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Online Classes: Bachelor of Science in Medical Imaging

Medical Imaging Online

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Advance your medical imaging career with a bachelor's degree

This bachelor's level imaging or medical imaging degree program provides imaging professionals with a diverse plan of study in advanced imaging, healthcare administration, technical imaging specialties, and general education coursework. The program strikes the right balance to promote multiple career advancement pathways.

Potential Medical Imaging Career Paths

  • Advanced Imaging Modalities (CT/MR/M/BD/VI)
  • Medical Imaging Management/Administration (CRA)
  • PACS Administration (CIIP)
  • Healthcare & Imaging Quality and Safety
  • Imaging Education
  • Vendor Applications and Sales
  • Graduate School (Radiologist Assistant, MHA, or other graduate studies)

For any radiologic technologist, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) technologist, nuclear medicine technologist, sonographer, or radiation therapist wishing to pursue additional certification, the program curriculum provides the theoretical knowledge required for multiple post-primary certification exams*. The program also prepares students for roles in healthcare management through the study of finance, human resources, and asset and operational management.

For students who wish to continue their education, the Bachelor of Science in Medical Imaging program provides a solid foundation for graduate study.

* Students preparing for the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) or Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board (NMTCB) post-primary certification exams must meet clinical experience requirements not required by this program. Contact the ARRT or NMTCB for complete exam requirements.

 

Our mission is realized by assuring our students will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate knowledge of advanced imaging modalities
    Learning Outcomes
    • Exhibit educational competence in one or more advanced imaging modalities.
  2. Exhibit essential managerial skills to lead in the Imaging Sciences
    Learning Outcomes:
    • Demonstrate effective presentation skills.
    • Develop structured project management plans.
    • Perform fundamental managerial tasks.
  3. Make use of research to contribute to quality and safety initiatives in the Imaging Sciences.
    Learning Outcomes:
    • Demonstrate effective writing skills.
    • Provide patient-centered care using appropriate health literacy strategies.
    • Integrate medical imaging literature into clinical practice.
    • Apply quality improvement models to address common imaging problems.
    • Identify safety concerns associated with advanced imaging modalities.

Qualifying Pathways

Pathway 1: An applicant with an associate degree in Radiologic Technology, Radiation Therapy, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Nuclear Medicine Technology, and/or Sonography (General, Cardiac, and/or Vascular) from an institution that is approved/accredited by a historically regional accrediting organization.

  • Cumulative GPA of 2.00 or higher from an institution that is approved/accredited by a historically regional accreditor. 
  • Currently registered and in good standing with the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT), the Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board (NMTCB), and/or the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS).

Pathway 2: An applicant without an associate degree who completed a hospital-based program, military program, or a diploma program in Radiologic Technology, Radiation Therapy, Nuclear Medicine Technology, and/or Sonography; or an applicant with a relevant imaging science associate degree from an institution that is approved/accredited by a historically national accreditor

  • Cumulative high school GPA of 2.00 or higher, or minimum cumulative college GPA of 2.00 if 15 or more credits have been earned from an institution that is approved/accredited by a historically regional accreditor.
  • Currently registered and in good standing with the ARRT, NMTCB, and/or ARDMS.
  • Pathway 2 students are granted 39 college credits for their primary certification with the ARRT, NMTCB, and/or ARDMS.

Pathway 3: An applicant currently enrolled in an associate degree program in Radiologic Technology, Radiation Therapy, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Nuclear Medicine Technology, and/or Sonography (General, Cardiac, and/or Vascular) at an institution that is approved/accredited by a historically regional accreditor.

  • Current cumulative GPA of 2.00+ or higher from an institution that is approved/accredited by a regional accrediting organization recognized by the Council of Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).
  • Within six months of graduating a program leading to ARRT, NMTCB, and/or ARDMS certification exam eligibility.
    • Student must be registered with ARRT, NMTCB, and/or ARDMS before the start of the second semester in the program. Failure to obtain the required certification and registration will prevent progression in the program until the certification and registration is achieved.

