Imaging Sciences: Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Track, BS

About the Profession

Radiologic imaging science, also known as radiologic technology or medical radiography, is the allied health profession responsible for diagnostic and interventional medical radiographic imaging. Imaging sciences professionals, under the supervision of physicians, provide medical imaging services to patients.

The Program

The Rush University Bachelor of Science in Imaging Sciences program offers an opportunity for registered radiologic technologists to advance their education by obtaining a Bachelor’s degree and skills that are significant to their current profession. This program offers the radiologic technologist an opportunity for advancement in employment and prepares advanced medical imaging technologists for professional leadership roles. This academic degree program will provide graduates with the knowledge, skills and professional competencies needed to perform advanced-level imaging in Computed Tomography (CT), Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI),Cardiac-Interventional (CI), Vascular-Interventional (VI) and other advanced imaging modalities.

The Bachelor of Science in Imaging Sciences is a career ladder program to provide advanced training and education for certified imaging technologists. In addition to the program prerequisites, the Bachelor of Science in Imaging Sciences degree program requires a minimum of 95 quarter credit hours taken at the upper division undergraduate level. The professional phase of the program, which consists of Imaging Sciences course work and clinical fieldwork, is completed at Rush University and its affiliated clinical sites. The program is dedicated to clinical and academic excellence and includes more than 1000 hours of in-hospital clinical practice. As a leadership program in Imaging Sciences, the program is designed to provide graduates with the opportunity to gain the foundation needed to assume professional leadership roles in clinical practice, clinical specialty areas, education and management.

Students accepted into the professional phase normally begin course work in the fall quarter of the first year of the program, though students may begin taking classes at other times during the year with permission of the program director. Coursework in the professional phase may be taken on a full-time (over 24 months) or part-time basis. Each student will develop an individualized program to be approved by the program director. As a part of the program, graduates will complete the clinical training required to be eligible for post-primary pathway to certification in Computed Tomography, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Cardiac-Interventional (CI) or Vascular-Interventional (VI) offered by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT).

Good Academic Standing

High academic performance is expected in required courses. If a student earns grades lower than “C” or their cumulative GPA falls below a 2.0, the student may not be permitted to register for subsequent courses and may be subject to dismissal from the program. Students who withdraw or who have been dismissed from the program must reapply and will be considered on the same basis as a new applicant. Students requesting readmission must submit a letter to the College of Admissions.

Academic Probation

During the program, if a student’s performance is unsatisfactory (GPA less than 2.0 or a letter grade of less than “C”), he or she may not be permitted to register for subsequent classes. The student will be subject to dismissal from the program. If the student wishes to reenter the program, he or she must reapply and will be considered on the same basis as any new applicant. Students who voluntarily withdraw from the program, either passing or failing, have no guarantee of reinstatement to the program. Students requesting readmission to the program should submit a letter to that effect to the Committee on Progress and Promotion for Imaging Sciences.

Clinical Work

Students must maintain a cumulative GPA in the program of at least 2.0 unless otherwise described in a given course syllabus, the minimum satisfactory grade for course credit is 75% (a letter grade of “C”), and all stipulated segments of a course must be passed by this standard. Students must demonstrate proficiency in all clinical skills presented in order to pass clinical courses. For all clinical courses, the final exam must be passed at the designated cut score and a grade of “C” or better must be maintained in order to successfully complete each Clinical Practice to continue in the program.

Grievance Policy - Student Appeals

Normal communication regarding course or program policy should be first directed to the instructor assigned to the course or clinical section involved. In the event that the student is unable to satisfy his or her inquiry or request at that level, the matter should be referred to either the clinical director (in the case of clinical practice) or the department chair (in the case of academic coursework or policy). In the event that the matter in question cannot be resolved at that level, it should be directed to the Committee on Progress and Promotions for Imaging Sciences. This committee will either resolve the matter in question to the student’s satisfaction or instruct the student on available mechanisms for appeal as described in the University Catalog and University Student Handbook.

Comprehensive Examination

At the end of the program, the student will complete an end-of-program competency assessment examination; as a part of IS 471P , Clinical Practicum IV is required to successfully complete IS 471P , as well as meet graduation and program completion requirements (see Graduation Requirements). Students who do not successfully complete the examination will receive an Incomplete (“I”) for IS 471P  and will retake the examination prior to the beginning of the next quarter. Those failing the examination twice will be enrolled in IS 471P  as a directed Independent Study during the next quarter for remediation. Those failing the examination on the third attempt will be subject to dismissal from the program. Those students may reapply to the program (see Procedures for Readmission).

College of Health Sciences/Rush University Academic Policies

Academic policies specific to the College of Health Sciences are located earlier in this catalog. In addition, the Academic Resources and Policies  section of this catalog contains Rush University academic policies

Professional Courses

• IS - 311 Patient Assessment Credit Hours: (5)
• IS - 312 Pathophysiology I Credit Hours: (5)
• IS - 322 Pathophysiology II Credit Hours: (5)
• IS - 324 Pharmacology Credit Hours: (4)
• IS - 336 Introduction to MRI Credit Hours: (3)
• IS - 443 Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Positioning and Protocols I Credit Hours: (3)
• IS - 451 Sectional Anatomy and Pathology I Credit Hours: (6)
• IS - 461 Sectional Anatomy and Pathology II Credit Hours: (6)
• IS - 450 MRI Physics Credit Hours: (3)
• IS - 473 Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Positioning and Protocols II Credit Hours: (3)
• IS - 442 Radiologic Contrast Agents Credit Hours: (3)

Leadership Courses

• IS - 332 Management Credit Hours: (5)
• RC - 401 Education Credit Hours: (5)
• CHS - 503 Research and Statistical Methods Credit Hours: (5)
• IDS - 510 Health Care in America Credit Hours: 2
• IS - 452 Health Care Ethics Critical Thinking Credit Hours: (5)
• IS - 490 Cultural Competence and Communication Credit Hours: (3)

Clinical Courses

• IS - 445P Clinical Practicum I Credit Hours: (5)
• IS - 446 Clinical Seminar I Credit Hours: (3)
• IS - 455P Clinical Practicum II Credit Hours: (3)
• IS - 456 Clinical Seminar II Credit Hours: (3)
• IS - 465P Clinical Practicum III Credit hours: (5)
• IS - 466 Clinical Seminar III Credit Hours: (3)
• IS - 471P Clinical Practicum IV Credit Hours: (5)

Total: 98 Credit Hours

NOTE: All professional, leadership and clinical courses require a grade of “C” or better in order for the student to continue in the degree program course sequence with a major in Imaging Sciences. Failure to complete an Imaging Sciences professional course with a letter grade of “C” or better will subject the student to review by the Committee on Progress and Promotions and may result in the student being dismissed from the program. Students readmitted to the program at times other than the fall quarter of the second year will pick up the course sequence as prescribed by the Committee on Progress and Promotions for Imaging Sciences.

Year 1

Year 2

Total: 98 Credit Hours