Bridge Bachelor of Science in Radiologic Sciences

• Track 1 Option 1: Two advanced imaging modalities
  Choose two advanced imaging modalities. Modalities require two (2) days of clinic and one (1) hour of classroom lecture per week for each modality. Each modality is taught over three semesters (Fall, Spring, and Summer) for a total of 6 semester hours per modality and 6 semester hours of clinic per modality. Advanced modalities include mammography, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), vascular radiography, or computed tomography (CT).
  
  Professional Component Hours
  Bridge Course - 6 semester hours
  Second Professional Year - 26 semester hours
  
  Certification
  Students completing didactic and clinical requirements in this track will be eligible to apply for certification through the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) in radiography and the advanced modality studied.
   
• Track 1 Option 2: One advanced imaging modality AND Radiology Administration
  Choose one advanced imaging modality AND radiology administration. One modality requires two (2) days of clinic and one (1) hour of classroom lecture per week for the modality. The modality is taught over three semesters (Fall, Spring, and Summer) for a total of 6 semester hours and 6 semester hours of clinic. Advanced modalities include mammography, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), vascular radiography, or computed tomography (CT). Radiology Administration is taught over three semesters (Fall, Spring and Summer). Radiology Administration will require a total of 13 semester hours, with no clinical assignments other than a preceptorship that is required in Summer.
  
  Professional Component Hours
  Bridge Course - 6 semester hours
  Second Professional Year - 27 semester hours
  
  Certification
  Students completing didactic and clinical requirements in this track will be eligible to apply for certification through the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) in radiography and the advanced modality studied (excluding radiology administration).
   
• Track 2: Ultrasound Only
  Students will study ultrasound curriculum only. Ultrasound is taught over 3 semesters (Fall, Spring, and Summer) of didactic (classroom) and clinical study in Radiologic Sciences. Classes and clinical assignments are scheduled Monday – Friday throughout the program.
  
  Professional Component Hours
  Bridge Course - 6 semester hours
  Second Professional Year - 35 semester hours
  
  Certification
  Students who choose this track will not be eligible to seek ARRT certification in radiography, but will be eligible to apply for eligible to apply for ARRT and American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS) certification as an ultrasonographer upon completion of didactic and clinical requirements.
   
• Track 3: Radiation Therapy Only
  Students will study radiation therapy curriculum only. Radiation Therapy is taught over 3 semesters (Fall, Spring, and Summer) of didactic (classroom) and clinical study in Radiologic Sciences. Classes and clinical assignments are scheduled Monday – Friday throughout the program.
  
  Professional Component Hours
  Bridge Course - 6 semester hours
  Second Professional Year - 42 semester hours
  
  Certification
  Students who choose this track will not be eligible to seek ARRT certification in radiography, but will be eligible to apply for ARRT certification in radiation therapy upon completion of didactic and clinical requirements.
  
  

• You currently hold an associate’s degree in Radiologic Sciences or will complete an accredited program prior to the upcoming Summer term/you are a Registered Radiographer (will need to be able to provide a copy of your ARRT certification).
• You would like to earn a bachelor’s degree in Radiologic Sciences.
• You will be able to take all in-person Radiologic Sciences course.
  Please note: General Education and Prerequisite courses that are not completed prior to the start of the Radiologic Sciences Bachelor’s program may prolong your graduation date.

Admissions Timeline

This schedule represents the admissions timeline in a typical year.

May 1 - Deadline applications/supporting documents
Summer Semester - Program Entrance Term for Bridge Course (can be completed at the end of the program)
By end of May - Decisions are made and letters mailed
July 15 - Deadline for completion of drug screen and background check requirements for those accepted into the program
Fall Semester - Students begin first semester of program

Admission Requirements

Students applying for admission to the Radiologic Sciences program must meet all Admission Requirements. Enrollment into the program is limited and depends on the number of clinical openings available, as well as the student capacity as determined by the accrediting agency (JRCERT). Admission into the program does not guarantee a position in a particular track/modality for one's senior year.

• Meet program Core Performance Standards to include general abilities, observational ability, communication ability, motor ability, critical thinking ability, interpersonal abilities and behavioral and social attributes. For further information, review the Core Performance Standards.
• Apply to the University of South Alabama and indicate “Summer” as the entry term, “Transfer” as the Admit Type, and “Radiologic Sciences” as the planned major. Acceptance to the University does not guarantee admission into the professional component of the Radiologic Sciences program.
• Submit official college transcripts for all coursework not completed at the University of South Alabama by the application deadline. Transcripts are not required if the coursework has already been transferred to USA. Applicants must have a minimum GPA of 2.0 ("C" average) on previously completed college-level courses as well as at least a "C" in all math and sciences courses. Applicants’ overall GPA (USA and transfer GPA, if applicable) will be used for admissions purposes.
• Submit the Bridge Bachelor of Science Application Form to the dept by the application deadline. See mailing address below.
• Submit Proof of ARRT Certification.
• International students must score a minimum of 76 on the TOEFL exam to include the following minimum sub-scores on the IBT:
  Listening 20    Speaking 20    Reading 18    Writing 18
  The IELT exam will not be used as an admission requirement to the Radiologic Sciences Program.
• Completion of drug screen and background check requirements as specified in the acceptance letter. Student acceptance into the program is provisional pending the completion of these forms. Refusal to submit will result in a nullification of acceptance into the program.
• Proof of medical insurance must be provided following acceptance into the program by the due date specified in the acceptance letter.
  
