Radiologic Technology AAS

At NYSCAS, you'll be ready for an in-demand career as a radiologic technologist in just 21 months. You'll gain the skills to capture diagnostic images like X-rays, CT scans, and mammograms while working with patients and healthcare teams.

By graduation, you'll be ready to earn your license and join a well-paid field with lots of job openings. Radiologic technologists in New York City earn about $94,000 to $100,000 a year, with some employers offering signing bonuses up to $15,000.

What is Radiography?

Radiography uses equipment that produces x-rays to create images of the human body. As a radiographer you will be a valuable member of the health care team, working on the latest technology for patient care. You will be a member of the growing profession in medical imaging that provides the care that leads to diagnosis and treatment of patients.

Build Your Career in Just 21 Months

In less than two years, you can go from novice to licensed radiologic technologist. The curriculum for NYSCAS’ 21-month associate degree combines intensive coursework with over 1,000 hours of clinical experience at more than 40 healthcare facilities.

Your path will include:

• Learning physics, anatomy, and imaging techniques.
• Practicing in our fully-equipped X-ray labs.
• Learning patient care skills
• Gaining hands-on experience through clinical rotations.
• Preparing for the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification exam.
• Qualifying for New York State licensure.
• The option to pursue additional certifications such as CT, MRI, and mammography.

This fast track to a rewarding career means you can command a good salary while others are still in school — and many employers will even pay for you to get additional training once you're working.

With ARRT certification, you can work in any state and pursue specialized credentials that can boost your salary.

Radiography vs. Sonography: Choosing Your Imaging Career Path

Both radiography and sonography offer rewarding careers in medical imaging, but there are some key differences. Here's how they compare:

Time required for training:

• Radiography at NYSCAS takes 21 months full-time.
• Sonography at NYSCAS takes 21 months full-time.

Technology and techniques:

• Radiography uses radiation (X-rays) to create images of the body’s internal structures.
• Sonography uses high-frequency sound waves (ultrasound) to produce images without radiation exposure.

Roles and responsibilities:

• Radiographic technologists work with doctors to capture specific images following standard protocols. This requires precision in setting up equipment and helping patients stay in the right position.
• Sonographers work with doctors to create diagnostic images, often making decisions about which views to capture during an examination based on what they observe.

Skills and talents:

• Radiologic technologists are tech savvy, enjoy a faster pace and are adept at operating complex imaging equipment. You’ll need good spatial orientation to position patients correctly and a strong understanding of physics concepts.
• Sonographers piece together a puzzle. You need to visualize and mentally reconstruct 3D structures from 2D images, have a good eye for detail, and a strong understanding of anatomy.

Physical considerations:

• Radiography involves moving and positioning patients and equipment, with attention to radiation safety protocols.
• Sonography requires sustained physical exertion during scanning.

Career specialization:

• Radiography graduates can get additional certifications in CT, MRI, mammography or interventional procedures.
• Sonography graduates can get specialized credentials in vascular, breast, cardiac or pediatric sonography.

Work environments:

• Both fields offer opportunities in hospitals, outpatient centers, doctor’s offices, urgent care centers, and specialty clinics.
• Radiography includes potential work in sports medicine, emergency care, surgical suites, and industrial or research settings.
• Sonography exams often involve extended time with patients, particularly in obstetric, cardiac and vascular studies.

Salary range:

• Both radiography and sonography offer competitive salaries, starting in the high five figures.
• Compensation for both varies based on experience, specialization, shift differentials and workplace setting.

Job outlook:

• According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs in radiography and sonography are on track to grow faster than average in the coming decade,.
• There are plenty of job opportunities in the New York City area for well-trained professionals in both specialties.

The bottom line:

The right choice for you depends on your strengths, interests and goals. Consider speaking with NYSCAS medical imaging faculty about which path best aligns with your career plans.

Clinical Rotations: Hands-on Training at Real Hospitals

The radiography program’s clinical focus is a critical aspect of your training, taking you to 42 partner facilities across the New York metro area. You’ll get to learn at major teaching hospitals, specialized imaging centers and everything in between. You'll work with actual patients and gain insights from professional radiologic technologists who will guide your learning. You can expect:

• Two clinical days a week with one-to-one supervision in your first year.
• Three clinical days a week with increasing independence in your second year.
• Multiple rotations through different departments and specialties.
• Direct experience with X-rays, CT scans, mammography, and more.

