10 Top rated graduate programs
University of Washington – Seattle Campus
Located in Seattle, the Radiology program of the University of Washington (UW) is one of the top-rated in the nation for the field. This large program provides education and training for medical students, residents and fellows.
Aspiring radiologists in this program will gain hands-on experience at several major area hospitals, including the University of Washington Medical Center, Seattle Children’s Hospital, the VA Medical Center i and several others throughout the region. UW’s Radiology program includes 10 specific fields of study, ranging from body imaging and diagnostic physics to nuclear medicine and pediatric radiology.
The University of California – San Francisco (UCSF)
The University of California – San Francisco offers high-quality radiology training through its Diagnostic Radiology Residency program, which is one of the largest in the nation. Their Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging offers a couple of grad programs, including the Masters of Science in Biomedical Imaging (MSBI) Program, which students can complete in one to two years.
UCSF also offers a Joint Graduate Program in Bioengineering with UC Berkeley, which is a unique program that offers Ph. D Bioengineering students to help perform research activities. In 2010, the U.S. News & World Report rated the UCSF School of Medicine the nation’s fifth best primary care program in the year 2010.
University of Minnesota – Twin Cities
One of the nation’s highest-ranked medical schools, the University of Minnesota Twin Cities campus features residency and fellowship programs, in addition to a transitional year internship.
For both residents and fellows, this diverse and rigorous program offers in-depth academic instruction and clinical radiology experience at the program’s four partner medical centers, including the University of Minnesota Medical Center, the VA Medical Center, the Hennepin County Medical Center and the Amplatz Children’s Hospital.
Michigan State University
Founded more than 150 years ago, Michigan State University is one of the top research universities in the nation, and even has worldwide recognition. It offers high-quality, accredited radiology residency and fellowship programs that allow students to gain valuable knowledge and experience.
They have a couple of different residency programs available, including a Diagnostic Radiology Residency program, which combines the academic resources of Michigan State University with three Flint area community teaching hospitals, as well as the Osteopathic Residency Program in Diagnostic Radiology. Both residencies take four years to complete. In addition, this university also offers an MRI fellowship, which is a one year program that’s offered to those who have successfully completed their residency in radiology.
University of Wisconsin – Madison
Founded in 1848 and located in Madison, Wisconsin, the University of Wisconsin offers a high quality radiology residency and fellowship programs. The Radiology Department at this institution is affiliated with the UW Hospital and the University of Wisconsin Medical School, both of which are located in Madison.
Its residency program accepts 8 residents per year, although the program offers separate residencies in diagnostic radiology and nuclear medicine, both of which involve training in nuclear medicine technology.
UW also offers medical students an accredited one-year fellowship in Vascular and Interventional Radiology, as well as non-accredited fellowships in specialties including mammography, clinical MRI and PET-CT/Molecular Imaging. The Radiology Department also offers a new Combined MRI/MBA fellowship with the university’s School of Business.
University of Michigan – Ann Arbor
Also home to one of the nation’s highest-ranked radiology departments, the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor offers both residency and fellowship programs to qualified students.
Their 44-position residency program is approved by the Accreditation Council of Graduate Medical Education and takes four years to complete. Accredited fellowship positions are also offered in specialized radiology studies including pediatric radiology and vascular interventional radiology. A research project during the residency is required to complete the program. In addition, this school also offers visiting fellowship positions and continuing education course. Fellowships can take one or two years to complete.
University of California – Los Angeles
First established in 1882, and the second member UC campus, the University of California – Las Angeles (UCLA) is the largest campus in the UC system.
This public research university features both residency and fellowship opportunities through its Department of Radiology, which offers a 4-year residency training program in Diagnostic Radiology, including all aspects of medical imaging. This program currently has 48 resident positions and is conducted at 5 major teaching hospitals. Completion of the radiology residency program makes graduates eligible to take the American Board of Radiology certification exam.
Research opportunities are also available. In addition, accredited fellowship positions are available for the following: diagnostic neuroradiology, pediatric imaging and interventional radiology. Other non-accredited fellowships are also available. Fellowship programs take 1-2 to complete.
University of California – Davis
Established in 1905, the University of California Davis campus offers students offers two residency programs and six fellowship programs through its Department of Radiology.
Its residency programs include the Diagnostic Radiology Residency program and Nuclear Medicine Residency program. Both offer training and experience in the program’s partner healthcare facilities, including the Veterans Administration Hospital nearby.
