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:
Program goals and objectives
Goal 1:
Provide entry-level radiographers for employment at medical facilities in Rochester, Minn., and the upper Midwest.
Objectives:
- Applicants selected for the program will have the ability to successfully complete the graduation requirements.
- Students will complete the program with the knowledge and clinical skills required to sit for and pass the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification examination.
- Students will complete the program with the professional and clinical skills required to gain employment as an entry-level radiographer.
- Graduates will express overall satisfaction with their radiography education.
- Employers of our graduates will express overall satisfaction with their knowledge and job performance.
Goal 2:
Students will progress through the program in a manner that will enable them to develop the critical-thinking and problem-solving skills required of a clinically competent entry-level radiographer.
Objectives:
- Students will demonstrate clinical competence in producing images of diagnostic quality.
- Students will practice radiation safety.
- Students will demonstrate the ability to critique image quality and make changes when necessary in technique or positioning (or both).
- Students will demonstrate the ability to adapt technique or positioning (or both) for nonroutine exams.
Goal 3:
Students will progress through the program in a manner that will enable them to provide quality patient care and exhibit the professionalism required of an entry-level radiographer.
Objectives:
- Students will demonstrate the ability to work as part of a team.
- Students will demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively.
- Students will demonstrate adherence to program policies.
- Students will demonstrate a professional mindset and participate in professional growth and learning activities.
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
| 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% |
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.
Find Mayo Clinic on