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Other Career Opportunities in Radiologic Science

Biomedical & Radiological Technologies

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Career Opportunities in Health Science

Nuclear Medicine Technology
Bachelor of Science Degree Completion for Students Certified in a Radiologic Science

Print Version (4 page PDF file)

General Program Information
The Department of Biomedical and Radiologic Technologies offers two pathways into the bachelor of science in radiologic sciences degree program in nuclear medicine technology. College students with no previous health care credentials may enter the program through transfer of 60 semester hours of liberal arts courses (junior transfer), or those certified in a radiologic science may enter to obtain advanced professional studies (degree completion program). The department also offers a certificate program in nuclear medicine technology.

This sheet describes the degree completion program for post-certification students. Those interested in the junior transfer or certificate programs should contact the Office of Academic Admissions.

Post-Certification Degree Completion Program
The bachelor of science in radiologic sciences program offers multiple curricular pathways in radiologic science for those certified in a radiologic science discipline. The curriculum enables studying a second discipline or advancing skills in the current discipline. The program provides multi-skilled professionals for today’s health care environment, prepares technologists with enhanced expertise and facilitates upward career mobility. The curricular plan for each student depends on educational and professional background, and on selected options for professional development.

Technologists may choose advanced study within their current radiologic discipline (single major) or pursue a second discipline for dual certification (double major).

Program Format
The required core courses (60 semester hours) are transferred upon entry into the program, and 30 semester hours are granted for prior certification in a radiologic science. MCG professional courses make up the additional semester hours required to earn the B.S.R.S. degree. Students who elect to major in the discipline of their prior certification will earn 30 semester hours at MCG (two semesters). Students who choose a double major must earn up to 45 semester hours at MCG (three semesters), depending on the combination of disciplines.

General Admissions Criteria
Admission is based on college grade point averages, personal interview and assessment of motivation, knowledge of the discipline(s) and personal qualities appropriate for the profession and for successful completion of the program. Completion of the liberal arts (core) courses and current CPR and first aid certification is required prior to the program start date (see the Frequently Asked Questions section for more information on core completion). Computer literacy is also required.

A minimum overall GPA of 2.50 on previous college work is required for admissions consideration. Competitive GPAs for accepted applicants are typically much higher than the minimum requirements.

Applicants whose first language is not English must submit official TOEFL scores, with a minimum score of 550 (paper-based), 213 (computer-based), or 79 (Internet-based) required for consideration. Information on the TOEFL may be obtained through the Office of Academic Admissions.

All applicants must document at least eight hours of shadowing/observation in the radiologic discipline selected as a second major prior to or concurrent with application. Documentation must be submitted directly to the department on facility letterhead and be signed by an authorized agent of the facility where the shadowing/observation was conducted.

Applicants must be certified by the appropriate organization (NMTCB) and have active standing as a registrant. A copy of the current registration card must be submitted to the department. For applicants who could not sit for the certification exam prior to enrollment at MCG, registry eligibility may meet admissions requirements. In such cases, certification becomes a requirement for graduation from MCG, with the 30 hours of professional hours for certification held in escrow until certification is satisfied.

Official transcript(s) of previous professional education must be submitted. For recent graduates of radiologic programs, one personal reference must be from a faculty member of the radiologic program.

Technical Standards
In addition to demonstrating personal characteristics appropriate for a health professions career, students must satisfy general and specific technical standards for this program. Please visit www.mcg.edu/sah/brt/NMedStandards.htm to review these requirements.

Computer and Internet-Supported Programs
Students must have access to a high-speed (DSL or cable) personal computer. Most student and faculty communication, projects and research require Internet interaction and many lectures are presented online for repeated viewing. MCG faculty and staff are available for technical and instructional support seven days a week.

Estimated Full-Time Academic Expenses

*  Non-residents of Georgia pay an additional $5,457 tuition per semester. Residents of Aiken and Edgefield counties in South Carolina receive a waiver of non-resident tuition.

**  Costs vary by major. Please check with your department for details.

(Costs are for 2005-2006. All tuition charges, board, room rent or other charges are subject to change at the end of any academic term.)

Estimated Living Expenses

Financial Aid and Scholarships
MCG participates in all federal student aid programs as well as state and private programs. MCG helps students fund their education through grants, scholarships, loans, a service commitment program and/or ­ employment.

Academic Common Market
The MCG Department of Biomedical and Radiologic Technologies participates in the Academic Common Market for nuclear medicine technology. Students from South Carolina may petition their home state to learn whether they qualify for in-state tuition at MCG.

Accreditation /Review

Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
35 East Wacker Drive, Suite 1970
Chicago, IL 60601-2208
(312) 553-9355

Nuclear Medicine Technology
Joint Review Committee on Education Programs in Nuclear Medicine Technology
One 2nd Avenue East, Suite C
Polson, MT 59860-2320
(406) 883-0003

Professional Licensure Credit
Upon successful completion of the academic and professional requirements established by the Department of Biomedical and Radiologic Technologies and the Medical College of Georgia, the following upper-division courses will be credited by proof of successful completion of appropriate certification in a radiologic science:

When and How to Apply
For best chance of acceptance, application to this program should be made during the fall preceding the fall in which admission is sought to allow adequate time receipt of all required information.  All application materials should be RECEIVED in MCGs Office of Academic Admissions by March 1.  Applications completed after this date are considered on a remaining space available basis.  Complete applications include the application, references, official academic materials, documentation of shadowing hours, and documentation of professional certifications, if applicable.  If accepted to the program, documentation of current CPR and First Aid certification is required upon enrollment.

