Campus News
February 4th, 2025
GC rad tech program now taking applications
Program, set to launch in June, had well-attended info session
Garrett College is now accepting applications for its new radiologic technology program. Based on a recent information session, there are likely to be more than enough candidates for the program's first cohort, which begins in June.
Twenty-seven interested individuals attended an information session on January 13th in the Performing Arts Center at Garrett College conference center. The attendees – and many others who have requested information about the program – can locate the online application by going to the program's webpage (https://www.garrettcollege.edu/radtech-additional-info.php).
"We have a large number of people who have inquired about this program," Professor Christa Bowser, Garrett College's chief academic officer, told attendees. "This will be a very competitive, highly selective process."
Bowser noted that students must first apply to Garrett College – which is an open-enrollment institution – and then apply for one of the 15 slots in the program's first cohort.
Potential students from at least three states were in attendance at the information meeting, including Nevaeh Burdock of Parsons, WV.
"I've been looking for places that offer rad tech and I thought it would be kind of cool to do something with a brand-new program," said Burdock, who is a senior at Tucker County High School. "I come from a background where three-fourths of my family are in health care."
Nicholas Travia, a former Garrett College dual enrollment student who graduated from Northern Garrett High, said he was "looking for an associate's degree with a good starting salary coming right out of college."
"It's the only associate degree in science that really stood out to me," said Travia, adding his high school biomedical class capstone project on radiation therapy "really gave me an interest in everything having to do with radiology."
Bowser noted that there are three components to the program – classroom instruction, clinical instruction in the field, and lab instruction. Garrett College will be opening a new radiologic sciences lab in the Shaw Learning Center (600 Building) in time for the start of the 2025-26 academic year.
"You will be challenged in this program," Wendy James, who will bring 40 years in the field to her radiologic sciences faculty role at Garrett College, promised those in attendance. "The Rad Tech I through IV courses will provide everything you need to know –making patients feel at ease, providing important information to patients, x-ray circuit, radiation physics, and exposure factors. You'll be taught the technical factors you need to know to make a good image."
Bowser noted that students completing a two-year associate's degree in Maryland via an accredited program can then sit for national certification through the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists. She added that the College will be seeking accreditation through the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT).
A college may only apply for accreditation once it has admitted its first class.
James said the clinical facilities will include weekend and night shifts as well as the potential for students to obtain clinical instruction at multiple sites "so that you can be exposed to all the different things you need to know to be a good technologist."
Carolyn Deniker, GC's interim associate dean of academic affairs, said members of the first cohort must be at least 18 years old, pass drug screening and a criminal background test, and meet one of several academic standards:
- Unweighted high school grade-point average (GPA) of at least 3.0, with grades of "C" or better in biology, chemistry, and math;
- 12 earned college credits in General Education courses, including English and math, and unweighted GPA of 3.0;
- 21 on the ACT; or
- 480 in reading and 530 in math on the SAT.
Students must also demonstrate readiness for Anatomy and Physiology I. They can do this by either having earned a "C" or better in prerequisite BIO 101 or BIO 104 or by passing GC's Biology Placement Assessment.
Students must also meet minimum scores on three ACT WorkKeys Assessments, and complete eight hours of observation in a hospital-based imaging department. Other requirements may be found on the College's radiologic technology webpage.
Key dates for potential cohort members include:
February 1: Program application opened online
March 31: Application deadline
May 2025: Finalized decision notifications sent
June 2025: Classes begin
February 2027: Next application cycle starts
