Radiologic Technology

RRCC is accredited by the The Higher Learning Commission (Commission on Institutions of Higher Education of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools), and its programs are approved by the State Board for Community Colleges and Occupational Education and Colorado Community College System.  

The Radiologic Technology (Radiography) AAS Degree program is accredited by:

The Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology
20 North Wacker Drive, Suite 2850
Chicago, Illinois  60606-3182
312-704-5300
Email: mail.jrcert.org

The program has been accredited since 1996, with a current accreditation award of 8 years (the maximum award term granted). For general program accreditation information and the current accreditation award letter visit JRCERT Accredited Program Details.

Visit the JRCERT website for information about the JRCERT Standards and the allegations reporting process.

Please see the Program Effectiveness Data for completion rates, ARRT pass rates and job placement rates.

• Number of graduates actively seeking employment may not be the same as the # of graduates in a particular year. JRCERT defines “not actively seeking employment” as graduates who do not report employment status, decline work for logistical reasons, are on active military duty, or are continuing their education.

Each program has a selective admissions process with specific requirements. 

Admissions Timeline 
All timelines are tentative and subject to change.

• Radiography
  • Applications are reviewed in February, interviews are conducted in March, orientation occurs in July, and the program starts in August. 
• CT & MRI
  • Applications are reviewed as they come in. Interview, orientation, and program start is determined by the timing of application and internship availability.
  • Applications received within one month of a semester start are typically considered for the following semester.

Prerequisites
Please refer to the current college catalog for pre-requisite requirements, including whether a pre-req needs to be completed within a specific timeframe.   

• Radiography
  • Prerequisite courses may be in progress at the time of application but must be completed by May of the program start year. 
• CT & MRI
  • Prerequisite courses may be completed before or during the program.
  • Candidates must have completed an accredited medical imaging program and hold an eligible primary-pathway credential in good standing. Acceptable primary-pathway credentials by program:
    • CT: ARRT Radiography, Radiation Therapy, or Nuclear Medicine Technology; or NMTCB Nuclear Medicine.
    • MRI: ARRT Radiography, Radiation Therapy, Nuclear Medicine Technology, or Sonography; or equivalent NMTCB or ARDMS credentials.
       

Eligibility Screening

To ensure eligibility to participate in the program, candidates must undergo a drug screen, background check, physical exam, and provide documentation of current vaccines, active health insurance, and BLS certification. Other physical and safety requirements may be assigned as needed. Candidates must be at least 18 years of age to apply. Candidates with Disqualifying Criminal Offenses or that do not meet the Technical Standards of the program may not be eligible for program entry.
 

Interview

Top-scoring applicants will be offered an interview consisting of Q&A and other activities. Then based on interview performance only, candidates will be moved on to the eligibility screening process. For more information, visit the Radiologic Technology Admissions Handbook.

Apply to Red Rocks Community College and your selective admissions program via the RRCC Apply page

Applications are evaluated using a point-based scoring system. To learn more about the scoring process and how to maximize your application score, review the Radiologic Technology Admissions Handbook.

Required Application Contents

1.  Program Pre-requisite Documentation 

• If pre-reqs were completed at another institution, you must initiate the transfer credit evaluation process and have official transcripts sent to RRCC Student Records before submitting your program application.
• Upload unofficial transcripts for completed program prerequisites. 
• Upload schedule screenshots for pending program prerequisites.
• CT & MRI: upload unofficial transcripts documenting all completed ARRT primary-pathway program coursework.
• Scoring: Higher grades in pre-req courses will earn more points. 

2. Recommendations 

• Upload a total of two letters of recommendation.
• No guidance or template is provided by the college. Content is at the discretion of the reference.
• Scoring: Letters from healthcare supervisors/co-workers will earn more points

3. Personal Statement 

• Submit your personal statement as requested in the application.
• Maximum length: 250 words. 
• Prompt: Medical imaging blends professionalism, technical skill, anatomical knowledge, and patient care. Which one of these components resonates most with you, and why? Describe one personal experience that sparked your interest in pursuing a career in medical imaging.
• Scoring: Statements that are thoughtful and well-developed will earn more points

4. Work Experience 

• Upload a current resume. For each position held, include position title, employer, location, dates of employment, and job duties. Include healthcare experience, if applicable.
• Scoring: 
  • Radiography: Resumes documenting six or more months of healthcare experience in direct, face-to-face patient care earn more points. 
  • CT & MRI: Resumes documenting paid, licensed medical imaging technologist experience will earn more points.
  • Healthcare experience is defined as paid employment in a clinical, medical, or home care setting as part of a healthcare team. 

