Intro

The Carver College of Medicine awards five undergraduate certificates in Radiation Sciences: 

  • Breast Imaging
  • Cardiac Interventional Radiography
  • Computed Tomography
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging (primary and post-primary pathways)
  • Vascular Interventional Radiography

Each certificate requires the completion of online didactic courses and a University of Iowa Health Care (UIHC) practicum.

The certificates are intended for radiologic technologists, nuclear medicine technologists, and radiation therapists interested in becoming eligible for the American Registry of Radiologic Technology (ARRT) board exam in their chosen modality.  The MRI certificate also offers a pathway for students who have completed an associate degree, but no radiation sciences program. 

Requirements

Certificate Requirements

Breast Imaging Certificate - 5 courses and practicum

Prerequisites

  • minimum 2.50 overall cumulative GPA in non-RT program coursework
  • completion of a radiologic technology program and ARRT(R) certification

Curriculum

  • students must earn a C or above in each of the following courses and practicum(s)
Course#TitleS.H.
RSCT:4100Sectional Anatomy for Imaging Sciences3
RSCI:4110Vascular Anatomy3
RSBI:4110BI Procedures & Analysis I3
RSBI:4120BI Advanced Procedures & Analysis3
RSBI:4220Quality Control in Breast Imaging3
RSBI:4308Breast Imaging Practicum1-6

Cardiac Interventional Radiography Certificate - 4 courses and practicum

Prerequisites

  • minimum 2.50 overall cumulative GPA in non-RT program coursework
  • completion of a radiologic technology program and ARRT(R) certification

Curriculum

  • students must earn a C or above in each of the following courses and practicum(s)
Course#TitleS.H.
RSCT:4100Sectional Anatomy for Imaging Sciences3
RSCI:4110Vascular Anatomy3
RSCI:4120CVI Principles4
RSCI:4160CVI Cardiac Procedures & Pathology 4
RSCI:4308Cardiovascular Interventional Practicum1-6

Computed Tomography Certificate - 4 courses and practicum

Prerequisites

  • minimum 2.50 overall cumulative GPA in non-RT/RTT/NMT program coursework

One of the following:

  • completion of a radiologic technology, radiation therapy, or nuclear medicine technology program and ARRT(R), (T), or (N) or NMTCB certification
  • current enrollment, in good standing, in the UI Radiation Therapy or Nuclear Medicine Technology subprogram

Curriculum

  • students must earn a C or above in each of the following courses and practicum(s)
Course#TitleS.H.
RSCT:4100Sectional Anatomy for Imaging Sciences3
RSCI:4110Vascular Anatomy3
RSCT:4120CT Procedures I4
RSCT:4130CT Physical Principles & Quality Control4
RSCT:4308Computed Tomography Practicum1-6

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Certificate - 4 courses and practicum

Prerequisites

  • minimum 2.50 overall cumulative GPA in non-RT/RTT/NMT/DMS program coursework

One of the following for the ARRT MRI post-primary certification pathway:

  • completion of a radiologic technology, radiation therapy, nuclear medicine technology, or diagnostic medical sonography program and ARRT(R), (T), (N), (S), NMTCB, or ARDMS certification
  • current enrollment, in good standing, in the UI Radiation Therapy or Nuclear Medicine Technology subprogram

For the ARRT MRI primary certification pathway: 

  • completion of an associate degree, preferably in a health care field, HHP:2100 Anatomy, HHP:2400 Physiology, RHET:1001 Composition, a medical terminology course, and a social science/humanities course (or courses equivalent to these)

Curriculum

  • students must earn a C or above in each of the following courses and practicum(s)
Course#TitleS.H.
RSCT:4100Sectional Anatomy for Imaging Sciences3
RSCI:4110Vascular Anatomy3
RSMR:4110Fundamentals for the MRI Technologist3
RSMR:4120MRI Procedures I4
RSMR:4308Magnetic Resonance Imaging Practicum1-6

Vascular Interventional Radiography Certificate - 4 courses and practicum

Prerequisites

  • minimum 2.50 overall cumulative GPA in non-RT program coursework
  • completion of a radiologic technology program and ARRT(R) certification

Curriculum

  • students must earn a C or above in each of the following courses and practicum(s)
Course#TitleS.H.
RSCT:4100Sectional Anatomy for Imaging Sciences3
RSCI:4110Vascular Anatomy3
RSCI:4120CVI Principles4
RSCI:4140
or
RSCI:4150		CVI Peripheral Procedures & Pathology

CVI Neuro & Nonvascular Proc & Pathology		3

3
RSCI:4308Cardiovascular Interventional Practicum1-6

perspective

Prospective students should contact the Radiation Sciences Office of Student Affairs to verify eligibility and discuss modality availability before they begin the certificate coursework.

Practicum

Practicum

Practicum

Location

Certificate students will have the opportunity to gain supervised, hands-on clinical experiences at University of Iowa Health Care locations in Iowa City, Coralville, and/or North Liberty, IA. 

Hours and Availability

Acceptance into a practicum is required but not guaranteed. Students must first apply, and be accepted, into the University of Iowa. See the Apply page. 

Practicum availability is modality‑specific, and preferred days and times may not be offered each semester.

Students will need a minimum of 270 clinic/practicum hours (3sh) to complete all required ARRT competencies. (90 clinic hours = 1 semester hour).

To pass the practicum and meet the certificate requirements, all clinical competencies must be completed. Students may need more than one semester to complete these.

 See American Registry of Radiologic Technologist (ARRT) Credential Options for more information.

Students participating in a Radiation Sciences practicum must complete the following requirements prior to the start of the practicum to comply with Program and UI Health Science Student policies.

  1. Satisfy Technical Standards expectations
  2. Health Science Student Requirements Checklist and Immunizations
  3. Pass a criminal background check.  Review Self-Disclosure of Criminal Background.  Students may be denied application for ARRT certification if they have committed ethics or criminal violations. Students are encouraged to verify their eligibility with the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT).
  4. Provide proof of health insurance