Radiology Education Options in Missouri

As the aging US population continues to require more healthcare, medical professionals including radiological technologists are in high demand.

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Employment opportunities for radiologic technologists and other professions in the healthcare sector are expected to experience a 6% increase, adding thousands of jobs in only 10 years, and making now a better time than ever to consider becoming a radiological technician.

In Missouri, there are currently 4,270 working radiological technicians, and that number is expected to grow as employers seek out more of these professionals to fulfill the nation’s healthcare needs.

 

Prerequisite Courses

Radiology education options in Missouri start with prerequisite courses.

These include general science, human anatomy and physiology, mathematics, and other related courses to prepare students for the technical and medical aspects of a radiology technician career.

Many universities offer these courses online or on-campus as part of bachelor’s degree programs in radiologic sciences.

Responsibilities of Radiology Technologist

Radiologic technologists have a variety of responsibilities. They must understand radiographic procedures; how to operate and maintain sophisticated imaging equipment, as well as prepare patients for medical imaging procedures. As part of their duties, they also need to be able to accurately document their findings and provide patient care. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computerized tomography (CT) are two of the more common imaging procedures performed by radiology technicians.

Radiology Requirements in Missouri

Missouri does not currently have any license or registration requirements for radiological technology professionals. High school diploma or equivalent and completion of an approved radiologic science program is all that is needed to become a radiologic technologist in Missouri.

However, recent radiological technologist graduates should still take and pass the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification exam for official certification. Many employers such as major hospitals require their applicants to pass this exam, so doing so will broaden employment opportunities.

Radiologic Technology Schools in Missouri

The state of Missouri is home to 17 radiography school programs that are accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiology Technology (JRCERT).

Students learn the basics of radiology including radiation safety, medical imaging procedures, patient care and position techniques. Training also includes clinical rotations to gain hands-on experience in real-world settings.

Clinical education can be conducted in hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare facilities. Other options for radiologic technologists include specialty areas such as computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), mammography, and ultrasound imaging.

These include both 2 and 4-year programs from public and private institutions where students gain quality education and can earn a certificate, an Associate degree, or a Bachelor’s degree:

• Cox College, Springfield
• Metropolitan Community College, Kansas City
• State Fair Community College, Sedalia
• Hillyard Technical Center, St. Joseph
• St. Louis Community College at Forest Park, St. Louis
• Mercy Hospital, Springfield, and St Louis
• Avila University, Kansas City
• Rolla Technical Center, Rolla
• St. Luke’s Hospital of Kansas City, Kansas City
• Nichols Career Center, Jefferson City
• Mineral Area College, Park Hills
• Missouri Southern State University
• Research Medical Center, Kansas City
• Southeast Missouri Hospital College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Cape Girardeau
• University of Missouri, Columbia

Other Schools to Consider Radiologic Technology Programs

In addition to the JCERT-accredited radiography programs listed above, the state of Missouri also offers 4 more radiography school programs worth considering. These have not yet been accredited by JCERT, but rather are in the process of a JCERT endorsement or are accredited by another organization:

• East Central College, Union
• Linn State Technical College, Linn
• North Central Missouri College, Trenton
• Forest Park Campus

Out-of-state community colleges and public universities will usually have a higher cost for Missouri residents. Taking that into account, you may also wish to consider your options in Decatur, Peoria, Chicago, and Springfield, IL, Little Rock and Jonesboro, Topeka and Wichita, Jackson, Clarksville, and Nashville, Louisville and Lexington, Evansville, and Indianapolis.

Mandatory program orientation is required for all radiography programs in Missouri. To get started, consult with an admissions counselor or program director to learn about program requirements and any additional criteria that may be needed for admission.

Large Employers in Radiology

After students of radiologic technology successfully complete radiologic technology degree programs or any other programs they can apply for jobs. Several large hospitals employ radiologic technologists in Missouri, with most concentrated in St. Louis, Kansas City, and other metropolitan cities.

Clinical competence, criminal background checks and continuing education are all requirements prior to beginning employment in a radiology setting.

While the majority of radiologic technologists work for major hospitals, smaller healthcare clinics and doctors’ offices hire a good number of radiologic technologists as well.