5. Job Shadowing (optional)

• Documentation must be submitted using the RRCC Job Shadowing Form, which must be complete and signed by the licensed radiologic technologist who provided your job shadowing experience in the discipline for which you are applying.
• Job shadowing is arranged by the applicant, not the college.
• Scoring:  One point is accrued for each documented hour, up to a maximum of ten points.

6. Professional Credential (CT & MRI)

• Upload a copy of one current primary-pathway credential that meets the ARRT eligibility requirements for your program of study. 
  • CT: ARRT Radiography, Radiation Therapy, or Nuclear Medicine Technology; or NMTCB Nuclear Medicine.
  • MRI: ARRT Radiography, Radiation Therapy, Nuclear Medicine Technology, or Sonography; or equivalent NMTCB or ARDMS credentials.
     

Clinical internship placements are typically arranged by the program. Students are responsible for their own transportation. Most clinical sites are within a 20-mile radius of Denver, although assignments may be up to 100 miles away. A list of current clinical internship sites for the Radiologic Technology (Radiography) AAS Degree is available on the JRCERT website.

Radiography: $15,600

• In-State Tuition: $10,280
• Castlebranch Screening: $120
• Fees: $4,000
• Books: $800
• Uniform: $300
• AHA BLS Provider Certification: $100

CT: $3,500 

• In-State Tuition: $1,780
• Castlebranch Screening: $120
• Fees: $1,000
• Books: $200
• Uniform: $300
• AHA BLS Provider Certification: $100

MRI: $5,100

• In-State Tuition: $2,880
• Castlebranch Screening: $120
• Fees: $1,400
• Books: $300
• Uniform: $300
• AHA BLS Provider Certification: $100

Radiologic Technology courses include program-specific tuition/fees. Program expenses are estimates and do not include pre-requisites, transportation, or required health insurance. For more info on tuition, fees, and refunds, visit Costs & Aid.

Radiologic Technology (Radiography) AAS Degree Student Handbook 

• Policies and procedures 
• Grading system
• Clinical obligations
• Grievance and other program policies

Radiologic Technology (Radiography) Admissions Handbook (link coming soon)

• Admissions information and policies
• Application scoring
• Interview process
• Eligibility screening

Join us for an info session to learn about the Radiography, CT, and MRI programs. We will cover program information, tips for applying, and FAQs. No RSVP needed.

Mission

The Radiologic Technology Programs provide career-relevant medical imaging education, empowering graduates to deliver high-quality diagnostic imaging that prioritizes patient care and supports community health.

Radiologic Technology (Radiography) AAS Degree
Program Goals & Student Learning Outcomes

• Goal #1: Students will model clinical competency
  • Students will demonstrate competency in patient positioning
  • Students will employ appropriate technical skills when using radiation-producing equipment
  • Students will apply effective patient care and safety skills
• Goal #2: Students will communicate effectively with colleagues, patients and the public
  • Students will communicate effectively verbally
  • Students will communicate effectively in writing
• Goal #3: Students will employ effective critical thinking skills
  • Students will effectively adapt radiographic exam methods to accommodate challenging scenarios
  • Students will critically evaluate images for diagnostic quality
• Goal #4: Students will be properly prepared to earn the ARRT credential as a registered radiographer
  • Students will successfully pass mock ARRT prep exams
  • Students will promptly complete all ARRT required competencies

Students must earn a grade of C or higher in all required coursework and complete all ARRT-required competencies.

Radiologic Technology (Radiography) AAS Degree

• Full-time
• Program starts in the Fall
• 5 semesters 
• Both in-person and online didactic combined with in-person clinicals
• A capstone course is required prior to graduation
• Graduates eligible for the ARRT RT(R) credential

Computed Tomography (CT) Certificate

• Part-time
• Program starts every semester
• One semester 
• Online didactic combined with in-person clinicals
• Graduates are eligible for the ARRT RT(CT) credential and curriculum satisfies the ARRT 16 hour structured education requirement

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Certificate

• Part-time
• Program starts each Fall and Spring
• Two semesters 
• Online didactic combined with in-person clinicals
• Graduates are eligible for the ARRT RT(MR) credential and curriculum satisfies the ARRT 16 hour structured education requirement
   

Schedules shown below are typical, but subject to change.

