Frequently Asked Advising Questions

Q.     Is there a preference for Math 108 or Math 143?
A.      No, there is not.  However, that might change in the future so please check our web site in August for any changes with the pre-requisites or the application process.  Remember – if you complete MATH 108, you must also complete an additional core math.  MATH 143 will stand alone as math algebra and a core math class.

Q.    Can I take CHEM 105 instead of CHEM 101 to satisfy the pre-requisite requirement?
A.    CHEM 101or CHEM 111 are preferred, but if you have already taken CHEM 105 we will accept it.  However, CHEM 105 is not a core class and will not transfer to another institution, or be useful in anther major besides Nursing.

Q.     Does the Registrar’s Office decide which credits will transfer from another institution or does the Department decide?
 A.       If it is a Radiologic Science course, then our department will evaluate the course and decide how it will transfer (http://radsci.boisestate.edu/Transfer%20Policy2004.pdf).  If it is a University course then the Registrar’s office evaluates the credits ((208) 426-4249).  If you want to know if a course will transfer from your current institution, please contact the Registrar’s Office http://registrar.boisestate.edu/. 

Q.     Why do you restrict the number of students allowed in the Radiologic Sciences programs?
A.       The clinically based medical imaging programs, Radiography, CT, MRI and Sonography, limit program enrollment based on clinical education opportunities available at local hospitals, imaging centers and medical clinics.  Students spend a significant portion of their program education in the clinical setting perfecting their skills. 

Q.     How difficult is it to be accepted into the Radiography Program?
A.       Due to the limited number of available clinical sites the Radiography Program has a competitive admission process.  Prerequisite GPA and a scored interview are used to select program participants.  During the most recent application period there were 130 completed applications submitted for 24 openings.  Learn more about our selection process:  CRITERIA.05.pdf

Q.            Should I visit a Radiography Department before applying to the program?
A.       We strongly encourage prospective applicants to visit a radiography department and observe radiographers in action.  Please contact the Radiologic Sciences Department to obtain a Clinical Touring Form.

Q.     How can I learn more about the different types of programs that teach Radiologic Techology?
A.       A good resource to learn more about many of the health professions is the American Medical Association Health Professions Career and Education Directory.  It is available at most libraries and gives detailed information about several occupations, educational programs and accrediting agencies. 

Once you have found programs that you are interested in, some questions that you may ask as you investigate their educational offerings:
·        Is the program accredited and in good standing?  What organization accredits the program?
·        What are the program’s admission requirements?
·        How many students do you admit in each program class?
·        How long is the program?
·        What will it cost me to participate in the program?
·        What is the program’s attrition rate?
·        What is the pass rate for program graduates on national certification examinations?
·        What is the employment rate for graduates of your program?
·        What kind of degree/certificate will I receive upon completion of the program? 
    o       Is this an academic, Vo-Tech, or certificate program?
    o       Can I use this to complete a bachelor degree?

Q.       I'm confused by all the information out there about getting a degree as a tech.  What I'm understanding from the BSU website is that all students go through the Radiographer Program and become certified to work as a technologist and then if they want to specialize as say a Sonographer, they need to go for an additional year of training.  Is that correct?
 A.         Yes, that is correct.  Our program is a one plus 2 plus 1 program.  One year of prerequisites, two year professional radiographer program to finish the AS degree and an additional year for the BS degree.

Q.     Is it that way at all colleges/universities?
A.         Every university /college has their own process to grant a degree.    Idaho State is four years with the last two being the professional radiographer.  LCSC is a 3 year as with the first year prerequisite and then the 2 year professional radiographer program.  Each one is different, but usually it is at least 2 years for the diagnostic radiographer.

Q.    And how long would it take me to complete the program with already having a B.A.?
A.         If you had the prerequisites completed and would be accepted the first year, it would be two years with a summer included for the A.S. degree and then an additional year if your were accepted into the sonography program. 

Q.       Would I graduate your program with a B.S. in Radiological Sciences on top of my B.A. in Biology? 
A.       You would graduate with an AS and then if you chose to continue you would receive another BS.

Q.    Why are the AS degree radiography programs at BSU, ISU and LCSC longer in duration than the CSI program?
A.       They are longer in duration because of the additional academic emphasis along with the need to cover the content contained in the seventeen professional radiography subjects identified in the radiography curriculum guide of the American Society of Radiologic Technologists. When additional subjects beyond the scope of the basic entry level curriculum are taught in these programs, the curriculums are lengthened even further. That is why the BSU, ISU and LCSC programs tend to be about a year longer than the CSI RT program, which is slightly less than 24 months.  (www.csi.edu)

Q.     Why doesn't CSI emphasize nice to know content?

A.       The CSI RT program concentrates on teaching the "essential" content contained in the ASRT radiography curriculum guide that is designed to prepare students to pass their ARRT radiography certification examination. Nice to know, content related to academic subjects, other imaging modalities (CT, MRI, etc.) and other interesting aspects of the profession are not emphasized to a great extent so as to maintain the shortest possible education and training duration. An assumption is held by CSI program officials that these nice to know aspects of the profession will be revealed informally during the 24 month training period or they will integrate into the students repertoire at a more appropriate time after they secure employment as ARRT Registered Technologists in Radiography. Concentrating on needed radiography related content and skills allows radiography students to complete their education and training in approximately 24 months and enter the workforce almost a year or so earlier than graduates of the programs at LCSC, ISU and BSU.  (www.csi.edu)