Salaries for Radiologists

In the state of Missouri, the average annual salary is currently $59,320, with an average hourly wage of $28.52. While this is well below the national average annual salary of $61,370, it is still greater than average salaries for radiologists in neighboring states. Missouri residents also have a lower average cost of living than in many other states. Salaries may vary widely in the radiology field and are mostly dependent on an employee’s education level, job responsibilities, and employer. More information on Rad Tech salaries in Missouri.

Professional Organizations

For support, networking, and continuing education opportunities, radiologic technologists in Missouri should contact the Mid-America Interventional Radiological Society (MIRS) or the Missouri Radiological Society, which is a chapter of the American College of Radiology (ACR).

For information on education and the field of radiology, aspiring radiologists can visit the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT), which accredits radiology programs.

JRCERT Accredited Radiography Programs in Missouri

Avila University – Radiography

School of Science and Health, Kansas City MO 64145
Tel: (816) 501-3624
Program Name: Radiologic Technology
Program Type: Bachelor of Science
Duration: 104 months
Program Effectiveness: Completion Rate: 83.3%  Credential Examination Pass Rate: 86.7%  Job Placement Rate: 96.9%
Tuition Fees: $24,000 Resident, $24,000 Non-resident

Cox College – Radiography

1423 North Jefferson Avenue, Springfield MO 65802
Tel: (417) 269-8987
Program Name: Radiography
Program Type: Associate of Science
Duration: 46 months
Program Effectiveness: Completion Rate: 100%  Credential Examination Pass Rate: 99%  Job Placement Rate: 100%
Tuition Fees: $6,775 Resident, $6,775 Non-resident

Hillyard Technical Center – Radiography

3434 Faraon Street, St. Joseph MO 64506
Tel: (816) 671-4170
Program Name: Radiography
Program Type: Certificate
Duration: 37 months
Program Effectiveness: Completion Rate: 92%  Credential Examination Pass Rate: 100%  Job Placement Rate: 100%
Tuition Fees: $10,600 Resident, $10,600 Non-resident

Jefferson College – Radiography

1000 Viking Drive, Hillsboro MO 63050
Tel: (636) 481-3523
Program Name: Radiologic Technology
Program Type: Certificate
Duration: 44 months
Program Effectiveness: Completion Rate: 71%
Tuition Fees: $4,223 Resident, $5,576 Non-resident

Mercy Hospital St. Louis – Radiography

615 South New Ballas Road, St. Louis MO 63141
Tel: (314) 251-6203
Program Name: Radiologic Technology
Program Type: Certificate
Duration: 20 months
Program Effectiveness: Completion Rate: 100%  Credential Examination Pass Rate: 88%  Job Placement Rate: 100%
Tuition Fees: $4,725 Resident, $4,725 Non-resident

Metropolitan Community College – Penn Valley – Radiography

Health Science Institute, Kansas City MO 64111
Tel: (816) 604-1000
Program Name: Radiologic Technology
Program Type: Associate of Applied Science
Duration: 53 months
Program Effectiveness: Completion Rate: 86%  Credential Examination Pass Rate: 92%  Job Placement Rate: 93%
Tuition Fees: $3,050 Resident, $7,060 Non-resident

Mineral Area College – Radiography

P. O. Box 1000, Park Hills MO 63601
Tel: (573) 518-2334
Program Name: Radiology
Program Type: Associate of Science
Duration: 36 months
Program Effectiveness: Completion Rate: 93.7%  Credential Examination Pass Rate: 66.6%  Job Placement Rate: 96.7%
Tuition Fees: $3,384 Resident, $4,536 Non-resident

Missouri Southern State University – Radiography

3950 East Newman Road, Joplin MO 64801-1595
Tel: (417) 625-3118
Program Name: Radiologic Technology
Program Type: Associate of Science
Duration: 24 months
Program Effectiveness: Completion Rate: 100%  Credential Examination Pass Rate: 100%  Job Placement Rate: 83.2%
Tuition Fees: $5,084 Resident, $10,169 Non-resident

Research Medical Center – Radiography

2316 East Meyer Boulevard, Kansas City MO 64132-1199
Tel: (816) 276-3437
Program Name: Radiologic Technology
Program Type: Certificate
Duration: 34 months
Program Effectiveness: Completion Rate: 100%  Credential Examination Pass Rate: 94.4%  Job Placement Rate: 100%
Tuition Fees: $2,800 Resident, $2,800 Non-resident

