Application Procedures
- The application period for Summer 2012 admission is CLOSED.
- Applications for Summer 2013 are accepted Sept. 1 to Dec. 1.
Students must apply and be formally accepted into the Radiologic Technology program prior to enrolling in any RT courses. View Application Procedures.
Planning Guide
Entrance into the Radiologic Technology program is highly competitive.
Increase your chances of being accepted:
More Information
Review the menu on the right for a career overview, program overview and additional information or, for other questions about the application process, see Contacts.
Southwestern Illinois College's Radiologic Technology program prepares students to use radiographic equipment safely and effectively to produce X-rays for the purpose of diagnosing and treating illnesses and injuries. Radiologic technology encompasses a variety of specialties and plays an invaluable role in the practice of medicine.
Radiologic Technologists:
- Provide vital information concerning structure and function of the human body
- Enable physicians to make accurate diagnoses to pursue care and treatment
- Play a key role in the total spectrum of medical imaging of health care services
Career Resources
The SWIC Career Activities and Employment Center offers a Career Mentor program, including job shadowing.
The American Society of Radiologic Technologists website provides career and membership information.
The Illinois State Society of Radiologic Technologists website provides additional information.
The U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Outlook Handbook provides career and professional outlook information.
RTs work in a variety of settings including:
- Hospitals
- Health care facilities
- Oncology centers
- Physician's offices
Career Outlook
According to the U.S. Department of Labor 2010-11 Occupational Outlook Handbook, employment of radiologic technologists is expected to increase by about 17 percent from 2008 to 2018, faster than the average for all occupations.
The average starting salary is $38,000–$40,000, depending on the type and location of the health care facility.
Students must apply and be formally accepted into the Radiologic Technology program before beginning program courses. Applicants must submit the following to the Enrollment Services Office:
1. Radiologic Technology application
- Applications are available between Sept. 1 and Dec. 1 each year for summer start.
Supporting documentation (transcripts, test scores, etc) must be on file by identified deadlines.
Proof of completion of prerequisite courses:
Prerequisite courses in biology, algebra and chemistry/physics must be completed to be considered for admission.
- Prerequisite courses must have been completed within 10 years of Feb. 1.
- Grades earned must be at least a C, although higher grades earn more points toward application.
- College course grades supersede high school grades when both appear on official transcripts.
- The most recent grades in courses meeting these requirements will be used.
2. Official Transcripts
- Official high school transcripts or proof of GED
- Official transcripts from all colleges, universities or accredited schools of Radiologic Technology attended
- SWIC transcript evaluation form, a requirement for the transfer of credits from another institution
3. Test Scores
- ACT or SWIC GPA Option
- COMPASS testing: The COMPASS test identifies skill level in math, reading and writing. Students must score high enough to be eligible to enroll in ENG 101 and MATH 97. If COMPASS results are too low, students must complete required developmental courses prior to enrolling in ENG 101, BIOL 105 or MATH 94.
Questions?
For an individual review of your application, contact the Health Sciences coordinators' assistant.
Complete Prerequisite Courses
Prerequisite courses in biology, algebra and chemistry/physics must be completed to apply for the RT program.
Fill Out the Planning Guide
Entrance into the RT program is highly competitive. The RT Planning Guide explains application requirements and offers suggestions on how to maximize points in each section and increase chances of being accepted to the program.
Understand the Application Point System
Applications are rated by a points system, with points based on:
Meet with a Counselor
Call or visit a SWIC Counseling Office for more information on entrance requirements for the RT program.
Questions?
For an individual review of your planning guide, contact the Health Sciences coordinators' assistant.
Acceptance to the program is required before an applicant will be permitted to register for RT courses.
Radiologic Technology Degree
Radiologic Technology Associate in Applied Science Degree (0028) Course Sequence
This is a 73-credit-hour, 2-year accredited degree program that can be completed in four semesters and two summers and includes:
- 17 credit hours of general education courses
- 56 credit hours of radiologic technology courses
The curriculum includes biological and social sciences, RT technical courses and assigned clinical experiences.
View the RT Mission and Goals.
Course Information
General Education Courses
General education courses can be completed prior to admission. These courses can be taken at the Belleville, Sam Wolf Granite City or Red Bud campuses. If general education courses are not completed prior to admission, they must be completed during the semesters indicated.
Radiologic Technology Courses
The Radiologic Technology program courses begin each summer for those applicants accepted into the program. These courses are only offered at the Belleville Campus during the day, with some evening opportunities available. View the course sequence.
Clinical Education Experiences
Clinical practice courses begin in the first fall semester during the day and continue every semester until program completion. Clinical experience courses are completed off campus in various RT employment settings. Students may be required to travel outside the college district for clinical experience courses. Background checks and drug testing are required prior to the first clinical course. Specific clinical placement cannot be guaranteed.
Belleville Campus
The Radiologic Technology program generally accepts 40 students each summer semester at the Belleville Campus.
Application Point System
Applications for the RT program will be rated on a point system, with points based on:
Notification of Acceptance
Applicants will be notified of their status regarding admission as quickly as possible given the number of applications received, typically in late March or early April.