While the Diagnostic Radiology program takes 4 years to complete, the Nuclear Medicine Residency program takes three years to complete, in addition to one prerequisite internship year. Also offered is a combined nuclear medicine and diagnostic radiology program, as well as a unique competency and fellowship program.
The fellowship programs include abdominal imaging, musculoskeletal radiology and pediatric radiology, and take one year to complete.
Indiana University – Indianapolis
The Indiana University School of Medicine (IUSOM) is currently the second largest medical school in the country. This college features a large post-graduate training program.
Their Diagnostic Radiology Residency program provides in clinical, education, and imaging research training. It is a four-year program that offers 15 positions per year.
The department also boasts a large fellowship training program, offering 27 fellowship positions in all major radiology specialties. In addition, Indiana University’s School of Medicine requires a radiology clerkship for medical students in their fourth year. This institution also offers a Radiologic Sciences program through its Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, which offers an Associate’s degree in radiography and a Bachelor’s degree in both medical imaging technology and nuclear medicine technology.
University of Iowa
Located in Iowa City, Iowa, the University of Iowa is the state’s oldest public university, founded in 1847.
Its Department of Radiology currently offers two residencies, including diagnostic radiology and nuclear medicine, for a total 38 resident positions every year between the VA Hospital and University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics (UIHC) system. Seven different fellowships are also available through the department program, and include positions in mammography, body imaging, musculoskeletal radiology, and several others. Fellowships take a year to complete, and allow for 16 positions to be filled every year. In addition, this school offers additional courses, research opportunities and even externships for interested and qualified students.
For students interested in radiological technology, the University of Iowa also offers programs in radiation science.
5 Popular Schools
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Located in Chapel Hill, the University of North Carolina is the second largest school in the state. It is also the state’s oldest, having been established in 1789. Their accredited residency program offers both in-depth training as well as research opportunities. The residency program involves supervised clinical experience at the UNC Hospitals, balanced with traditional presentations and lectures, as well as seminars and workshops. It takes students four years to complete the program.
The University of North Caroline also offers 14 fellowship positions.
University of Pittsburgh
The University of Pittsburgh is a major research university, and established in 1787, is one of the nation’s oldest chartered colleges. This institution features high quality and competitive residency and fellowship programs in the field of radiology. Their Radiology Residency program is currently the second-largest radiology residency program in the country.
In addition, this school also offers accredited fellowship positions in neuroradiology and pediatric imaging, as well as non- accredited fellowship positions in a number of other subspecialties of radiology.
University of Colorado – Denver
Located in Colorado’s picturesque capitol, the University of Colorado’s main Denver campus offers both accredited residency and fellowship programs in the field of radiology, including specialties in the radiology field. Their radiology residency program takes four years to complete, and includes traditional lectures, conferences, a research course and hands-on experience. UC’s fellowship program involves positions in nine different radiology subspecialties, ranging from abdominal imaging to pediatric radiology.
University of Vermont
The University of Vermont (UVM) is a small research university located in Burlington that was established back in 1862. Its Department of Radiology offers both residency and fellowship positions, though there are fewer available here than in larger institutions. Its residency program has six positions to fill every year and takes four years to complete.
Only two positions are available in its fellowship program each year and include one focused on neuroradiology and the other focused on vascular and interventional radiology.
Hands-on training is largely at the Fletcher Allen Hospital, though the residency program also includes an eight-week rotation at a children’s hospital and a shorter rotation at the American Institute for Radiologic Pathology.
University of Rochester
The University of Rochester is a private research university located in the city of Rochester in New York. The school was established in 1850.The University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC) offers both a residency program and fellowship program through its Department of Imaging Sciences. The residency program is very competitive, and includes experience in the University of Rochester Medical Center and Highland Hospital. This institution also offers fellowship positions that are equally competitive. They are one-year programs that each focus on six different radiology subspecialties, ranging from interventional radiology to emergency radiology.
Tuition and other costs
Like all doctor specialists, radiologists can expect to accrue a great deal of student loan debt. Certification in radiology can also take longer than other residencies, and can cost thousands more, depending on the state and institution. While some program participants will be expected to pay tuition and other fees, others may receive benefits or even a stipend.
Admission Requirements
The admissions process for radiology residency and fellowship programs are highly competitive. Many of these programs receive hundreds of application every year, but only have a dozen or so positions to fill. The admissions process is therefore very rigorous. Medical students who have gained experience through shadowing a radiologist or through radiology interest groups, and who have impressive test scores, often have an advantage.
References
http://www.theabr.org/
http://www.acgme.org/
http://studentdoctor.net/2010/10/the-successful-match-getting-into-radiology/