The radiologic technology program focuses on general radiography. Training in sonography (ultrasound imaging) is done in dedicated sonography programs (not at St. Cloud State). The St. Cloud State radiologic technology program does not include any clinical training in sonography (ultrasound imaging).
The Bachelor of Science degree in radiologic technology requires a prescribed curriculum and clinical course work at an affiliated hospital.
U. S. citizenship or permanent residency status is required for all students in this major.
Important note: the “admission and program requirements” given in the university catalog are not requirements needed for admission to St. Cloud State. They are requirements for students who are already enrolled in classes at St. Cloud State. We offer all of the required classes here. You don’t have to take any classes before you come to St. Cloud State.
During the first two years, students take science courses and liberal education courses at St. Cloud State. The clinical radiologic courses are taken during the last two years and are completed at one of St. Cloud State's clinical affiliates. This is called the clinical internship phase (or sometimes the clinical phase) and the courses in it prepare students to take the national certification examination in radiologic technology as well as fulfill the graduation requirements for the bachelor’s degree in radiologic technology from St. Cloud State.
This major requires job shadowing (PDF) (done as a college student — after high school graduation and after the first day of classes in the fall of the first year at St. Cloud State) that can be done at any hospital or clinic that does x-ray imaging. The traditional way to do this is to contact the diagnostic imaging departments of hospitals close to where you live and ask them if you can do the job shadowing there. See also the “Frequently Asked Questions” section.
Admission to St. Cloud State does not guarantee a clinical internship. Acceptance to clinical internships is competitive and is based on criteria set by the hospital affiliates. All of the on-campus pre-clinical requirements should be completed by May of the year in which the clinical phase begins.
I am a high school student. What are the first steps that I need to take?
- Learn as much as you can in high school.
- Take as much math and physics as you can in high school. It is not required that you take these courses in high school (you can take the necessary math and physics at St. Cloud State), but they will be very helpful.
- Apply for admission to St. Cloud State.
- Once accepted by the university, indicate that you want your major to be Radiologic Technology.
- Take courses at St. Cloud State.
- Meet with your academic adviser.
- Do the job shadowing as soon as possible after you start classes at St. Cloud State.
- Apply for formal admission to the program.
I am a transfer student. What are the first steps that I need to take?
- You don’t have to complete any courses before you come here. We even accept students right out of high school.
- Do your best at the college you are attending now.
- As soon as possible, apply for admission to St. Cloud State.
- Do the job shadowing as soon as possible. You are strongly encouraged to do this as soon as possible since you are already a college student; it is best not to wait until you come to St. Cloud State. Notify the director as soon as the job shadowing is done.
- Once accepted by the St. Cloud State admissions office, indicate that you want your major to be Radiologic Technology.
- Get academic advising at St. Cloud State.
- Take courses at St. Cloud State.
- Apply for formal admission to the program.
I am confused. What do I need to do to be in this program?
You don’t need to take any courses before you come here. Our program is a four-year program. Some two-year radiologic technology programs require a student to complete certain courses and even make a special application to the program before coming to the two-year program. In our program, you can complete all of the courses and requirements here. Apply to St. Cloud State as soon as possible. Then complete at least 12 credits at St. Cloud State and move forward (refer to the other questions on this page).
How many students do you accept and when does the program start?
Unlike two-year programs, we don't limit our program to a set number of students. You can start the program at any time (the fall semester which starts in August or the spring semester which starts in January). To get started, apply to St. Cloud State University and be accepted by the university. After you are accepted, indicate that you want to major in Radiologic Technology.
Applying for formal admission to the program
- Note: This is for currently-enrolled St. Cloud State students who have already started their coursework at St. Cloud State.
- Complete at least 15 credits including MATH 112 (with C or better) and PHYS 231 (with C or better).
- At least 12 credits of the above must be completed at St. Cloud State.
- Obtain the approval of the program director, which will be obtained through providing the following items:
- Completed job shadowing form. Job shadowing must be done after High School graduation, as a college student, and no earlier than the first day of classes of the Freshman year at St. Cloud State.
- Radiologic Technology major GPA of 2.00 or higher; overall cumulative GPA of 2.00 or higher.
- List in a numbered list the reasons why you want to major in Radiologic Technology. This must be typed. Grammar and spelling need to be correct. Make sure that your name and contact information are given in the document. The document needs a title.
- An acceptable resume focused on Radiologic Technology.
- A satisfactorily completed application form.
- Deadline for continuing students: as soon as possible (within 30 days of when you finish PHYS 231 with a C or better).
- Deadline for transfer students starting in the fall: January 5.
Requirements for applying to a hospital internship (for current St. Cloud State students)
- Be a currently-enrolled St. Cloud State student for both fall and spring semesters prior to the date when the internship would begin.
- Be formally admitted into the program.
- Complete the required milestones for the major.
- Have an overall GPA and GPA in the major of 2.00 or above.
- Be on track to satisfactorily finish all on-campus courses by the end of May before the internship starts. Avoid taking any required courses in the summer before the start of your planned internship.
Is this program accredited?
Yes, our Radiologic Technology program is accredited (both the non-clinical courses and the clinical courses).
The non-clinical courses are taught on our campus and are accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (the accrediting body for colleges and universities in the Midwestern United States).
The clinical courses are taught off-campus at our partner hospitals which are accredited to deliver the clinical portion (by JRCERT, which is the accrediting body for clinical Radiologic Technology programs).