How to Apply
Applications are online. Visit www.mcg.edu/admissions, or call or write:

Office of Academic Admissions
170 Kelly Building–Administration
Medical College of Georgia
Augusta, Georgia 30912          
Telephone: (706) 721-2725 or 1-800-519-3388
E-mail:
Web site: www.mcg.edu/admissions

Frequently Asked Questions

If I have completed my core courses and am certified in a radiologic discipline, but also have advanced specialty credentials or a second certification, can I get the bachelor of science in radiologic sciences degree without taking more courses?

No. Accredited colleges have a residency requirement whereby students must enroll for a certain amount of credit through the college that grants the degree title. At MCG, a minimum of 30 semester hours must be taken through MCG to satisfy this requirement. It is possible to be granted additional advanced-placement credit for special credentials, professional courses and/or extensive radiologic experience equivalent to an MCG offered course. Advisement upon application would identify such additional credit where applicable. But advanced credit cannot negate the residency requirement.

Can I do my clinical practicum requirements at my place of employment, or at a facility that I designate?

Clinical practicums must be taken at a facility with an MCG affiliation agreement and cannot be compensated by the facility. MCG has sufficient affiliates in the local area and across the state to meet student needs.

If I am a nuclear medicine technologist, can I take a C.T. or M.R.I. course?

C.T. and M.R.I. courses are open to students as electives. Nuclear medicine technologists may take the M.R.I. course and radiation therapists may take the C.T. course. It is possible that some courses in each major may be used as electives by students in other majors, depending on prerequisites, scheduling and course capacity. We believe in multi-skilling within the radiologic sciences, and will attempt to meet individual student goals and needs as best we are able.

Can I attend the program part time?

All entry-level courses (junior year, certificate and senior-level courses for double majors) are full time. Advanced courses (senior courses for single majors) may be taken part time. In fact, we have programs through which students may complete the senior year over a two-year period, since courses are available to suit a variety of lifestyles and schedules.

Nuclear medicine technology is currently the only radiologic science program available to non-credentialed students requiring entry-level clinical education. The program offers limited clinical and instructional settings in Atlanta, Athens and Columbus.

Must I complete all my prerequisite core courses before I can be accepted?

Completion of the core curriculum prior to starting the program is a primary consideration in admission. We can, however, consider your application before you have completed all of the prerequisites. There is a page in the application to indicate where and when you took or plan to take each prerequisite. Make sure the courses you need will be offered the semester you plan to take them.

On a case-by-case basis, applicants who have not completed all prerequisites may be offered provisional acceptance pending satisfactory completion of prerequisites.

What do you mean by proof of certification in CPR and first aid?

We will accept a course titled First Aid on your transcript or a copy of your card indicating you completed a first-aid course. You must send us a copy of your card showing CPR certification valid through your first semester on campus. If your CPR certification has expired, you must complete a recertification course. Your certification must remain current through your program of study here.

Can I enter the MCG program during spring semester?

Our courses are designed so that fall semester courses are prerequisite to spring semester courses. New students begin only during fall semester.

Will my nuclear medicine training be ­ adequate to take the Advance Practice Examination in Nuclear Cardiology Technology or to perform Positron Emission Technology (P.E.T.) or P.E.T./C.T. imaging?

Certificate (12-month) students receive basic nuclear cardiology didactic content and clinical experience to perform standard stress/rest and ventricular function protocols. The senior year of the single-major 2+2 nuclear medicine B.S.R.S. sequence focuses on in-depth nuclear cardiology curricula and skills advanced beyond entry level and is appropriate for technologists interested in working in a cardiology setting. Any ­ technologist who holds certification (R.T.-N. or C.N.M.T.) can sit for the advanced practice exam in nuclear ­ cardiology after three years of professional clinical experience.

P.E.T. and P.E.T./C.T. imaging is an exciting, cutting-edge technology and few practitioners are experienced in these imaging skills. Certificate (12-month) students receive basic didactic instruction and limited clinical experience in these imaging techniques. Students enrolled in the single-major 2+2 B.S.R.S. sequence in nuclear medicine technology receive training in one of the few dedicated P.E.T. and P.E.T./C.T. clinical programs in the country available to entry-level practitioners. Dedicated P.E.T. rotations are offered to seniors in Atlanta and Augusta.

Eligibility criteria for the specialty credentialing exams in P.E.T./C.T. are in early development by the national accrediting bodies. It is expected that all nuclear medicine technology students enrolled in the single-major B.S.R.S. program will receive clinical and didactic experience that establish a strong foundation toward P.E.T. and C.T. certification eligibility. We cannot project specific graduate eligibility for these exams at this time.

If I complete all prerequisites, am I ­ guaranteed acceptance to the program?

No. Applicants are considered for interview on several factors, of which grade point average and prerequisite course completion are only two. Application review begins in September and applicants who meet prerequisite standards early are considered first for interviews, which begin in February. Because the applicant pool is large and competitive for a limited number of ­ positions, we encourage you to apply
in the fall.

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Information for Prospective Students
Medical College of Georgia
Please email comments, suggestions or questions to:
Carol Nobles,

September 15, 2005