Radiography Program (Minnesota)
Program description
Mayo School of Health Sciences at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., offers a 21-month radiography program.
Radiography is an exciting and challenging career involving the use of highly sophisticated equipment to create X-rays — anatomical images that are used by physicians to diagnose disease, injury or disability. Radiographers have direct patient contact in clinic and hospital settings and are valuable members of the health care team.
The Radiography Program offers an exceptional educational experience by providing the high-quality didactic and clinical experiences needed to create a well-rounded, fully competent radiographer in an environment based on teamwork and mutual respect.
Affiliated institutions
Students at these affiliated academic institutions are eligible to apply to the Mayo School of Health Sciences Radiography Program:
Mission statement
The mission of the Mayo Clinic Radiography Program is to encourage talented and dedicated individuals to pursue careers in radiography and prepare them for the profession by providing a high-quality, professional curriculum that presents a broad didactic component, comprehensive clinical rotations, and an environment that instills professional affective skills.
Program goals and objectives
Goal 1:
Students will practice professional growth and development.
Student learning outcomes:
- Students will demonstrate a professional mindset and participation in professional growth and learning activities.
- Students will demonstrate adherence to policies.
Goal 2:
Students/graduates will be clinically competent.
Student learning outcomes:
- Students will demonstrate clinical competence in producing images of diagnostic quality.
- Students will practice radiation safety.
Goal 3:
Students will utilize critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Student learning outcomes:
- Students will demonstrate the ability to critique image quality and make changes in technique and/or positioning when necessary.
- Students will demonstrate the ability to adapt technique and/or positioning for non-routine exams.
Goal 4:
Students will develop effective communication skills.
Student learning outcomes:
- Students will demonstrate verbal communication skills.
- Students will practice written communication skills.
Program effectiveness measures:
- Program effectiveness measure 1 – Students will complete the program.
- Program effectiveness measure 2 – Students will pass the national certification examination on the first attempt for examinations taken within six months of graduation.
- Program effectiveness measure 3 – Students will be employed in the radiologic sciences within six months post-graduation.
- Program effectiveness measure 4 – Graduates will express overall satisfaction with their radiography education.
- Program effectiveness measure 5 – The employers of our graduates will express overall satisfaction with their knowledge and job performance.
Accreditation
The Mayo School of Health Sciences Radiography Program is accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT). Full accreditation has been maintained since the program's inception in 1982.
Mayo Clinic, University of Minnesota, St. Cloud State University and University of Sioux Falls are members of the North Central Association of Colleges and accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Program effectiveness measures
| Year |
Board passage rate (1st attempt) |
5-year average board passage rate |
Completion rate |
Employed in field within 6 months of graduation (of those seeking employment) |
5-year employment average (within 6 months of graduation) |
| 2010 |
100% |
100% |
94% |
76% |
88% |
| 2011 |
100% |
100% |
90% |
88% |
86% |
| 2012 |
100% |
100% |
100% |
83% |
83% |
Program effectiveness data is also available through the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology at http://www.jrcert.org
Facilities
During the 21 months of the Radiography Program, students are assigned full time in the Mayo Clinic Department of Radiology. Students will also be assigned to clinical rotations in radiology departments at Mayo Clinic Health System locations in Lake City, Minn., and Cannon Falls, Minn. Additionally, students attend courses specific to radiography during these semesters.
The Mayo Clinic campus in Rochester, Minn., includes an extensive outpatient complex, Saint Marys Hospital, Rochester Methodist Hospital, and substantial research and education facilities.
This Mayo Clinic site is among the largest, most advanced medical centers in the world.
Graduation and certification
Upon completion of the program, students will receive a certificate of completion from Mayo School of Health Sciences. Students completing the collaborative bachelor's degree with the University of Minnesota Rochester will receive a Bachelor of Science in health professions. Students completing the collaborative bachelor's degree with St. Cloud State University will receive a Bachelor of Science in radiologic technology. Students completing the collaborative bachelor's degree with the University of Sioux Falls will receive a Bachelor of Science in radiologic technology.
Graduates are eligible to take the professional certification examination given by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT). This certification provides nationally recognized credentials to practice radiography and fulfills the eligibility requirements for states that require licensure.
Hours
For the majority of the classroom instruction and clinical rotations, the learning schedule will include eight-hour days, five days a week. Toward the middle of the program, student rotations through the emergency trauma unit at Saint Marys Hospital take place during evening, overnight and weekend hours. During the last two semesters of the program, students will be assigned to clinical rotations in radiology departments at the Mayo Clinic Health System sites in Lake City, Minn., and Cannon Falls, Minn.
Class size
Each year, Mayo School of Health Sciences admits up to 40 students to the Radiography Program in Rochester, Minn.
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