Bachelor of Science in Radiography, Accelerated

Location: Boston
Start Term: Fall

As a radiologic technologist, you have the power to capture essential information and help provide clarity. In this program, you’ll learn how to use ionizing radiation to create two dimensional X-rays to assist physicians in the diagnosis of disease.

During the accelerated time frame of 32 consecutive months, you’ll have the opportunity to work alongside professional experts through clinical experiences in prestigious Boston area medical facilities. The year-round program gives you the benefit of an immersive education and prepares you for your career faster. When you graduate, you’ll be eligible to sit for certification by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists. And you’ll be fully prepared to become a leader in healthcare.

Is accelerated right for me? Learn the difference between our accelerated and fast track bachelor degree programs.

Freshman applicants can view their admission requirements on the Undergraduate Applicants page. 

Students with 12 or more college credits may transfer in to the first or second year of the program. Courses must have been completed at a regionally accredited college or university with a grade of C or better for transfer. Math and science courses taken more than ten years prior to the anticipated date of matriculation to MCPHS will not be accepted.

While there are no specific required courses for entry into the first year of our program, the admission committee will look for success in any math and science courses you have already taken. If you complete any of the courses listed below, you may receive transfer credit and your first year course load may be lighter. However, due to the lock-step nature of MCPHS programs, entering the first year of the program with transfer credits will not change the total length of your program. Courses, other than elective courses, may not be moved forward in your schedule.

Required Courses For Entry to Year II:

  • Anatomy and Physiology I & II with lab(8 credits)
  • Basic Chemistry I & II with lab (8 credits)
  • Introduction to Psychology (3 credits)
  • Algebra and Trigonometry (3 credits) (Acceptable substitution: Precalculus or Calculus)
  • Physics I with lab (Algebra-based) (4 credits)
  • Expository Writing I & II (6 credits)

Additional Courses Accepted for Transfer Credit:

  • Computer Applications (3 credits)
  • American Culture, Identity, and Public Life (3 credits) (Acceptable substitutions include American History, U.S. History, U.S. Government, Western Civilization)
  • Statistics (3 credits) (Acceptable substitutions include Basic Statistics, Biostatistics, Psychological Statistics, Economic Statistics)
  • Humanities elective (3 credits) (Acceptable courses include Literature, Creative Writing, Philosophy, Ethics, Religious Studies, Select Fine Arts, Advanced Level Languages)
  • Social Science elective (3 credits) (Acceptable courses include History, Political Science/Government, Anthropology, Upper-level Sociology, American Studies, Women Studies, Ethnic Studies, Geography, Economics)
  • Behavioral Sciences Elective (3 credits) (Acceptable courses include any upper-level psychology course)
  • Healthcare Ethics (3 credits)
  • Interpersonal Communications for Health Professionals (3 credits)
  • Medical Terminology (1 credit)

YEAR 1-Fall

BIO 110 Anatomy & Physiology I 3
BIO 110L Anatomy & Physiology Lab 1
CHE 110 Basic Chemistry I (w/lab) 4
ITM 101 Intro to the Major 1
LIB 111 Expository Writing I 3
MAT 141 Algebra/Trigonometry 3
Total
15

YEAR 1-Spring

BIO 210 Anatomy & Physiology II 3
BIO 210L Anatomy & Physiology II Lab 1
PHY 181 General Physics 4
CHE 210 Chemistry II w/ Lab 4
LIB 112 Expository Writing II 3
LIB 120 Intro. to Psychology 3
Total 18

Year 1-Summer

RAD 240 RAD X-Ray Physics 2
RAD 205 Rad Foundations 3
RSC 325 Clinical Pathophysiology 4
RSC 305 Patient Care/Medical Terminology 3
Total 12

Year 2-Fall

LIB 220 Intro to Interpersonal Communication for
Healthcare Professionals		 3
RAD 210 Rad. Procedures I 3
RAD 201L RAD Procedures I LAB 1
RAD 220 Rad. Exp. Principles I & Lab 4
LIB 133 American Culture, Identity and Public Life 3
MAT 261 Statistics 3
Total 17

