Is This Program for You?

Students who are successful in this field can:

• Follow instructions carefully.
• Work to prescribed standards.
• Utilize good judgment in following procedures and handling problems.
• Show interest in work of a technical or scientific nature.
• Perform under pressure in emergency situations.

Program Basics

• Face-to-Face courses
• Fall program start date.
• Students must achieve a grade of a C or better in each course of the program curriculum to be eligible to progress.
• Current Healthcare Provider CPR certification must be maintained throughout the program (Courses must include CPR, and a hands-on exam must be taken).
• Students who complete this program can pursue transfer to bachelor’s degree programs.
• Wisconsin law requires background checks for persons who provide care for others or have access to people who receive care.
• Classes are offered daytime with occasional evenings.

Earning your associate degree in Radiography prepares you for professional work in a wide range of health care facilities as a radiographer.

Cost of Attendance (COA) 25-26

Cost of Attendance (COA) is a total of all the usual expenses of being a student. The COA sets the maximum amount of financial aid a student can receive.

Based on Wisconsin Residents.

Approximate school costs are for a full-time (12 credit) student over a semester span of 17 weeks.

Fees are legislated by the Wisconsin Technical College System Board.

These costs are estimates and are subject to change without notice.

Admission and Program Requirements

• Submit Application
  
Admissions Preference Policy
Most programs admit students as applications are completed. For certain high-enrollment programs with limited space, applications are reviewed in order of residency and review dates. Programs currently in this category include Radiography, Electrical Power Distribution, Midwifery, Cosmetology, and Nail Technician. Learn more about our Admissions and Wait List Policy.

Academic Preparedness Requirements

Log in to your MySWTC account, go to My Profile → Document Center → All Programs to complete the following:


• Submit High School Transcripts, College Transcripts, and Test Scores: Southwest Tech (email admissions@swtc.edu, or mail to Attn: Admissions, 1800 Bronson Blvd, Fennimore, WI 53809)
• HESI Exam: schedule and pay for HESI by calling 608.822.2313 or by going to www.swtc.edu/community/testing-center/hesi​
• Nursing Assistant: submit transcript showing successful completion of the Nursing Assistant course.
• Chemistry Coursework: submit transcripts showing two semesters of High School Chemistry with a 'C' or higher * OR * one semester of College Chemistry with a 'C' or higher
• Admissions Meeting: After applying and submitting transcripts, work with your advisor to begin or continue your student success plan to talk about your career interests and goals, develop a plan for paying for college, learn about various funding options, create an academic map, and discuss supports and services. Schedule an admissions meeting by clicking "Make an appointment" with your program advisor.

This program uses a waiting list because of limited capacity and high demand. That means there are often more applicants than available seats. The waiting list helps make admission fair, consistent, and transparent.

What the waiting list means for you

In-District Applicants
What this means: You live within the Southwest Tech district – Southwest Tech maps of the region, our district and campus

• Review Dates: Fall – November 1 | Spring – March 1 | Summer – August 1
• Applications received before the review date are held until preparedness requirements are complete.
• On the review date, applications are reviewed in the order they were received. If requirements are complete and there is space, you are accepted.
• If the program is full, you are placed on the wait list based on your application date.
• You may remain on the wait list from term to term until you are admitted, as long as you renew your status.

Out-of-District Wisconsin Applicants
What this means: You live in Wisconsin but not within the Southwest Tech district. If you’re unsure, check our Southwest Tech District Map.

• Review Dates: Fall – January 1 | Spring – April 1 | Summer – October 1
• Your application is reviewed after in-district residents.
• If you meet requirements and there is space, you are accepted.
• If the program is full, you are placed on the wait list in order of your application date.
• You may remain on the wait list from term to term until you are admitted, as long as you renew your status.

Out-of-State Applicants
What this means: You live outside of Wisconsin.

• Review Dates: Fall – March 1 | Spring – July 1 | Summer – December 1
• Your application is reviewed after in-district and out-of-district Wisconsin residents.
• If you meet requirements and there is space, you are accepted.
• If the program is full, you may be placed on the wait list, but only for the term you applied for.
• Out-of-state applicants cannot carry their wait list status into future terms. If you are not admitted for the term you applied for, you will need to submit a new application.

Mission Statement

SWTC Radiography Program Mission Statement: The mission of the Radiography Program at Southwest Wisconsin Technical College is to provide radiography students with a high-quality education to provide a strong foundation for successful, competent, and patient-oriented radiographers for our community.

SWTC Radiography Program Goals

Goal 1: Students will demonstrate critical thinking skills.
• Students will adapt to a variety of clinical conditions.
• Students will successfully critique images for quality and improvement.

Goal 2: Students will demonstrate professionalism.
• Students will abide by the ARRT Code of Ethics.
• Students will successfully work with professionals in the field.

Goal 3: Students will use effective communication skills.
• Students will demonstrate effective patient communication skills.
• Students will demonstrate effective communication skills with staff, technologists, classmates, and others.

Goal 4: Graduates will be clinically competent.
• Graduates will hold entry level radiographer skills.
• Graduates will perform radiation safety practices, routine positioning skills, and quality patient care.

Goal 5: Graduates will be prepared for the ARRT exam and meet the needs of employers and our community.
• Graduates will pass the ARRT exam.
• Graduates will obtain related employment.
• Graduates will meet the needs and expectations of employers and community.

Radiography Program Outcomes

1. Carry out the production and evaluation of radiographic images.
   1. Position patient for specific examination.
   2. Select appropriate image production exposure factors and make exposure.
   3. Evaluate final images for acceptable exposure quality, anatomical presentation, and patient identifying information.
2. Practice radiation safety principles.
   1. Use proper collimation.
   2. Wear personnel dosimeter.
   3. Practice the cardinal principles of radiation protection: time, distance, and shielding.
3. Provide quality patient care.
   1. Identify correct patient and procedure to perform.
   2. Assess patient condition and respond accordingly.
   3. Obtain and document accurate patient history.
   4. Obtain plain exam and give clear instructions.
   5. Communicate/interact with patients as appropriate.
   6. Provide for patient modesty and comfort.
   7. Provide care in an equitable manner.
4. Model professional and ethical behavior consistent with A.R.R.T. Code of Ethics.
   1. Maintain confidentiality.
   2. Interact professionally with healthcare professionals, patients and family.
   3. Demonstrate a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
5. Apply critical thinking and problem-solving skills in the practice of diagnostic radiography.
   1. Adapt procedure to patient condition.
   2. Adapt exposure techniques to patient’s physical and pathological conditions.
   3. Evaluate image for diagnostic quality and implement corrective action if necessary.
   4. Use logic and judgement in performing procedure efficiently.
   5. Interpret orders and requests.

Professional Licensure Disclosure

Southwest Tech’s Associate of Science Radiography program is designed to prepare students to sit for the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) examination. The program will admit students beginning in the Fall of 2024. The Southwest Tech Radiography program is seeking accreditation with the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JR-CERT).

Licensure Information

Please see the State of Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services DSPS webpage for information regarding Wisconsin licensure as a Radiologist Technologist . The DSPS requirements include, but are not limited to the following:

• Must be at least 18 years of age
• Must pass the American Registry of Radiologic Technologist (ARRT) - Radiography National Registry Examination
• Must successfully complete a formal education program that is ARRT approved.

Licensure Fees

(only upon graduation to be licensed in WI)
$225 ARRT
$75 WI State License

Registered radiologic technologists (R.T.s) are medical personnel who perform diagnostic imaging examinations. R.T.s practice in hospitals, clinics and physician’s offices, and in many clinical specialties, from prenatal care to orthopedics

Opportunities include job titles such as:

• Radiologic Technologist
• Registered Radiographer
• Diagnostic Radiographer

Southwest Tech's Career Connections Center offers Services to assist students looking for job placement.

Students interested in transferring to other colleges or universities are strongly encouraged to check with the receiving institution first, prior to enrolling in coursework at Southwest Tech. SWTC Radiography program does have articulation agreements with the following college(s):

Credit for Prior Learning

Experience Pays! You've Been There... You've Done That... Let's See If You Can Get Credit For It!

Credit for prior learning gives you opportunities to earn credit for college-level knowledge that you have already acquired. This may be the result of work or volunteer experiences, certifications, apprenticeships, military training, extensive self-instruction, or professional development. Credit for Prior Learning affords you the opportunity to accelerate the completion of your educational goals.

For more information on Credit for Prior Learning see our Credit for Prior Learning page.

At any time, you may Request Credit for Prior Learning.

The Southwest Tech Radiography Tech program is seeking accreditation with the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JR-CERT).

The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists will allow SWTC students to sit for the board exam as SWTC is accredited with the Higher Learning Commission.

JRCERT

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