Essential Information
Radiology may be studied at two levels. At the undergraduate level, radiologic technology and radiography programs prepare students for jobs as radiologic or x-ray technicians. At the post-graduate level, radiology residencies prepare physicians to specialize in areas like diagnostic radiology.
In Minnesota, students may earn associate's or bachelor's degrees at the undergraduate level. Although no post-baccalaureate certificates are available, at least two schools do offer residency programs. All radiology programs include clinical or practicum requirements in addition to classroom instruction and lab training. Some programs are limited admission and, as a result, highly competitive. Admission requirement at a minimum may include background checks, drug screenings, and CPR certification.
Find below more detailed profiles for each of the Minnesota schools that offer degrees and residency programs related to radiology as well as a comparison table with schools' tuition costs and locations.
Century College
Located in White Bear Lake, Century College offers an Associate in Applied Science in Radiologic Technology program. The 78-credit-hour program consists of 58 credit hours of career-specific coursework and 20 credit hours of general education classes. The program begins in the fall and includes online and on-campus courses. Applicants to the program must be CPR-certified as professional rescuers and be able to pass a background check.
Lake Superior College
Duluth-based Lake Superior College offers an Associate of Applied Science in Radiologic Technology program. Applicants are required to have minimum scores on placement exams, a background check, and a 'C' or better in all prerequisite classes prior to beginning the core curriculum. The 82-credit-hour program boasts a pass rate of 100% for the ARRT National Exam; in 2012, graduates from the program had a job placement rate of 94%.
Mayo School of Graduate Medical Education
The four-year radiology residency program offered by the Mayo School of Graduate Medical Education in Rochester includes didactic and research training, as well as clinical training in a wide range of subspecialty areas. All diagnostic radiology students must organize and lead a seminar during their second year. Additional options are available for students who are interested in pursuing research.
Students enrolled in the program have access to the latest technology in radiology, including MRI and CT scanners, ultrasound machines, and nuclear medicine cameras. Students receive educational stipends, depending on the time spent in residency. Benefits, such as insurance and vacation, are also provided to residents who have completed at least one year of training.
Minnesota State Community and Technical College
Although Minnesota State Community and Technical College is based out of Fergus Falls, the radiologic technology degree program offered by the college is available only at the school's Detroit Lakes campus. In order to earn an Associate of Applied Science in Radiologic Technology, students must complete 89 credit hours of curriculum. The limited-access program ranks applicants' qualifications, primarily based on GPA and course grades, and requires students to pass background checks.
Minnesota West Community and Technical College
Based out of Granite Falls, Minnesota West Community and Technical College offers an Associate in Applied Science in Radiologic Technology program at the school's Luverne campus. The program requires the completion of 91 credit hours of coursework and includes a board review to help students pass the ARRT exam. After prerequisite classes, the program can be completed in two years. A background check is required for all program applicants.
Northland Community and Technical College
The Northland Community and Technical College (NCTC) campus in East Grand Forks offers an Associate in Applied Science in Radiologic Technology program. The limited-access program accepts 16 students each fall semester and requires that those accepted into the program pass background checks prior to beginning clinical coursework. Students enrolled in the program will complete a total of 83 credit hours of coursework over 21 months. When applying, students need to declare radiologic technology on the NCTC application.
Riverland Community College
Riverland Community College, located in Austin, offers an Associate in Applied Science in Radiography. The 86-credit-hour program includes prerequisite classes, general education courses, and a core curriculum, including mammography. The program takes 24 months to complete. Students need to earn CPR certification as a health professional prior to the second semester and submit to background checks and drug screenings.
Saint Cloud State University
Located in Saint Cloud, this state university offers a Bachelor of Science in Radiologic Technology. The program requires the completion of 132 credit hours of coursework, including liberal and general education classes, pre-clinical core classes, clinical education, and professional courses. The first two years of the four-year degree program are spent taking liberal education and science classes. Students must apply early in their sophomore year for fall consideration.
St. Catherine University
With two campuses in the Twin Cities, St. Catherine University's Henrietta Schmoll School of Health in Minneapolis offers an Associate of Applied Science in Radiography. The program takes two years to complete. Students can enter through the school's pre-professional program, which consists of one year of liberal arts and science courses before beginning the professional program. The curriculum includes five clinical experience courses.
University of Minnesota
The diagnostic radiology residency program at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis offers internships and clinical clerkships at local medical centers, as well as fellowship programs in six specialty fields, including breast imaging, pediatric radiology, and nuclear radiology. Clinical clerkships help students determine if a career in radiology is right for them. Curriculum for the program consists of hospital rotations within ten subspecialty sections, such as abdominal imaging, breast imaging, interventional radiology, chest imaging, neuroradiology, nuclear medicine, and ultrasound.
Career Requirements
In order to work as an x-ray technician in Minnesota, an individual must complete an accredited program. Following graduation, the student must pass the written certification exam offered by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT). The undergraduate programs discussed in this article all lead to eligibility to take the required certification exams.
Admission to a residency program requires that the applicant has already completed medical school and passed the United States Medical Licensure Examination (USMLE). The purpose of a residency is to give the physician specialized training, usually in preparation for certification from a medical specialty board. The residencies covered below are both accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) and can help graduates meet eligibility requirements for certification by the American Board of Radiology.
School Comparison: At a Glance
| School Name | School Type & Setting | Radiology Degree Programs Offered | Undergraduate Tuition & Fees (2019-2020) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Century College | Two-year, public; large suburb | Associate in Applied Science in Radiologic Technology | $5,578* |
| Lake Superior College | Two-year, public, small city | Associate of Applied Science in Radiologic Technology | $5,334* |
| Mayo School of Graduate Medical Education | Four-year, private not-for-profit; small city | Radiology Residency Program | N/A** |
| Minnesota State Community and Technical College | Two-year, public; remote town | Associate of Applied Science in Radiologic Technology | $5,560* |
| Minnesota West Community and Technical College | Two-year, public; remote town | Associate in Applied Science in Radiologic Technology | $5,846 in-state; $11,146 out-of-state* |
| Northland Community and Technical College | Two-year, public; remote town | Associate in Applied Science in Radiologic Technology | $5,715* |
| Riverland Community College | Two-year, public; distant town | Associate in Applied Science in Radiography | $5,732* |
| Saint Cloud State University | Four-year, public; small city | Bachelor of Science in Radiologic Technology | $8,656 in-state; $16,948 out-of-state* |
| St. Catherine University | Four-year, private not-for-profit; large city | Associate of Applied Science in Radiography | $40,984* |
| University of Minnesota | Four-year, public; large city | Diagnostic Radiology Residency Program | N/A*** |
Sources: *NCES College Navigator, **Mayo School of Graduate Medical Education, ***University of Minnesota.
