Radiologic Technology

Build Your Future as a Radiologic Technologist

Mission Statement
The Cypress College Department of Radiologic Technology provides a high-quality education that fosters equity and prepares a diverse population of students with the entry-level skills needed to become competent, confident, and fully licensed radiographers.

The program is accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT). The JRCERT is the only agency recognized by the United States Department of Education and the Council on Higher Education Accreditation for the accreditation of traditional and distance delivery educational programs in radiography, radiation therapy, magnetic resonance, and medical dosimetry. The JRCERT awards accreditation to programs demonstrating substantial compliance with the Standards for an Accredited Educational Program in Radiography.

The program qualifies graduates to take the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification exam and prepares them for employment in the field of radiologic technology. Upon passing the ARRT exam and obtaining ARRT credentials, graduates become eligible to apply for both the Certified Radiologic Technologist (CRT) and Fluoroscopic Radiologic Technologist (FRT) certificates through the California Department of Public Health’s Radiologic Health Branch (RHB). The RHB will review the submitted application and supporting documentation, and upon approval, the applicant will be issued both the CRT and FRT certificates.

The Cypress College Radiologic Technology program has been granted an 5-year accreditation by the JRCERT through 2026. Review the JRCERT accreditation letter here.

JRCERT
20 N. Wacker Drive, Suite 2850
Chicago, IL 60606-3182
(312) 704-5300
mail@jrcert.org
http://www.jrcert.org/

PROGRAM GOALS AND STUDENT LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Students will have the knowledge and skills to competently and safely perform radiographic procedures.
- Students will apply positioning skills in all required radiographic examinations.
- Students will select appropriate technical factors for radiographic examinations.
- Students will practice radiation protection for all radiographic examinations.
- Students will employ proper patient care techniques.
Students will develop the skills necessary to communicate effectively.
- Students will demonstrate oral communication skills with doctors and staff technologists.
- Students will demonstrate oral communication skills with patients.
Students will use critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
- Students will be able to relate to and anticipate the needs of the doctors and technologists.
- Students will be able to adjust to changes, situations, patient conditions, and deviation from the normal routine.
Students will evaluate the importance of professional development and growth.
- Students will demonstrate knowledge of ethical requirements for an entry level radiographer along with ethical practices in a healthcare setting.
- Students will understand their professional obligations upon gaining their ARRT status.

Program Effectiveness Data

The following is the most current program effectiveness data. Our programmatic accreditation agency, the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT), defines and publishes this information. Click here to go directly to the JRCERT webpage.

Credentialing Examination: The number of students who pass, on the first attempt, the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification examination, or an unrestricted state licensing examination, compared with the number of graduates who take the examination within six months of graduation. The five-year average benchmark established by the JRCERT is 75%.

Credentialing Examination Rate
Number passed on 1st attempt divided by number attempted within 6 months of graduation

YEAR, RESULTS

Year 1 – 2026, 36 of 36 – 100%

Year 2 – 2025, 33 of 36 – 92%

Year 3 – 2024, 29 of 32 – 91%

Year 4 – 2023, 26 of 29 – 90%

Year 5 – 2022, 31 of 32 – 97%

Program 5-year Average – 94%

155 students passed within six months of graduation.

165 students attempted the exam within six months of graduation.

Job Placement: The number of graduates employed in the radiologic sciences compared to the number of graduates actively seeking employment in the radiologic sciences within 12 months of graduating. The five-year average benchmark established by the JRCERT is 75%.

Job Placement Rate
The number of graduates employed in the radiologic sciences compared to the number of graduates actively seeking employment in the radiologic sciences within 12 months of graduating. The five-year average benchmark established by the JRCERT is 75%.

YEAR, RESULTS

Year 1 – 2025, 32 of 33 – 97%

Year 2 – 2024, 29 of 29 – 100%

Year 3 – 2023, 25 of 26– 96%

Year 4 – 2022, 31 of 31 – 100%

Year 5 – 2021, 33 of 33 – 100%

Program 5-year Average employment rate – 99%

150 students were employed within 12 months of graduation.

152 students were actively seeking employment within 12 months of gradaution.

Program Completion: The number of students who complete the program within the stated program length. The annual benchmark established by the program is 80%.

Program Completion Rate
The number of students who complete the program within the stated program length, excluding those students who leave the program for nonacademic reasons. The annual benchmark established by the program is 80%.

YEAR, RESULTS

Year – 2026, 36 of 36

Annual Completion Rate 100%

Schedule (Clinical Obligations)

Completion of the clinical component may require background checks, drug screening, professional liability documentation, reliable transportation to geographically dispersed clinical sites, and evening and/or weekend assignments. Clinical training takes place at affiliated hospitals, with site assignments determined by the Program Director, Clinical Coordinator, and program faculty. Students do not select their clinical training site.

Affiliated hospitals: Anaheim Global Medical Center, Anaheim Regional Medical Center, UCI Health – Fountain Valley, Hoag Hospital (Irvine and Newport Beach), Kaiser Permanente (Downey and Anaheim), PIH Health Hospital (Downey and Whittier), MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center (Laguna Hills), Providence St. Jude Medical Center (Fullerton), Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center (Los Angeles)

1st Semester (fall): The student attend classes only and do not participate in clinical training.

2nd Semester (spring): The student extern will train either Monday and Thursday or Tuesday and Friday for eight hours each day during the day shift. The specific schedule will be determined by the program’s Clinical Coordinator.

Summer Session: The student intern will participate in full-time clinical training Monday through Friday, with the possibility of evening and weekend shifts. In addition, the student will attend four Thursday class sessions (dates to be announced) from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. for RADT 196, Selected Topics I.

