How to Get a Radiology Degree

Radiology, the field of medicine that uses X-rays, CT scans, MRI and ultrasound technology to diagnose injuries, illnesses, and perform minimally invasive procedures, continues to provide ample job opportunities. A person interested in perusing a radiology career can choose from several different levels of radiology degree training programs, each with vastly different education requirements.

Radiology Technician and Technologist Degree

1. Earn a high-school diploma or GED, a requirement to enter a radiology technician training program. Focus elective courses in math and science classes to prepare for a career in radiology.


2. Enter a radiology technician program offered by an accredited college, technical school, allied health training facility or university. Training programs can range from one to four years in length. The most popular option is a two-year associate degree program. Additional education can lead to a bachelor’s degree or a master’s degree in radiology.


3. Excel in coursework, which will include anatomy and physiology, radiation safety and protocols, imaging modalities and radiobiology. Supervised clinical experience will teach patient relations, radiographic procedures and equipment operation.


4. Graduate from the training program and become eligible to sit for the certification exam given by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologist. Becoming a certified radiology technician expands employment opportunities.


5. Additional state testing may be required to practice as a licensed radiology technician.


6. Maintain continuing education requirements by completing 24 hours of professional development courses every two years.


7. Advance career opportunities by taking additional training programs that specialize in mammography, angiography, MRI, CT scanning and ultrasound.

Radiologist

1. Complete a bachelor’s degree program from a college or university. Study premedical curriculum or select courses that center around biochemistry, biology, physics and chemistry.


2. Take the Medical College Admissions Test, MCAT, during the third year of undergraduate school. Submit applications and transcripts to medical schools.


3. Begin a rigorous, four-year medical degree program. Medical school is divided into two parts. The first two years are classroom and laboratory coursework. The last half is devoted to clinical rotations, which develop skills learned through hands-on clinical experience.


4. Pass the three-part exam administered by the National Board of Medical Examiners, NBME, and United States Medical Licensing Examination, USMLE and obtain a medical license.


5. Start a five-year radiology residency. During this post graduate training period, a radiologist will learn advanced skills used to interpret, diagnose, treat and manage injuries or diseases. Radiology residency offers focused training in the field of radiology through supervised clinical experience.


6. Become a board certified radiologist by passing certification exams offered by the American Board of Radiology or the American Osteopathic Board of Radiology.


7. Choose to a subspecialty of radiology and enter one-to-two year fellowship training programs. Subspecialties of radiology include radiation oncology, pediatric radiology, vascular interventional radiology, neuroradiology, diagnostic radiology, radiation oncology, and hospice and palliative medicine.


8. Become certified in chosen subspecialty by successfully passing a certification examination offered by the American Board of Radiology.