow. It is anticipated that this trend will continue and faster than average growth will continue through the year 2022. The status of medical imaging professions, median salaries and other important data can be found on the web site for the <\/span>Bureau of Labor Statistics<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

The employment rate for ACC Radiology Program graduates is approximately 90% and has been on the rise.[\/vc_toggle][vc_toggle title=”Is the ACC Radiology Program accredited?”]Yes. More information can be found on the Radiology Program Accreditation page<\/a>.[\/vc_toggle][vc_toggle title=”How much does it cost to attend the ACC Radiology Program?”]An approximate cost report is available here<\/a>.[\/vc_toggle][vc_toggle title=”How much clinical experience is included in the ACC Radiology Program?”]The clinical education component of the program requires a total of five semesters of training in the degree program and two semesters of training in the certificate program.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

During the first semester of the program, students do not attend clinical training because they must first learn radiation safety, patient care procedures and be able to practice and demonstrate competency in completing basic procedures in the program\u2019s energized laboratories.<\/span><\/p>\n

[\/vc_toggle][vc_toggle title=”Can I do this program part-time or in the evening only?”]No, the Radiologic Technologist Program is designed as a full-time course of study which enables the student to finish as quickly as possible and earn the ability to take the Credentialing Examination in Radiography upon successful completion of the program. Clinicals must also be done during regular department work hours which are weekday, day time hours only.[\/vc_toggle][vc_toggle title=”Can I request to be assigned only to clinical sites inside the city of Austin or on the bus lines?”]Radiology students may be assigned to any of the clinical sites utilized by the program in the greater Austin area and may not request assignment to a particular site for any reason. Students are assigned to a variety of clinical sites throughout the length of the program to provide a well-rounded clinical education as required by programmatic accreditation.<\/span><\/p>\n

Sites within the city of Austin may not be served by the public transit system. Therefore, it\u2019s recommended that students have reliable transportation.[\/vc_toggle][vc_toggle title=”How many students are accepted each year?”]We admit approximately fifty (50) students each Fall to the degree program and ten (10) additional students to the certificate program.<\/span>[\/vc_toggle][vc_toggle title=”How do I apply \/ what are the requirements?”]Step-by-step instructions on how to apply to the Radiology program can be found on the program\u2019s Application Process<\/a> web page.[\/vc_toggle][vc_toggle title=”What is the selection process for applicants?”]Information about the selection process can be found at this link<\/a>.[\/vc_toggle][vc_toggle title=”How are candidates selected for the LMRT program?”]Applicants complete one application for both programs. Candidates are ranked according to the ranking process that can be found <\/span>here<\/span><\/a>. The top fifty to fifty-five candidates are offered a position in the degree program depending on clinical space availability. The next ten candidates are offered a position in the LMRT certificate program. <\/span>[\/vc_toggle][vc_toggle title=”Can I repeat prerequisite and co-requisite courses for a higher GPA?”]If a course is repeated, the highest grade will be considered in the admission ranking formula. Only prerequisite<\/strong> courses completed by the application deadline will be considered.<\/p>\n

Corequisite courses are NOT<\/strong> considered in ranking.[\/vc_toggle][vc_toggle title=”Can I transfer in courses to fulfill the prerequisites?”]Yes, ACC will make the final determination on transfer courses; only credits from regionally accredited colleges and universities are accepted by ACC. However, upper division courses will not be accepted.[\/vc_toggle][vc_toggle title=”I need to work at least part-time if I am admitted to the Radiology Program. Is this possible?”]The amount of time a radiology student must spend in classes, labs, study, practice and attending clinical is significant. Plan to spend 2\u20103 hours on preparation for every hour of class and lab.<\/p>\n

The Radiology Program cannot make accommodations for a student\u2019s work schedule. It is recommended that a student work no more than 20 hours a week if necessary. It\u2019s also recommended that you plan ahead for your financial situation if admitted to the Radiology Program.[\/vc_toggle][vc_toggle title=”Are there any post-admission requirements?”]Yes. To see a list of post-admission requirements, see “Provisional Admission Information” on the Application Process page<\/a>.[\/vc_toggle][vc_toggle title=”Are radiology students in class a lot during the week?”]Many courses are taught in a hybrid format with instructions posted to an electronic blackboard. Enhanced learning is then taught during class times. As a rule, successful students may devote 20-40 hours per week to class, labs, assignments, study and clinical. Depending on the students\u2019 capabilities and dedication, each student\u2019s hours will vary.[\/vc_toggle][vc_toggle title=”Is there a tardy or absence policy for the Radiology program?”]Lecture, lab and clinical schedules are provided to the student at the beginning of each semester. Due to the intense nature of study, missed class or clinical hours may seriously affect a student\u2019s ability to complete the requirements of his\/her course(s).<\/p>\n

Each course syllabus contains information regarding attendance requirements and procedures. Excessive tardiness may result in the Progressive Discipline Process or even withdrawal from the program.[\/vc_toggle][vc_toggle title=”If I am not accepted into the Program this year, will I be placed on a waiting list?”]No. Each application cycle is a new selection process. You will need to submit a reapplication form and compete against those that apply for that admissions cycle.[\/vc_toggle][vc_toggle title=”If I complete the certificate program and would like to bridge into the degree program, what is the admission process?”]Students in the LMRT certificate program will be ranked according to their program GPA. In the spring semester, students will submit a Letter of Intent to transfer and a letter of recommendation to the Department Chair. Positions in the degree program will be offered according to the ranked order and the number of clinical spaces available. If selected, students will continue into the second year after completion of the certificate program. If not selected, students will be placed on a waiting list for the following year. The program guarantees admission to the degree program but cannot guarantee immediate placement. <\/span>[\/vc_toggle][vc_toggle title=”What types of financial aid are available to me?”]The counselors at ACC are more than happy to help you investigate funds available for your education. For information about financial aid, visit the Health Sciences Student Resources page<\/a>.[\/vc_toggle][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/4″ el_class=”right-column”][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

Search the Health Sciences Website<\/h2>\n

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Radiology Updates<\/h2>\n

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