Radiography:

• Semester I: 2 clinical shifts, 3 days class/lab 
• Semester II: 2 clinical shifts, 3 days class/lab 
• Semester III: 4-5 clinical shifts
• Semester IV: 3 clinical shifts, 2 days class
• Semester V: 3-4 clinical shifts, 1 day class
  
  Current Radiography Academic Calendar 

CT:

• Semester I: 2-3 clinical shifts, 1 online course

MRI:

• Semester I: 2-3 clinical shifts, 1 online course 
• Semester II: 2-3 clinical shifts, 1 online course 

Clinical schedules vary by program, with most shifts lasting 8–10 hours. Due to the full-time structure of the Radiography program, schedule flexibility is generally not available. CT and MRI clinical schedules may be coordinated around student availability when feasible and approved by the clinical site.

Is it possible to maintain outside employment during the program? 
Due to the Radiography program's full-time structure, students are encouraged to limit or avoid outside employment. The part-time structure of the CT and MRI programs may make outside employment more feasible; however, students must remain available to meet all program and clinical scheduling requirements.

What is the attendance policy like? 
Go to the Handbooks section and review the Radiologic Technology Student Handbook for current information.

How do you decide clinical internship placements? Are students paid? What are the hours like?
Go to the Clinical Internship section for current information on this topic. 

Is it difficult to get into the program?
Admission is selective, and the number of applicants varies from year to year. During highly competitive application cycles, only the strongest applicants will be offered program entry. Applicants are encouraged to complete all application requirements, including optional components, to maximize their application score.

How are applications scored? How do I maximize my score?
Go to the Handbooks section and review the Radiologic Technology Admissions Handbook for current information on this topic. 

How many people apply? How many people get an interview?
This varies by program. Attend an info session to learn more.

How do I set-up job shadowing?
Job shadowing is arranged by the applicant, not the college. Contact the Medical Imaging Department or Volunteer Services at a healthcare facility to inquire about job shadowing opportunities.

If I don’t get into the program, can I try again? Is there a wait list?
Go to the Handbooks section and review the Radiologic Technology Admissions Handbook for current information on this topic. 

Is the ARRT licensing exam difficult?
The ARRT certification examinations are rigorous and require thorough preparation. The program is designed to prepare students for success through comprehensive coursework and clinical education. Program graduates typically achieve high ARRT certification pass rates.
 

"I am so lucky to have attended RRCC rad tech program! Charlotte, the director of the program is absolutely amazing. She is a talented instructor, able to explain difficult concepts in a fun and interesting way. Teresa, the clinical coordinator was also great and always available if needed. Red Rocks has many clinic sites they work with which allows students to get a wide variety of experience. I was more than prepared for the registry and for employment upon completion of the program. Lastly, it is an extremely affordable associates degree, especially compared to other programs offered in the state. I tell anyone interested in x-ray to attend Red Rocks."

-Hillary Stafford RT(R)
 

"I really enjoyed going through the rad program at RRCC. I felt the teachers really tried to help us feel supported, yet gain independence at the same time. The most important thing to me was being prepped for the ARRT.. which this rad program has a great reputation for helping their classes pass. I also met my best friends here, and will now always recommend people to go back to school because going back honestly changed my life for the better."

-Whitley Canady, RT(R)
 

"The radiology program at Red Rocks Community College exceeded my expectations. The comprehensive curriculum and hands-on training provided a solid foundation for my career. The dedicated instructors fostered a supportive learning environment, and the program's emphasis on practical skills truly prepared me for success in the field. I highly recommend it to anyone pursuing a career in radiology."

-Kelley Stevens, RT(R)
 

I've been a Radiologic Technologist for over 40 years. I've worked in seven states in various facilities (i.e. hospitals, clinics, orthopedic surgeons office, etc.). I've been very impressed by the knowledge shown by the Red Rocks Radiology students. They've shown a lot of confidence in the clinical setting. I recommend their program to anyone interested in Radiological Sciences.

-Deborah Sagraves, RT(R)
St. Anthony's North Medical Campus