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Medical Diagnostics

Many Choices

Medical Diagnostics is the umbrella term for many different kinds of careers. These include Radiologists, Radiology Techs, Sonography/Ultrasound and other imaging certificates. Explore the options below.
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What is Medical Diagnostics?

Radiography uses radiation to produce images whereas sonography uses ultrasound technology to produce images. Radiography consists of x-rays, mammography, MRI, CT and other imaging methods. Sonography and ultrasound are most often associated with medical imaging experienced by pregnant women who get to "see" their baby while still in the womb. In other circumstances, diagnostic medical sonographers use sonography to create images of the body for proper diagnosis of medical conditions by a physician.

Medical diagnostics includes any of the following career paths.

At PPSC we only offer the Radiology Technician degree. All other Medical Diagnostics degrees would require transferring to particular colleges or universities. Colorado has a limited number of public institutions that offer these programs of study. Meet with an academic advisor to explore how to prepare for transferring from PPSC.

Adventist University of Health Sciences Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program

Aims Community College

Colorado Mesa University

Community College of Denver

Morgan Community College

Pueblo Community College Radiology Tech

Pueblo Community College Diagnostic Medical Sonography

Red Rocks Community College Sonography Program

University of Colorado

Zander Scott
Shea Jobe

About PPSC's Radiologic Technology Program

With this degree a graduate would be equipped to assist patients in the imaging process and assure that the images were correct. It is the lowest level of pay in medical diagnostics and does not include diagnosis or treatment. Read the PPSC Rad Tech Department web pages. After reviewing the program requirements, you need to understand the following.

PPSC offers this degree in collaboration with Memorial Hospital School of Radiologic Technology.

  • Be sure to read the Memorial Hospital School's admissions requirements carefully.
  • Attend an information session at Memorial Hospital.
  • Seek PPSC advising as you take prerequisite courses and prepare to apply.
  • 22 people are accepted into the Colorado Springs program each year, and 22 are accepted into the Denver program each year.
  • Students must to be able to do a 16-week clinical rotation in Colorado Springs and Denver.
  • Accepted students will be notified by May 1.
  • Courses at UCH Memorial Hospital begin in July.
  • Once accepted into the program at Memorial Hospital, the program operates as a 3/4 to full-time job. There are no part-time options.

Five very important things to understand about our program.

  1. RTE 1011-RTE 2089 are not Financial Aid Eligible.
  2. Some VA Funding can cover the cost of RTE 1011-RTE 2089.
  3. PPSC's program does not provide a direct step to Sonography or Ultrasound programs.
  4. If the student has the following coursework:  ENG 121/1021, MAT 121/1340 or MAT 107/1140 over 10 years old and/or PSY 101/1001 over 15 years old the student must
    1. Take the placement tests.
    2. Test into the college level classes. The student will not have to retake the class(es). Only then will the older credits be accepted by the Radiology School.
    3. Pikes Peak State College may require an appeal process for any class over 15 years.
  5. Anatomy and Physiology classes must include a lab and may not exceed 7 years with the application submission. 

Students should start out in the Associate of General Studies (AGS) Radiology Track. This is a placeholder major and is not designed to be completed before applying to Memorial’s Rad Tech program. This will allow students who are using Financial Aid and VA benefits to take recommended elective courses beyond the general education prerequisites. These also can help them gain points in the application process until and if they are accepted into Memorial’s program. Submit an online Change of Major.

Other Medical Diagnostics Certificates

Typically training and certifications for MRI, CT and other specialities are offered through hospitals or medical centers. Many require an initial degree in AAS/Radiology Tech. Check with your local providers for options.