By graduation, you'll be performing examinations confidently and feel prepared for your first day on the job. If you’re like most students, you’ll accept your diploma with an offer already in hand from one of the clinical supervisors who mentored you.

Course Spotlight: Making Physics Fun

In this core class, what students often fear becomes their favorite subject. Physics at NYSCAS links complex concepts to real life — from understanding how electricity powers your home to learning why X-rays require precise voltage control.

You'll discover how:

• Electrical knowledge explains how X-ray machines work.
• Physics principles are linked to patient safety.
• Scientific understanding improves image quality.
• Technical concepts apply to daily patient care.

What You'll Learn (and When You'll Learn It)

NYSCAS professors have been where you are now — and they know how to plan your educational path to connect the basic science you’ll need with the hands-on experience that builds confidence.

The program intentionally progresses from foundational knowledge to complex skill-building, with lots of support along the way.

First semester: Build your foundation

• General education and healthcare fundamentals.
• Vital signs and patient care basics.
• Introduction to radiographic principles.
• Preparation for clinical sites.

Core curriculum: Master the technical skills

• Medical terminology and anatomy.
• Physics made practical (electricity, radiation safety).
• Patient positioning and imaging techniques.
• Pathology and disease recognition.

Clinical experience: Apply your skills

• Routine radiography for diagnostics.
• Trauma and emergency imaging.
• Specialized procedures like mammography and fluoroscopy.
• Optional rotations in CT, MRI, ultrasound, and nuclear medicine.

Final semester: Prepare for certification

• Comprehensive exam review for ARRT certification.
• Advanced clinical rotations.
• Mock interviews and career coaching.
• National certification exam and licensure prep.

Student Spotlight: Alexandra Grows Her Career Prospects and Her Family at the Same Time

At 30, Alexandra left her 11-year career as a hairstylist for better work-life balance and a meaningful career in radiologic technology. She also enrolled at NYSCAS just as she was starting a family. "While making a career change at 30 scared me, I knew I wanted to pursue a job in the medical field," she says.

Despite becoming a mother in the middle of her program, she thrived academically with strong support from faculty and family. Her advice to others considering a career change: "There is never a good time to make a big change, and it's the hardest thing you'll ever do. But don't just pick any career — analyze the opportunities available in that field."

Faculty Spotlight: MD Expertise Meets MRI Mastery

Dr. Ibrahim Ghattas brings both medical training and specialized MRI expertise to his teaching at NYSCAS.

As a certified MRI technologist and an internal medicine physician, he offers students a unique perspective that bridges medicine and technology. Dr. Ghattas teaches courses like:

• MRI physics and related sciences
• Patient care protocols
• Cross-sectional anatomy
• Interventional radiology
• Cardiac electrophysiology and cardiovascular intervention technology

His dual background helps students understand how radiographic technology integrates with medical practice, preparing them for collaborative healthcare roles.

Careers Spotlight: Opportunities Beyond the Hospital

About 90% of NYSCAS graduates work in hospitals and imaging centers. But radiography skills can also open doors to interesting careers such as:

• Sports medicine technologist, working with college and pro teams.
• Travel technologist, earning $5,000-6,000 a month with postings in different cities, states, and regions.
• Industrial radiographer, examining oil pipelines or authenticating artwork.
• TSA imaging specialist, screening travelers and their belongings at airports.
• Cruise ship medical radiographer, working with patients at sea.
• PACS administrator, managing hospital imaging systems.
• Equipment manufacturer representative
• An imaging informatics professional

Many graduates also advance to:

• CT, MRI, or mammography specialization (additional training of 5 weeks to several months)
• Leadership roles in healthcare facilities
• Medical or nursing school

Alumni Spotlight: From the Classroom to the NFL Sidelines

Adam arrived in the radiography program knowing he loved sports but wasn't sure that there were opportunities in radiography that would fit with his passion. From the first time he sat down with his professors to talk about career paths, he shared his dream of combining his interests. When he graduated, that dream became reality: He went directly to work as a radiologic technologist with a national league sports team, traveling with the team across the country. At games, he works with the medical team using portable digital imaging equipment to X-ray players' injuries right on the field. “It’s my dream job,” he says, “and NYSCAS made it possible.”