Radiology Technologist Schools and Careers in South Dakota

The following overview of radiologic technologist and technician schools in South Dakota provides information to support your decision on where to pursue a degree or certificate in radiologic technology. The colleges and universities in South Dakota offer several radiologic technology programs and may provide opportunities to pursue study in specialty areas like diagnostic sonography. Online radiologic technologist programs are another choice you might consider, which may provide enhanced flexibility over traditional on-campus courses. Read about the difference between radiology technologists and radiology technicians. Continue learning about radiologic technologist and technician schools in South Dakota as well as career options for radiologic technologists and technicians by reading below, where you will find a table of rad tech programs, profiles of select schools, and additional information about careers in radiologic technology.

Quick Facts

• There are 8 colleges and universities with radiologic technology degree programs in South Dakota.¹
• 3 schools offer a certificate program in radiologic science.¹
• 4 schools offer an associate’s degree in radiologic science.¹
• 3 schools offer a bachelor’s degree in radiologic science.¹
• No schools offer a master’s or advanced degree in radiologic science.¹
• 5 schools have medical imaging programs accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT).²
• 1 school has a medical imaging program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).³
• No schools have medical imaging programs accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Educational Programs in Nuclear Medicine Technology (JRCNMT).⁴

For not-for-profit schools with radiologic technology programs.

Table of Contents

South Dakota Medical Imaging Schools Comparison

Select Schools in South Dakota with RT Programs

How to Become an RT in South Dakota

South Dakota RT Salary and Job Outlook

South Dakota Medical Imaging Schools Comparison

We have designed the following table to allow you to easily compare all of the not-for-profit radiologic technology and medical imaging programs in South Dakota on a variety of factors. You should check with the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) to ensure that the program you are considering will meet certification requirements.

• — indicates none.
• N.Av. indicates no data available.

Select Schools in South Dakota with Radiology Technologist Degree Programs

Mitchell Technical Institute

Mitchell Technical Institute’s (MTI) Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Radiologic Technology program provides students with a blended curriculum of on-campus coursework and laboratory experience combined with clinical rotations at local hospitals and medical facilities. The majority of the coursework in the full-time, five-semester program is offered in the first two semesters, including classes such as Intro to Clinical Radiology, Medical Terminology, and Radiographic Pathology. Students will begin the first of three clinical rotations in the summer during the third semester and then complete additional clinical rotations in the following two semesters. Clinical rotations are held at affiliate sites in the Mitchell, Watertown, and Grand Rapids areas. Prospective applicants must visit a radiologic technology department for job-shadowing and write an essay prior to submitting application materials. Retention in the program requires a minimum grade of a “C” in all required courses. Radiologic Technology graduates will qualify to sit for the ARRT certification exam.

Mount Marty University

Mount Marty University allows students to earn a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Radiologic Technology in cooperation with affiliated schools of radiology in clinical settings, such as Avera Sacred Heart Hospital School of Radiologic Technology. Students in the bachelor’s program will complete two years of math and science courses at Mount Marty, followed by a two-year radiologic technology program at a JRCERT-accredited school of radiology such as Avera Sacred Heart Hospital School of Radiologic Technology. Students generally complete 68 credits of college coursework at Mount Marty in subjects such as chemistry, physics, and physiology prior to beginning the clinical portion of the radiologic technology program. Clinical rotations are held during the day, evening, night, and weekends. Upon completion of the Radiologic Technology Certificate program at Avera Sacred Heart, graduates will be granted 60 further credits and awarded the BS in Radiologic Technology from Mount Marty College, provided they have fulfilled all other degree requirements. Admission into the Avera Sacred Heart certificate program is based on a point system, with points awarded based on factors such as prerequisites completed, GPA in courses at Mount Marty, and previous healthcare experience.

