Radiologist Assistant (Master’s Degree)

A radiologist assistant (RA) is an advanced practice radiologic technologist who works under the supervision of a radiologist. The primary role of an RA is to enhance patient care by assisting the radiologist with patient assessment, patient management, and radiological procedures. The RA also makes initial observations of diagnostic images but does not provide an official interpretation in the form of a written report. The RA program is 24 months in length. The curriculum combines distance education and web-based instruction with a radiologist- directed clinical preceptorship. This clinical preceptorship includes a minimum of 1,792 clinical hours and is completed off-campus. Students are encouraged to identify a radiology practice to serve as preceptors. This radiology practice must include American Board of Radiology (ABR) certified radiologists who are willing to instruct and assess the competence of the RA student working and learning under their supervision. In addition to the distance education courses and clinical preceptorship, one to two on-campus seminars are required each semester. These sessions are designed to provide students the benefit of face-to-face contact with faculty and to enhance critical thinking and analysis skills related to radiological procedures and images. Educational activities fill each session’s schedule, but there are also opportunities for professional networking with other RA students and faculty.