This is the preliminary (or launch) version of the 2024-2025 VCU Bulletin. Courses that expose students to cutting-edge content and transformative learning may be added and notification of additional program approvals may be received prior to finalization. General education program content is also subject to change. The final edition and full PDF version will include these updates and will be available in August prior to the beginning of the fall semester.
The department offers a Bachelor of Science in Clinical Radiation Sciences with the following areas of concentration: diagnostic medical sonography, nuclear medicine technology, radiation therapy and radiography. Upon meeting prerequisites and gaining admission to the program, students complete a three-year, full-time program that includes general education and professional course work. Graduates of the program are eligible for national certification examinations in their respective area of concentration.
Upon completion of one of the concentrations, the graduate is eligible for the relevant national certification examination administered by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists. Graduates of the nuclear medicine technology concentration also are eligible for the certification examination administered by the Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board. Graduates of the diagnostic medical sonography concentration are also eligible for the certification examination administered by the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography.
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
Diagnostic medical sonography concentration-specific outcome
- Demonstrate proficiency in performing sonographic procedures
Special requirements
Students may see prerequisite course work for admission to this program on the pre-health major in clinical radiation sciences page elsewhere in this Bulletin.
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 208 | Foundations of Patient Care | 4 |
| CLRS 301 | Sonography Physics and Instrumentation I | 3 |
| CLRS 302 | Sonography Physics and Instrumentation II | 3 |
| CLRS 311 | Abdominal Sonography I | 4 |
| CLRS 313 | Abdominal Sonography II | 3 |
| CLRS 329 | Obstetric and Gynecologic Sonography I | 3 |
| CLRS 339 | Obstetric and Gynecologic Sonography II | 3 |
| CLRS 393 | Clinical Education I | 2 |
| CLRS 394 | Clinical Education II | 2 |
| CLRS 395 | Clinical Education III | 3 |
| CLRS 404 | Ultrasound Pathology and Preliminary Writing | 2 |
| CLRS 488 | Senior Seminar | 3 |
| CLRS 493 | Clinical Education IV | 3 |
| CLRS 494 | Clinical Education V | 3 |
Degree requirements for Clinical Radiation Sciences, Bachelor of Science (B.S.) with a concentration in diagnostic medical sonography
| Course | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| General education | ||
| Select 30 credits of general education courses in consultation with an adviser. 1 | 30 | |
| Major requirements | ||
| • Major core requirements | ||
| CLRS 206 | Cross-sectional Anatomy | 2 |
| CLRS 398 | Introduction to Research | 1 |
| CLRS 498 | Senior Project | 2 |
| • Additional major requirements | ||
| ALHP 430 | Overview of Research in the Health Professions | 3 |
| CLRS 203 | Pathophysiology I | 3 |
| CLRS 204 | Pathophysiology II | 3 |
| CLRS 205 | Exploring Radiologic Sciences | 1 |
| CLRS 208 | Foundations of Patient Care | 4 |
| CLRS 300 | Introduction to Sonography | 2 |
| CLRS 301 | Sonography Physics and Instrumentation I | 3 |
| CLRS 302 | Sonography Physics and Instrumentation II | 3 |
| CLRS 311 | Abdominal Sonography I | 4 |
| CLRS 313 | Abdominal Sonography II | 3 |
| CLRS 325 | Sonography Professional Seminar | 3 |
| CLRS 329 | Obstetric and Gynecologic Sonography I | 3 |
| CLRS 339 | Obstetric and Gynecologic Sonography II | 3 |
| CLRS 393 | Clinical Education I | 2 |
| CLRS 394 | Clinical Education II | 2 |
| CLRS 395 | Clinical Education III | 3 |
| CLRS 401 | Introduction to Pediatric Sonography | 2 |
| CLRS 404 | Ultrasound Pathology and Preliminary Writing | 2 |
| CLRS 488 | Senior Seminar | 3 |
| CLRS 493 | Clinical Education IV | 3 |
| CLRS 494 | Clinical Education V | 3 |
| Ancillary requirements | ||
| Additional subjects and credits required for admission 2 | 29 | |
| HCMG 300 | Health Care Organization and Services | 3 |
| HPEX 250 | Medical Terminology | 1 |
| STAT 210 | Basic Practice of Statistics | 3 |
| Open electives | ||
| Select any course | 11 | |
| Total Hours | 120 | |
Some general education categories will be met with admission requirements. Consult with an adviser to determine remaining categories.
See program page for pre-health major in clinical radiation sciences for a complete list of prerequisite requirements.
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.
| Freshman year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall semester | Hours | |
| Courses taken toward admission to program | 15 | |
| Term Hours: | 15 | |
| Spring semester | ||
| Courses taken toward admission to program | 14 | |
| Term Hours: | 14 | |
| Sophomore year | ||
| Fall semester | ||
| CLRS 203 | Pathophysiology I | 3 |
| CLRS 205 | Exploring Radiologic Sciences | 1 |
| CLRS 208 | Foundations of Patient Care | 4 |
| HPEX 250 | Medical Terminology | 1 |
| STAT 210 | Basic Practice of Statistics | 3 |
| General education course | 3 | |
| Term Hours: | 15 | |
| Spring semester | ||
| CLRS 204 | Pathophysiology II | 3 |
| CLRS 206 | Cross-sectional Anatomy | 2 |
| UNIV 200 | Advanced Focused Inquiry: Literacies, Research and Communication (satisfies general education UNIV foundations) | 3 |
| General education course | 4 | |
| Open elective | 2 | |
| Term Hours: | 14 | |
| Summer semester | ||
| CLRS 300 | Introduction to Sonography | 2 |
| Term Hours: | 2 | |
| Junior year | ||
| Fall semester | ||
| ALHP 430 | Overview of Research in the Health Professions | 3 |
| CLRS 301 | Sonography Physics and Instrumentation I | 3 |
| CLRS 311 | Abdominal Sonography I | 4 |
| CLRS 393 | Clinical Education I | 2 |
| Open elective | 3 | |
| Term Hours: | 15 | |
| Spring semester | ||
| CLRS 302 | Sonography Physics and Instrumentation II | 3 |
| CLRS 313 | Abdominal Sonography II | 3 |
| CLRS 329 | Obstetric and Gynecologic Sonography I | 3 |
| CLRS 394 | Clinical Education II | 2 |
| CLRS 398 | Introduction to Research | 1 |
| Term Hours: | 12 | |
| Summer semester | ||
| CLRS 325 | Sonography Professional Seminar | 3 |
| CLRS 339 | Obstetric and Gynecologic Sonography II | 3 |
| CLRS 395 | Clinical Education III | 3 |
| Term Hours: | 9 | |
| Senior year | ||
| Fall semester | ||
| CLRS 401 | Introduction to Pediatric Sonography | 2 |
| CLRS 404 | Ultrasound Pathology and Preliminary Writing | 2 |
| CLRS 493 | Clinical Education IV | 3 |
| CLRS 498 | Senior Project | 2 |
| HCMG 300 | Health Care Organization and Services | 3 |
| Term Hours: | 12 | |
| Spring semester | ||
| CLRS 488 | Senior Seminar | 3 |
| CLRS 494 | Clinical Education V | 3 |
| Open electives | 6 | |
| Term Hours: | 12 | |
| Total Hours: | 120 | |
The minimum number of credit hours required for this degree is 120.