Study Radiologic Technology at Missoula College

Radiologic technologists are a vital part of any medical team. Earn your associate degree in radiologic technology at Missoula College and prepare for high-demand, well-paying careers with many opportunities to specialize. 

Our radiology program will prepare you with firsthand access to state-of-the-art lab and imaging tools. You’ll receive radiology training in basic x-ray procedures, with additional exposure to CT, MRI and other imaging specialties. You’ll also complete over 1,000 hours of clinical rotations spanning nine months, working alongside trained radiolographers. This real-world radiology training can be completed in Missoula, Great Falls, Bozeman or at other healthcare facilities. 

When you complete your radiologic technology degree, you’ll be qualified to take the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists – Radiography (ARRT(R) National Certification Exam in Radiologic Technology,   leading to diverse job opportunities in diagnostic imaging.

$56K+

average starting salary for a radiographer in Montana

 

9%

projected job growth for radiographers over the next decade

$5-10K

signing bonus are available from some healthcare facilities

Other degree options for health professions at Missoula College

Medical Assisting

Nursing

Paramedicine

Respiratory Care

Surgical Technology

What can you do with a radiologic technology degree?

Our radiology program’s outstanding reputation in Montana, and the hands-on experience from experts in your clinical rotations, open the door to a wide range of radiologic technology jobs. 

The majority of our radiology degree graduates receive multiple job offers as radiology technologists from sites where they completed clinical rotations. Additional certifications in advanced imaging modalities such as CT and MRI are offered by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologist (ARRT) national certification organization and allow for career advancement. Certification and Registration by the ARRT allows for state licensure in states that require licensure.

Your radiology courses will also provide a solid foundation upon which to pursue further education leading to more complex diagnostic imaging roles.

What is radiologic technology?

Radiologic technology involves using medical equipment to create images of specific parts of the body, helping doctors to diagnose and treat diseases and other health conditions. Radiologic technologists perform X-ray examinations, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, computed tomography (CT) scans and other diagnostic imaging procedures. Many also specialize in specific medical imaging techniques, such as cardiovascular-interventional radiography, mammography or sonography.

Radiologic technology jobs

Your associate degree in radiologic technology from Missoula College will help prepare you for jobs listed below. Some  of these jobs may require additional education and/or clinical experience:

  • Radiologist assistant
  • Radiographer
  • Computed tomography (CT) technologist
  • Medical sonographer
  • Mammographer
  • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technologist
  • Radiation therapist
  • Special procedure technologist
  • Nuclear medicine

Radiologic technology salary

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, radiologic technologists earn an average of $63,710 per year nationally. In Montana, the median salary is $56,760.

You might also choose to specialize in a particular field of radiologic technology. Potential salaries for these vocations in Montana include:

  • $75,900 for a mammography technologist
  • $75,058 for an ultrasound technologist
  • $69,959 for a radiology nurse 
  • $68,681 CT technologist

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Experiential learning in the radiology degree program

Radiology is sometimes called the eyes of medicine as it reveals the body’s hidden secrets of injury and disease.

Our radiology program instructors expertly share decades of experience in basic X-ray, computed tomography and other diagnostic imaging techniques. You will learn to take images of every bone in the human body, as well as understand advanced surgical procedures and interventional imaging studies. Radiation Safety and Patient Care classes are included in your degree in radiology to provide the foundation for the safe and effective use of radiation in any healthcare environment.

Since the radiologic technology degree program at Missoula College concentrates the classroom experience into the first two semesters, you are able to spend the next nine months in diverse healthcare facilities completing your clinical rotations. 

Many radiology clinical assignments are remote placements where there is an urgent need for workers. Working alongside imaging professionals with confidence often results in students receiving multiple job offers immediately upon graduation.

Career development for the radiologic technology degree

Graduates of our radiology program work as radiologic technologists in hospitals, clinics and office settings. Since you learn to “think out of the box” to achieve the best imaging results, the skills you gain from your radiology courses will help you stand out to employers. Most of our graduates receive multiple offers for radiologic technology jobs from clinical rotation sites.

Students who graduate from Missoula College’s Radiologic Technology program are eligible to take the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists radiography exam. Missoula College and University of Montana are accredited by Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU).   Additional certifications in advanced imaging modalities such as MRI, nuclear medicine and cardiac imaging are offered by various national professional organizations as well. A Missoula College alumna who received her associate degree in radiologic technology even started her own mobile veterinary imaging business.

Learning from medical field experts also affords you the opportunity to advance your education. Many of our students continue their formal training with us. The University of Montana offers many certificate, bachelor’s and master’s degree programs to augment your training in radiology.

Scholarships are available for Missoula College Health Professions including radiology technology. We also offer a wide range of student support services such as career mentoring and job placement assistance for radiologic technologists.

What classes are required for an associate degree in radiologic technology?

Coursework for the radiologic technology associate degree at Missoula College includes medical terminology, human anatomy and physiology, patient care and medical ethics, radiation physics and radiobiology. Radiology courses build on fundamentals with offerings like radiographic methods and interpersonal communications. 

View all classes for the associate degree in radiologic technology.