Radiology Technology

Radiology at PPSC

Why Choose Radiology at PPSC?
Radiology at PPSC prepares you to apply to the UC Health Memorial School of Radiology. Our staff are highly qualified in the healthcare field and have ongoing relevant experience in radiology. After successful completion of the Radiology Program, you are eligible to perform various radiological procedures in this growing field.

What do PPSC Radiology students study?
Because this Radiology degree is part of a collaborative program, you will fulfill pre-requisite courses at PPSC, then apply to the UCHealth Memorial School of Radiology and complete your education with Memorial School of Radiology to receive an Associate of Applied Science degree. At PPSC, you will learn the basic foundation to apply to the radiology program including:

Radiology degree

Human anatomy and physiology
Math skills
Basics of radiography
English composition
General Psychology

Classes You Might Take

Radiology Technology students will take a variety of classes; check out a sampling below.

BIO 2101 Human Anatomy and Physiology

Focuses on an integrated study of the human body including the histology, anatomy and physiology of each system. Examines molecular, cellular, and tissue levels of organization plus integuments, skeletal, articulations, muscular and nervous systems. Includes a mandatory hands-on laboratory experience covering microscopy, observations, and dissection. This is the first semester of a two-semester sequence.

RTE 1001 Introduction to Radiography

Introduces radiology including equipment, exposure, positioning and the knowledge necessary for the radiography student to provide safe patient care including communication skills, body mechanics, patient transfer, and radiography as a profession.

RTE 1011 Radiographic Patient Care

Introduces the fundamentals of human diversity; and legal and ethical considerations. Includes lecture and laboratory experience in patient care, standard and transmission-based precautions, asepsis versus non-asepsis, vital signs, venipuncture, medical emergencies, drug administration, patients with specific needs and end-of-life interactions.

RTE 1021 Radiographic Procedures I

Introduces the fundamentals of radiographic equipment to safely obtain radiographs, apply radiation safety techniques, and identify related positioning terminology. This course emphasizes identification of anatomy, common pathology, and radiographic terminology of the upper extremities, chest, and abdomen.

View in Catalog

Degree & Transfer Options

Radiologic Technology: Associate of Applied Science
Upon completion of the program, you will receive an Associate's Degree of Applied Science in Radiologic Technology. The accredited, hospital-based training program lasts 23 months and provides hands-on and classroom training.

The school is under the direction of a specialized physician at Memorial Hospital, who is also a full-time radiologist there. The professional radiology staff comprises the faculty of the school. As a student of the school, you will receive an extensive and varied education in the theory and practice of radiologic techniques. You are instructed in the basic sciences and are introduced to the practical aspects of radiologic technology under the supervision of the program director. You gain practical experience by rotating through all sections of the department.

Note: We do accept credits from other institutions to fulfill the prerequisites to apply to the Radiology Technology Program, but students must complete 15 credit hours from PPSC to be resident eligible to receive the degree from us.

Degree Requirements
The electives list includes HPR 112 Phlebotomy. Entrance into the Phlebotomy course or Phlebotomy program requires an application process. Please contact Melissa Serna at Melissa.Serna@pikespeak.edu (719-502-3407) for the current semester application.

Planning for a Bachelors
Currently Pikes Peak State College has an agreement with UCCS for students to transfer for completion of a baccalaureate degree. Students may transfer with an AAS from PPSC and complete a bachelors degree at UCCS. Please speak to an advisor to make sure your transfer goes smoothly.
speak to an advisor

Criminal Background Check
Upon application to the UCHealth Memorial School of Radiology, the UCHealth – Memorial Hospital School of Radiologic Technology will perform background checks on all students accepted into the program. This will be at the expense of the student. Candidates should be aware that any background findings may prevent eligibility to take the ARRT certification exam. Therefore these candidates are advised to submit a pre-application to the ARRT Ethics Review Committee for review prior to enrolling in the program.

ARRT Certification Exam

Program Accreditation
The UCHealth Memorial School of Radiology program is approved by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT) and is approved and regulated by the Division of Private Occupational Schools, Department of Higher Education.

Career Options

After completing this two-year accredited associate program, you will take the national certification exam and will be a registered radiologic technologist. You can pursue specialized areas such as:

Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Ultrasound
Nuclear Medicine
Interventional Radiology
Computed Tomography

The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) is a leading credentialing organization that recognizes qualified individuals in medical imaging, interventional procedures, and radiation therapy.

Memorial Hospital School of Radiologic TechnologyRadiologic technologists make up the third-largest group of health care professionals in the nation.

Radiological technologists use their knowledge of physics, human anatomy and physiology to create x-rays. The constant growth in this field has created many exciting career opportunities with competitive wage and benefits packages. Once you have applied and been accepted into the UCHealth Radiology program, you are provided clinical hands on experience for each of the 6 semesters. Multiple clinical sites are utilized to allow for a variety of clinical settings

Students spend approximately 1,000 hours in clinical assignments each year in the radiology program. During the second year, students will complete some evening and weekend clinical rotations and amount to approximately 5% of the total clinical hours.

Program Learning Outcomes

Students will use proper positioning skills
Students will practice patient safety
Students will select proper technical factors

Students will demonstrate good written skills
Students will demonstrate good oral skills

Program Learning Outcomes

Students will recognize the importance of being an advocate to the profession and participating in lifelong learning

Students will complete exams under changed conditions by acting appropriately with new knowledge

1st semester plan

math & english requirements

1st semester plan

BIO 2101 - Human Anatomy & Physiology I with Lab SC1 4 Credit Hour(s)
ENG 1021 - English Composition I CO1 3 Credit Hour(s)
MAT 1140 - Career Math 3 Credit Hour(s) or MAT 1340 - College Algebra MA1 4 Credit Hour(s)
PSY 1001 - General Psychology I SS3 3 Credit Hour(s)

math & english requirements

Recommended basic skills courses are

College Quantitative Literacy for MAT 107
College Algebraic Literacy for MAT 121
MAT 1140 - Career Math 3 Credit Hour(s) or MAT 1340 - College Algebra MA1 4 Credit Hour(s)

Recommended basic skills courses are

College Reading & Writing Literacy
ENG 1021 - English Composition I CO1 3 Credit Hour(s)