Radiography

The Radiography curriculum prepares the graduate to be a radiographer, a skilled health care professional who uses radiation to produce images of the human body.

Course work includes clinical rotations to area health care facilities, radiographic exposure, image processing, radiographic procedures, physics, pathology, patient care and management, radiation protection, quality assurance, anatomy and physiology, and radiobiology.

Graduates of accredited programs are eligible to apply to take the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists’ national examination for certification and registration as medical radiographers. Graduates may be employed in hospitals, clinics, physicians’ offices, medical laboratories, government agencies, and industry.

The Wilkes Community College Radiography program is accredited by the:

Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology
20 N. Wacker Drive, Suite 2850
Chicago, Illinois 60606-3182
(312) 704-5300
mail@jrcert.org

The program’s current award is eight years. General program accreditation information and the current accreditation award letter can be found at the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology webpage.

Program Effectiveness Data
Program Handbook

Mission Statement

The Wilkes Community College Radiography Program is dedicated to providing a quality education for individuals in the field of radiologic technology. The program dovetails the Wilkes Community College Vision, “aspiring to be an effective learner-centered educational institution and a dynamic learning organization, preparing learners for success in a rapidly changing world.” The mission of the Wilkes Community College Radiography Program is to prepare competent entry-level radiographers for the various aspects of the profession.

Program Goals and Student Learning Outcomes

  1. The student will be clinically competent.
    • Students will apply positioning skills.
    • Students will select radiographic techniques.
    • Students will practice radiation protection.
  2. The student will demonstrate effective communication skills.
    • Students will demonstrate oral communication skills.
    • Students will demonstrate written communication skills.
  3. The student will demonstrate critical thinking skills.
    • Students will adapt standard procedures for non-routine patients.
    • Students will critique images to determine diagnostic quality.

Contact Information

Image of Wendy Nichols
Wendy Nichols, BS
Director of Admissions
Phone: 336-838-6136
wdnichols077@wilkescc.edu

Admission Information

The Radiography program is a limited enrollment program that admits approximately 12 students once a year in the fall semester.

Step 1: Complete WCC Application

Submit a WCC application for admission to the Radiography program. Applicants may apply for two limited-admission programs in each academic year. WCC limited-admission programs include: Associate Degree Nursing, Dental Assisting, Emergency Medical Science, Radiography, Respiratory Therapy, and Regionally Increasing Baccalaureate Nurses (RIBN).

The college application deadline is April 29, 2027.

WCC Application

Step 2: Prove College Readiness

Applicant must be eligible to enroll in ENG 111 without a co-requisite and be exempt from or have successfully completed MAT 025 or MAT 035. Visit the Placement Testing page for more details regarding exemption options, testing policy, scheduling a testing appointment, and study materials. Applicants requiring special testing accommodations due to a disability must contact the Disability Services office at least 10 working days prior to testing.

Step 3: Radiography Information Session

Attend a mandatory online information session to review the application process. You must complete an admission application for the 2027 Radiography application cycle before completing the online information session.

The deadline to complete the Fall 2027 online Radiography information session is May 6, 2027 at 11:59 p.m.

Radiography Information Session

Step 4: Completion of High School Diploma or Recognized Equivalent

High school diploma or recognized equivalent must be completed before entry into the program. If applying as a high school senior, submission of a transcript reflecting all high school coursework completed at the time of application is required. If admitted, a final transcript must be submitted prior to beginning the program that reflects additional coursework completed and the actual graduation date.

Step 5: Submission of Official Transcripts

Radiography applicants must submit official high school, GED, or Adult High School and official college transcripts at each educational institution attended.

Step 6: Required Course

Applicants must successfully complete the following required course with a grade of “C” or better. The following class must be completed or in progress before the applicant can schedule their MAR review.

  1. One year/credit of a high school biology or college level biology

Please note that credit by exam will not be accepted.

