Radiography

Associate in Science (A.S.)

The Radiography Associate in Science (A.S.) degree at Valencia College is a two-year program that prepares you to go directly into a specialized career as a radiographer.

If a picture is worth a thousand words, imagine the value of clear images generated by high-tech medical equipment for a person in need of medical care. And imagine the value that someone trained in the use of such equipment brings to a medical team. The radiographer is an integral member of the medical team. Radiographers operate high-tech imaging equipment and perform diagnostic imaging examinations that help doctors accurately diagnose and treat their patients for injury and disease. Valencia’s A.S. degree in Radiography prepares students to become highly skilled professionals in the safe and effective use of radiation to treat patients. Hear first hand from our graduates about Radiography through the "360 Virtual Tour of Valencia's Radiography Program".

Program Overview

Review course descriptions, important dates and deadlines and other programs details in the official college catalog.

College Catalog

Program Length

Program lasts for 6 semesters, after all the pre-admission course requirements have been met.

Admission Guide

Information Sessions

Attend a Health Sciences Information Sessions for an overview of the limited access Health Science programs at Valencia College and the procedures for enrolling in them.

Information Sessions

Related Certificates

Average Salary & Placement

Radiography average salaries range from $35,000 – $40,000

Career Center

Explore Health Science related careers, salaries and job listings.

Career Center

Admission into Radiography

Important Information

Admission Guide
College Catalog
Estimated Program Costs
Degree Pathways (Course Planning)
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
If you have an interest in pursuing licensure or certification outside the state of Florida, please review this Professional Licensure Disclosure Statement
Money Back Guarantee

Application Information

IMPORTANT: Please be sure to review the Radiography Admission Guide to confirm all admission requirements are met before applying.

Starting with the January 2023 application deadlines for Summer 2023 program-start, TEAS scores must be less than 2 years old by the application deadline. Review the Admission Guide for admission criteria details.

Application: Available January 1st, 2027
Deadline: February 1, 2027
Begins: Summer 2027

For application questions, please contact us: healthscienceapplications@valenciacollege.edu

Apply Here

Advising Services

The advising staff can answer program-specific questions, assist in career and educational planning, and offer expert educational guidance for students seeking career opportunities through the completion of an A.S. or B.S. Degree or a Certificate program.

Location, Hours and Contact

Advising and Counseling

Monday to Thursday: 8am to 5pm
Friday: 9am to 5pm
Friday (Summer hours): 9am to 12pm
advising@valenciacollege.edu

Steps for Admission to Program

1Attend a Program Information Session. Please bring a copy of the admission guide for your desired track with you. If you are not local and cannot attend the information session, review the Admission Guide and read the Frequently Asked Questions.
2Apply to Valencia College.
3Complete required general education courses before applying to the program.
4Once your transcripts have been received and evaluated, and if you meet eligibility requirements, you can apply to the program.

Learn How To

Apply knowledge of human anatomy to position the patient’s body so that the correct areas can be radiographed
Produce quality radiographs (X-rays) for use in diagnosing and treating medical problems
Protect patient's and self from radiation
Provide respectful care to patient's

Job Outlook

Radiographers are employed primarily in hospitals. Career opportunities are also available in radiological/imaging centers, urgent care clinics, private physicians’ offices, and public health service facilities. Employment within the radiologic profession is projected to grow faster than the average for all occupations. As the population grows older, there will be an increase in medical conditions, such as breaks and fractures caused by osteoporosis, which usually requires imaging to diagnose them.

Potential Careers

Radiographer
Radiologic Technologist

General Radiography Program Information

The Valencia Radiography Program is the current continuation of the School of Radiologic Technology that originated at Orange Memorial Hospital in 1954 under the leadership of Dr. Robert Curry, the first radiologist at the hospital. During the mid-1980s, Orlando Regional Medical Center (ORMC) affiliated with Valencia to allow diploma graduates to obtain an AS degree and it became a college credit degree program in 1990 co-sponsored by Valencia and ORMC. Valencia became the program’s sponsor in 1998 with financial support from Orlando Regional Healthcare (ORH) and relocated to Valencia’s West Campus. The radiologists of Medical Center Radiology Group (MCRG) continue to be a strong support for the program. A 50th reunion was held on June 30, 2007, to celebrate the program’s 565 graduates which have provided a continuous supply of competent, qualified radiographers to the central Florida community.

The program currently accepts 26 students, once a year, beginning in May. Application deadline is January 15th of each year. Class size is limited by clinical space availability so that we can guarantee our students will graduate with optimal technical skills. We are very proud to affiliate with: Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children, HCA Lake Monroe Hospital, Health Central Hospital, Orlando Health Jewett Institute (Downtown, Spring Lake, & Winter Park), Nemours Children's Hospital, Orlando Regional Medical Center, Orlando Health ER & Medical Pavillion, Dr. P. Phillips Hospital, South Lake Hospital, Lake Mary Hospital, HCA Osceola Regional, HCA Oviedo Medical Center, HCA Poinciana Medical Center, Horizon West Hospital, St. CLoud Regional Medical Center and Veterans Administration Hospital.

Accreditation

The program is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools (SACS) and the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT), thus qualifying our graduates to take the national registry examination offered by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists. On successfully passing the registry exam, graduates are eligible for a Florida general radiographer’s license. You can find JRCERT's Program Effectiveness Data here. Accreditation was granted on January 18, 2022 and is valid for 5 years.

