The department offers second modality B.S. degree concentrations for American Registry of Radiologic Technologists-certified radiographers who desire to continue their professional education and concentrate in radiation therapy, nuclear medicine technology or diagnostic medical sonography. Upon meeting admission prerequisites, students complete a five-semester, full-time course of study including didactic, laboratory and clinical education. Graduates are eligible for additional national professional certification examinations.

Student learning outcomes

Upon completing this program, students will know and know how to do the following:

Program core learning outcomes

  • Demonstrate proficiency in performing imaging/therapy procedures
  • Demonstrate proper patient care skills
  • Practice appropriate methods of patient safety (to include radiation safety as appropriate)
  • Demonstrate effective verbal and written communication
  • Demonstrate the ability to critically think and problem solve
  • Demonstrate professional and ethical behavior

Nuclear medicine technology concentration-specific outcomes

  • Demonstrate proficiency in performing nuclear medicine procedures
  • Demonstrate proficiency in the handling and administration of radiopharmaceuticals
 

Special requirements

Prerequisites for Certificate/AAS degree holders

Course Title Hours
ARRT certification (or eligibility) in radiography or radiation therapy 1
Humanities course3
English composition course3
Social science course3
General chemistry (+ labs)8

Prerequisites for AS/AA/AA&S/BS degree holders

Course Title Hours
ARRT certification in radiography or radiation therapy (or eligibility) 1
General chemistry (+ labs)8
Electives2
1

Must be ARRT certified within two semesters of enrollment for eligibility.

English proficiency

All non-native applicants must meet VCU's minimum TOEFL score requirements prior to admission.

Enrolled students must earn a minimum grade of C in the following CLRS courses:

Course Title Hours
CLRS 303Orientation to Nuclear Medicine2
CLRS 317Nuclear Medicine Procedures I3
CLRS 318Nuclear Medicine Procedures II2
CLRS 319Nuclear Medicine Procedures III3
CLRS 321Nuclear Medicine Physics and Instrumentation I2
CLRS 322Nuclear Medicine Physics and Instrumentation II3
CLRS 393Clinical Education I2-5
CLRS 394Clinical Education II2-4
CLRS 395Clinical Education III2-6
CLRS 417Nuclear Medicine Procedures IV3
CLRS 430Radiobiology2
CLRS 453Quality Management in Nuclear Medicine2
CLRS 461Radiopharmaceutical: Preparation and Quality Control2
CLRZ 461Radiopharmacy Laboratory1
CLRS 493Clinical Education IV1-5
CLRS 494Clinical Education V1-5
CLRZ 321Nuclear Medicine Physics and Instrumentation Laboratory I1
CLRZ 322Nuclear Medicine Physics and Instrumentation Laboratory II1
CLRS 488Senior Seminar3

Must complete statistics or meet requirements for STAT 210 prior to enrollment.

Degree requirements for Clinical Radiation Sciences, Bachelor of Science (B.S.) with a concentration in nuclear medicine technology (second modality)

Course Title Hours
General education
Select 30 credits of general education courses in consultation with an adviser. 130
Major requirements
• Major core requirements
CLRS 206Cross-sectional Anatomy2
CLRS 398Introduction to Research1
CLRS 498Senior Project2
• Additional major requirements
ALHP 430Overview of Research in the Health Professions3
CLRS 303Orientation to Nuclear Medicine2
CLRS 317Nuclear Medicine Procedures I3
CLRS 318Nuclear Medicine Procedures II2
CLRS 319Nuclear Medicine Procedures III3
CLRS 321
CLRZ 321
Nuclear Medicine Physics and Instrumentation I
and Nuclear Medicine Physics and Instrumentation Laboratory I
3
CLRS 322
CLRZ 322
Nuclear Medicine Physics and Instrumentation II
and Nuclear Medicine Physics and Instrumentation Laboratory II
4
CLRS 393Clinical Education I 22
CLRS 394Clinical Education II 22
CLRS 395Clinical Education III 22
CLRS 407Introduction to PET/CT2
CLRS 408Introduction to Computed Tomography (CT)2
CLRS 417Nuclear Medicine Procedures IV3
CLRS 430Radiobiology2
CLRS 453Quality Management in Nuclear Medicine2
CLRS 461
CLRZ 461
Radiopharmaceutical: Preparation and Quality Control
and Radiopharmacy Laboratory
3
CLRS 488Senior Seminar3
CLRS 493Clinical Education IV 23
CLRS 494Clinical Education V 23
Ancillary requirements
ARRT radiography/radiation therapy certification50
Additional subjects and credits required for admission 310-17
STAT 210Basic Practice of Statistics3
UNIV 200Advanced Focused Inquiry: Literacies, Research and Communication (satisfies general education UNIV foundations)3
Total Hours120
1

Some general education categories will be met with admission requirements. Consult with an adviser to determine remaining categories.

2

These courses have variable credits. The credits indicated are the most commonly used in the curriculum.

3

See special requirements section for details of prerequisite courses. 

The minimum number of credit hours required for this degree is 120.

What follows is a sample plan that meets the prescribed requirements within a four-year course of study at VCU. Please contact your adviser before beginning course work toward a degree.

Minimum credits from ARRT certification and courses from accredited college or university: 60

Junior year
Fall semesterHours
ALHP 430 Overview of Research in the Health Professions 3
CLRS 303 Orientation to Nuclear Medicine 2
CLRS 317 Nuclear Medicine Procedures I 3
CLRS 321
CLRZ 321
Nuclear Medicine Physics and Instrumentation I
and Nuclear Medicine Physics and Instrumentation Laboratory I
3
CLRS 393 Clinical Education I 2
STAT 210 Basic Practice of Statistics 3
 Term Hours: 16
Spring semester
CLRS 206 Cross-sectional Anatomy 2
CLRS 318 Nuclear Medicine Procedures II 2
CLRS 322
CLRZ 322
Nuclear Medicine Physics and Instrumentation II
and Nuclear Medicine Physics and Instrumentation Laboratory II
4
CLRS 394 Clinical Education II 2
CLRS 398 Introduction to Research 1
UNIV 200 Advanced Focused Inquiry: Literacies, Research and Communication (satisfies general education UNIV foundations) 3
 Term Hours: 14
Summer semester
CLRS 319 Nuclear Medicine Procedures III 3
CLRS 395 Clinical Education III 2
 Term Hours: 5
Senior year
Fall semester
CLRS 408 Introduction to Computed Tomography (CT) 2
CLRS 417 Nuclear Medicine Procedures IV 3
CLRS 461
CLRZ 461
Radiopharmaceutical: Preparation and Quality Control
and Radiopharmacy Laboratory
3
CLRS 493 Clinical Education IV 3
CLRS 498 Senior Project 2
 Term Hours: 13
Spring semester
CLRS 407 Introduction to PET/CT 2
CLRS 430 Radiobiology 2
CLRS 453 Quality Management in Nuclear Medicine 2
CLRS 488 Senior Seminar 3
CLRS 494 Clinical Education V 3
 Term Hours: 12
 Total Hours: 60

The minimum number of credit hours required for this degree is 120.