Applicants must have a minimum program Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher to be considered for admission. The program GPA is calculated on the coursework required for entry into the program and any general education completed within the radiography curriculum. An applicant’s GPA will be calculated during their MAR Review (see the “Ranking/Selection Process” section for included coursework).

The required course must be successfully completed by the applicant’s MAR review date or the applicant’s MAR review will be cancelled.

Step 7: Successful Completion of a MAR Review

When an applicant has met the minimum admission requirements, steps 1 through 6, they must contact the Health Sciences Admissions Advisor to schedule a MAR review appointment. The deadline to schedule a MAR review for the 2027 radiography application cycle is 12 p.m. on June 7, 2027. This process is being used to verify that all of the above criteria has been met and satisfied. Applicants not completing a MAR review will not be considered for admission into the program. MAR reviews will be conducted May 17, 2027 – June 9, 2027.

Image of Wendy Nichols
Wendy Nichols, BS
Director of Admissions
Phone: 336-838-6136
wdnichols077@wilkescc.edu

Points for Ranking (completed during the MAR review)

    1. GPA: Grades (Section A and Section B) are used to determine a Program Grade Point Average (GPA), and the GPA is then converted into a point value (based upon an educational record point table).
      • Section A: Required high school or community college course:
        • High school biology or college level biology
      • Section B: General education courses in the Radiography curriculum: Grades from any of the general education courses listed below that have been completed by the MAR review deadline date will be included in the GPA calculation.
        • ENG 111 Writing and Inquiry
        • ENG 112 Writing/Research in the Disciplines
        • BIO 163 Basic Anatomy and Physiology
        • MAT 143 Quantitative Literacy
        • PSY 150 General Psychology
        • PHI 240 Introduction to Ethics
      • Please note the following:
        • When considering high school and college courses, the best grade (if a course has been repeated) will be counted in the point system calculation.
        • If BIO 163 (or an equivalent course) has been completed prior to entry into the Radiography program, it must have been completed within five years from the first day of the fall semester of entering the program. Otherwise, the credits will be considered to have expired and will not count towards fulfilling Radiography degree requirements and will not count in the  Radiography admission point system.
      • Program GPA Calculation:
        • When calculating your program GPA, the required course (Section A) and the general education courses completed by the MAR review date (Section B) are calculated.
        • Grade points are awarded based upon the following scale:
          • 4 grade points for “A”
          • 3 grade points for “B”
          • 2 grade points for “C”
          • 1 grade point for “D”
          • 0 grade points for “F”
        • The grade points earned for the required course (Section A) and any general education courses completed (Section B) are tallied and divided by the total number of courses completed.
    2. BIO 163: Points are awarded for completion with a grade of “A”, “B”, or “C”. When considering this course, the best grade will be counted in the point system calculation and the course must be completed by the applicant’s MAR review date. This course or its equivalent expires after 5 years.
      • 10 points for “A”
      • 6 points for “B”
      • 2 points for “C”
    3. MAT 143: Points are awarded for completion with a grade of “A”, “B”, or “C”. When considering this course, the best grade will be counted in the point system calculation and the course must be completed by the applicant’s MAR review date.
      • 5 points for “A”
      • 3 points for “B”
      • 1 point for “C”
    4. Alternate Status: One (1) point per year is awarded based upon having been an alternate for the WCC Radiography program during the two previous years. A maximum of two (2) points can be earned from this factor.

Applicants with the highest points will be accepted. In case of applicants with the same number of earned points, the applicant with the earlier MAR review date will be ranked higher. If a tie still exists, the applicant with the earlier application date will be ranked higher.

Notification Procedure

Accepted applicants will be notified by phone. These applicants will be required to attend a mandatory meeting to accept their position in the Radiography program. Notification letters or emails will be sent to all alternates. Applicants who did not meet the minimum requirements, were not accepted, or declined admission and wish to be considered for the next available class must:

      1. Submit a new application.
      2. Attend another information session.
      3. Complete all admissions requirements for that application year.