Rolla Technical Center – Radiography

500 Forum Drive, Rolla MO 65401
Tel: (573) 458-0160
Program Name: Radiologic Technology
Program Type: Certificate
Duration: 48 months
Program Effectiveness: Completion Rate: 92%  Credential Examination Pass Rate: 95%  Job Placement Rate: 100%
Tuition Fees: $8,976 Resident, $8,800 Non-resident

Saint Louis University – Magnetic Resonance

3437 Caroline Street, St. Louis MO 63104
Tel: (314) 977-5343
Program Name: Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Program Type: Bachelor of Science
Duration: 12 months
Program Effectiveness: Completion Rate: 63%  Credential Examination Pass Rate: 100%  Job Placement Rate: 100%
Tuition Fees: $37,350

Saint Louis University – Radiation Therapy

3437 Caroline Street, St. Louis MO 63104
Tel: (314) 977-8630
Program Name: Radiation Therapy
Program Type: Bachelor of Science
Duration: 16 months
Program Effectiveness: Completion Rate: 92%  Credential Examination Pass Rate: 95%  Job Placement Rate: 91%
Tuition Fees: $36,090 Resident, $36,090 Non-resident

Saint Luke’s Hospital of Kansas City – Radiography

4401 Wornall Road, Kansas City MO 64111
Tel: (816) 932-2788
Program Name: Radiologic Technology
Program Type: Certificate
Duration: 22 months
Program Effectiveness: Completion Rate: 100%  Credential Examination Pass Rate: 98%  Job Placement Rate: 100%
Tuition Fees: $2,800 Resident, $2,800 Non-resident

Southeast Missouri Hospital College of Nursing and Health Sciences – Radiography

2001 William Street, 2nd Floor, Cape Girardeau MO 63703
Tel: (573) 334-6825
Program Name: Radiologic Technology
Program Type: Associate of Applied Science
Duration: 27 months
Program Effectiveness: Completion Rate: 88%  Credential Examination Pass Rate: 81%  Job Placement Rate: 94%
Tuition Fees: $15,853 Resident, $15,853 Non-resident

Southwest Baptist University – Radiography

4431 South Fremont, Springfield MO 65804
Tel: (417) 447-8676
Program Name: Radiography
Program Type: Associate of Radiography
Duration: 48 months
Program Effectiveness: Completion Rate: 69%
Tuition Fees: $14,592 Resident, $14,592 Non-resident

St. Louis Community College at Forest Park – Radiography

5600 Oakland Avenue, St. Louis MO 63110
Tel: (314) 644-9640
Program Name: Radiologic Technology
Program Type: Associate of Applied Science
Duration: 98 months
Program Effectiveness: Completion Rate: 64%  Credential Examination Pass Rate: 96%  Job Placement Rate: 86%
Tuition Fees: $3,838

State Fair Community College – Radiography

3201 West 16th Street, Sedalia MO 65301
Tel: (660) 596-7403
Program Name: Radiologic Technology
Program Type: Associate of Applied Science
Duration: 46 months
Program Effectiveness: Completion Rate: 67%  Credential Examination Pass Rate: 88%  Job Placement Rate: 96%
Tuition Fees: $4,683 Resident, $5,333 Non-resident

State Technical College of Missouri – Radiography

One Technology Drive, Linn MO 65051
Tel: (573) 897-2406
Program Name: Medical Radiologic Technology
Program Type: Associate of Applied Science
Duration: 28 months
Program Effectiveness: Completion Rate: 100%  Credential Examination Pass Rate: 90%  Job Placement Rate: 94%
Tuition Fees: $6,162 Resident, $12,324 Non-resident

University of Missouri – Columbia Campus – Radiography

School of Health Professions, Columbia MO 65211
Tel: (573) 884-2623
Program Name: Radiography
Program Type: Bachelor of Health Science
Duration: 30 months
Program Effectiveness: Completion Rate: 100%  Credential Examination Pass Rate: 99%  Job Placement Rate: 100%
Tuition Fees: $13,428 Resident, $26,917 Non-resident