To enroll in a bachelor’s degree program in radiology, students must complete prerequisites such as field experience, biology, chemistry, and mathematics courses, as well as CPR certification. Completion of these prerequisites prepares students for graduate radiology programs and careers as radiologic technologists or technicians. Liberal arts courses and medical prerequisites are also required. An undergraduate degree in radiology does not make one a radiologist.
To enroll in a bachelor’s degree program in radiology, prerequisites such as field experience in a hospital’s radiology department and academic preparation in the fields of biology, chemistry, and mathematics must be completed. Many schools also require completion of basic courses in medicine, computers, and the liberal arts. Each academic institution has its own list of radiology prerequisites, which typically include between six and 15 courses, plus cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certification. In special circumstances, a student who does not meet the specified requirements may speak with an advisor about substitute credit.
Completion of radiology prerequisites prepares students to enter graduate radiology programs that allow them to gain employment as radiologic technologists, radiology technicians, and ultrasound technicians upon graduation. These professionals work in private practices, imaging centers, hospitals or clinics. An undergraduate degree in radiology does not entitle a person to be a radiologist, which is a term used by a physician who has completed advanced radiology studies at a medical school. Associate degrees in radiology or certificates in radiology typically require a mere high school diploma or a general equivalency degree.
An undergraduate student who enrolls at a university to earn a bachelor’s degree in radiology typically completes radiology prerequisites during the first year and no later than the second year before declaring a degree in radiology. During this time many complete field experience requirements for admission to the radiology program. Generally, eight to 12 hours in a clinic or hospital, watching tests and diagnostic activities performed by a radiologist or radiology technician, will suffice, provided the student obtains written proof of that experience.
Radiology prerequisites in the biology department may include courses in biomedical sciences, human physiology, and human anatomy. As radiology training consists of many clinical hours, previous biology courses with laboratory hours are expected. Physics and chemistry requirements can be met by any laboratory course that is higher than the introductory level. Advanced algebra courses are usually sufficient to meet radiology prerequisites for mathematics, but other branches of mathematics such as trigonometry or calculus may also be acceptable.
Medical prerequisites for bachelor’s-level radiology degrees typically include courses in pharmacology and courses in medical terminology. A liberal arts background ensures that future radiologists can properly interact with patients. These required liberal arts courses typically include diversity studies, psychology, or sociology, as well as communication courses such as English composition, literature, business communication, or public speaking. Undergraduate students who have already earned associate degrees in radiology automatically meet these requirements in most cases.
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