CPR / Medical Form

Applicants who are selected for admission to the Radiography program must submit documentation of the following steps to the Program Director/Lead Instructor of the Radiography program by the orientation date(s) listed in the acceptance letter. Failure to submit all required documentation will result in the withdrawal of the offer for a space in the Radiography program.

      1. CPR: Evidence of current CPR certification (must be Basic Life Support [BLS] – American Heart Association Healthcare Provider).
      2. Medical Form: Submission of the Wilkes Community College Student Medical Form which must be completed by a physician, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner. The form is given to you at the acceptance meeting.

Orientation

Applicants who have been accepted into the Radiography program will also be required to attend a mandatory Radiography program orientation. The date(s) of the orientation will be provided to applicants who are admitted to the program.

Notice of Clinical Requirements

WCC’s contractual agreements with each clinical site mandates that clinical agencies are responsible for declaring any requirements of students rotating through their facilities. These requirements include immunizations, a criminal background check, and drug screening. Therefore, students who do not comply with the agreements of each clinical affiliate will not be cleared for clinical experiences and will not be able to successfully complete program, clinical, and graduation requirements. Students are unable to complete required clinical competencies and experiences without being assigned to ALL clinical facilities.

Individuals completing the Radiography program are eligible to apply to take the American Registry of Radiologic Technologist’s (ARRT) primary certification examination. The ARRT does require information regarding conviction of a felony and/or misdemeanor and/or current charges on the application for certification and MAY DECIDE NOT TO CERTIFY an individual based on the result of an investigation of those particular charges.

Undocumented Immigrants

When considering whether to admit an undocumented immigrant into a specific program of study, community colleges shall take into account that federal law prohibits states from granting professional licenses to undocumented immigrants. Students lawfully present in the United States shall have priority over any undocumented immigrant in any class or program of study when capacity limitations exist. PLEASE NOTE: these procedures comply with numbered memo CC10-26, which was published by the North Carolina Community College System on July 12, 2010.

Please contact the admission representative for the Radiography program:

Image of Wendy Nichols
Wendy Nichols, BS
Director of Admissions
Phone: 336-838-6136
wdnichols077@wilkescc.edu

Related Course in Curriculum Course Approved for Substitution for the Radiography Program
ACA 115 ACA 122 (must complete the course with a grade of “C” or higher)
BIO 163 BIO 168 and BIO 169 or BIO 165 and BIO 166 (must complete both courses with a grade of “C” or higher)
ENG 112  ENG 113 or ENG 114 (must complete the course with a grade of “C” or higher)
MAT 143  MAT 152 or MAT 171 or an approved upper level math course (must complete the course with a grade of “C” or higher)

Your faculty advisor must request that the substitution be made, and it must be approved by the Health Sciences Dean, Tammy Beck. You should always consult with your advisor before taking a course other than the course required in the Radiography program plan. You may be required to provide a course syllabus for courses other than the one required by your program.

Please note: If BIO 163 (or an equivalent course) has been completed prior to entry into the Radiography program, it must have been completed within five years from the first day of the fall semester of entering the program. Otherwise, the credits will be considered to have expired and will not count towards fulfilling Radiography degree requirements and will not count in the Radiography admission point system.

Contact Information

For any questions, please about the admission process or requirements, please contact:

Image of Wendy Nichols
Wendy Nichols, BS
Director of Admissions
Phone: 336-838-6136
wdnichols077@wilkescc.edu
Image of Lauren Boyles
Lauren Boyles, MHA, R.T.(R)(ARRT), CIIP
Director of Radiography Programs
Phone: 336-838-6490
llboyles525@wilkescc.edu

Pathways

First Year – Fall Semester

  • ACA 115: Success and Study Skills
  • BIO 163: Basic Anatomy and Physiology
  • RAD 110: Rad Intro and Patient Care
  • RAD 111: Rad Procedures I
  • RAD 151: Rad Clinical Ed I

