Ball State’s Associate in Science in Radiography prepares you to become a medical imaging professional.
As a graduate of our program, you’ll be equipped for a unique and fulfilling career that combines one-on-one interactions with patients with the challenge of operating technical equipment.
Our program’s mission is to prepare students with educational experiences and environments to become successful entry-level radiographers who demonstrate the highest level of professionalism and academic, technical, and clinical competence in serving their patients, customers, community, and the profession.
Program graduates are eligible to apply for the national certification examination administered by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT). Individuals who pass the examination are known as Registered Technologists in Radiography, R.T.(R).
What You Will Learn
In our program, you’ll learn to become an entry-level radiographer. These are highly skilled professionals qualified by education to perform x-ray procedures to assist in diagnosing and treating medical conditions.
The responsibilities of a radiographer can include:
- performing radiation safety and quality control procedures
- preparing and administering contrast media
- operating imaging equipment
- positioning patients for procedures
- evaluating radiographs for diagnostic quality
- providing basic nursing and medical care
- preparing data for physician interpretation
What It’s Like to Major in Radiography at Ball State?
Graduates of our program qualify to take the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists Radiography Credentialing Exam used for Indiana state licensure and required to work.
The core component of our radiography program involves 11 specialized, hallmark courses in radiography that will prepare you for a wide variety of real-world work experiences in the profession.
As one of our students, you will have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in healthcare facilities working with patients of all ages. Program faculty presents a variety of learning experiences in a laboratory environment that will enable you to learn the skills you need to care for patients. Carefully structured clinical assignments provide you with more than 1,200 patient contact hours of real-world experience under the supervision of skilled preceptors.
Program Requirements
This associate degree program is divided into two phases and takes a minimum of 26 months to complete. The Ball State University radiography program is offered in cooperation with IU Health Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis.
This program is accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT).
Learn more.
- The first, or prerequisite phase, takes place on the Ball State campus and includes course work in the sciences and the University Core Curriculum.
- The second, or professional concentration phase takes place in Indianapolis where medical, technical and clinical courses are taught at IU Health Methodist Hospital.
Upon graduation, you’ll earn an associate of science degree in radiography.
Clinical Rotations
Students complete clinical rotations at:
- IU Health Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis
- IU Health Methodist Medical Plaza East in Indianapolis
- Hendricks Regional Health Hospital in Danville, Indiana
Credits
Total: 60
- Prerequisite Phase: 24
- Professional Concentration Phase: 36
Courses
Professional concentration courses you will take include:
- AHSC 201 Introduction to Medical Imaging and Patient Care
- AHSC 224, 225, 226 Radiographic Procedures 1, 2, 3
- AHSC 228, 229, 230 Radiographic Principles 1, 2, 3
- AHSC 231, 232, 233, 234 Clinic 1, 2, 3, 4 Radiography
For a complete list of all the courses you will take and their descriptions, please see our Course Catalog.
View Catalog
What Can You Do with a Degree in Radiography?
Radiographers can work in a variety of settings including hospitals, private offices, independent imaging centers and mobile and traveling services. Other employment opportunities may require additional education following the radiography program such as corporate sales, other imaging modalities (CT, MRI, ultrasound, etc.), education and management.
Paying for Your Education
Ready to Apply?
You will need to be admitted to both Ball State University and the professional concentration phase of the program itself in order to complete this degree.
Apply to Professional Concentration phase
Admission to the university does not guarantee admission to the professional concentration phase of the radiography program.
- Students may complete the required radiography prerequisite courses upon admission to the university. Admission to the professional concentration phase requires a separate application and is competitive. Admission to the university, satisfactory completion of the radiography prerequisite courses and fulfillment of program admission requirements does not guarantee admission to the professional concentration phase of the program. The Radiography Program designates the number of students admitted to the professional concentration phase each year.
- All accepted students to the professional concentration phase of the program must provide documentation of CPR and required immunization/tests and successfully complete a background check and mandatory drug testing performed by IU Health.
- In order to participate in the professional concentration phase of the program, no accepted student may appear on specific Federal exclusion lists.
In order to apply for admission to the professional concentration phase of the Radiography Program, students must:
- Meet with the Nutrition and Health Science Primary Departmental Advisor.
- Be a current Ball State student by December 1 of the year immediately prior to the professional concentration phase application deadline. All transfer credits must be evaluated and appear on the BSU Student DegreeWorks record and official BSU transcript.
- Successfully complete 12 of the 24 credits of radiography prerequisite courses.
- Earn a minimum of 2.5 overall GPA from the required radiography prerequisite courses.
- Disclose any termination from a healthcare facility, ticket, citation, summons, arrest, charge, or conviction for a misdemeanor or felony. Individuals who have been charged or convicted of a misdemeanor or felony must pre-apply and receive clearance from the national certifying body by the professional concentration program application deadline. Refer to the Radiography Program Application Instructions document for a complete explanation of disclosure of misdemeanors and felonies.
- Meet the following requirements of the math/science courses ANAT 201, CHEM 100, MATH 125, PHYC 100, PHYS 215:
- Complete three of the five.
- Complete within the past seven years or must be retaken
- Do not repeat any math/science course more than one time.
- Evidence suggests that students who repeat prerequisite radiography math/science courses more than once are unlikely to be successful in the radiography program
- Earn a grade of C or higher for all 5 math/science courses
- Earn a grade of C or higher for English (ENG 103).
- Have read the most current Radiography Program Policies, Procedures, and Information and Radiography Check Sheet documents posted on the BSU website.
- Be a minimum of 18 years of age by the first day of the professional concentration phase of the program due to occupational radiation exposure limits of minors and to meet legal clinical setting policies.
In order to maintain admission and participate in the professional concentration phase of the Radiography Program, students must:
- Successfully complete all 24 credits of the radiography prerequisite courses by the end of spring semester prior to beginning the professional concentration phase.
- Earn a grade of C or higher in all professional concentration courses.
Please carefully review the Radiography Program Instructions and Application (PDF). Complete the application by following the instructions and submitting the application packet to the Department of Nutrition and Health Science, Health Professions Building 530, Ball State University, Muncie, IN 47306. All applications must be submitted no later than 5 p.m. local time (eastern time) on the first business day of February each year. Late applications may not be considered.
Applicants will be ranked using the following formula:
- GPA of completed, required prerequisite courses x 8
- Plus GPA of completed, required prerequisite math/science courses x 17
Want to Learn More?
The best way to get a true feel for Ball State is to spend some time here, so we encourage you and your family to schedule a campus visit. Take a tour, attend an information session, meet with a professor in our area, and ask plenty of questions. Or if you’d rather speak to someone directly by phone or email, please feel free to contact us.