Year 2-Spring

HUM or SSC Distributive Elective 3
RAD 201C Radiographic Internship I 4
RAD 211 Rad. Procedures II 3
RAD 211L Rad Procedures II Lab 1
RAD 221 Rad. Exp. Principles II (no lab) 3
LIB 512 Healthcare Ethics 3
Total
17

Year 2-Summer

RAD 202C Radiographic Internship II 5
RAD 212 Rad Procedures III online in class testing 2
RAD 250 Image Critique 2
HUM or SSC Distributive Elective 3
Total 12

Year 3-Fall

RSC 310 Cross Sectional Anatomy 3
RAD XXX Intro to Problem Solving 2
RSC 315 CT Imaging 3
RAD 303C Radiographic Internship III 6
Total 14

Year 3-Spring

RAD 370 Problem Solving in Rad. 3
RAD 304C Radiographic Internship IV 6
RSC 287 Radiation Protection & Biology 3
BEH 254 Death & Dying 3
Total 15

 Total Semester Hours: 120

The location of MCPHS in the Longwood Medical and Academic Area, as well as its affiliations with premier medical institutions located in the greater Boston area, enable students to learn in healthcare institutions that are among the best in the world. 

MCPHS Medical Imaging and Therapeutics students participate in a variety of community-based clinical settings. This opportunity supplements the clinical experience gained in the on-campus program and provides students with a broader insight into the diverse populations they may encounter in future career settings.

Students enrolled in the radiography major complete internships at hospital affiliates in the metropolitan Boston area, including:
• Children’s Hospital
• Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
• Boston Medical Center
• Brigham and Women's Hospital
• Caritas St. Elizabeth's Medical Center
• Mount Auburn Hospital
• Cambridge Hospital
• Dana Farber Cancer Institute
• Whidden Hospital
• Signature Healthcare (Brockton Hospital)
• Charlton Memorial Hospital
• Falmouth Hospital
• Tuft’s New England Medical Center

To ensure clinical internships are diverse and give all students an equitable and quality clinical education, students will be rotated through a number of different sites this may involve travel near campus, in the greater Boston area, or at more distant sites. Students are responsible for their own transportation.
 

CREDENTIALING EXAMINATION (ARRT) FIRST TIME PASS RATE*

Year

Success Rate

Number of Students

Class of 2016

80%

8 of 10 students passed on 1st attempt
2 students did not take the exam
1 student took exam more than 6 months post-graduation.

Class of 2015

100%

6 of 6 students passed on 1st attempt

Class of 2014

86%

12 of 14 students passed on 1st attempt

Class of 2013

94%

15 of 16 students passed on 1st attempt

Class of 2012

100%

8 of 8 students passed on 1st attempt

5 Year Average for first time examinees

91%

 

PROGRAM COMPLETION RATES

Year

Percent Completed

Number of Students

Class of 2016

100%

13 of 13 students completed the program

Class of 2015

85%

6 of 7 students completed the program

Class of 2014

93%

14 of 15 students completed the program

Class of 2013

94%

16 of 17 students completed the program

Class of 2012

88%

8 of 9 students completed the program

5 Year average Program Completion Rate

93%

 

JOB PLACEMENT RATES FOR THE LAST 5 YEARS

Year

Percent Job
Placement Rate

 

Class of 2016

 91%

13 students graduated
10 of 11 students employed within 1 year
2 students not actively seeking employment

Class of 2015

100%

6 students graduated
6 students employed within 1 year

Class of 2014

100%

14 students graduated
11 students employed within 1 year
3 students not actively seeking employment

Class of 2013

100%

16 students graduated
13 students employed within 1 year
3 students not actively seeking employment

Class of 2012

100%

8 students graduated
8 students employed within 1 year

5 Year average Job Placement Rates

98%

 *Pass rates are based on first-time passing scores of the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists within the first 6 months of graduation