School of Medical Imaging

St. Mary’s Medical Center School of Medical Imaging was established in June 1964. The Radiography Program is accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology and, upon graduation its students are eligible to take the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists’ exam. The radiography program has a full eight-year accreditation, which will be reviewed in Fall 2026. The Sonography Program is a five-year accredited program, through the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) 9355-113^th St. N, #7709, Seminole, FL  33775, 727-210-2350 which will be reviewed in the Fall of 2021 and graduates are eligible to take their boards through the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography or Cardiovascular Credentialing International.

The sonography program was established in August 2013. Both training programs consists of 36 additional months of class work and clinical experience under qualified Radiologic/Sonographic supervision in addition to the first didactic year at Marshall University or other accredited institution. Designed to enhance the experience of each student, the radiology program provides that each student follows a radiographer’s schedule, including evening rotations. Rotations are variable at six different clinical sites. The hours vary from 5:30am-1:30pm, 7:30a-3:30p, 8a-4p, 11a-7p, or 1p-9p, depending on the scheduled site. Sonography rotations require the student to participate in clinical rotations with credentialed sonographers in the specialty areas in which the didactic component corresponds. The rotation hours vary from 7:30a-3:30pm, 8:00a-4:00p, or 1p-9p depending upon clinical affiliate availability.

The SMMC/MU program provides each student with a total of 124 credit hours and approximately 1400-1600 hours of clinical experience at St. Mary’s Medical Center and partnered clinical facilities. Students gain hands-on clinical experience under the supervision of clinical instructors and staff radiographers. Before assuming responsibility for performing examinations on their own, students must demonstrate competency through performance evaluation and examination.

If a student’s academic performance is below a 2.5 GPA or the clinical experience is unacceptable, the school could request that the student withdraw from the program at that time. Progression in the program requires the student to maintain a 2.5 GPA. Students who fail to maintain the required average will be placed on academic probation which must be remedied by the mid-term progress of the following semester. Throughout the program, faculty members monitor and advise students on their performance in the classroom and clinical setting.

The school upholds strict standards of clinical excellence and professionalism for its students. In order for a student to be eligible for graduation, they must demonstrate satisfactory completion of all didactic and clinical course work requirements. Students will be required to pass a comprehensive exam at the completion of the senior year. The exam must be satisfactorily completed in order to graduate from the program. Sonography track students are expected to pass the physics board administered by the ARDMS at the end of the junior year in order to progress into the senior year.

Students who complete BS degree requirements through Marshall University will be granted a Bachelor of Science in Medical Imaging degree once the applicant has fulfilled all requirements from the School of Medical Imaging. The required courses are listed under the Admission hyperlink to the right. The School of Medical Imaging awards a certificate in radiography or sonography. Upon graduation students are eligible to sit for the ARRT or ARDMS/CCI certification exams.  Applicants for the ARRT Radiography certification exam must graduate with degree from an accredited college/university.