More Candidates than Seats Available
In the event there are more qualified applicants than spaces available in this program, those applicants residing outside the SWIC district or in a district that does not have a joint agreement with SWIC for this program will not be eligible for consideration or admission if there are more applicants than positions to be filled. Resident status is determined by address on file with the Enrollment Services office by Feb. 1.
For a list of colleges that have joint agreements with SWIC, view the college catalog and search for Interdistrict Cooperative Agreements.
The admission procedures for the Radiologic Technology program are in accordance with Illinois law. The law requires that programs not having sufficient space and resources to accommodate all applicants will accept those applicants best qualified, using rank, ability and achievement test scores as guides, with preference given to students residing within district.
Fewer Candidates than Seats Available
In the event that there are fewer qualified candidates than there are spaces available, applications will continue to be accepted until the program's maximum capacity has been reached or until the first week of classes during the summer semester.
The college reserves the right to fill the program in those years when there are fewer applicants than spaces available by whatever means it deems necessary to assure both academic integrity and fairness in the selection process.
The Radiologic Technology program consists of general education courses, RT pre-fix courses and assigned clinical experiences. Specific locations depend on the course type.
General Education Courses
The required general education courses can be taken at the Belleville, Sam Wolf Granite City or Red Bud campuses.
Radiologic Technology Courses
The RT program courses are only offered at the Belleville Campus during the day, with some evening opportunities available.
Clinical Education Experiences
Clinical experiences are completed at hospitals/clinical facilities within the district or in the St. Louis region. Students may be required to travel outside the college district for clinical experience courses. Background checks and drug testing are required prior to clinical experiences. Specific clinical placement cannot be guaranteed.
Radiologic Technology Degree program
For details, see the RT Degree cost sheet
Financial assistance is available!
SWIC Financial Aid Office
Financial aid is available subject to financial need and satisfactory academic progress requirements set by the college.
The student work program does not require financial aid eligibility.
SWIC Foundation
The SWIC Foundation offers more than 200 scholarships based on residency, enrollment and GPA criteria.
First-Year Students
Summer Semester:
- Classroom and lab Monday through Thursday
Fall Semester:
- Classroom, lab and 15 clinical hours per week
- Monday-Thursday: two days clinical and two days classroom
Spring Semester:
- Classroom, lab and 15 clinical hours per week
- Monday–Thursday: two days clinical and two days classroom
Second-Year Students
Summer Semester:
- 30 hours clinical experience per week for eight weeks
Fall Semester:
- Classroom and 20 clinical hours per week
- Monday–Thursday and 1/2 Friday: two days classroom and two-and-a-half days clinical
Spring Semester:
- Classroom and 20 clinical hours per week
- Monday–Thursday and 1/2 Friday: two days classroom and two-and-a-half days clinical
The following criteria are required of accepted applicants, and all information will be explained in detail at program orientation meetings.
Orientation & Performance:
Applicants accepted to this program must attend all required orientation sessions and be able to perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodations. Applicants or enrolled students are encouraged to contact the Disability & Access Center to discuss potential issues associated with meeting these requirements.
Health Insurance:
Health insurance is required during clinical education courses. Students are personally responsible for any costs incurred for injuries occurring during their clinical experience.
Medical Requirements:
These requirements do not have to be fulfilled until they are explained at the orientation meeting. RT students will be required to possess current CPR certification at the Health Care Provider level, show proof of immunizations, TB test and physical examination, and verify health insurance coverage before beginning any clinical experience.
Background Checks and Drug Testing:
Background checks and drug testing are required.
- A list of disqualifying convictions is available from the Illinois Department of Public Health website. Students with convictions must possess a waiver from the IDPH to participate in the program.
- Drug testing will identify illegal and prescription drugs. If results are positive, the student must provide proof of prescription in his or her own name in order to pass the drug test.
Graduation Requirements:
Applicants admitted to the program must follow the requirements for graduation at the time they are admitted and must meet all course, program, degree and sequencing requirements specified. Students are responsible for program policies as listed in each year's RT Student Handbook. Students who fail to meet program-specific requirements will be dropped from the program and may be required to reapply and compete for admission in the succeeding semester.
JRCERT Accreditation
Southwestern Illinois College's Radiologic Technology program is accredited by:
The Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology
20 N. Wacker Drive, Suite 2850
Chicago, IL 60606-3182
312-704-5300
e-mail: mail@jrcert.org
Verification of accreditation can be viewed at the JRCERT website.
Accreditation Benefits
The program's curriculum is guided by the standards developed by the JRCERT. Our accreditation status means SWIC has met the standards required and helps to assure the public that our curriculum will graduate competent clinicians. It also allows the college's RT graduates to take the certification examination in any state that requires a license to practice radiologic technology.
Program Data
View the Radiologic Technology program's Student Learning Outcomes and Program Effectiveness summary data.
Upon successful completion of the RT curriculum, graduates are awarded an Associate in Applied Science degree and are eligible to take the national examination for the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT).
Individuals applying to take the American Registry of Radiologic Technology certification exam may need to complete a Pre-Application Review to determine ethics eligibility. State agencies governing the practice of radiographers may deny an individual licensure, even if the individual has completed all course work and graduated from the program, if the individual has a criminal history, has been convicted or pleads guilty or nolo contendere to a felony or other serious crime.
The SWIC graduate certification pass rate averaged over the past three years is 98 percent.