  

Mailing Address

The completed departmental application and forms may be faxed to (251) 445-9347 or mailed to:
Admissions Committee
Department of Radiologic Sciences
HAHN 3015
5721 USA Drive North
Mobile, AL, 36688-0002

Students must complete all General Education requirements from the pre-professional component of the program.
Note: General Education and prerequisite courses do not have to be completed prior to starting the Bridge program, but any outstanding pre-professional requirements must be completed prior to the bachelor’s degree being awarded.

Students must complete a 6 credit hour sequence either in literature (Area II – EH 215 & EH 216, EH 225 & EH 226, or EH 235 & EH 236) or history (Area IV – HY 101 & HY 102 or HY 135 & HY 136)

All undergraduates must complete two designated writing credit (W) courses, at least one of which must be in the student's major or minor.

*Factors that influence required hours include 1) Physics course taken, 2) being exempt from EH 101 based on ACT, 3) whether or not AHP 101 was taken, 4) receiving credit by examination, and 5) if general elective needed to bring total up.

Registered Radiographers wanting to apply to the program must complete a 6-hour bridge course (RAD 491) before enrolling in the professional component. Upon successful completion of the bridge course, 38 semester hours of upper level credit (i.e. credit for the first professional year of the Radiologic Sciences program) will be awarded for the student’s previous radiography training. 
Note: The bridge course is offered once each year during the summer semester. Therefore, students should plan to complete the bridge during the summer prior to their enrollment in the fall semester. Failure to take this course during the first summer term at South could cause delays in fulfilling the graduation requirements within three semesters of one's initial enrollment date.

Upon successful completion of the bridge course, students will choose one of 3 tracks for the Second Professional Year.  

See the latest USA Bulletin to view the USA Tuition and Fee Schedule information.  

Estimated Expenses

• Books
  Approximately $700-800
• Uniforms
  Approximately $250
• Clinical Data System
  One-time payment of $150
• Drug Screen
  Approximately $25
• Background Check
  Varies based on number of prior residences, but approximately $50
• Personal Medical Insurance
  Proof of medical insurance coverage is required of all students who are selected for admission to the program and should be submitted only when requested in the letter of admission. The reason for this requirement is that accidents occurring in the clinical setting, such as an accidental needle stick, require immediate medical attention. In such cases, the student must be prepared to pay for the required services. Therefore, it is necessary for students to carry personal medical insurance throughout the program.
• Housing
  On campus student housing is available as well as many rental homes/apartments in the area. Due to the various types of housing available to students on campus, it is suggested that students contact the Department of Housing for information.
• Transportation
  Students must be prepared to travel up to 90 miles from campus to participate in clinical education experiences.
• Professional Liability Insurance
  Professional Liability Insurance is required as a protective measure in the event a student becomes entangled in a legal suit involving patient care activities within the clinical setting. Professional Liability Insurance is provided by the university as a component of tuition to students accepted into the professional component of the program.

During the professional component, students must be prepared to travel from campus in order to participate in the clinical education component of the curriculum. Classes and clinical assignments are scheduled Monday - Friday throughout the three semester program (Fall, Spring and Summer). Students may be required to attend class on campus and participate in clinical laboratory exercises or clinical education experiences during the same day. Schedules limit the combined hours for clinical education and didactic instruction to not more than 40 hours per week and not more than 10 hours per day. Students are assigned to clinical education rotations 25-35 hours each week during the academic year. Students will be assigned to up to seven different clinical education settings while enrolled, and should be prepared to travel to sites up to 90 miles from campus.

Students may transfer no more than 60 semester hours from a community college.

USA’s Registrar’s Office has created the Transfer Equivalency Tables which allow students to quickly access an unofficial evaluation of how previous credits will be counted at South. If your institution is not listed, please email a PDF of your unofficial transcript to the Registrar’s Office at records@southalabama.edu. Please allow 3-5 business days for the unofficial evaluation to be completed.

Students from area community colleges may be eligible to participate in South’s Pathway USA program which supports a smooth transition for students transferring to South who have earned an Associate in Arts or Associate in Science degree from one of our participating schools. Pathway USA Participants will have access to a South Alabama academic advisor throughout their time at their participating community college. Visit Pathway USA for more information.

Financial Aid is available to students in this category for those who qualify. Visit USA's Financial Aid department for more information.

• Apply to the University of South Alabama
• Bridge Bachelor of Science Application Form
• Radiation Therapy Observation Form - (Track 3 Radiation Therapy Only)
• Course Listing
• Student Reference Manual
• Core Performance Standards