Radiography

Associates of Applied Science

Diagnosing certain medical conditions or injuries often requires physicians to go beyond a routine physical examination; they need to see inside the body, so an x-ray of the affected area is ordered. Radiographers work with patients to acquire the necessary diagnostic images. If you’re detail-oriented, caring, interested in anatomy and physiology, able to work under pressure, and inclined to work with technology and people, a career as a radiographer may be a satisfying choice for you.

The program prepares individuals for a career as a radiographer in diagnostic imaging (x-ray). The radiographer produces images of the human body in order to aid healthcare providers in the diagnosis of injuries and diseases. Graduates of the program are eligible to take the certification examination administered by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT).

This is a shared program with Lakeshore Technical College. Learn more here.

  • Radiographer reviewing an x-ray

    Program Outline

    Term 1
    Course # Course Title Credits
    1080617700 Prerequisite: General Anatomy and Physiology 4.00
    Description

    Examines basic concepts of human anatomy and physiology as they relate to health sciences. Using a body systems approach, the course emphasizes the interrelationships between structure and function at the gross and microscopic levels of organization of the entire human body. It is intended to prepare health care professionals who need to apply basic concepts of whole-body anatomy and physiology to informed decision-making and professional communication with colleagues and patients. PREREQUISITE: 10806134 General Chemistry or equivalent and Reading placement assessment equivalent

    1080613400 Prerequisite: General Chemistry 4.00
    Description

    Covers the fundamentals of chemistry. Topics include the metric system, problem-solving, periodic relationships, chemical reactions, chemical equilibrium, properties of water; acids, bases, and salts; and gas laws. COREQUISITE: 78854773 Math Essentials for Chemistry and Reading enrollment requirements met or PREREQUISITES: Math and Reading enrollment requirements met

    1052615800 Introduction to Radiography 3.00
    Description

    Introduces students to the role of radiography in health care. Students apply legal and ethical considerations to patient care and pharmacology in the radiologic sciences. PREREQUISITE: 10501101 Medical Terminology and CONDITION: 105261 Radiography admissions requirements met

    105110100 Prerequisite: Medical Terminology 3.00
    Description

    Focuses on the component parts of medical terms: prefixes, suffixes, and word roots. Students practice formation, analysis, and reconstruction of terms. Emphasis on spelling, definition, and pronunciation.  Introduction to operative, diagnostic, therapeutic, and symptomatic terminology of all body systems, as well as systemic and surgical terminology.

    1052615900 Radiographic Imaging 3.00
    Description

    Introduces radiography students to the process and components of imaging. Students determine the factors that affect image quality including contrast, receptor exposure, spatial resolution and distortion. PREREQUISITES: 10806174 General Chemistry or 10806143 General Chemistry and CONDITION: 105261 Radiography admission requirements met

    1052614900 Radiographic Procedures 1 5.00
    Description

    Prepares radiography students to perform routine radiologic procedures on various parts of the body including the upper body, hip, pelvis and ankle. Students apply knowledge of human anatomy to position the patient correctly to achieve the desired result. CONDITION: 105261 Radiography admissions requirements met and PREREQUISITES: 10806177 Gen Anatomy & Physiology or 10806177OL Gen Anatomy & Physiology

    1052616800 Radiography Clinical Practice 1 2.00
    Description

    A beginning level clinical course that prepares radiography students to perform radiologic procedures on patients with extensive supervision and direction. Students apply radiation protection and standard precautions in the production of radiographs in a health care setting while adhering to legal and ethical guidelines. An emphasis of the course is the development of communication and critical thinking skills appropriate to the clinical setting. CONDITION: 105261 Radiography admissions requirements met and COREQUISITE: 10526149 Radio Proc 1, 10526158 Intro to Radio, 10526159 Radiographic Imaging, and PREREQUISITE: 10806177 Gen A&P or 10806196 A&P II

    Term 2
    Course # Course Title Credits
    1052619200 Radiographic Clinical Practice 2 3.00
    Description

    The second level clinical course that prepares radiography students to perform radiologic procedures on patients with extensive supervision and direction. Students apply radiation protection and standard precautions in the production of radiographs in a health care setting while adhering to legal and ethical guidelines. An emphasis of the course is the development of communication and critical thinking skills appropriate to the clinical setting. COREQUISITE: 10526168 Radiography Clinical 1