Presentation College

Presentation College offers a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Radiologic Technology that will meet the educational requirements to sit for the ARRT certification exam. The Radiologic Technology curriculum consists of four semesters, a summer session, and a mixture of didactic and clinical experience. Students taking prerequisite courses must maintain a GPA of at least 2.0 to remain enrolled; however, a GPA of at least 2.75 is necessary to advance into the Radiologic Technology program. Once enrolled, a grade of “C” or higher is required in all major coursework. Failure to meet this standard will result in dismissal from the program. Dismissed students may apply for reentry one time. Throughout the 123-credit degree program, students will take courses in radiologic subjects such as radiologic ethics, anatomy, image analysis, and radiation physics. Clinical rotations are scheduled at sites such as Avera St. Luke’s Hospital, Sanford Aberdeen Medical Center, and Mayo Clinic Health System. Students may be assigned weekend or evening rotations.

Southeast Technical College

The Diagnostic Medical Sonography (DMS) program at Southeast Technical College offers the opportunity to earn an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in six semesters. Applicants to the program must first complete at least 19 credits of prerequisite courses and the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) exam before applying to the 75-credit DMS program. The DMS curriculum includes both didactic and clinical study. Once enrolled, students will take classes in sonography such as Cross Sectional Anatomy; Abdominal Sonography; Asepsis for the Sonographer; and Acoustical Physics and Instrumentation. Beginning in the second year of the program, students will complete a seven-month clinical rotation. Due to a limited number of clinical sites in Sioux Falls and South Dakota, students may be assigned to clinical rotations in different states such as Alaska, Nevada, or North Dakota. Graduation from the program requires a “C” or higher in all major coursework.

How to Become a Radiology Technologist in South Dakota

As of 2021, South Dakota does not require radiologic technologists to be licensed in order to practice in the state. Employers in the state may still look for candidates who have been certified by a national organization such as the ARRT. Certification by the ARRT requires the following steps:

1. Complete a diploma, certificate, or degree in your chosen modality. Candidates for certification by the ARRT must complete an educational program in their specific modality as well as an associate’s degree or higher. These may be the same program, but are not required to be.
2. Take and pass the ARRT exam. The ARRT offers certification exams in a variety of radiologic technology modalities. A passing score of 75 or higher is required for all ARRT exams.
3. Maintain your registration. ARRT certification and registration must be renewed every year. For every two years, a certified rad tech must complete at least 24 hours of approved continuing education (CE).

South Dakota Radiology Tech Salary and Job Outlook

Projections show job growth of 8.7% for radiologic technologists and technicians in South Dakota between 2018 and 2028.⁵ By comparison, Projections Central reports an expected 9% growth for radiology techs nationwide through 2028.⁵ According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), as of 2020, South Dakota was home to an estimated 950 radiologic technologist and technician positions.⁶ The average annual salary for radiologic technologists in South Dakota was $54,610 as of 2020.⁶ South Dakota also had the second-highest concentration of rad techs of any state in the US in 2020, with rad techs making up 2.31 of every 1,000 jobs.⁶ Although the BLS does not provide employment data for limited scope x-ray technicians, technicians typically earn less than radiologic technologists due to the lower educational requirements and scope of responsibility. Radiologic technologists and technicians commonly secure employment in hospitals, imaging centers, doctors’ offices, and medical facilities. Organizations that hire radiologic techs in South Dakota include the Department of Veteran Affairs, Huron Regional Medical Center, Avera Health, and Prairie Lakes Healthcare System.

South Dakota Radiologic Technologist Salary by Metro Area

References:
1. National Center for Education Statistics College Navigator: https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/
2. Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology Program Effectiveness Data: https://www.jrcert.org/program-effectiveness-data/
3. Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs: https://www.caahep.org/Students/Find-a-Program.aspx
4. Joint Review Committee on Educational Programs in Nuclear Medicine Technology: https://www.jrcnmt.org/programs/
5. Projections Central Long Term Occupational Projections: https://projectionscentral.org/Projections/LongTerm
6. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wages, Radiologic Technologists and Technicians: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes292034.htm
7. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Metropolitan and Nonmetropolitan Area Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oessrcma.htm