Radiography

Certificate programs

Want to earn CE credit or specialty credentials? Our certificate programs will prepare you for ARRT credentialing exams in computed tomography, magnetic resource imaging, vascular interventional technology or cardiac interventional radiography.

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Advanced practice training

University of Missouri Radiography certificate programs are designed to provide the necessary knowledge to obtain ARRT credentials through the post-primary pathway in these specialty areas of imaging. All the didactic courses in the program are offered online, so you can conveniently take the courses right where you are, while receiving the personal attention you would receive in a regular classroom.

Prior completion of an ARRT-approved supporting category credential is required to pursue professional certification. In some cases, however, you can earn your supporting category credential through another organization.

Technologists who complete the certificate program(s) will have mastered the discipline specific knowledge necessary to sit for the corresponding ARRT certification exam(s); however, the individual will still need to gain the necessary clinical experience and required competencies to be eligible to sit for the ARRT exam.

Continuing Education / Structured Education Credit

Certificate courses meet ARRT Continuing Education Credit requirements at a rate of 16 CEU’s per credit hour. All courses have been evaluated for ARRT structured education credit and exceed the total number of credits required for the associated ARRT post-primary exams. A breakdown of the structured education credit assignment is provided in each course syllabus.

Certificates available

Computed tomography (CT), or CAT scan, is a medical imaging modality that provides physicians with cross-sectional images of the body. Using X-rays and specialized computers, images are obtained that demonstrate internal anatomical features. This is accomplished by rotating a thin X-ray beam around the body part to be visualized. Computed tomography images aid in the diagnosis of pathological conditions that are difficult to evaluate through conventional radiography.

Course work

To obtain the certificate in CT, each student must take the following:

  • RA_SCI 4110 Sectional Anatomy (Fall Semester only)
    (3 credits)
    A study of sectional anatomy intended to relate the anatomy to structures demonstrated on images from computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging and diagnostic ultrasound.
  • RA_SCI 4150 Computed Tomography: Physics and Procedures (Spring Semester only)
    (6 credits)
    Computed tomography imaging fundamentals, applications, instrumentation, physical principles. Applied concepts regarding patient care and CT imaging procedures.
    Pre-requisite: RA SCI 4110 Sectional Anatomy
  • RA SCI 4946 Advanced Medical Imaging Externship (optional) (Summer/Fall/Spring)
    (3 credits)
    Supervised clinical experience in a medical imaging specialty with emphasis on patient care and technical practice.
    Pre-requisite: Ra Sci 4150 Computed Tomography: Physics and Procedures
Admissions requirements

Eligible technologists hold supporting category credentials in Radiologic Technologists, Nuclear Medicine Technologists, and/or Radiation Therapists who are registered by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) and/or the Nuclear Medicine Technologists Certification Board (NMTCB)*.

*All non-ARRT registered applicants should check with the program prior to submitting application materials.

Interventional Radiography is a medical imaging modality that assists physicians with minimally invasive, image-guided procedures to help diagnose and treat heart and blood vessel diseases without surgery. Using sophisticated fluoroscopic equipment, technologists obtain images that demonstrate the heart and blood vessels and assist with procedures such as angioplasty, stenting, thrombolysis, embolization, ablation and biopsies. This certificate will prepare the student for the ARRT certification exams in Cardiac Interventional Radiography and Vascular Interventional Radiography, and/or the Cardiovascular Credentialing International exams for Registered Cardiovascular Invasive Specialists (RCIS) and Registered Cardiac Electrophysiology Specialists (RCES).

