Radiologic Technology and Medical Imaging Major: What It Includes, Classes and Careers

A Radiologic Technology and Medical Imaging major prepares you to create medical images such as X-rays, CT, MRI and ultrasound. Medical imaging programs teach anatomy, patient positioning, radiation safety and the operation of imaging equipment, with extensive clinical practice.

A Radiologic Technology and Medical Imaging major includes coursework in anatomy and positioning, radiation physics and safety, image production and evaluation, patient care, and cross-sectional anatomy and more. You build skills such as operating imaging equipment, radiation protection, patient positioning and care, and image quality evaluation. Programs often include clinical rotations and a practicum. Typical degrees: certificate, associate and bachelor's degrees.

Typical courses include anatomy and positioning, radiation physics and safety, image production and evaluation, patient care, cross-sectional anatomy, and clinical practicum. Exact course names and requirements vary by college, and most degrees also include general education courses.

It depends on the level. Radiologic Technology and Medical Imaging is offered as certificate, associate, bachelor’s, and master’s awards at U.S. colleges; certificates take from a few months to about two years, an associate degree usually takes about two years of full-time study, a bachelor’s degree usually takes about four years of full-time study, and a master’s degree usually takes one to two years after a bachelor’s. Part-time study takes longer.

Certificate, associate and bachelor's degrees. In the latest federal data, 176 colleges reported certificate awards, 583 colleges reported associate awards, 169 colleges reported bachelor’s awards, and 18 colleges reported master’s awards.

Career paths connected to radiologic technology and medical imaging include radiologic technologist, mri technologist, diagnostic medical sonographer, nuclear medicine technologist, radiation therapist, and cardiovascular technologist. Some roles need additional training, experience, certification or a license.

Examples include radiologic technologist (typical training: 2 years), mri technologist (typical training: 2–3 years), diagnostic medical sonographer (typical training: 18–24 months), nuclear medicine technologist (typical training: 2–4 years), radiation therapist (typical training: 2–4 years), and cardiovascular technologist (typical training: 2 years).

Radiologic Technology and Medical Imaging majors build skills such as operating imaging equipment, radiation protection, patient positioning and care, image quality evaluation, and attention to detail.

Good pairings include Physics (strengthens your understanding of how imaging equipment and radiation work), Healthcare Administration (prepares you to lead an imaging department later in your career), and Psychology (helps you calm and reassure patients during procedures).

Often, yes. Programs commonly include clinical rotations and a practicum. Ask each college how its program arranges hands-on work.

It can be a good fit if you are interested in the work it leads to, such as radiologic technologist, mri technologist, and diagnostic medical sonographer, and enjoy subjects like anatomy and positioning and radiation physics and safety. No major guarantees a job, so compare the coursework, the careers and the education each career requires before deciding.

How hard it feels depends on your strengths. Core coursework includes anatomy and positioning, radiation physics and safety, and image production and evaluation; if those subjects interest you, the major is likely to feel more manageable. Reviewing a college’s course list and talking to current students helps you judge.

713 U.S. colleges reported awarding degrees or certificates in this field in the latest federal (IPEDS) data. Programs can have different names at different schools.

California (62), Texas (52), Florida (41), Illinois (35), and New York (32), based on the colleges that reported awards in this field.

588 of the colleges that offer radiologic technology and medical imaging also report offering at least one program entirely online, though not necessarily this one. Use the college search with this major and “Offers fully online programs”, then confirm with the school.

Radiologic Technology and Medical Imaging prepares you to create medical images such as X-rays, CT, MRI and ultrasound. Nursing prepares you to assess, treat and educate patients as part of a healthcare team. Radiologic Technology and Medical Imaging leads to careers such as radiologic technologist and mri technologist, while Nursing leads to careers such as registered nurse and licensed practical nurse.

Radiologic Technology and Medical Imaging prepares you to create medical images such as X-rays, CT, MRI and ultrasound. Healthcare Administration teaches you to manage the business side of hospitals, clinics and health systems. Radiologic Technology and Medical Imaging leads to careers such as radiologic technologist and mri technologist, while Healthcare Administration leads to careers such as medical and health services manager and medical administrative assistant.

Yes. Short online career training can help you understand a specific job and build practical knowledge alongside your classes. It does not replace your degree or any required license.

No. Career Education Institute is not a college and does not award degrees. It offers short, non-credit online trainings about jobs connected to radiologic technology and medical imaging, such as Radiologic Technologist Training.