Provisional Admission

Pathway 2 applicants with a GPA below the indicated threshold may be provisionally admitted if the following criteria are met:

1. Hold and maintain active registration with ARRT, NMTCB, and/or ARDMS.

2. Register for IMG 325 and IMG 400 in the first semester (FA/SP).

Provisional status will be removed after completing IMG 325 and IMG 400 with a grade of “B” or better. Failure to do so will prevent progression in the program.

ⱡ Licensure verification is used in lieu of hospital-based program transcript, if applicable.

+ Final college transcripts showing degree conferral must be received before the first semester’s add/drop deadline. Final cumulative GPA must remain 2.00 or higher.

Criminal background checks, drug screens, health records, and titers/immunizations are required prior to the start of the optional clinical component of this program. Clinical program requirements and instructions are maintained on the College website at https://mercycollege.edu/background. This Policy can be found at https://mercycollege.edu/about/compliance-consumer-information.

Students who have earned credentials and maintain active status for the certifications in the following table will be recognized as having achieved the learning outcomes for the corresponding coursework in the Medical Imaging program. Students will be granted the credit hour equivalent for the respective credentials. This credit is in addition to credit granted for initial certifications, as described in the Transfer Credit Policy.

Primary Credentials

Primary Credentialing Bodies Credit Hours
ARRT; ARDMS; NMTCB; and CCI Two primary credentials = IMG 491 (15)
  • Individuals holding two (2) or more primary pathway credentials will receive fifteen (15) credits of prior learning, and fulfill the program’s advanced imaging requirement.
  • Primary pathways are defined as:
    • ARRT
      • Radiography (R)
      • Radiation Therapy (T)
      • Magnetic Resonance Imaging* (MR)
      • Nuclear Medicine (N)
      • Sonography (S)
      • Vascular Sonography (VS)
    • ARDMS
      • Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (RDMS)
      • Register Vascular Technologist (RVT)
      • Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer (RDCS)
    • NMTCB
      • Certified Nuclear Medicine Technologist (CNMT)
    • CCI
      • Registered Vascular Sonographer (RVS)
      • Registered Cardiac Sonographer (RCS)

*MR is considered a primary pathway if credential is earned after completing a JRCERT-accredited MR program. Otherwise, MR certification will be considered a post-primary modality, equivalent to 9 credit hours.

Post-Primary Credentials

ARRT

Credential Credit Hours Course Equivalent
Bone Densitometry (BD) 6 IMG 345: IMG 491 (3)
Breast Sonography (BS) 6 IMG 491 (6)
Cardiac Interventional (CI) 9 IMG 491 (9)
Cardiovascular Interventional (CV) 15 IMG 491 (15)
Computed Tomography (CT) 9 IMG 310; IMG 330; IMG 340
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MR) post-primary 9 IMG 310; IMG 430; IMG 440
Mammography (M) 6 IMG 350; IMG 355
Quality Management (QM) 3 IMG 491 (3)
Vascular Interventional (VI) 9 IMG 450; IMG 491 (6)

ARDMS

Credential Two Specialties Three Specialties Four Specialties Course Equivalent
RDMS
(AB)(OB/GY) = 6 (AB)(OB/GY)(PS) = 12
(AB)(OB/GY)(BR) =12
(OB/GY)(PS)(BR) =12
(AB)(OB/GY)(PS)(BR) = 15 credits
IMG 491
(AB)(PS) = 6
(OB/GYN)(PS) = 6
(OB/GYN)(BR) =6
(AB)(BR) =6
RDCS
(AE)(FE) = 6 (AE)(FE)(PE)=12
N/A
IMG 491
(AE)(PE) = 6
(FE)(PE) = 6

CCI

Credential Credit Hours Course Equivalent
Advanced Cardiac Sonography (ACS) 6 IMG 491 (6)
Registered Congenital Cardiac Sonographer (RCCS) 6 IMG 491 (6)
Registered Cardiac Electrophysiology Specialist (RCES) 9 IMG 491 (9)
Cardiovascular Invasive Specialist (RCIS) 9 IMG 491 (9)

