Radiography

Radiography is the art and science of producing diagnostic medical images using ionizing radiation (x-ray). The five-semester program includes comprehensive coursework and clinical education beginning in the first semester. The on-campus laboratory offers students the opportunity to learn radiographic imaging utilizing computed radiography and direct digital radiography. All lecture and laboratory courses are offered on the Wallace Drive Campus in Gadsden. 

Upon successful completion of the 76 credit-hour program, students are awarded an Associate in Applied Science degree in Radiologic Technology. The program is accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology. Graduates are eligible to take the national certification exam offered by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists. 

Curriculum 

A new class will be admitted to the Radiography Program each Fall Semester. Student selection is based on completion of all requirements: ACT scores, GPA and grades received in required general education courses. Admission to the program is competitive, and the number of students accepted is limited by the number of faculty and clinical space available. Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee acceptance.

  1. Unconditional admission to the college. Apply for admissions here
  2. Submit online program application by 8 a.m. June 1 of the year of admission. 
  3. Submit supporting documents to the Admissions Office by the deadline:
    1. All official high school and college transcripts or official GED scores
    2. Official ACT scores  (with a minimum composite score of 18 on the national or residual on-campus test)
      • The Radiography Program will accept an ACT Superscore if it is sent directly from ACT to Gadsden State Community College as your score recipient. Keep in mind the following: ACT does not include ACT Residual On-Campus testing in determining the Superscore. You must contact ACT and request (there is an associated fee) the Superscore be sent to Gadsden State. We will NOT calculate the Superscore. The Superscore must be the official score calculated and sent by ACT. The Superscore must be received by the application deadline. If you plan to use a Superscore you must send your full name, date of birth, A# and date Superscore was requested from ACT to Ashley Crusey at acrusey@smxjjl.com. We will need this information to verify receipt of the score.

  4. Must be 18 years old
  5. A minimum of 2.5 overall GPA at Gadsden State for all college courses taken. If no courses haven been completed at Gadsden State, GPA from High School or from college institution from which student is transferring may be used.
  6. Minimum of 2.5 GPA for required Radiography general education courses. Students must maintain a C or better on all Radiography general education courses. If courses were repeated, the highest grade for the course will be used.
  7. Must be eligible for placement into the following courses:
    1. English 101
    2. Math 100
  8. Must be in good standing with the College
  9. Must meet the Essential Functions required for Radiography students. 
  10. Pass a criminal background check* and drug test upon admission to the program. Students are also subject to random and “for-cause” drug testing during the length of the program.
  11. Submit a completed health questionnaire and immunization records upon request by the program. 
  12. Demonstrate proof of insurance. Students who do not show proof of insurance will not be allowed to attend clinicals.

Following application completion, students are scored using a ranking sheet based on their GPA, ACT score, advanced degree, and attendance at Spring/Fall information session (these are different than the mandatory applicant information session that's held in June). The Top 50 applicants will move to Phase 2 of the admissions process. Students who do not score in the Top 50 will receive an email of their status and will be encouraged to apply again for the next class.

Phase 2 of Admissions Process:
  1. Panel interview - Students will be notified via email of interview date and time.
  2. Writing prompt - Students will be given a writing prompt on their interview day. The writing portion must be 150-200 words.
  3. Two typed and signed professional letters of recommendation.

You can review the Radiography Ranking Sheet here

 

Upon acceptance into the Radiography Program, students must have a background check and undergo a drug screen (at the student’s expense). Students must also have a physical (form provided), submit an immunization record and maintain health insurance while enrolled in the program. At the New Student Orientation, the program will provide information concerning how and when these will be performed.

A variety of clinical affiliates are used within the surrounding eight (8) counties. The program makes every effort to avoid excessive driving distances, but cannot guarantee a specific clinical assignment. Students should expect to travel and must have reliable transportation during the five semesters of the program.

Clinical assignments will occur between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 8:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.  Weekend rotations are available by student request with the approval of the Clinical Instructor at the assigned clinical site and the Clinical Coordinator. Students will not be assigned to a clinical site during holidays observed by Gadsden State or during semester breaks of Gadsden State in which the College is formally closed. Students will not be assigned to medical imaging and therapy departments in which immediate relatives (spouses, siblings, parents, and children) are employed. If a student has relatives employed in other departments of the clinical affiliate, the assignment will be at the discretion of the program faculty.

Clinical Sites City, County
Gadsden Regional Medical Center Gadsden, Etowah County
Gadsden Regional Imaging Rainbow City, Etowah County
Riverview Regional Medical Center Gadsden, Etowah County
Northeast Orthopedics Gadsden, Etowah County
Northeast Orthopedics Rainbow City, Etowah County
Anniston Orthopedics Associates Anniston, Calhoun County
RMC Stringfellow  Anniston, Calhoun County
Northeast Alabama Regional Medical Center Anniston, Calhoun County
RMC Oxford Mediplex Oxford, Calhoun County
Dekalb Regional Medical Center Fort Payne, Dekalb County
Highlands Medical Center Scottsboro, Jackson County
Floyd Cherokee Medical Center Centre, Cherokee County
Marshall Medical Center South Boaz, Marshall County
Brookwood Citizens Baptist Medical Center Talladega, Talladega County
Grandview Medical Center  Birmingham, Jefferson County
Kiklin Clinic Birmingham, Jefferson County
UAB Hospital Birmingham, Jefferson County
UAB Hospital - Highlands Birmingham, Jefferson County
TridentCare (mobile imaging) Etowah County & Calhoun County

 

The college-wide grading policy which is in place for all general education courses is located in the College Catalog.

