ETSU online radiologic science program ranked No. 3 in nation

Published 3:08 pm Tuesday, July 7, 2020

JOHNSON CITY – East Tennessee State University is ranked No. 3 in a listing of “Best Online Radiology Tech Programs for 2020” (four-year schools category) released by EduMed.org.

The ETSU Online Radiologic Science degree completion program is designed for working radiologic professionals with an associate of applied science (A.A.S.) degree in radiologic science. This fully online bachelor of science program offers the opportunity for radiographers to obtain their B.S. degree by using more of their A.A.S. hours than would normally transfer to a four-year institution.

“There is an increasing demand for radiologic technologists with baby boomers retiring, cross-training in the advanced modalities and the increase in outpatient imaging centers,” said Dr. Ester Verhovsek, chair of ETSU’s Department of Allied Health Sciences.

A registered radiologic technologist has a number of career options such as computed tomography (CT), nuclear resonance imaging (MRI), mammography, ultrasonography, radiation therapy, nuclear medicine, PET, interventional radiography or special procedures.

“ETSU’s program increases graduates’ mobility into leadership positions in their respective professions,” Verhovsek said.

Graduates accept positions in community colleges as clinical instructors, clinical coordinators and program directors. Some radiographers want to teach as adjuncts and now have the advanced degree to interact with students in a classroom or laboratory setting. Graduates also accept administrative positions in hospitals and outpatient health care facilities.

Some program graduates have also used this degree to further their education as physician assistants (PAs) or radiologist assistants (RAs), or to obtain master’s degrees in education or administration.

Edu.Med.org data scientists analyzed government higher education data and created an algorithm to rank each U.S. postsecondary institution and its online programs using five primary factors: cost, online program availability, academic counseling, career placement and students with institutional aid.

“In addition to scoring well in the criteria that were used for this ranking, we are extremely proud of our faculty and small class sizes, which allow the students to interact with their professors one-on-one,” said Dr. Don Samples, dean of the College of Clinical and Rehabilitative Health Sciences. “This is one of the hallmarks of our nationally recognized program.”

The full rankings are available at www.edumed.org/online-schools/radiology-tech-programs.

To learn more about ETSU’s Online Radiologic Science degree completion program, visit www.etsu.edu/online/undergraduate-degrees/radiologic-science.php.