Radiology Technologist Schools in Minnesota

The colleges and universities in Minnesota offer a variety of options for earning a certificate or degree in radiologic technology, including programs that offer courses in specialty practice areas such as fluoroscopy and radiotherapy. This guide to radiologic technologist and technician schools in Minnesota can help you make an informed decision. You may also wish to consider online radiologic technologist and technician schools, which can offer reduced commuting time and greater scheduling flexibility. Read about the difference between radiology technologists and radiology technicians.

Quick Facts:

• 17 colleges and universities offer a degree program in radiologic technology/science.
• 4 schools offer a certificate program in radiologic technology/science.
• 14 schools offer an associate’s degree program in radiologic technology/science.
• 1 school offers a bachelor’s degree program in radiologic technology/science.
• Highest graduation rate: University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, 70%.¹
• Highest transfer out rate: Normandale Community College, 40%.¹
• Highest net price per year: St Catherine University, $24,055.¹
• Lowest net price per year: Northland Community and Technical College, $8,252.¹
• Highest student population: University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, 52,557.¹
• Lowest student population: Mayo School of Health Sciences, 280.¹
• Annual tuition range for radiologic technologist and technician programs at community colleges and career schools in Minnesota: $5,138-$12,612.²

Read more about radiologic technologist and technician programs in Minnesota and career projections for radiologic technologists and technicians below.

JRCERT Accredited Radiography Programs

The following programs are accredited by the Joint Review Committee on
Education in Radiologic Technology for radiography as of 2014.

• Century College (White Bear Lake)
• Dunwoody College of Technology (Minneapolis)
• Lake Superior College (Duluth)
• Mayo School of Health Sciences (Rochester)
• Minnesota State College-Southeast Technical (Winona)
• Minnesota State Community and Technical College-Detroit Lakes Campus (Detroit Lakes)
• Minnesota West Community and Technical College (Luverne)
• Northland Community & Technical College (East Grand Forks)
• Riverland Community College (Austin)
• St. Catherine University (Minneapolis)
• St. Cloud Hospital (St. Cloud)
• Veterans Affairs Medical Center (Minneapolis)

Minnesota Radiology Technologist Degree Programs

St. Catherine University

Nicknamed St. Kate’s, St. Catherine University is a private Catholic liberal arts institution in St. Paul that traditionally caters to women but also serves men in some of its programs. Students in the radiography program at St. Kate’s complete the Associate’s degree in two to three years. St. Kate’s differs from most radiography programs in that it provides a holistic approach to radiography; students take coursework in psychology, ethics, social justice, and the liberal arts in order to gain a well-rounded perspective that will help them to empathize with patients. Since only fifteen students are admitted in each class of the program, students benefit from close-knit experiences with peers and faculty and individualized attention in classes. At the same time, they benefit from the advantages of the broader college community and have opportunities to collaborate with various departments in the School of Health. Students participate in five semester-long clinical rotations in specialty areas such as diagnostic X-ray, computed tomography (CT), interventional radiography, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). They also participate in coursework such as Radiographic Procedures, Radiation Physics, Exposure, Radiation Biology/Protection, Ethical Problems in Healthcare, and Human Disease. Upon graduation, St. Kate’s are prepared to take the ARRT exam and also have a strong foundation to continue education in specialties such as radiation therapy and nuclear medicine.

Saint Cloud State University

Students enrolled in the radiologic technology program at Saint Cloud State University work toward a Bachelor of Science degree. During the first two years of the program, students take science courses and general education requirements at the university. In the last two years of the program, students take clinical radiologic courses such as Radiation Physics, Applied Medical Terminology, Ethics and Law in the Radiologic Sciences, Applied Human Structure and Function, Medical Imaging and Processing, Methods of Patient Care, Radiation Protection, Radiation Pathology, and Computers in Radiologic Sciences. Students must also complete a clinical internship and document at least 21 hours in job shadowing. The university is affiliated with seven hospitals in Minnesota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin, including St. Cloud Hospital, Mayo School of Health Sciences, Saint Joseph’s Hospital, and Avera McKennan Hospital. The Saint Cloud State University radiologic technology program focuses on general radiography and does not include clinical training in sonography (ultrasound imaging).

Lake Superior College

Lake Superior College is a two-year community and technical college in Duluth, Minnesota with around 5,800 students. The radiologic technology program at Lake Superior College seeks to train entry-level radiology technologists and equip them with medical image processing skills, clinical competence, critical thinking skills, and communication skills. Students earn an Associate of Applied Science degree upon successful completion of the 82-credit program. Students complete a core curriculum of 19 courses including Human Anatomy and Physiology, Lifespan Developmental Psychology, Radiographic Procedures, Image Production, Clinical Radiography, Radiologic Pathology, Radiation Biology & Protection, Advanced Medical Imaging, and Quality Assurance in Radiology. For the class of 2012, 83% completed the radiologic technology program successfully, 94% found successful job placements, and 100% passed the national ARRT exam.

How to Become a Radiology Technologist in Minnesota

The Minnesota Department of Health oversees the licensing and regulation of all practicing radiology technologists and technicians. Radiology techs in Minnesota must successfully complete the ARRT exam, the ACRRT exam, or an equivalent state examination. Exams taken in other states are reciprocal if the original state has equivalent or higher standards to Minnesota. The application process also includes a $100 fee for the ARRT and a $25 fee for the Minnesota Department of Health. Prospective radiology techs who do not want to go through the entire certification process may apply instead to become a limited x-ray operator (LXMO). LXMOs must pass the Minnesota x-ray operators exam, which consists of a core of positioning modules. They are also prohibited from operating machinery related to fluoroscopy; only a registered radiology technologist or technician may perform this procedure. The Minnesota license for radiology techs is valid for a two-year period. Radiology techs may renew their licenses by submitting a renewal application and evidence of completion of the state’s mandatory 24-hour continuing education requirement.

Career Opportunities for Radiology Techs in Minnesota

Home to the Mayo Clinic, Minnesota is an excellent state for progressive healthcare research and practice. According to US News, some of the best hospitals in the state include the Mayo Clinic. University of Minnesota Medical Center, Abbott Northwestern Hospital, St. Cloud Hospital, United Hospital of St. Paul, Fairview Southdale Hospital, Mercy Hospital, Fairview Ridges Hospital, Unity Hospital, and North Memorial Hospital. Radiology technologists and technicians in Minnesota may also find job opportunities at radiology diagnostic or imaging centers such as Center for Diagnostic Imaging in Mendota Heights, Consulting Radiologists in Edina, Midwest Radiology in Maplewood, St. Paul Radiology in St. Paul, or West Imaging in Robbinsdale. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are 3,780 radiologic technologists and technicians working in Minnesota earning an average of $59,330 a year.³ Radiology technologist and technician employment in Minnesota is projected to grow 28.0% in the decade ending in 2020.⁴

Minnesota Radiologic Technologist Salary and Jobs

Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics as of May 2012.

References:
1. National Center for Education Statistics College Navigator: https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/
2. Niche College Search: https://www.niche.com/colleges/?state=MN&sort=best
3. Bureau of Labor Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_mn.htm
4. Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development: https://mn.gov/deed/job-seekers/job-outlook/
5. Bureau of Labor Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oessrcma.htm