Radiologic Sciences

Radiologic technologists, also known as radiographers, perform diagnostic imaging examinations, accurately position patients, ensure quality diagnostic images are produced, and adhere to radiation protection regulations for themselves, their patients, and coworkers. They work closely with radiologists, the physicians who interpret medical images, to diagnose or rule out disease or injury. With experience and additional education, RTs may become specialists in CT, mammography, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or advance into management or education. Radiation therapy, sonography, and nuclear medicine typically require additional specialized education in a dedicated training program.

Sonographers are highly skilled health care professionals who use special equipment and high frequency sound waves (ultrasound) to create images of internal body structures and organs. They have a high level of patient interaction and play a vital role in providing the physician with images to interpret, assess, and diagnose medical conditions or conduct surgical procedures.

Echocardiographers, also known as cardiac sonographers, evaluate the anatomy and hemodynamics (blood flow) of the heart, its chambers and valves, and related blood vessels. Diagnostic medical sonographers evaluate abdominal structures like the kidney, liver, and spleen, breast tissue, the reproductive system, blood vessels, fetal development, and musculoskeletal structures like tendons and joints.

To learn more about education and careers in radiologic technology visit:

Your journey toward a bachelor's of science degree with a major in Radiologic Sciences involves a combination of foundational sciences, math, and general education with applied imaging class, lab, and clinical experiences. You begin with two or more years of pre-radiologic sciences academic courses, and then a 21- to 24-month full-time professional internship within a hospital-based program affiliated with NDSU.

These internships will focus on didactic and clinical education in one of three areas: Radiography, echocardiography, or diagnostic medical sonography.

Students are continuously enrolled at NDSU (fall, spring, summer) in RS 496-Field Experience/Internship credit during the full-time professional internship. NDSU awards a maximum of 60 credits for successful completion of internship class, lab and clinical courses within the affiliated hospitals’ program. Students who qualify to receive financial aid through NDSU may continue to do so during the internship.

Tuition and student fees are paid to NDSU at the student's regular resident rate. According to the agreements that NDSU has with hospital affiliates, NDSU sends each hospital program a designated portion of tuition charged the student each semester which hospitals apply toward their program’s tuition. Internships are exempt from tuition assistance discounts such as the spouse/dependent and cultural diversity discounts that reduce tuition below the ND resident rate.

Besides NDSU tuition and student fees, student interns may also pay fees directly to the hospital program to cover expenses like textbooks, activity or clinical fees, and mock board exams. Textbook costs range from approximately $800-$1,500 for the two-year period. Uniforms may be purchased through the hospital, a uniform specialty shop, or other provider. The hospital program will provide students accepted into their program with information about the non-NDSU related program expenses. Students are responsible for providing their own living accommodations and transportation during the internship.

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A 24-month internship consisting of classroom and clinical instruction in patient care, radiation physics and protection, principles of imaging, positioning, radiobiology and pathology which prepares the graduate to enter the profession with experience in diagnostic radiography. In addition to general radiography, education may also be provided in mammography, CT, and MRI.

NDSU’s affiliated schools of radiologic technology maintain programmatic accreditation with the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT). The two-year, 60-credit internship consists of classroom and clinical instruction in patient care, radiation physics and protection, principles of imaging, positioning, radiobiology and pathology which prepares the graduate to enter the profession with experience in diagnostic radiography. In addition to general radiography, education may also be provided in mammography, CT, and MRI.

Successful completion of the program and degree requirements qualifies the graduate to take the national certifying examination offered by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) to earn the credential of registered technologist in radiography RT(R).

NDSU maintains affiliation with radiologic technology programs in the following locations:

Avera McKennan Hospital (Sioux Falls, SD)
Mercy/St. Luke's Hospitals (Cedar Rapids, IA)
Sanford Medical Centers (Bismarck and Fargo, ND, Sioux Falls, SD)
St. Cloud Hospital (St. Cloud, MN)
St. Luke's College (Sioux City, IA)
UnityPoint Health (Des Moines, IA)
Veterans Affairs Medical Center (Minneapolis, MN)

A 21-month internship offered through Sanford Medical Center, Fargo, North Dakota. Internship classes, scanning labs, and clinical education will focus on adult echocardiography with rotations in pediatric and stress echo.

