Radiography

Radiographers are active, innovative, and service-oriented individuals who play an integral role in healthcare. Every day brings new challenges as you use advanced technologies like x-rays, PET scans and MRIs to create images that help doctors diagnose patients.

Your training in subjects like anatomy and physiology will allow you to position patients for optimal imaging. With hands-on experience in our cutting-edge labs and guidance from experienced faculty, you’ll learn to safely operate radiology equipment. You’ll also learn to provide culturally competent patient care during radiologic procedures.

You'll gain real-world experience during your clinical practicum at local healthcare facilities. Radiography offers job security and a chance to make a difference in people's lives. 

Radiologic technologists (also known as rad techs or x-ray technologists) earn an average annual salary of $65,140 in Illinois – a perfect step for someone just beginning or advancing in the healthcare field (Bureau of Labor Statistics). This is a limited enrollment program.

This program will take place at the Oakton College Health Careers Education Center in Evanston, Illinois opening in 2025. This brand new, state-of-the-art facility will feature the latest equipment and technology. Students may apply now for the cohort beginning the program in Summer 2025. There may be specific courses that you need to take and pass before you can begin the programmatic courses. You can take these prerequisite courses in the Fall 2024 and/or Spring 2025 terms.

The application for this program opens in July 2024 for the cohort beginning the program in July 2025.

Degree

Students will learn skills in accordance with the standards and guidelines recommended by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT). Upon successful completion of the program the graduate is eligible to sit for the AART examination.

This program is pending approval from the Illinois Community College Board (ICCB).

Learn More About the Degree

What You Need to Know

Enrollment is limited. There are a number of minimum requirements for admittance. (Please note: Meeting those requirements does not guarantee admission.) Students are encouraged to meet with a health career specialist at healthcareeradvising@oakton.edu for more information on program admissions.

Admission requirements:

  1. High school graduation or High School Equivalency Certificate*.

Foreign high school graduates or students with foreign college credits need to send English translated copies of their transcripts to Educational Perspectives, www.edperspective.org/oakton. Students with foreign college credit should request a catalog match.

  1. ACT score of 18 or higher, or SAT score of 960 or higher, or 12 hours of college credit with a minimum grade point average of 2.5.
  2. One year of high school chemistry with a lab or equivalent college course completed within the last five years with a minimum grade of C.
  3. One year of high school geometry or MAT 080 or equivalent completed with a minimum grade of C.
  4. EGL 101 placement based on Oakton’s Writing Skills Assessment Test (WSAT), or completion of EGL 101.
  5. Completion of the following courses with minimum grades of C:
  • BIO 231 Human Anatomy and Physiology I within the past five years
  • BIO 232 Human Anatomy and Physiology II within the past five years.
  • HIT 104 Medical Terminology within the past five years
  • MAT 102 Mathematics for Health Careers.
  1. Certified Nurse Assistant training and/or experience or other healthcare experience is preferred and important for a program success.

* Starting January 1, 2023, the High School Equivalency Certificate becomes the State of Illinois High School Diploma. High School Equivalency credentials received prior to that date remain valid.

Program prerequisites include HIT 104, Medical Terminology, which is offered as a dual credit course in most of Oakton’s district high schools. Students are able to complete other general education and science courses through concurrent enrollment.

Students completing the prerequisite courses while enrolled in Oakton, are supported by the Health Career Advisors and a Student Experience Navigator (SEN) who help them navigate Oakton’s Academic and Student Support Services, including Learning Center that provides tutoring and academic coaching among other services.

  1. New students should apply online at oakton.edu/apply. Current Oakton students should apply through their myOakton account.
  2. View your Admission Checklist. Your New Student Portal includes Admission Checklist and next steps.
  3. Submit admission documents, including transcripts (high school, college, AP, military) and proof of residency.
  4. Complete the minimum requirements for admission.
  5. Complete an interview. The application process must be completed prior to an interview.

Clinical placements require a health assessment, certain immunizations, yearly flu vaccine, criminal background check, specific skill certification (i.e., CPR). Clinical placements may require substance abuse testing and health insurance. These requirements represent an additional cost to the student.

What's Next?

We are glad you are considering attending Oakton College. No matter where you are in your decision-making process, we are here to help you with your next steps. Whether you're ready to apply now, need information on paying for college or have questions and want to contact someone, we're here to help.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Radiography A.A.S. coursework spans two years, plus summers. The curriculum follows a set sequence and requires full-time study. Before you are admitted and begin the program, you may have some prerequisite courses to take. These classes: Anatomy and Physiology, Medical Terminology and Mathematics for Healthcare will ensure that you are prepared to succeed in your degree. You can still apply to the Radiography program while you are finishing any prerequisites, pending successful completion.

Radiography relies on one's working knowledge of anatomy, physiology, radiographic procedures and patient care. Students take a full-time courseload, 12-15 credits, during the fall and the spring semesters. This equates to 30-37.5 hours of classtime per week, plus time outside of class for studying. As an Oakton student, your faculty will be here to help you. Also, you will be assigned a Health Career Specialist and Student Navigator who will support you throughout your time in the program; take advantage of the Learning Center for support with tutoring, academic coaching and more! After you're done with your classes and certification exam, the Career and Transfer Center is here for resume writing, interview preparation and will help you land your first job as a rad tech.