First Year – Spring Semester

  • ENG 111: Writing and Inquiry
  • MAT 143: Quantitative Literacy
  • RAD 112: Rad Procedures II
  • RAD 121: Image Production I
  • RAD 161: Rad Clinical Ed II

First Year – Summer Term

  • RAD 122: Image Production II
  • RAD 141: Radiation Safety
  • RAD 171: Rad Clinical Ed III

Second Year – Fall Semester

  • ENG 112: Writing/Research in the Disciplines
  • RAD 211: Rad Procedures III
  • RAD 231: Image Production III
  • RAD 251: Rad Clinical Ed IV

Second Year – Spring Semester

  • PHI 240: Introduction to Ethics
  • PSY 150: General Psychology
  • RAD 261: Rad Clinical Ed V
  • RAD 271: Radiography Capstone

Technical Standards

The Radiography program technical standards have been developed to inform students of the nonacademic essential functions of the program and profession. Examples are not all inclusive.

Standard Essential Function Examples
Communication
Oral / Written
  • Skills sufficient to communicate information and ideas so others will understand
  • Skills sufficient to interact with individuals, families, and groups from a variety of social, emotional, cultural, and intellectual backgrounds
  • Document relevant patient information (manual or via computer) using correct terminology and spelling
  • Interpret doctor’s orders
  • Record patient responses to treatments
  • Establish rapport with patients, families, and other health care providers
Mobility / Motor Skills
  • Motor skills sufficient to move the hands and use hands to grasp or manipulate objects
  • Mobility sufficient to perform physical activities that require considerable use of arms and legs and moving the whole body
  • Utilize instruments with patients
  • Maneuver in confined spaces
  • Physical activities may include:
    • Bending
    • Stooping
    • Lifting
    • Reaching
Physical Strength and Stamina
  • Ability to stand for extended periods of time
  • Ability sufficient to lift and carry up to 30 pounds
  • Stand and walk up to 12-hour shifts
  • Lift and/or maneuver patients
  • Lift and move equipment
Sensory

  • Sight
  • Sound
  • Taste
  • Touch
  • Smell
  • Visual skills sufficient to see details at close range and manipulate equipment
  • Listening skills sufficient to communicate with others
  • Identify various sounds
  • Ability to touch and locate anatomy on patients to perform physical assessments
  • Ability to tolerate various odors
  • Observe patient responses to treatment
  • Hear equipment/emergency alarms, call bell, or call for help
  • Listen to heart, lung, and blood pressure sounds
  • Feel for pulse
  • Work with patients with poor hygiene
Environmental / Occupational Exposure
  • Exposure to communicable and infectious diseases, secretions, blood, and bodily fluids
  • Exposure to environmental hazards
  • Exposure to X-ray radiation
  • Ability to work under high stress situations and respond promptly
  • Possible exposure to HIV, hepatitis, etc.
  • Exposure to X-ray radiation, medicinal preparations, latex, and toxic substances
  • Respond appropriately in emergency to maintain patient safety and care
Field or Industry Professional Standards
  • Criminal background check
  • CPR certification
  • Pass drug screening

Disability Services Statement

Wilkes Community College is an ADA compliant institution. WCC does not discriminate based on a disability in the admissions process or in access to its programs, services, and/or activities for qualified individuals who meet eligibility requirements. WCC will provide reasonable accommodations for individuals with documented disabilities who are eligible to receive or participate in college programs, services, and/or activities. If a student believes that he/she cannot meet one or more of a program’s essential functions without accommodations, the student is encouraged to disclose this to Disability Services as soon as possible.

Associate to Bachelor Agreements

An Associate to Bachelor agreement is an opportunity for students to complete their Associate's degree at Wilkes Community College and then transfer into a specified program at a partnering four-year institution for their Bachelor's degree. Wilkes Community College has the following Associate to Bachelor agreements for our Radiography graduates: