Frequently Asked Questions

Twenty-one to twenty-four (21-24) students will be admitted to the 2025 Radiography Class. In 2024, there were approximately 71 qualified applicants to be considered. Criteria used in the selection of students includes: (1) interviews, (2) HESI entrance test results, (3) student essay, (4) overall G.P.A., (5) science grades. Sometimes there needs to be a minimum HESI score to proceed to the interview process. (If a percentage is required, applicants will be notified on testing date.) Testing will begin in March and interviews will take place typically in April. Applicants are encouraged to research the Radiologic Technologists (RT) profession. Applicants are notified in writing of the action taken by the Radiography Admissions Committee in late May, after spring grades post. Please be sure to turn on your notifications in Navigate, as we will be communicating with you via Navigate, especially to register for the HESI. Meeting the admission criteria does not guarantee program admission nor does completion of the CSC Introduction to Radiography.

High school prerequisite courses must be completed with a grade of “C” or higher:

• One (1) lab science (Biology, Physics, or Chemistry from HS or college) Biology is preferred.
  Please note that BIO 141 cannot be used to fulfill the one lab science prerequisite and the BIO 141 prerequisite. BIO 101 or NAS 2 can be used to fulfill the one lab science prerequisite.

College-level prerequisites must be completed with a grade of “C” or better:

• BIO 141 (Human Anatomy and Physiology I)
  Notes: It must be completed within the five years prior to fall 2025. BIO 101 or NAS 2 is a required prerequisite for BIO 141 course at VWCC (must have BIO 101/NAS 2 within 3 years, “C” or higher, to be allowed to register for BIO 141). A challenge exam is available for placing directly into BIO 141 for those who feel their prior knowledge is sufficient to pass the exam without first completing the BIO 101 or NAS 2 (speak to advisor for guidance). Please note that successful completion of MDE 10 or equivalent (or Direct Enrollment into college-level Math) is a prerequisite for BIO 101/NAS 2 at VWCC.
• SDV 101 Orientation to Health Professions (2 credits)
  Note: Transcripts will be evaluated for any transfer credits that can be substituted.

Prerequisites do not have to be complete prior to an early application, but they must be complete by the end of spring 2025 to be eligible for the fall 2025 program.

A high school diploma or equivalent is required. You must have a cumulative college GPA of 2.5 or above at the end of the 2024 Fall semester. GED holders will be considered for admission if they completed all pre-requisite requirements (“C” or better). If your GPA is not above a 2.5, you are encouraged to seek advising from the Health Professions Advising and Applications Office or Ms. Rhonda Perdue (another Health Professions Advisor) about how this will impact your eligibility and how to improve your GPA. In addition, please note that developmental courses, such as NAS 2, CHM 5, and MDE 10, will not count towards your college-level GPA.

Please complete this form and return to the Health Professions Advising and Applications Office. (PDF)

There is not a waiting list. All applicants who meet the deadline and are minimally qualified will be considered for the program. The Radiography program is intensive, so some applicants elect to complete general support classes such as Medical Terminology (HLT 143) while they are being considered (grades must be a “C” or better). It should be understood that these general education or support courses are not the same as required prerequisites (addressed in a previous question). You may view a listing of curriculum requirements in the “Radiography” section of the college catalog. Interested students are encouraged to work with one of the pre-radiography advisors (Perdue) or reach out to one of the team members for the HPAAO (Terry or Woody) to see if taking support classes is feasible based on their individual circumstances (taking in consideration whether they are students part-time, full-time, financial circumstances, holding a job, etc.) keeping in mind this is a restricted program and only 24 students are accepted once a year.

The core RAD courses must be taken in sequence as outlined in the college catalog (including a summer semester). The core program coursework is only offered during the day. The Radiography lectures are conducted on a M/W/F schedule in first year and Tu/Th in the second year. The program requires extensive clinical and lab time in addition to the lecture. Clinical assignments are usually 2 days a week (Tu/Th) in the 1st year and 3 days a week (M/W/F) in 2nd year. Clinical experiences are primarily full days, but applicants should anticipate a limited number of evening or a weekend clinical during the program.

Virginia Western Community College faculty and students must comply with the policies required by clinical facilities with which we have legal agreements. If a student refuses to comply with a clinical facility immunization and vaccination requirement, Virginia Western Community College will attempt, but cannot guarantee, to assign a student to an alternative clinical facility. A student will be placed in an alternative location only if it meets the educational objectives of Virginia Western Community College and program requirements for clinical placement. Faculty also must be available to appropriately supervise students at the clinical facility. Refusal to comply with a clinical facility immunization and vaccination requirement by a student in our health programs may impede your progress in the program or your ability to remain in the program.

Click here for the HESI Prep Guide for Radiography (PDF).

VWCC Radiography Program – Projected Schedule 2024-2026

First Semester (Fall):

Second Semester (Spring):

Third Semester (Summer):

Fourth Semester (Fall):

Fifth Semester (Spring):

*Note: Program elective courses must not interfere with the RAD course times.

The CSC: Introduction to Radiography consist of specific coursework that is designed to allow applicants to the Radiography program to complete some of the courses required within the AAS and to also offer a job skill option to applicants in case of non-admittance to the program. Not all prerequisite and support classes are included in the CSC.  The MTH 130 is not included in the CSC and the course options offer PSY 230 OR PHI 220.  If you are using FA to cover the cost of classes, FA will not cover the cost of both PSY 230 and PHI 220 nor will it cover cost of the MTH 130 course. If you wish to complete those courses prior to entry, you need to plan to pay for those courses out of pocket.  If you are accepted into the AAS Radiography program, at that time, FA will then cover those courses.  The plan change for accepted students, to be placed into the AAS program from the CSC, typically occurs in late May or early June for the accepted students and the new plan of study will take effect for the fall semester.

It allows applicants who may not be accepted into the AAS Radiologic Technology program, to academically prepare students to take the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) certification exam, if the EMS 111/120 course sequence is completed.  Also, if you have a healthcare licensure/certification (such as CCMA, CNA, Phlebotomist, etc,) if you submit a copy of your current license to the Health Professions Advising and Applications Office, we can complete paperwork on your behalf to determine if  Credit for Prior Learning can be awarded for one of the options under the job skill portion of the CSC: Introduction to Radiography.

There is a team of advisors for the radiography program. In the Health Professions Advising and Applications Office, there are Ms. Jasmine Terry and Ms. Pam Woody, and in Fralin Room 214, Ms. Rhonda Perdue provides advising about applying and preparing for the Radiography curriculum for continuing VWCC students. Rhonda Perdue can assist with career planning and course selections and may be able to assist with preliminary information.  You may schedule an advising appointment, if you are a VWCC student, using Navigate with Ms. Perdue. If you are a new student, please schedule your first advising appointment with a New Student Advisor, using Navigate https://www.virginiawestern.edu/advising/new-student-advising/ (advising based on last name). The Health Professions Advising and Applications Office (Woody or Levisy) will process your file and determine current GPA, completes evaluation of previously completed course work and determines transfer of credit, and if the prerequisites are met. They will be available to advise you after your academic application file is complete (all official transcripts have been received and reviewed), at which time you will be emailed an “Advising Letter”. The advising form letter will give you important details about your prerequisites, career support classes, transfer of credit, and etc. ( Please note if you do not receive the Advising Letter, you will not be considered for the fall program as this indicates official document(s) are missing from your academic file in the Health Professions Advising and Applications Office. You need to verify receipt of all academic submissions if you do not receive the Advising Letter within two to four weeks upon submission of any application materials to Pam Woody in the Health Professions Advising and Applications Office. Exception is March  through June prior to fall start due to program deadlines and acceptance occurring during those months.) For information on the application process, you may follow the checklist for application located under the “forms” section of each website. If you would like to view the presentation to learn more about the application process and eligibility you can click here for the Application & Program Overview (PDF). Program policies and procedures are discussed in detail by the Program Director during the interview phase.

If you are interested in taking classes to prepare for future entry into the program, but you are unsure when you will be eligible, please submit the current Radiography application form with the appropriate transcripts. This will allow us to help you plan and suggest proper courses to begin your studies. By submitting now, you may benefit from advising by one of the Health Professions Advisors, who will be able to discuss your transcript(s), direct enrollment, prerequisites, support classes, etc. and complete any needed transfer evaluations for you (if applicable). You may include a note that you are applying for a future year or mark through the application year on the actual program application and include the year you are planning to apply.

Applicants for admission to the radiography program are considered for class positions based on their ability to meet program admissions standards, without regard to race, color, sex, age, religion, disability, national origin, or other non-merit factors.

Yes! In all 50 states, students graduating from an accredited radiography program are required to pass the ARRT (American Registry of Radiologic Technologist) National Board exam and may have to meet additional state requirements in order to work as a Radiologic Technologist, Radiography (R.T.R). Prospective students should be aware that completing a background check process is be part of the boarding process. If students have any concerns regarding possible findings on these reports, they should contact the ARRT to complete an ethics review prior to boarding and preferably before beginning the Radiography program.  If an ARRT ethics review is conducted, the ARRT will either accept or deny the students ability to sit for the board exam.

Students employed in a facility requiring licensure in the state of Virginia or wishing to be licensed in the state of Virginia must:

• Be 18 years of age or older
• Be a graduate of an accredited Radiography Program
• Pass the ARRT National Board Exam
• Complete the Virginia Board of Medicine application for Radiologic Technologist
• Demonstrate and maintain proof of Continuing Education
• Virginia state licensure is not required by the state of Virginia for students employed in a Hospital setting.  See the Virginia State Licensure requirements for Radiologic Technologist.  Licensure requirements differ from state to state.  Students intending to work out of the state of Virginia should consult the Board of Medicine for licensure requirements.