JRCERT
20 N. Wacker Drive
Suite 2850
Chicago, IL 60606
ph: 312-704-5300
fax: 312-704-5304
mail@jrcert.org
https://www.jrcert.org

Valencia's Radiography Program Effectiveness Data

JRCERT Program Effectiveness data for Valencia College
Radiography Student Handbook
Radiography Clinical Handbook

Mission

The Valencia Radiography Program is committed to the development of competent, entry-level radiographers.

Goals and Student Learning Outcomes

Students will be clinically competent

Students will practice radiation protection.
Students/Graduates will pass the certification exam.
Students/Graduates will be adequately prepared to perform as entry-level practitioners.
Students will select appropriate technical factors.
Students/Graduates will apply positioning skills.

Students will be able to communicate

Students will verify patient’s identity.
Student will be able to obtain patient’s clinical history.
Student will be able to explain the procedure to the patient.
Student will inquire about pregnancy.
Student will be able to communicate with the physician and healthcare team with oral and written summary of procedure.

Students will evaluate the importance of professional growth and development

Students will arrive to clinical site on time.
Students will report to supervisor.
Students are prepared to start work on time and equipped with necessary tools (markers, badge, etc).
Students accept constructive criticism and make changes as needed.
Students regard authority and are respectful.
Students will display professional conduct, language and mannerisms while in the clinical site.

Students will use critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

Student is adaptable to new and unfamiliar situations.
Student will perform one trauma lower extremity competency.
Student will perform one trauma upper extremity competency.

Frequently Asked Questions

Radiography

Do I need to be a student at Valencia to apply?

Yes. You must complete the admission process to the college before you submit a Radiography program application. You can apply online or email enrollment@valenciacollege.edu if you have any questions.

Are the prerequisite courses offered online?

Yes, some are offered online, however the lab science courses have limited offerings and may not be available every term.

Do I have to take all the prerequisites at a particular campus?

No, you may take the prerequisite courses at any Valencia campus location. However, if accepted, Radiography courses are only offered on the West campus.

Will my courses from other colleges transfer to Valencia?

Once you have applied to Valencia, you will need to request official transcripts be sent from your previous institutions. The admissions office will evaluate all transcripts once they are received to determine transfer credit; equivalent courses will be posted in your Valencia College account.

Do I need to take the ATI Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) before I apply?

Yes, you must complete the ATI TEAS. The examination fee is your responsibility. More information on the TEAS .

Can I use ATI TEAS scores from another institution?

Yes. Students who complete the TEAS at another institution must request an official score report from ATI as a paper copy is not accepted. Requests can be made online via www.atitesting.com

What is the minimum overall GPA to apply to the Radiography program?

You must have a minimum overall GPA of 2.5, include all undergraduate transfer work. Must also be in good academic standing.

What is the deadline to apply to the Radiography program?

January 15th each year. If the deadline falls on a weekend, it will be moved to the next business day.

How many students are accepted into the program?

The Radiography program accepts 25 students each Summer term.

Do students in the Radiography program conduct peer-to-peer examinations?

Yes, students in the Radiography program conduct peer-to-peer exams such as Vital signs, positioning of all procedures during lab testing (one student is the patient and the other student is the radiographer).

What are the body art policies for the Radiography program?

All visible tattoos,to include skin carving,must be covered during clinical hours. All body piercing must be removed with the exception of one PAIR of post-style earring for females.

What are the grooming policies for the Radiography program?

Hair should be neatly groomed and no longer than collar length or secured back and off the face for men and women. Clear or pastel nail polish may be worn; no artificial nails or gels and the length is to be no more than ¼ inch long. Beards, sideburns and mustaches shall ne neatly trimmed. Jewelry may be worn in moderation (one ring, one fitted watch, one necklace worn inside the uniform). Earrings (females) must be post type, non-dangling and not larger than a nickel. No other visible piercing (including tongue piercing) may be worn. Females, makeup may be used in moderation and should not be distracting or offensive. Hygiene must be maintained daily to include deodorant, no strong colognes or perfumes should be worn, preferably none.

How successful are your Radiography graduates in finding employment?

The five year average Licensure Rate for Radiography graduates is 98% and the five year average Placement Rate for Radiography graduates is 98%

What is the schedule like if I am accepted into the program?

The Radiography program is a daytime program located on the West campus; its time demands should be considered the equivalent of a full-time job as in addition to lecture, lab and clinical, students are expected to study between 15-25 hours a week -if a student chooses to work while in the program, a maximum of 15 hours a week is recommended due to the demands of the program. Time management is crucial to successful program completion! The specific schedule can vary from term to term and from year to year.

How many clinical hours are in the Radiography program and what credential would I be eligible to sit for upon successful completion?

Graduates of the Radiography program complete 1,440 clinical hours and are eligible to sit for the ARRT National Registry in Radiography(R).

Can students accepted into the Radiography program be exposed to blood borne pathogens?

The Radiography program may have clinical experiences that expose the student to blood borne pathogens via contact with bodily fluids such as blood and saliva. Students accepted into the program will be expected to adhere to Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines for the use of Standard Precautions. The CDC defines standard precautions as "a set of precautions designed to prevent the transmission of HIV, Hepatitis B virus (HBV), other blood borne pathogens when providing first aid or health care.” Under standard precautions, blood and certain body fluids are considered potentially infectious for HIV, HBV, and other blood borne pathogens. Students will be expected to adhere to hand hygiene protocols and consistent use of personal protective equipment including masks, gloves and eyewear.