Why Choose Radiography?
The Radiography program at Ferris is one of the largest and best-known programs in the country. The program is accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology. Ferris graduates are highly sought after employees in hospitals, doctors’ offices, forensic medicine and other health care organizations. Graduates of the program are eligible to take the national certifying examination of the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists. 100 percent of Ferris graduates are employed as radiographic technologists within six months of graduation.
Perhaps the most familiar use of the x-ray is the diagnosis of broken bones. However, medical uses of radiation go far beyond that. Radiographers produce x-ray films (radiographs) of parts of the human body to assist a physician in the diagnosis of disease and trauma. Experienced radiographers may perform more complex imaging tests, such as CT, MRI, mammography, angiography and surgical procedures.
Students enter the program in the fall semester and spend the first three semesters on the Big Rapids campus. Studies during this period include general education and technical courses. Ample laboratory periods provide an opportunity to apply the theory and principles learned in the lecture sessions. During the final three semesters students work with patients in an off-campus clinical education center. These sites are located throughout the state in hospitals affiliated with the University to provide clinical experience and continued academic instruction.
Get a Great Job
Employment growth through the year 2008 is expected to be as fast as average. Job prospects should be best for persons trained in multiple disciplines such as radiography and CT, MRI, or ultrasound. More than half of jobs for technologists are in hospitals; most of the rest being in physicians’ offices and clinics, including diagnostic imaging centers.
From a 2001 study conducted by the American Society of Radiologic Technologists, the average national salary for a registered radiographer was $46,822. The same study showed that the highest 5 percent of the radiographers across the country earned approximately $72,000. For the entry level (less than two years of experience) technologist, the average salary is $40,471.
Admission Requirements
Students must be admitted to the university. To be qualified to enter the professional sequence of the program high school students must have a minimum of a 3.0 gpa, a math ACT subscore of 19 and ACT scientific reasoning subscore of 21. Transfer students must have a minimum gpa of 2.5 with a minimum grade of “C” in MATH 110 and BIOL 109 or equivalent.
To assure students of a quality technical education in classroom/lab and clinical practice, enrollment is limited. Students who meet or will have met the program’s qualification criteria by the end of Spring semester are required to apply to the program’s professional sequence between January 15 and January 30 of the year prior.
Graduation Requirements
The six-semester sequential course of study at Ferris leads to an associate in applied science degree. Ferris guarantees you an internship in the last twelve months of the program. Graduation requires a minimum of 2.0 GPA overall. Students must earn a “C” or better in major and core courses and meet all general education requirements as outlined on the General Education website.
Ferris guarantees you an internship in the last three semesters of the program, although due to limited space, specific clinical site locations cannot be guaranteed. If a student interrupts progression in the professional sequence of the program, re-entry cannot be guaranteed due to space limitations in laboratory and clinical placement sites.
More Information
Lisa Wall, Program Coordinator
College of Allied Health Sciences
Ferris State University
200 Ferris Drive
Big Rapids, MI 49307-2740
231-591-2261
For Career information, enclose a stamped, self-addressed business size envelope with your request to:
American Society of Radiologic Technologists
15000 Central Avenue, S.E.
Albuquerque, NM 87123-3917
www.arst.org
American Healthcare Radiology Administrators
111 Boston Post Road
Suite 105, P.O. Box 334
Sudbury, MA 01776
www.ahra.org
Information concerning the accreditation of radiography programs is available from:
Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology
21 N. Wacker Drive, Suite 900
Chicago,IL 60606-2901
Phone: (312) 704-5300
www.JRCERT.org
