Radiography Admission

Admission Criteria

To be considered for admission into the program, students must meet the following criteria:

Complete university admission requirements to include submission of official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended.
Meet minimum skill levels in math, English, and reading according to the following criteria:
- Coursework indicating completion of MATH 1403 or higher
- Coursework indicating completion of ENGL 1203
- ACT or COMPASS reading scores (taken in the last four years) or coursework indicating no reading required
Have a minimum 2.50 cumulative GPA for all college coursework (including transfer work and excluding developmental courses) and be in good academic standing
Complete required prerequisite courses for the radiography program with a minimum of C or higher in each course prior to fall entry.
Take the entrance exam ATI-TEAS.

NOTE: The application process for the radiography program requires a criminal background check. Many clinical facilities require a criminal background check and/or drug screen on students and have the authority to deny clinical training in their facility secondary to the outcome of either screening. Students unable to practice in any clinical agency because of an adverse or negative background check will be unable to complete the program objectives, thereby revoking admission into a program or halting continued progression in the student's program of study. The application process for licensure requires state and federal criminal background checks. Students who have been convicted of a crime, including those that are sealed or expunged, must seek permission from the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists to write the certification exam to become a registered radiographer.

Selection

Selection is based on the following weighted system:

Phase One
- 40% - Quality points earned for prerequisite courses on the radiography degree plan (college credit earned through CLEP or AP for a course will not be used for ranking purposes)
- 30% - Scores earned on the ATI-TEAS exam
- 30% - Cumulative GPA

In the event that applicants have identical ranking scores, priority will be given to the student with the highest cumulative GPA. The top 30 applicants after Phase One of the selection process will proceed to Phase Two.

Phase Two
- Interview
- Student Health Statement/Medical Release Form

Following the completion of Phase Two, the top applicants will be offered positions for the available seats in the radiography program. Meeting the minimum requirements for admission or taking courses on the radiography degree plan does not guarantee admission into the program. Students not admitted must reapply to be considered for another semester. Students chosen as alternates are not guaranteed a position in the next class.

Student Health Statement and Medical Release Form

Students accepted into any of the health sciences programs will be required to provide documentation of good physical and mental health by completing the Student Health Statement/Medical Release form. Documentation of all health problems and a medical release will be required. Copies of immunization records and a valid CPR certification must be submitted. No student will be allowed to attend a clinical rotation without the required health data records.

Additional Documentation

In addition to the Student Health Statement/Medical Release Form, students admitted into the DMS program must submit the following additional documentation before fall entry:

Proof of immunizations
CPR Certification: American Heart Association Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers (BLS)
Criminal background check
Drug screen

Note: Many clinical facilities required a criminal background check and/or drug screen on students and have the authority to deny clinical training in their facility secondary to the outcome of either screening. Students unable to practice in any clinical agency because of an adverse or negative background check will be unable to complete the program objectives, thereby revoking admission into a program or halting continued progression in the student's program of study. The application process for licensure requires state and federal criminal background checks. Students who have been convicted of a crim, including those that are sealed or expunged, must seek permission from the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists to write the certification exam to become a registered radiographer.

Progression

Science courses taken more than five years prior to entering the program will be evaluated on an individual basis by the executive director of imaging sciences and the dean of the College of Health, Education, and Human Sciences. See your advisor for more information and to request a science course evaluation.

The radiography program is competency-based. To continue in the program, a student must maintain a 75 percent average in clinical performance and a 75 percent average through each didactic course.

A student dropped for any reason may apply for readmission if in compliance with the UAFS Student Academic Progress policy as outlined in the course catalog. A student who discontinues the radiography sequence for any reason must petition for readmission to the radiography program. The readmission requirements are found in the Radiography Program Policy and Procedure Manual (see the Readmission Criteria and Procedure Policy). The student is not guaranteed a position for readmission. A student who is readmitted is accountable for the degree requirements in effect at the time of readmission.

A grade of C or better is required in ALL courses applicable to the Associate of Applied Science in radiography.

Clinical Obligations

The radiography program places a strong emphasis on clinical education. As a competency-based program, the clinical education component provides students with the opportunity to practice the skills necessary to become a competent radiographer. The radiography program is a five-semester, full-time program beginning in the fall semester of each year. The clinical education component of the program is conducted at various hospitals and clinics affiliated with UAFS. The clinical affiliates provide a sufficient number and variety of radiographic procedures to offer students a well-balanced, supervised clinical experience. The student hours, both clinical and didactic, never exceed 40 hours per week and require a commitment Monday through Friday. Clinical assignments generally begin at 7 a.m. and end at 4 p.m. This timeframe may vary slightly depending on the clinical education site assigned during the semester.

Students spend 20 hours per week in clinical education during the first two semesters in the program. The summer semester is generally scheduled 30 hours per week. During the second year in the program, students spend 25 hours per week in their clinical courses.

Every student will rotate through each clinical site listed at some point in the program:

Baptist Health Fort Smith (2.7 miles)
Baptist Health Outpatient Imaging Center (2.6 miles)
Mercy Clinic Orthopedics - River Valley (3 miles)
Mercy Clinic - Tower West (2 miles)
Mercy Hospital - Fort Smith (2.1 miles)
Mercy Outpatient Surgery Center (3 miles)
Mercy Hospital Booneville (38 miles)
Mercy Hospital Waldron (45 miles)
Advanced Orthopaedic Specialists - Fayetteville (66 miles)
Arkansas Children's Northwest - Springdale (64 miles)
Washington Regional Medical Center- Fayetteville (60 miles)

There could potentially be acquisition of additional sites through the duration of the program. The university maintains liability insurance for all students and staff while working in the clinical education site.

Graduation

To earn a radiography degree, a student must earn a:

Grade of C or better in all required courses applicable to the radiography program
Minimum of a 2.00 cumulative GPA in all coursework required for the major
Minimum of a 2.00 cumulative GPA on all work attempted at the university.

Students must meet with the advising coordinator to complete the graduation application one year prior to intended graduation.

After being granted the Associate of Applied Science in radiography, the student is eligible to sit for the national certification examination in Radiologic Technology administered by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists.