Pre-Radiation Sciences

Pre-Radiation Sciences Roadmap

Start your journey to becoming a healthcare professional.

Radiation science technology is a field of health care that includes a number of specific careers focused on taking quality images of the human body in order to diagnose, treat, and prevent disease. Radiation science technologists can obtain certification to work with X-ray, MRI scans, CT scans, and diagnostic medical sonography (ultrasound). They can obtain further education to be able to use nuclear and radioactive substances to diagnose and treat disease. They work closely with physicians and other healthcare professionals as part of a treatment team. Radiation science technologists may also be called radiologic technologists or radiographers. Those with specific training in ultrasound technology to create images of internal body structures are called sonographers or ultrasound technologists.

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Pre-Radiation Sciences Roadmap at UNL

Radiation Sciences Prerequisite Classes

Depending on the school you plan to attend, your required prerequisites will vary. Meet with an advisor for more information.

Typical Radiography School Requirements

English Composition - 1-2 courses (Clarkson & CHI require 2 courses)

Speech/Communications - 1 course (Bryan, CHI, SCC)

Social Science - 1-2 courses (CHI requires 2 courses)

Humanities - 1-2 courses (CHI requires 2 courses)

Cultural Studies - 1 course

Medical Terminology – 1 course

Biology* - 1 course (pre-requisite for Physiology)

Anatomy - 1 course

Physiology - 1 course

Physics (with lab) ** - 1 course

College Algebra or Higher*** - 1 course

Statistics - 1 course (Bryan only)

Ethics - 1 course (Bryan only)

Business Management - 1 course (Bryan only)

What to Take at University of Nebraska Lincoln

Specifics courses vary by school. Meet with an advisor to plan your courses.

 

English Composition - ENGL 151, 254, 354

Speech/Communications - ALEC 102, COMM 101, 209, 210. 283, or 286

Social Sciences -  SOCI, PSYC, ANTH,WMNS, CRIM, POLS (PSYC 181 or 289 required for Nebraska Methodist)

Humanities - ENGL, ETHN, GEOG, HIST, MUNM, PHIL, RELG, MUNM, THEA, SCLP, DRAW, CERM, World Language (at least one should be critical thinking - PHIL for CHI)

Cultural Studies - HIST, RELG, ETHN, WMNS

Medical Terminology – CLAS 116

Biology * - LIFE 120/L, BIOS 101/L, BIOS 110/L (pre-requisite for Physiology)

Anatomy - BIOS 214

Physiology - BIOS 213/L

Physics (with lab) ** - PHYS 151/153, PHYS 141, PHYS 211/221

College Algebra or Higher*** - MATH 101, MATH 103, MATH 104, MATH 106

Statistics - STAT 218, EDPS 459

Ethics - PHIL 106 or 213

Business Management - ECON 200, 211, 212, MNGT 300, 301, 311, 360, 361

2-Year Suggested Course Sequence

Semester 1
 Biological Sciences *

Math Per Placement***

English Composition I
Social Science

Medical Terminology

Semester 2
Physics**
English Composition II

Speech/Communications

Social Science

 

Semester 3

Physiology

Cultural Studies

Humanities

Statistics 

Semester 4

Anatomy

Humanities

Business Management

Ethics 

*One BIOS or LIFE course is a pre-requisite for Physiology at UNL.

**PHYS requires completion of MATH 102 or higher, or Math Placement for MATH 106

***Students may need to take math beyond College Algebra to fulfill the pre-requisite for Physics

The above are general entrance requirements encompassing programs with pre-requisites such as UNMC Radiography, CHI School of Radiologic Technology, Nebraska Methodist Associate of Science in Multispecialty Sonography and SCC Associate in Radiologic Technology.  It also includes courses that are transferrable to programs without pre-requisites such as programs at Bryan and Clarkson. Students who are considering other programs are encouraged to contact those schools directly for a list of entrance requirements or transfer requirements.

Other Notes:

  • AP/CLEP: CHI will accept AP credit as long as it transferred to UNL for credit. For UNMC, maximum of six hours of AP credit will be accepted with no more than three accepted from English composition.

Extracurricular Involvement and Activities:

Pursuing a career in the radiation sciences includes more than just coursework. Your extracurricular activities, employment, and healthcare experiences like shadowing and volunteering will contribute greatly to your success in this field. See a pre-health advisor in the Explore Center to plan extracurricular activities that will prepare you for this program. Many programs require or strongly recommend job shadowing or career awareness activities.

Application and Admission

Applications: Students must apply directly to each radiation science/imaging science program. 

Undergraduate Credit Required: UNMC requires students to have obtained 28 credit hours by the time they start the program.  CHI requires students to have obtained 36-45 credit hours. 

Other Radiography Programs in Nebraska: Bryan College of Health Sciences, Clarkson College, and Nebraska Methodist. Community Colleges also offer associate degree programs. It is critical that students research program options early on to plan coursework and application timeline accordingly.

Plan Your Path to a Radiation Sciences Program

  1. Meet with a Pre-Health advisor to create a comprehensive academic and co-curricular plan
  2. Research application requirements
    • See specific school websites for any specific application requirements which may vary by program.
    • Meet with a representative of the program for specific questions and guidance
  3. Apply to Radiation Science programs
    • Apply directly to each radiation science technology program. A list of schools can be found on the Radiology Schools Directory.
    • Consult program websites for application procedures, requirements, and deadlines directly regarding applications and requirements
    • Schools may offer either an Associates, Bachelor's, or sometimes a dual degree
  4. Complete required prerequisite courses (if any)
  5. Attend Radiation Sciences program (1-4 years depending on modalities and school)

Pre-Radiation Sciences can encompass a wide range of imaging sciences and modalities, including X-ray, sonography (ultrasound), MRI, CT scanning, and many other specialized imaging sciences. The educational paths vary depending on which modalities you want to practice. The two beginning pathways are through radiologic technology or ultrasound technology. Radiologic technologists usually operate radiation-based equipment to produce medical images (CT, MRI, Mammogram, X-Ray). Meanwhile, ultrasound technologists use equipment that generates images through high-frequency sound waves. Diagnostic medical sonographers can further specialize in a variety of areas such as vascular technology and obstetric and gynecologic imaging.

Suggested Academic Preparation

  • Completion of pre-requisite courses
  • Competitive academic record
    • GPA in both science and nonscience courses

Local Professional Schools

Current Students

Current students: Meet with a Pre-Health advisor to talk more about your Pre-Health goals.

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