            The Radiography Program uses the following grading scale for all programmatic courses:

Percentage Grade Letter Grade
90-100 A
80-89 B
75-79 C
70-74 D
Below 70 F

 

These expenses are in addition to tuition.

Items Cost
Compliance Tracking $100 (background check, initial drug screen and health information tracking)
Drug Screen  $37 (2nd fall semester, random, "for cause")
Physical and Lab Testing $200
Textbooks $800 (entire program)
RadTech Boot Camp $200
Medical Liability Insurance $30
Personal Dosimeter $200
Radiographic Identification Markers $30
Uniforms  $200
Class Picture $45
Application fee for Degree $10
Application fee to apply for ARRT examination $225
Total $2,077

All fees are approximations and subject to change.

Mission

To provide the health care community with entry level radiographers skilled in diagnostic imaging procedures.

 

Program Goals and Student Learning Outcomes (SLO)

1. Students will have entry-level radiography skills.

  • Students will utilize radiation protection.
  • Students will select proper technical factors.
  • Students will provide appropriate patient care.

2. Students will communicate effectively.

  • Students will use effective oral communication skills.
  • Students will use effective written communication skills.

3. Students will use critical thinking skills.

  • Student will determine corrective measures for suboptimal image quality.
  • Students will use problem-solving skills to customize examinations to fit the needs of patients.

4. Students will demonstrate professionalism.

  • Students will demonstrate professional patient relations.
  • Student will outline the importance of professional organizations.
  • Students will demonstrate professionalism and preparedness for entering the workforce.

 

 

Application submissions have closed for Fall 2024 admission into the Radiography Program. Applications will re-open in Spring 2025 for admission into the Fall 2025 semester. If you have any questions, please contact our Health Sciences Clerk, Dianne Ledbetter, at dledbetter@smxjjl.com.

Start Here:

Step 1 – Review the Application Information below before continuing with the application process. You must have a Gadsden State student A-number and access to your student portal to fill out the application. If you have issues, please contact the Help Desk.

Step 2 – Apply to the Radiography Program for the Gadsden State Wallace Drive location. After logging into your student account, you will be directed to the program application.

Step 3 – Read Page 1 of the application thoroughly. Complete Pages 2 and 3 and upload any required documentation. Sign the application on Page 4 and submit. No changes or additions can be made to your application after you submit. No paper applications will be accepted.

Step 4 – Verify that you received a submission confirmation email to your GSCC student email account. Save the email in the event it should be needed.

IMPORTANT: If you need to save your application and complete it at a later date, click “Save Progress” at the bottom of the application screen. When you are ready to complete the application, log in to your myGadsdenState account and click the NextGen link in your Launch Pad. View your Pending/Draft forms to resume the saved application.

 

The following is the most current program effectiveness data; our programatic accreditation agency, the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT), defines and publishes this information: GSCC Radiologic Technology Program Effectiveness Data

Students seeking to transfer in to the Gadsden State Radiography Program from another program must meet the following requirements:

  1. Unconditional admission to the College with clear academic status.
  2. Ability to meet and comply with standards and policies in the current College Catalog and Student Handbook.
  3. Completion of requirements of initial admission (application, background check, drug screen, health records, etc.).
  4. Minimum grade point average of 2.5 for the required general education courses.
  5. No longer than 33 months elapse from the initial admission term at the institution from which transferring to date of graduation. 
  6. Official transcripts verifying a minimum grade of “C” earned in courses which represent collegiate coursework relevant to the degree with course content and level of instruction resulting in student competencies at least equivalent for those matriculating students. Alabama Community College System Standardized Radiologic Technology Curriculum courses will be transferred without review of the course syllabus. Verification of knowledge and/or skills may be required.
  7. Eligibility to return to previous Radiography Program in good standing.
  8. No more than one semester in which a grade of “D” or “F” has been earned in a radiography course.
  9. Clinical space availability. 
  10. Completion of 25% of total required hours for the A.A.S. Degree in Radiography at institution conferring degree.

 

Radiography Program Director/Instructor Ashley Crusey

Ashley Crusey, Radiography Program Director/Instructor

256-549-8468

acrusey@smxjjl.com   

Autumn Hardeman, Radiography Clinical Coordinator/Instructor

Autumn Hardeman, Radiography Clinical Coordinator/Instructor

256-549-8469

ahardeman@smxjjl.com

 


Gadsden State's Radiography program is accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology: 20 North Wacker Drive, Suite 2850, Chicago, IL 60606-3182, Phone 312-704-5300, Email mail@jrcert.org

The program’s current award is 8 years. General program accreditation information and the current accreditation award letter are hosted by JRCERT.org