Best Online Associate in Radiology Degree Programs

Online associate radiology degree programs are targeted at aspiring radiographers and radiology technicians. These associate degrees offer the necessary training needed for entry-level radiography positions in a range of healthcare environments, such as hospitals, laboratories, surgery centers and outpatient care centers. Prospective radiographers and radiology technicians should have an interest in hands-on participation in the healthcare sector. Ideally, they should enjoy working with a diverse range of people, be competent in subject areas like science, human anatomy and mathematics, and looking for a vocation that provides clear opportunities for career advancement.

The online versions of these degree programs provide flexibility for all participants. Online associate degrees in radiology are particularly suited to students with numerous commitments and responsibilities. The flexibility is provided by the course content's online presentation, which means students don't have to be located in the same city where the course is offered. This creates financial and time-saving benefits, as it cuts down on travelling costs and also means students can study while they work. Other clear benefits of the online options are that students can tailor the program to meet their own learning pace or family and work commitments.

Application, Admissions, and Enrollment for Online Associate Degree in Radiology Programs

Before making an application for admission onto an online associate radiology degree program, candidates will need to check whether they meet the admission requirements. Unlike other associate degree programs, application criteria for radiology are rather extensive. Typically, these programs require a GPA of around 2.5 with C grades in the stipulated courses. This usually includes math, English and certain science courses, such as anatomy, chemistry and physics. Additionally, some programs may ask candidates to pass a pre-admission exam, such as a Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) exam or a Health Education Systems, Inc (HESI) A2 exam. These exams commonly test science, math, reading comprehension, and English composition knowledge and skill.

In the more competitive programs, candidates will have to meet additional application criteria such as attending a personal interview. Programs also require prospective students to undergo a criminal background check and disclose information about any citations, arrests, criminal records or terminations from a healthcare facility. Candidates will have to submit a range of supporting documents including; high school and/or college transcripts, pre-admission aptitude test results, and, if required, any evidence of job shadowing experience in radiology. Some programs may also require candidates to complete a health statement, and include confirmation of flu vaccination and CPR training with their application.

The differences between online and in-person associate radiology degree programs are unsurprising. Online programs can help students reduce study costs, both in terms of overall cost and being able to spread costs over a longer period of time, if necessary. The flexibility of online programs can be particularly important for students who have parental commitments and/or are working a job while completing their studies. The online nature of these programs enables students to mostly live where they want and fund their studies while they study. Perhaps the biggest drawback to undertaking online study is the lack of interaction with tutors, gaining meaningful clinical practice and the reduced opportunity to develop friendships with fellow students. Although most learning resources can now be provided digitally, online students have limited access to on-campus resources. However, online associate radiology degree programs typically operate in a blended way, i.e. a combination of online and in-person or on-campus course delivery. This approach helps to claw back some of the disadvantages associated with a fully online offering and allows students to gain access to campus resources and interact with tutors and fellow students. Therefore, it could be reasonable to suggest that such programs provide a very good balance in terms of the overall student experience.

Associate degree programs in radiology are typically completed in two years, thus approximately 65-75 credit hours. However, some online programs are self-paced, with no restrictions on when course content is completed. Students could therefore complete their course on a part-time basis. In these instances, it is not unusual for students to take between three or four years to obtain their associate degree in radiology

As with all subject areas, study costs can vary widely. Tuition fees are dependent on the institution, the location or whether the applicant lives in-state or out-of-state, or is an overseas student. Costs for the academic year 2021-2022 range from between $2000 to $12,000 taking into account additional costs for books, technology fees and any online course fees. Of course, for students taking advantage of the flexibility of online programs, these costs can be spread over a longer study period. Furthermore online programs mean accommodation and commuting costs are greatly reduced.

Associate degree programs in radiology comprise general courses and specialized radiology courses. The general course components will typically be offered at the start of the program and these often cover general science courses and communication and skills such as:

• Mathematics
• Anatomy
• Physiology
• English composition
• Communication

As students progress through the program, they are introduced to more specialized radiology courses. These specialized courses will cover a range of radiology subject areas, such as:

• Radiographic imaging
• Radiation safety and biology
• Radiographic pathology
• Clinical radiology

Optional courses may cover even more specialized radiology topics, such as CT procedures and vascular interventional radiology.

Once a student has obtained their associate degree in radiology, and passed the ARRT exam, they will be eligible to apply for a wide range of entry-level radiography and radiologic technician roles, such as a radiology assistant or radiographer practitioner. A graduate will be expected to assist and perform x-rays, ultrasound, CT scans, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans in these roles. Physicians use the results of such procedures to diagnose illness or disease. Radiographers and radiology technicians play an important role within healthcare provisions and they need high-level technical skills and analytical capability. Entry-level radiographers and radiology technicians can work in a variety of healthcare settings, such as hospitals, clinics, laboratories, diagnostic imaging centers and doctors' offices.

Begin a Career as a Radiographer

Radiographers work with doctors and patients to carry out radiological analyses, such as MRIs and x-rays. However, once junior radiographers accumulate experience, several radiology technician advancement opportunities can be available in more specialized roles, particularly in the field of imaging, such as CT and MRI. According to the No InterWiki reference defined in properties for Wiki called "of radiographers worked in hospitals https"!, with a significant minority plying their trade in medical laboratories and doctors' offices.

The outlook for job opportunities and security for radiographers is healthy. The BLS predicts that job growth for radiographers will be 7% from 2019 to 2029. The median salary for a radiographer in 2020 was $63,710 (US BLS).