    1052623000 Advanced Radiographic Imaging 2.00
    Description

    Explores factors that impact image acquisition, display, archiving and retrieval. Guidelines for selecting exposure factors and evaluating images within digital systems are discussed. Principles of digital system quality assurance and maintenance are presented. PREREQ: 10526159 Radiographic Imaging

    Term 3
    Course # Course Title Credits
    1080119600 Oral/Interpersonal Communications 3.00
    Description

    Provides students with the skills to develop speaking, verbal and nonverbal communication, and listening skills through individual speeches, group activities, and other projects. COREQUISITE: 10838105 Intro Reading and Study Skills or Reading placement assessment equivalent

    1052619100 Radiographic Procedures 2 5.00
    Description

    Prepares radiography students to perform routine radiologic procedures on various parts of the body including the skull and spine. Students apply knowledge of human anatomy to position the patient correctly to achieve the desired result. PREREQUISITE: 10526149 Radiographic Procedures 1

    1052619300 Radiographic Clinical Practice 3 3.00
    Description

    The third level clinical course which prepares radiography students to perform radiologic procedures on patients with supervision and direction. Students apply radiation protection and standard precautions in the production of radiographs in a health care setting while adhering to legal and ethical guidelines. An emphasis of the course is the demonstration of communication and critical thinking skills appropriate to the clinical setting. PREREQUISITE: 10526192 Radiographic Clinical 2

    Term 4
    Course # Course Title Credits
    1052619400 Imaging Equipment Operation 3.00
    Description

    Introduces radiography students to the principles and application of x-ray technology. Students analyze how x-rays are produced and determine the corrective actions necessary for common equipment malfunctions. PREREQUISITE: 10526230 Advanced Radiographic Imaging and CONDITION: 105261 Radiography admissions requirements met

    1052623100 Imaging Modalities 2.00
    Description

    Introduces radiography students to imaging modalities with an emphasis in computed tomography and cross-sectional anatomy. PREREQUISITES: 10526191 Radiographic Procedures 2 and CONDITION: 105261 Radiography admissions requirements met

    1080919800 Introduction to Psychology 3.00
    Description

    Introduces students to a survey of the multiple aspects of human behavior. It involves a survey of the theoretical foundations of human functioning in such areas as learning, motivation, emotions, personality, deviance and pathology, physiological factors, and social influences. It directs the student to an insightful understanding of the complexities of human relationships in personal, social, and vocational settings. PREREQUISITE: Reading placement assessment equivalent or COREQUISITE: 10838105 Intro to Reading and Study Skills

    1052618900 Radiographic Pathology 1.00
    Description

    Prepares radiography students to determine the basic radiographic manifestations of pathological conditions. Students classify trauma related to site, complications, and prognosis and locate the radiographic appearance of pathologies. CONDITION: 105261 Radiography admissions requirements met

    1052619900 Radiographic Clinical Practice 4 3.00
    Description

    The fourth level clinical course that prepares radiography students to perform radiologic procedures on patients with supervision and direction. Students apply radiation protection and standard precautions in the production of radiographs in a health care setting while adhering to legal and ethical guidelines. Students are encouraged to demonstrate independent judgment in the performance of clinical competencies. PREREQUISITE: 10526193 Radiographic Clinical 3

    Term 5
    Course # Course Title Credits
    1080119500 Written Communications 3.00
    Description

    Teaches the writing process, which includes prewriting, drafting, revising, and editing. Through a variety of writing assignments, the student will analyze audience and purpose, research and organize ideas, and format and design documents based on subject matter and content. Keyboarding skills are required for this course. It also develops critical reading and thinking skills through the analysis of a variety of written documents. PREREQUISITE: 10831103 Intro to College Wrtg or Writing placement assessment equivalent and COREQUISITE: 10838105 Intro to Rdg & Study Skills or Reading placement assessment equivalent

    1052619000 Radiographic Clinical Practice 5 3.00
    Description

    The fifth level clinical course that prepares radiography students to perform radiologic procedures on patients with some supervision. Students apply radiation protection and standard precautions in the production of radiographs in a health care setting while adhering to legal and ethical guidelines. Students are encouraged to demonstrate independent judgment in the performance of clinical competencies. COREQUISITE: 10526199 Radiographic Clinical 4

    Term 6
    Course # Course Title Credits
    1052617400 ARRT Certification Seminar 2.00
    Description

    Provides preparation for the national certifying examination prepared by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists. Emphasis is placed on the weak areas of the individual students. Simulated registry examinations are utilized. Successful completion of the Radiography program requirements is required to enroll in this course. PREREQUISITE: 10526190 Radiography Clinical 5 and CONDITION: 105261 Radiography admissions requirements met

