Radiography (B.S.)
Radiography is an allied health profession which employs x-radiation to produce images of the human body. The radiographer performs x-ray examinations while providing patient care and is responsible for providing the physician with high quality diagnostic radiographs for interpretation. The radiographer also assists the radiologist in the performance of invasive and fluoroscopic procedures. The profession of radiography requires technical skills related to the proper use of x-ray equipment and radiation, as well as skills related to patient care.
The Bachelor of Science in Radiography is a “2+2” program. The program is a result of affiliation agreements between the University of St. Francis in Joliet and Swedish American Hospital in Rockford, IL and Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago, IL. The student completes two years of liberal and pre-professional education courses at the University of St. Francis, and then applies for admission to The Swedish American School of Radiography or Northwestern Memorial Hospital, School of Radiography. Both programs are accredited by the JRCERT (Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology).
Admission to the professional education component is controlled by the sponsors, Swedish American Hospital and Northwestern Memorial Hospital. (Note: Completion of the required pre-professional course work will satisfy the admission requirements of the professional programs, but will not guarantee admission.) Successful completion of the Swedish American Hospital or Northwestern Memorial program completes the professional education component of the degree and makes the graduate eligible to take the national certification examination of the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT).
The professional phase of the radiography baccalaureate degree is divided into five - six phases. These phases cover a 21—24-month period of time. During each of the phases both didactic as well as clinical experiences will cover a variety of topics which will help turn the student into a professional independent practitioner. The curriculum plan may vary according to the specific affiliated institution, but upon successful completion will lead to the graduate obtaining a baccalaureate degree as well as a certificate in radiography and the right to sit for the licensure examination. Additional information regarding specific affiliates and curriculum plans can be obtained by contacting academic advisors or admission counselors.
The curriculum of the professional phase of the program is determined by the hospital-based program and requires additional tuition and fees beyond those charged to non-allied health majors. Students enrolled in the clinical program are responsible for paying tuition during the summer terms. Students enrolled in the program at Swedish American Hospital are responsible for tuition during Summer Session I and II. Students enrolled in the program at Northwestern Memorial Hospital are responsible for tuition during their sole summer session. (Please see curriculum breakdown below.)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| BIOL 124 & BIOL 125 | Principles of Biology I and Principles of Biology I Lab | 4 |
| BIOL 221 | Human Anatomy | 4 |
| BIOL 252 | Human Physiology | 4 |
| CHEM 120 | Foundations of Chemistry | 5 |
| MATH 105 | Introduction to Statistics | 3 |
| PSYC 111 | General Psychology | 3 |
| PSYC 240 | Life-Span Development | 3 |
| or SWRK 242 | Human Behavior in Social Environment II | |
| RADG 101 | Introduction to Radiologic Sciences | 1 |
| RADT 102 | Medical Terminology | 1 |
| Total Hours | 28 | |
Swedish American Hospital, a division of UW Health
Radiography (69 credit hours)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Summer Session I | ||
| RADG 310 | Introduction to Clinical Radiologic Science | 2 |
| RADG 331 | Methods of Patient Care | 3 |
| Fall Session I | ||
| RADG 305 | Radiography Clinical Experience I | 3 |
| RADG 350 | Radiation Physics I | 3 |
| RADG 380 | Radiographic Procedures | 5 |
| RADG 430 | Pharmacology | 2 |
| Spring Session I | ||
| RADG 307 | Radiography Clinical Experience II | 3 |
| RADG 335 | Ethics and Law in Radiologic Science | 2 |
| RADG 371 | Radiographic Imaging I | 3 |
| RADG 381 | Radiographic Procedures II | 5 |
| RADG 440 | Radiographic Pathology I | 2 |
| Summer Session II | ||
| RADG 374 | Digital Radiography and PACS | 2 |
| RADG 407 | Radiographic Clinical Experience III | 3 |
| RADG 421 | Sectional Anatomy | 2 |
| RADG 481 | Special Procedures | 3 |
| Fall Session II | ||
| RADG 360 | Radiobiology and Radiation Protection | 2 |
| RADG 408 | Radiographic Clinical Experience IV | 5 |
| RADG 410 | Radiographic Critique I | 2 |
| RADG 441 | Radiographic Pathology II | 2 |
| RADG 460 | Health Care And Radiology Administration I | 1 |
| Spring Session II | ||
| RADG 409 | Radiographic Clinical Experience V | 4 |
| RADG 411 | Radiographic Critique II | 2 |
| RADG 450 | Quality Management | 2 |
| RADG 461 | Health Care And Radiology Administration II | 1 |
| RADG 491 | Radiography Registry Review | 3 |
| Total Hours | 67 | |
Northwestern Memorial Hospital
Radiography (73 credit hours)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Fall Session I | ||
| RADG 305 | Radiography Clinical Experience I | 3 |
| RADG 310 | Introduction to Clinical Radiologic Science | 2 |
| RADG 320 | Medical Terminology | 1 |
| RADG 331 | Methods of Patient Care | 3 |
| RADG 371 | Radiographic Imaging I | 3 |
| RADG 380 | Radiographic Procedures | 5 |
| Spring Session I | ||
| RADG 218 | Fluroscopic Procedures I | 1 |
| RADG 307 | Radiography Clinical Experience II | 3 |
| RADG 360 | Radiobiology and Radiation Protection | 2 |
| RADG 372 | Radiographic Imaging II | 3 |
| RADG 381 | Radiographic Procedures II | 5 |
| Summer Session | ||
| RADG 219 | Fluroscopic Procedures II | 1 |
| RADG 350 | Radiation Physics I | 2 |
| RADG 407 | Radiographic Clinical Experience III | 3 |
| RADG 410 | Radiographic Critique I | 2 |
| RADG 460 | Health Care And Radiology Administration I | 1 |
| Fall Session II | ||
| RADG 216 | Radiographic Procedures V | 2 |
| RADG 335 | Ethics and Law in Radiologic Science | 2 |
| RADG 408 | Radiographic Clinical Experience IV | 7 |
| RADG 440 | Radiographic Pathology I | 2 |
| RADG 481 | Special Procedures | 3 |
| Spring Session II | ||
| RADG 409 | Radiographic Clinical Experience V | 10 |
| RADG 421 | Sectional Anatomy | 2 |
| RADG 441 | Radiographic Pathology II | 2 |
| RADG 491 | Radiography Registry Review | 3 |
| Total Hours | 73 | |
Students work with their advisors in selecting additional elective credits to fulfill the 120 credit hours required for graduation.