Begin a Career as an MRI Technologist

MRI is a specialty within radiology. MRI technologists primarily work in hospitals and diagnostic laboratories and specialize in operating MRI scanners and inject patients with dyes so that images can be seen on the scanners. The scanners themselves utilize magnetic fields and dyes (also known as contrast media) to generate images that physicians can use to make medical diagnoses. MRI technologists will also carry out more general radiologic technology duties, such as preparing patients for procedures. This could involve shielding parts of the body that do not need to be imaged and appropriately positioning them, maintaining scanning and imaging equipment, working with physicians to analyze images and keeping detailed patient records. The salary prospects for MRI technologists are attractive and according to the BLS, they command the highest annual median salary of $74,690 of all radiologic technologists. The highest paying states and districts are California, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Washington and Alaska.

Prospective online associate degree radiology students must check that the program that they have chosen to pursue has the appropriate accreditation. Accreditation is the process through which an academic program is evaluated, usually by an external body to ensure that a set of educational quality standards have been met. The main accreditation body for radiography programs is the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT). Specialized MRI programs are more likely to be accredited by the American Registry of Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists (ARMRIT). Obtaining a degree from an accredited program is crucial for future career prospects, gaining eligibility to the ARRT examination and obtaining the licensure necessary to practice and work in this medical field.

An online associate degree in radiology is an excellent way to gain eligibility for the ARRT examination and qualified for entry-level radiography positions. Junior radiographers with an eye on future career advancement in the field may consider further academic qualifications. Associate degree graduates may want to expand their educational and professional prospects and so transfer to a bachelor's program. A common transfer option is to degree programs in diagnostic radiology. Here, students can specialize in a particular type of radiographic imaging technique. Another option might be to consider bachelor's degree programs in MRI and CT. Associate degree holders can sometimes be offered entry onto a fast-track scheme if they have accrued a certain amount of credits in prerequisite courses and additional courses from previous programs. Many institutions that provide bachelor's radiology programs have transfer evaluation criteria that holders of an associate degree wishing to transfer should check.

There are multiple educational pathways available to those interested in a career within the radiology field. When considering an educational overview for a career in radiology, prospective students may decide to pursue one of the other pathways, other than an associate degree, to become a radiographer, and subsequently, a radiographer specialising in specific radiological techniques. In addition to associate degrees described already, radiographers can greatly advance their training and qualifications by undertaking a bachelor's degree, master's degree or PhD in radiography, or a radiology specialty such as MRI, or by completing a certificate in a particular radiology specialty, depending on how deep they want their academic training to go and how much time they have to spare. In either instance, online learning is an option. These advanced qualifications can give radiographers a real edge when applying for more senior radiology roles.

Online Bachelor's Programs in Radiology

Although associate's degree programs can be a gateway to entry-level positions in radiology, bachelor's degree programs provide students with a greater depth of knowledge, beyond the foundational level. Bachelor's programs in radiology incorporate a wider range of radiology procedures and techniques, thus increasing a student's chances of career advancement once an entry-level position has been secured. Bachelor's students with an eye on a particular radiology specialty can even enrol on programs that focus on that specialty, such as CT, MRI or sonography. A number of these bachelor's programs have the option of online delivery.

Online Master's Programs in Radiology

Radiographers who have a bachelor's degree have the option of undertaking an online master's degree program in radiologic sciences, or a specialty within this field. This allows radiographers to continue in their radiology day job while earning an advanced degree that can help secure more senior roles. A master's program can be completed in 24 months but for online self-paced master's students, the time to completion will be longer. Master's programs delve more deeply into radiological principles and consist of course modules, such as advanced pathophysiology and patient assessment, as well as focusing more on the imaging of particular areas of the body.

Online Doctoral Programs in Radiology

Holders of at least a bachelor's degree in radiology or another relevant subject may wish to undertake a Ph.D. program in radiology. A Ph.D. is an appropriate qualification for students who perhaps wish to eventually obtain a research position in radiology or even teach radiology undergrads and grad students. A Ph.D. program will comprise common and specialist courses and a long research component. Depending on the choice of track a student chooses the courses will typically cover advanced knowledge in subject areas such as nuclear medicine, molecular biology, CT, MRI, radiation therapy and medical physics in general.

Online Certificate Programs in Radiology

Certificate programs in radiology can serve two purposes. Firstly, they can be a gateway to entry-level radiology positions, as some states do not require the minimum of an associate's degree to be eligible for such positions or licensure. This is the case, particularly, in very specific radiology positions, such as x-ray technician. Secondly, certificate programs can provide ARRT credentialed radiographers with additional skills, often in imaging. This can improve career advancement and help especially entry-level radiologists move to more responsible positions. Certificate programs, if taken on a part-time basis, will typically take 1-2 years to complete, and some program providers offer online delivery. The field of study with certificate programs is usually quite narrow and is intended to focus on a particular aspect or technique of radiology, such as MRI.

Many students need financial aid for support to undertake their studies. Students completing an online associate degree in radiology should as a first step check if they are eligible to apply through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The next step is to consider funding or scholarship schemes offered by their school, university or specific program- these are frequently mentioned on the school's website and if students meet the specific criteria are welcome to apply. Then students can also look for funding opportunities offered within the states where they live - see for example the Nebraska Opportunity Grant provides financial assistance to students with exceptional financial needs. A further source of funding can be found through professional organisations in the field of radiology. The American Society of Radiologic Technologists award scholarships to students pursuing studies in the field of radiology.