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

Radiography concentration-specific outcome

  • Demonstrate proficiency in performing radiographic 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 201Radiographic Imaging and Exposure I3
CLRS 208Foundations of Patient Care4
CLRS 211Radiographic Procedures I4
CLRS 212Radiographic Procedures II2
CLRS 232Radiation Safety2
CLRS 294Introduction to Clinical Education I0.5
CLRS 295Introduction to Clinical Education II1
CLRS 312Radiographic Procedures III2
CLRS 320Radiographic Imaging and Exposure II3
CLRS 331Radiographic Imaging Equipment3
CLRS 341Radiation Physics2
CLRS 393Clinical Education I2.5
CLRS 394Clinical Education II2
CLRS 395Clinical Education III3
CLRS 430Radiobiology2
CLRS 488Senior Seminar3
CLRS 493Clinical Education IV3
CLRS 494Clinical Education V3
CLRZ 201Radiogrphic Imagng & Exp I Lab1

Degree requirements for Clinical Radiation Sciences, Bachelor of Science (B.S.) with a concentration in radiography

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 201
& CLRZ 201		Radiographic Imaging and Exposure I
and Radiogrphic Imagng & Exp I Lab		4
CLRS 203Pathophysiology I3
CLRS 204Pathophysiology II3
CLRS 205Exploring Radiologic Sciences1
CLRS 208Foundations of Patient Care4
CLRS 211Radiographic Procedures I4
CLRS 212Radiographic Procedures II2
CLRS 232Radiation Safety2
CLRS 294Introduction to Clinical Education I.5
CLRS 295Introduction to Clinical Education II1
CLRS 312Radiographic Procedures III2
CLRS 320Radiographic Imaging and Exposure II3
CLRS 331Radiographic Imaging Equipment3
CLRS 332Radiographic Pathology3
CLRS 341Radiation Physics2
CLRS 393Clinical Education I2.5
CLRS 394Clinical Education II2
CLRS 395Clinical Education III3
CLRS 408Introduction to Computed Tomography (CT)2
CLRS 430Radiobiology2
CLRS 488Senior Seminar3
CLRS 493Clinical Education IV3
CLRS 494Clinical Education V3
Ancillary requirements
Additional subjects and credits required for admission 229
HCMG 300Health Care Organization and Services3
HPEX 250Medical Terminology1
STAT 210Basic Practice of Statistics3
Electives (300 level or higher)6
Open electives
Select any course2
Total Hours120
1

Some course work completed toward admission will also fulfill general education requirements. Admission to the program requires 29 credits. 

2

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 semesterHours
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
UNIV 200 Advanced Focused Inquiry: Literacies, Research and Communication (satisfies general education UNIV foundations) 3
 Term Hours: 15
Spring semester
CLRS 201
& CLRZ 201		 Radiographic Imaging and Exposure I
and Radiogrphic Imagng & Exp I Lab		 4
CLRS 204 Pathophysiology II 3
CLRS 211 Radiographic Procedures I 4
CLRS 232 Radiation Safety 2
CLRS 294 Introduction to Clinical Education I .5
 Term Hours: 13.5
Summer semester
CLRS 212 Radiographic Procedures II 2
CLRS 295 Introduction to Clinical Education II 1
 Term Hours: 3
Junior year
Fall semester
ALHP 430 Overview of Research in the Health Professions 3
CLRS 206 Cross-sectional Anatomy 2
CLRS 312 Radiographic Procedures III 2
CLRS 320 Radiographic Imaging and Exposure II 3
CLRS 341 Radiation Physics 2
CLRS 393 Clinical Education I 2.5
 Term Hours: 14.5
Spring semester
CLRS 331 Radiographic Imaging Equipment 3
CLRS 332 Radiographic Pathology 3
CLRS 394 Clinical Education II 2
CLRS 398 Introduction to Research 1
General education course 4
 Term Hours: 13
Summer semester
CLRS 395 Clinical Education III 3
 Term Hours: 3
Senior year
Fall semester
CLRS 408 Introduction to Computed Tomography (CT) 2
CLRS 493 Clinical Education IV 3
CLRS 498 Senior Project 2
HCMG 300 Health Care Organization and Services 3
General education course 3
Open elective 2
 Term Hours: 15
Spring semester
CLRS 430 Radiobiology 2
CLRS 488 Senior Seminar 3
CLRS 494 Clinical Education V 3
Electives (300 level or higher) 6
 Term Hours: 14
 Total Hours: 120

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