    1080919600 Introduction to Sociology 3.00
    Description

    Introduces students to the basic concepts of sociology:  culture, socialization, social stratification, multi-culturalism, and the five institutions, including family, government, economics, religion, and education. Other topics include demography, deviance, technology, environment, social issues, social change, social organization, and workplace issues. COREQUISITE: 10838105 Intro to Reading and Study Skills or Reading placement assessment equivalent

    1052619700 Radiation Protection and Biology 3.00
    Description

    Prepares radiography students to protect themselves and others from exposure to radioactivity. Students examine the characteristics of radiation and how radiation affects cell biology. Students apply standards and guidelines for radiation exposure. PREREQUISITE: 10526194 Imaging Equip Operation and CONDITION: 105261 Radiography admissions requirements met

    1052619500 Radiographic Image Analysis 2.00
    Description

    Prepares radiography students to analyze radiographic images for quality. Students apply quality control tests to determine the causes of image problems including equipment malfunctions and procedural errors. CONDITION: 105261 Radiography admissions requirements met and PREREQUISITE: 10526194 Imaging Equipment Operation

    1052619800 Radiography Clinical Practice 6 2.00
    Description

    The final clinical course which requires students to integrate and apply all knowledge learned in previous courses to the production of high-quality radiographs in the clinical setting. Students apply radiation protection and standard precautions in the production of radiographs in a health care setting while adhering to legal and ethical guidelines. Students are encouraged to demonstrate independent judgment in the performance of clinical competencies. PREREQUISITE: 10526190 Radiography Clinical 5

    At A Glance

    How You'll Learn

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    On Campus

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    Online Classes

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    Clinicals

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    Shared Program

    What You'll Learn

    • Apply knowledge of anatomy, physiology, positioning, and radiographic techniques to accurately demonstrate anatomical structures on a radiograph or other imaging receptor.
    • Determine exposure factors to achieve optimum radiographic techniques with minimum radiation exposure to the patient.
    • Evaluate radiographic images for appropriate positioning and image quality.
    • Apply the principles of radiation protection for the patient, self, and others.
    • Provide patient care and comfort.
    • Recognize emergency patient conditions and initiate lifesaving first aid and basic life support procedures.
    • Report malfunctions to the proper authority.
    • Exercise independent judgment and discretion in the technical performance of medical imaging procedures.
    • Participate in radiologic quality assurance programs. 

    Your Potential Careers

    • Clinics
    • Diagnostic Imaging Centers
    • Radiology and Imaging Departments of Hospitals

    Get Started

    Your application can be submitted online, it takes just a few minutes to complete.

    Admission Requirements

    Nicolet offers the Radiography program in cooperation with Lakeshore Technical College (LTC). Radiography program students will attend live, interactive television courses (ITV) at Nicolet and complete all general education courses at Nicolet. The entire program can be taken at Nicolet. Nicolet provides required general education and science courses, while LTC provides the core program courses via ITV. Lab based instruction and clinicals will be provided at local healthcare facilities.

    LTC provides a petitioning process for students to follow to inform the Radiography program when they are ready and prepared to begin core Radiography courses. Students must first be admitted into the Radiography program, then petition for eligibility to take core Radiography courses. Click here to learn more about the petition process.

    Admissions procedures, deadlines and program availability are subject to change. Please contact a Success Coach for the latest information. An initial consult appointment with a Success Coach is required.

    First Term Enrollment Steps
    These steps are done through Lakeshore Technical College (LTC).

    • Submit online application.
    • Complete a background check and pay for applicable processing fee.
    • Complete the online Student Success Questionnaire.
    • Complete Technical Standards form.
    • Schedule your First Time Program Counseling/Registration Session with your assigned program counselor to plan your first semester schedule, review your entire plan of study and discuss the results of the Student Success Questionnaire.
    • Submit transcripts and test scores (optional, highly recommended): College transcripts, along with high school transcripts and test scores from within the last five years, used for course registration. Official transcripts needed for transferring college credit(s) and for financial aid purposes.

    Future Term Enrollment Steps

    • Complete health requirements.
    • Attend Career Experience session.
    • Complete CPR BLS Healthcare Provider certification.
    • Obtain or provide evidence of CNA course competencies within the past 5 years.
    • Complete online Student Success Tutorial prior to registering for second semester.

    Visit Lakeshore Technical College website for more information.

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