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Pursuing a bachelor’s degree in radiologic technology instead of just an associate degree offers several benefits.
Radiologic technology, or rad tech, programs nationwide saw an 11 percent surge in enrollment in 2024. No doubt the uptick is thanks to, at least in part, the attractive salary a rad tech position carries. The median pay for the position is more than $76,000, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and, according to the American Society of Radiologic Technologists, salaries for the field have been trending upwards since 2022.
Concordia University, with its campuses in Mequon, Wisconsin and Ann Arbor, Michigan, offers an innovative route to a bachelor’s degree in radiologic technology. The program is a 2+2 offering, which means you’ll spend the first two years completing prerequisite classes through Concordia (either in person or online) before applying for placement into a JRCERT-accredited partner program. The second two years then consist of didactic and clinical coursework, largely at the individual’s placement site.
While a person can become credentialed in radiologic technology through a variety of educational pathways, a bachelor’s degree might be the better option for the future-focused individual. Here’s why:
Advanced Knowledge and Skills
A bachelor’s degree typically provides more in-depth coursework and training, creating a strong foundation to build the advanced skills needed for imaging professionals. This deeper knowledge can make you more versatile in the field.
Greater Career Opportunities
With a bachelor’s degree, you may have access to more job opportunities, including roles in management, education, and specialized imaging fields. Employers often look for candidates with higher education for positions with more responsibilities, such as supervisory or lead technologist roles.
Opportunity for Advancement
A bachelor’s degree can lead to higher-paying positions. Because you’ll be qualified for more advanced roles, employers are often willing to offer better compensation packages to those with a higher level of education. With a bachelor’s degree, you may be eligible to move into supervisory, management, or even teaching positions in radiologic technology. This degree can also serve as a stepping stone if you later want to pursue a graduate degree in healthcare or related fields.
Pathway to Specialization
A bachelor’s degree can provide opportunities to specialize in areas such as MRI, CT, mammography, or even interventional radiology. Specializations can lead to more job opportunities and increased earning potential.
Increased clinical placement partnerships
Between Concordia’s Mequon and Ann Arbor campuses, the university partners with six JRCERT-accredited programs, including Froedtert, Advocate Aurora, Ascension All Saints, and Ascension St. Joseph in Wisconsin, and Henry Ford Providence and Henry Ford St. John in Michigan.
Regardless of the state in which they are based while they complete the prerequisite portion of the program, all CUWAA students are eligible to apply to any of the partner programs. This maximizes placement opportunities for candidates. In the past, Concordia rad tech grads have stood out among their competition by successfully securing a majority of the placement opportunities available.
Transferable Skills
A bachelor’s degree can also help you develop transferable skills, such as critical thinking, leadership, and communication, which can be beneficial in other healthcare roles or if you decide to transition to a related field later in your career.
Want in?
Concordia’s Radiologic Technology Bachelor of Science major will not only prepare you for a career in the growing field of radiologic technology, it will also set you up for future growth and upward mobility. With residential campuses in both Wisconsin and Michigan, Concordia University offers ample opportunities for clinical placements. Apply at either campus!