NMTCB

Credential Credit Hours Course Equivalent
Computed Tomography (CT) 9 IMG 310; IMG 330; IMG 340
Nuclear Cardiology Technologist (NCT) 6 IMG 491 (6)
Positron Emission Tomography (PET) 6 IMG 491 (6)
Radiation Safety (RS) 3 IMG 491 (3)

Other

Credentialing Body Credential Credit Hours Course Equivalent
ABII Certified Imaging Informatics Professional (CIIP) 3 IMG 305
ABMRS Magnetic Resonance Safety Officer (MRSO) 3 IMG 445
BPNC Certified Navigator – Breast Imaging (CN-BI) 3 IMG 491 (3)
ISCD Certified Bone Densitometry Technologist (CBDT®) IMG 491 (6)
MDCB Certified Medical Dosimetrist (CMD) 15 IMG 491 (15)
RACC Certified Radiology Administrator (CRA) 12 HCA 312; HCA 410; IMG 410; IMG 470

A student must meet institutional residency credit hour requirements regardless of total number of credits earned for professional certifications. 36 credit hours will need to be taken at Mercy College and 15 of those 36 hours must be courses with an IMG prefix.

Abbreviations:

  • ABII – American Board of Imaging Informatics
  • ABMRS – American Board of Magnetic Resonance Safety
  • ARDMS – American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography
  • ARRT – American Registry of Radiologic Technologists
  • BPNC – Breast Patient Navigator Certification Program
  • CCI – Cardiovascular Credentialing International
  • ISCD – International Society for Clinical Densitometry
  • JRCERT – Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology
  • MDCB – Medical Dosimetrist Certification Board
  • NMTCB – Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board
  • RACC – Radiology Administration Certification Commission

To earn the Bachelor of Science Degree in Medical Imaging, students must complete all college requirements for a Bachelor of Science Degree including the following:

General Education Requirements

REL 290: Specific courses are required by the program.

Complete All of the Following Courses:

Oral and Written Communication (GCOM) - 6 minimum

Course Number Course Name Credit Hours
ENG 101 English Composition I 3
ENG 102 English Composition II 3

Math, Statistics, and Logic (GMSL) - 3 minimum

Course Number Course Name Credit Hours

Social and Behavioral Sciences (GSBS) - 6 minimum

Course Number Course Name Credit Hours

Arts, Humanities, Culture, and Diversity (must include six credit hours in Religious Studies) (GAHD/GAHR) - 9 minimum

Course Number Course Name Credit Hours
REL 290 Medical Ethics 3

Natural Sciences, Technology, and Innovation (GNSI) - 6 minimum

Course Number Course Name Credit Hours

Additional hours from one or more of the above categories - 6 minimum

Course Number Course Name Credit Hours

Required Medical Imaging Program Course Requirements

Complete All of the Following Program Courses:

Course Number Course Name Credit Hours
HCA 301 Introduction to the United States Healthcare System 3
HCA 312 Human Resource Management in Healthcare Organizations 3
HCA 410 Introduction to Healthcare Finance 3
IMG 305 Imaging Informatics 3
IMG 325 Communication and Patient Education 3
IMG 410 Quality Improvement in Medical Imaging 3
IMG 415 Research in Medical Imaging 3
IMG 470 Medical Imaging Management 3
IMG 480 Medical Imaging Capstone 3

Medical Imaging Program Safety Course Requirements

Complete 3 Credit Hours from the Following Courses:

Course Number Course Name Credit Hours
IMG 400 Medical Imaging Safety and Standards 3
IMG 445 Magnetic Resonance Imaging Safety 3

Medical Imaging Program Elective Course Requirements

Complete 15 Credit Hours from the Following Courses:

