Clinical program
Mizzou students receive comprehensive clinical instruction in general diagnostic radiography at several local clinical affiliates such as University of Missouri Hospital, Women’s & Children’s Hospital, South Providence Medical Park, University Physicians Clinic, Missouri Orthopedic Institute, Harry S Truman Veteran’s Administration Hospital and Boone Hospital Center. Students will also complete clinical education in hospitals and clinics in communities across mid-Missouri as well as one weekend rotation per semester at Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis. Additional affiliates may be added to enhance the clinical education experience.
Our clinical affiliates provide students with a broad base of learning experiences. Other short, exploratory clinical rotations may include radiation therapy, nuclear medicine, diagnostic medical ultrasound, CT, MRI, veterinary medicine, mammography and trauma/emergency imaging.
More about program mission, vision and goals
Professional certification
Graduates complete the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) national examination and become registered technologists. Because Mizzou students complete advanced coursework in specialty areas, they may also be eligible to obtain advanced credentials. View ARRT credentialing options.
Successful completion of degree requirements at the University of Missouri does not guarantee eligibility to take the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists’ certifying exam. Candidates must meet ARRT requirements including ethics requirements.
Careers in radiography
The field of medical imaging is experiencing significant growth with a high demand for professionals in these areas. Our graduates have a 100% job placement rate, with some receiving multiple offers.
Radiologic technologists work in health care facilities, and more than half work in hospitals. Most technologists work full time. The median annual wage for radiologic technologists and technicians was $73,410, while MRI technologists averaged $83,740 in May 2023.
Course work
The Radiography program is divided into two phases and generally takes a minimum of four years to complete.
Pre-professional phase
Estimated 2 years to complete general education requirements of MU and program prerequisites
In the pre-professional phase students enroll in the University of Missouri’s required general education courses and complete the Radiography Program’s required prerequisite courses.
Professional phase
24 months (2 years) to complete the professional phase, including summers
Students in the professional phase of the MU Radiography program complete 16 academic and five clinical courses, leading to a Bachelor of Health Sciences degree in Clinical and Diagnostic Sciences with an emphasis in Radiography.
Coursework commences in June following acceptance, typically the summer semester of the student’s junior year. While most academic classes are taught in person with extensive hands-on experiences, five courses are entirely online, engaging students in interprofessional education and meaningful interactions with practicing technologists. One course uses a flipped model, combining online instruction with hands-on application in simulation labs.
Students in the MU Radiography program also complete advanced coursework in one of the following specialty areas of imaging: CT, MRI, or Cardiac and Vascular Interventional Radiography. These courses provide the necessary knowledge to obtain advanced credentials through the ARRT post-primary pathway.
Credentialing
Graduates of the MU Radiography program are eligible to apply for the national registry examination(s) in Radiography and their advanced imaging area(s) through the American Registry for Radiologic Technologists (ARRT). Candidates for ARRT certification are permitted three attempts to pass the exam, and these attempts must be made within three years following the completion of their program. Documentation of exam performance for advanced imaging exams may be completed on-the-job following graduation or through enrollment in the Advanced Imaging Externship course
- View ARRT credentialing options.
- See the University of Missouri Provost’s Office website for professional licensure disclosure information.
Curriculum requirements
Learn about required courses and other program requirements, including a sample semester-by-semester plan of study.
Advising worksheet
Students may use the Radiography advising worksheet as a guide but advising through the College of Health Sciences Student Services is highly recommended.
Admissions
Applications are due Dec. 1, typically in a student’s sophomore year. Admission to the professional phase of the Radiography program is competitive. Admission allows the applicant to begin the professional phase the following summer.
Non-MU students must be accepted by the University of Missouri to complete their application.
High school seniors and first-semester MU freshmen may be eligible to apply for early admission to the Radiography program.
Admission and application
Learn more about admission criteria and how to apply.
Cost and financial aid
In addition to the University tuition and fees, students should budget for ancillary costs.
Graduation requirements
Accepted Radiography students must meet the following to graduate from the University of Missouri:
- Attain a minimum of 120 semester credit hours
- Students will meet the General Education requirements of the University of Missouri
- English Exposition and Argumentation
- Writing Intensive course(s)
- American History or Government
- Math Reasoning Proficiency course
- Distribution Requirements
- Students will meet University graduation requirements
- Second Writing Intensive course
- Capstone course in the major
- Earn no less than a 2.50 GPA
- Students will complete all core Radiography and program coursework with a grade of C or better.
Accreditation
Program accreditation ensures that the program meets high educational standards, providing students with a quality education and ensuring graduates meet requirements for certification exams and state licensure. The length of accreditation, or the accreditation award, refers to the duration for which an academic program or institution is granted accredited status before it needs to undergo a renewal process. The length of accreditation varies from three to eight years, with programs that consistently demonstrate high standards receiving the longer accreditation periods.
The Mizzou Radiography program is fully accredited by:
The Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology
20 North Wacker Drive, Suite 2850
Chicago, Illinois 60606-3182
312-704-5300
mail@jrcert.org
The program’s current award is eight years. View general program accreditation information and the current accreditation award letter. The next site visit for the program is tentatively scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2024.
- Assessment of learning and program effectiveness data
- Program mission, vision and goals
- See the University of Missouri Provost’s Office website for professional licensure disclosure information.