NDSU affiliates with Sanford Medical Center, Fargo, ND, to offer a 21-month, 60 credit RS 496 internship in echocardiography. The internship consists of classroom, scanning labs, and clinical instruction which prepares the graduate to enter the profession with experience in adult and pediatric echocardiography. RS 496 courses include:

Foundations of Echocardiography
Physics and Instrumentation I & II
Cardiovascular Anatomy and Physiology
Adult Echo I-IV
Pediatric and Congenital Echocardiography I & II
Scanning Lab I-III
Echo Clinical Practicum I-V
Professional Growth and Development
Research Project
Echo Concepts Review
Echo Registry Review

A 21-month internship offered through Sanford Medical Center, Fargo. Internship classes, scanning labs, and clinical education will focus on abdomen, OB/GYN, small parts, and vascular sonography.

NDSU affiliates with Sanford Medical Center, Fargo, to offer a 21-month, 60 credit RS 496 internship in diagnostic medical sonography. The internship consists of classroom, scanning labs, and clinical instruction which prepares the graduate to enter the profession with experience in general/vascular sonography. RS 496 courses include:

Foundations of Sonography
Physics and Instrumentation I & II
Abdomen Sonography I-III
Pediatric Sonography
Gynecologic Sonography
Fetal Anomalies
Obstetrics Sonography
Vascular Sonography I-III
Small Parts Sonography
Research Project
DMS Clinical Practicum I-V
Professional Growth and Development
DMS Concepts Review
DMS Registry Review

You will complete a separate application for each affiliated hospital program and be formally accepted by the hospital program’s Admissions Committee before beginning RS 496 internship courses. Admission into an internship is selective. The Department of Allied Sciences will provide information about deadlines, specific admission criteria, and application materials required by the affiliates.

Students apply for internship during the year they complete all coursework. You will work closely with your NDSU RS advisor to prepare for a successful internship application. The internship application process occurs annually during the fall semester, with interview and selection typically occurring in the spring. Admission into an internship is selective and requires a separate application be made to each affiliated internship program.

Intern selection is based on academic performance, courses completed, related experience, references, and personal interview. ACT scores and high school grades may also be considered. Your NDSU RS advisor will provide information about deadlines and specific admission criteria for the various affiliates and discuss with you other helpful means to create a competitive applicant profile. It is recommended that you begin work with your RS advisor at least one year prior to anticipated internship application.

Pre-professional radiologic sciences students must meet the following admission requirements to be eligible to apply to affiliated hospital programs:

Declared radiologic sciences major at NDSU
Plan of study on file with the Department of Allied Sciences that verifies the student’s ability to complete internship prerequisite courses on campus by start of the internship, including resident credits at NDSU for transfer students
Earned a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.50-3.00 as required by the hospital program by the internship application deadline. GPA requirements vary by hospital program
Earned a C or better in all courses to be used to fulfill major and degree requirements
Meet the program-designated technical standards (mental and physical requirements) or request reasonable accommodations to meet these standards
Comply with criminal background and student conduct requirements

Students are regularly evaluated by on-site hospital faculty and clinical preceptors during the internship. The internship consists of class and clinical courses for which the hospital program awards letter grades on an official hospital transcript. Clinical performance is evaluated using a competency-based evaluation system and performance appraisal. For RS 496 –Field Experience/Internship courses in radiography, NDSU awards a "P" grade (Pass) for each semester of RS 496 signifying satisfactory progress toward completing internship requirements. The hospital program's final transcript is the official record of completion of the specific radiography requirements. RS 496 courses completed in the sonography specializations are listed by course on the NDSU transcript.