Course Number Course Name Credit Hours
IMG 310 Sectional Anatomy for Medical Imaging 3
IMG 330 Principles of Computed Tomography 3
IMG 340 Computed Tomography Applications 3
IMG 345 Principles of Bone Densitometry 3
IMG 350 Principles of Mammography 3
IMG 355 Advanced Breast Imaging 3
IMG 370 Advancements in Sonography 3
IMG 399 Special Topics in Medical Imaging 1-3
IMG 430 Principles of Magnetic Resonance Imaging 3
IMG 431 Advanced Imaging Practicum 1-3
IMG 440 Magnetic Resonance Imaging Applications 3
IMG 445 Magnetic Resonance Imaging Safety 3
IMG 450 Principles of Vascular-Interventional Radiography 3
IMG 491 Independent Study in Medical Imaging 1-3

Program At A Glance

Fully online

no required clinical experience

Full or part-time

flexible learning options

7 weeks

length of courses

College credit for credentials

save time and money

Fall, spring or summer start

begin anytime

No out-of-state tuition or fees

learn with imaging professionals across the country

Relevant workplace content

education that matters

Custom plan of study

advanced imaging elective options

Opportunity to earn graduate credits at undergraduate tuition rate

up to 6 credit hours

Travis Corbett Img
The Medical Imaging program prepared me well for career advancement.

My employers recognized I was applying what I learned immediately to the workplace and I became a supervisor while in the program. I thoroughly enjoyed my time in the BSMI program. Working full-time, the convenience and flexibility of online learning worked really well for me. The program connects students and faculty together. One thing that I was worried about as a student in Alabama taking online classes based out of Ohio was that I would have the feeling of not knowing the other students or instructors. Through the use of interactive discussion boards, lectures, video projects, and assignment comments I feel like I am connected to my instructors and fellow students.”

Travis Corbett

Bachelor of Science, Medical Imaging ‘19

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MHA Fast Track

Students pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Medical Imaging now also have the option to take one or more (maximum of six credit-hours) 500 level graduate courses at the undergraduate tuition rate. The course options are part of the Master of Health Administration (MHA) program. More information about the MHA fast-track option is below.

MHA Fast Track Information
Mercy College is unique in that there is flexibility in course scheduling, engaged professor interaction, and current real-world application. ”
Charlene Wright
Charlene Wright

BS in Medical Imaging

Credit for Credentials

Any current medical imaging professional who has earned credentials and maintained active status for the below certifications will be recognized as having achieved the learning outcomes for the corresponding coursework in the Medical Imaging program.

Learn more about credit for credentials.

Sample program of study for Bachelor of Science in Medical Imaging.

The general education graduation requirements are required to complete the program. The majority of students transfer in a large percentage of the general education credits needed for their Bachelor’s degree.

A total of 120 credit hours are needed for graduation. Once a student enrolls at Mercy College, only six hours of credit can be transferred in from another regionally accredited intuition of higher education. Students must complete a minimum of 36 credit hours at Mercy College of Ohio.

*Pathway candidates (those graduating from hospital-based programs) are granted 39 credit hours upon verification of active registration status with the ARRT, ARDMS, or NMTCB.

  • Document .pdfMedical Imaging Online Completion


    Program outcomes data for Medical Imaging online completion

    Download

Attend a Medical Imaging Program Online Information Session

part of Healthcare Worker Wednesday at Mercy College

Learn more or sign up for the next online session

Career Outlook

Employment Growth

Advanced Imaging Modalities
According to the United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Employment is projected to grow faster than average. “Technologists with multiple certifications will have the best job prospects.” For those already holding multiple certifications, the program provides college credit for your credentials to save you time and money.

Health Care Management/Administration
A medical imaging manager, also known as a radiology administrator, directs and oversees a medical imaging department or a medical imaging facility. Field trends show that a successful candidate for the position of medical imaging manager should have a four-year degree in medical imaging with an administrative focus (like this program) or healthcare administration. The BSMI program focuses on content domains related to the Certified Radiology Administrator (CRA) exam to prepare you for managerial readiness in the profession.