Application Procedures

Thank you for your interest in St. Mary's Medical Center/MU School of Medical Imaging. Radiography is a very exciting and dynamic field that offers a wonderful blend of technology and patient interaction. The field also offers many career advancement opportunities in the areas of CT, MRI, mammography, ultrasound, nuclear medicine, radiation oncology and cardiovascular imaging.

The SMMC SOMI radiography program is a four year program and is accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology. Please be advised that the radiography program is selective in its admission practices and can only offer a limited number of spaces to applicants each year. Acceptance into the program is contingent upon a negative drug screening and a clear background check before the start of the first semester. The program reserves the right to request random drug screenings after admittance. Note: students interested in the sonography track should also look at the sonography admission process link located on this page.

There is a $30 non-refundable application fee. We accept applications from January 1 to May 5 of each year. The application process must be completed by May 5th of the year you are applying for admission.

Again, thank you for your interest in the program.

Download Application Technical Standards Form

Students must apply to and be accepted into the Marshall University College of Health Professions. Acceptance into the COHP does not guarantee acceptance into the SOMI. Separate application is made to SMMC SOMI between January 1 and May 5th of each year.

Applications along with a Technical Standards Declaration (see Technical Standards below) may be downloaded and submitted electronically to Deborah.Moore@st-marys.org. The application fee can be paid by credit card by contacting the St. Mary’s Accounting Department at 304.526.8932

Alternatively, applications and the fee in the form of check or money order can be mailed to:

St Mary’s Medical Center School of Medical Imaging
2900 First Avenue
Huntington, WV 25701

In addition to the application and technical standards form, we require a copy of high school transcripts and all college transcripts. Transcripts may be delivered electronically to Deborah.Moore@st-marys.org or mailed. We recommend requesting electronic delivery.

In addition to transcripts we require verification of ACT scores.  A minimum ACT score of 19 on composite, math and science will improve an applicant's chances of being accepted into the program.

Minimum requirements for consideration are:

  1. High school diploma or successful completion of the GED.
  2. A minimum of 18 college credits (100 level courses or higher) from a regionally accredited institution must be completed or in progress prior to applying to the program.
  3. A minimum overall GPA of 2.50 must be obtained on all college level courses. A minimum GPA of 2.50 must be obtained on all math and science courses.
  4. A letter grade of "C" or better must be obtained in each of the following Marshall University courses designated with an asterisk * (or equivalent courses from other institutions). Any substitution or variation of pre-requisite coursework requires special permission of Program Director.
    1. MAT 121 or higher College Algebra*
    2. PHY 101 Introductory Physics (or higher)*
    3. PHY 101L Physics Lab*
    4. BSC 227 Human Anatomy*
    5. BSC 228 Human Physiology*
    6. CLS 105 Medical Terminology
    7. Communications (the communication skills requisite may be met by a variety of courses, including English, speech of composition)
  5. Professional observation within a hospital radiography department is recommended, but not required. Please contact 304.526.8328 if you wish to do observation at SMMC. Observation depends upon hospital visitation policy which is subject to change pending Covid-19 parameters.  It is highly recommended that interested applicants review information on the American Society of Radiologic Technologists web page about the field of medical imaging. asrt.org 

ACCEPTANCE PROCESS

Applicants are scored and ranked based on overall college GPA, course grades in prerequisite courses and selected additional science course work (e.g., cell biology, general or organic chemistry) and high school GPA or GED scores. Applicants who submit ACT scores will receive extra points for scores of 19 or greater on the composite, math, science and verbal components. Students who took the SAT rather than the ACT will have the math and over all scores converted to ACT values.

Positions are offered to the top twenty-four applicants based on total points; however, the SOMI reserves the right to conduct personal interviews to assist in candidate selection. Remaining applicants comprise the alternate list for that year's admission. Alternates may be selected up to the beginning of the fall term.

Students accepted into the program that wish to pursue the sonography track, may make separate application to the sonography track at the conclusion of the sophomore year. The number of students accepted into sonography is limited. If the number of interested students exceeds the available slots, admission will be based first on MI coursework GPA. If there are ties then course grades in prerequisite sciences and MU GPA will be the determining factors. The deadline for application is April 1. See the Sonography Link for additional information.

TECHNICAL STANDARDS

Technical standards are those standards or abilities that a student must possess to be successful in this profession. All applicants are required to sign a Technical Standards Review Declaration Form to be submitted with application form.

Part of the training in radiologic technology/sonography involves working one on one with patients. Student technologists are responsible for the safety and well-being of their patients while performing examinations. The students will also be manipulating equipment where the potential injury to the patient and student is present.

Motor Skills: must be able to

  1. extend the hands and arms in any direction
  2. hold, grasp and turn with the hands
  3. safely lift, manipulate and use equipment
  4. reach up to six feet off the floor
  5. have the ability to coordinate eyes, hands and feet rapidly and accurately
  6. lift 30-35 lbs. waist high
  7. push and pull at least 100 lbs

Visual Acuity: must have/ be able to

  1. sufficient far vision to see objects beyond 20 feet
  2. sufficient near vision to see objects within 20 inches
  3. depth perception
  4. see in all directions
  5. observe and evaluate changes in the patient or equipment

Communication Ability: must be able to

  1. perceive the nature of sounds through hearing
  2. be able to speak, hear and observe patients
  3. express and exchange information through written and verbal communication

Behavioral Skills: must be able to:

  1. function effectively under stress
  2. establish sensitive and cooperative relations with patients and co-workers
  3. adapt to changing environment