Course work

To obtain the certificate in Interventional Radiography, each student must take the following:

  • RA_SCI 4110 Sectional Anatomy (Fall Semester only)
    (3 credits)
    A study of sectional anatomy intended to relate the anatomy to structures demonstrated on images from computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging and diagnostic ultrasound.
  • RA_SCI 4170 Cardiac Interventional Radiography (Spring Semester only)
    (3 credits)
    This course addresses patient care, pharmacology, radiation safety, image acquisition, equipment, devices and procedural considerations essential to the performance of advanced Cardiac Interventional radiographic procedures.
  • RA_SCI 4160 Vascular Interventional Radiography (Spring Semester only)
    (3 credits)
    This course is designed to provide students with a strong academic introduction to diagnostic and interventional procedures performed in the interventional radiology suite. Specifically, this course addresses patient care, pharmacology, radiation safety, image acquisition, equipment, devices, and procedural considerations essential to the performance of advanced Vascular Interventional radiographic procedures.
  • RA SCI 4946 Advanced Medical Imaging Externship (optional, Summer/Fall/Spring)
    (3 credits)
    Supervised clinical experience in a medical imaging specialty with an emphasis on patient care and technical practice.
    Pre-requisite: RA_SCI 4160 Vascular Interventional Radiography or RA_SCI 4170 Cardiac Interventional Radiography
Admission requirements

Eligible technologists hold supporting category credentials in Radiologic Technologists, Nuclear Medicine Technologists, and/or Radiation Therapists who are registered by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT), and/or the Nuclear Medicine Technologists Certification Board (NMTCB)*.

*All non-ARRT registered applicants should check with the program prior to submitting application materials.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is a medical imaging modality that provides physicians with sectional images of a patient´s anatomy. This advanced technology uses a magnetic field and radio waves to access the inner workings of the body. The pictures produced by MRI help the physician to clearly and accurately detect and define the differences between healthy and diseased tissues.

Course work

To obtain the certificate in MRI, each student must take the following:

  • RA_SCI 4110 Sectional Anatomy (Fall Semester only)
    (3 credits)
    A study of sectional anatomy intended to relate the anatomy to structures demonstrated on images from computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging and diagnostic ultrasound.
  • RA_SCI 4140 Magnetic Resonance Imaging: Physics and Procedures (Spring Semester only)
    (6 credits)
    Magnetic Resonance imaging fundamentals, applications, instrumentation, physical principles. Basic imaging concepts include positioning, scanning protocols, contrast imaging, anatomy review, and pathological considerations.
    Pre-requisite: RA SCI 4110 Sectional Anatomy
  • RA SCI 4946 Advanced Medical Imaging Externship (optional) (Summer/Fall/Spring)
    (3 credits)
    Supervised clinical experience in a medical imaging specialty with an emphasis on patient care and technical practice.
    Pre-requisite: Ra_Sci 4110 Magnetic Resonance Imaging: Physics and Procedures
Admission requirements

Eligible technologists hold supporting category credentials in Radiologic Technologists, Nuclear Medicine Technologists, Sonography and/or Radiation Therapists who are registered by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT), The American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) and/or the Nuclear Medicine Technologists Certification Board (NMTCB)*.

*All non-ARRT registered applicants should check with the program prior to submitting application materials.

Program cycle

Currently, the certificate programs start fall semester. Sectional Anatomy is offered each fall semester while the Advanced Imaging courses are offered every spring semester. The Advanced Medical Imaging Externship (optional) is typically taken the summer following the completion of the Advanced Medical Imaging coursework, although some students choose to start the Externship during the spring semester, after beginning their Advanced Imaging coursework.

Tuition and fees

Courses are 100% online and offered through Missouri Online.

Missouri Online tuition & fees

Admissions requirements

See individual certificate programs above for admissions requirements.

Application deadline

Students may apply at any time. It is recommended to apply prior to June 1 to allow for processing through Missouri Online and the Radiography Program prior to starting in the following fall semester.

Application process

Contact the program director, Carla Allen, PhD, RT(R)(CT), before beginning the application process.

  1. Apply to the University of Missouri-Columbia through Missouri Online as an undergraduate non-degree seeking student.
  2. Complete the certificate program application and return via mail, email or fax.
    • Mail:
      Advanced Medical Imaging Programs
      Radiography Program, University of Missouri
      605 Lewis Hall
      Columbia, MO 65211
    • Email: radsci@missouri.edu
    • Fax: 573-884-1490
  3. Submit the application fee for the certificate program
    • Check or Money Order made out to the University of Missouri
    • Pay online by credit card. Select RS Application Fee (degree completion).