3rd Semester (fall): The student will participate in full-time clinical training Monday through Friday, with the possibility of evening and weekend shifts. Instead of attending class on Thursdays, the student will attend RADT 197, Selected Topics II, once a month on Fridays. A radiation therapy rotation is also scheduled during this semester.

4th Semester (spring): The student will continue full-time clinical training Monday through Friday, with the possibility of evening and weekend shifts. Clinical training will not exceed 40 hours per week, and no more than four Saturday shifts will be assigned during the semester. Evening and weekend schedules will be determined by the Clinical Instructor and approved by the Clinical Coordinator. In accordance with program policy, the student will receive at least three weeks’ notice of any shift changes.

Modality rotations in MRI, CT, nuclear medicine, ultrasound, and angiography will also take place during this semester. RADT 198, Selected Topics III, will be held once a month on Fridays.

Holidays are limited during the clinical internship. The internship consists of 12 months of continuous training, beginning with the summer session and continuing through three semesters, concluding in May. Students do not participate in clinical training when the college campus is closed. The designated holidays and campus closures during which students will not report for clinical training are:

New Year’s Day (January 1)
Martin Luther King Jr. Day (January, Monday)
Lunar New Year (January/February)
Presidents’ Day Weekend (February, Friday and Monday)
Memorial Day (May, Monday)
Juneteenth (June 19)
Independence Day (July 4)
Labor Day (September, Monday)
Veterans Day (November)
Thanksgiving Break (November, Thursday and Friday)
Winter Break (December/January)

Frequently Asked Questions

The program options include an associate degree program with a certificate option. If a student comes into the program with an associate degree or higher, the student may apply for the certificate only.

Once accepted to the program, it takes 21 months. Information workshops are available for students who are interested in getting started in the Radiologic Technology program. These workshops are given by a Health Science counselor who will present information and answer questions. The Health Science Workshop Schedule and Reservations link is located here.

For an in-depth fee overview, please visit the workshop handout link at the top of this page. The unit cost for the associate degree will vary depending upon the number of prerequisites needed. Most students also qualify for some form of financial aid.

Michael Frianeza, Ed.D., CRT, RT(R)(CT)

Dr. Michael Frianeza is a professor and the director of the Radiologic Technology program at Cypress College. With more than 30 years of experience in the medical imaging industry, he has specialized in cardiac catheterization, interventional radiology, and computed tomography. Dr. Frianeza teaches an array of courses in radiology, including radiographic anatomy and physiology, radiologic procedures, patient care, radiobiology and health physics, and venipuncture and pharmacology. He also has an extensive background in healthcare management and has collaborated with several consulting firms to establish cardiovascular intervention labs throughout Southern California. A proud alumnus of Cypress College, Dr. Frianeza graduated from its Radiologic Technology program in 1993. He holds undergraduate degrees in radiologic science and technology, along with graduate and doctoral degrees in healthcare education, leadership, and administration. Dr. Frianeza is licensed by the California Department of Public Health – Radiologic Health Branch and the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists.

Raymond Ranada, Ed.D., CRT, RT(R)

Dr. Raymond Ranada serves as a professor and clinical coordinator for the Radiologic Technology program at Cypress College. With more than 20 years of experience in the medical imaging industry, he brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to his role. Dr. Ranada graduated from Long Beach City College's Diagnostic Medical Imaging program in 2006. He later earned a master’s degree in Radiologic and Imaging Sciences from California State University, Dominguez Hills, and a doctoral degree in Healthcare Education and Leadership from Nebraska Methodist College. As a technologist, Dr. Ranada specialized in cardiac- and neuro-interventional imaging, special procedures, and diagnostic radiography. He is a licensed professional through the California Department of Public Health – Radiologic Health Branch and the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists.

Ryan Gregory Garcia, D.H.Sc., CRT, RT(R)

Dr. Ryan Gregory Garcia serves as an instructor in the Radiologic Technology program at Cypress College. Passionate about radiology, he is committed to continuous learning and professional growth. He graduated from the Radiologic Technology program at Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science and later earned a master’s degree in Radiologic and Imaging Sciences from California State University, Dominguez Hills. He completed his doctoral degree in Health Science with an emphasis in education at the University of the Pacific.

Dan Nguyen, B.S.R.S., CRT, RT(R)(MR)(CT)

Dan Nguyen serves as an instructor in the Radiologic Technology program at Cypress College. With nearly 20 years of experience in medical imaging, his clinical background spans diagnostic radiography, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and interventional radiology. He has served as a clinical instructor and CT chief/coordinator.

Program Mapper: View course options for this program, below.

Radiologic Technology Associate in Science Degree = 94.5 units
(2 years’ time without general education and prerequisites; units without prerequisites but with general education)
Radiologic Technology Certificate = 51.5 units
(2 years’ time without general education and prerequisites; units without prerequisites but with general education)
Imaging Technologist Assistant Certificate= 17 units (1-2 semesters)

This program requires prerequisites and an application. Read more about the program in the links on the top of this page.

Prerequisites include the following classes:

HS or RADT 145C (3.0 units) – Medical Terminology or Medical Imaging Terminology
BIOL 210C OR 231C (5.0/4.0 units) – Anatomy & Physiology OR Anatomy (combined or separate with a lab component)
RADT 142C (4.0 units) – Radiologic Electronics
RADT 146C (4.0 units) – Introduction to Radiography
MATH (3.0-4.0 units) – Any Math meeting GE requirements

Please consider attending an information workshop about Cypress College Health Science Programs. The Health Science Workshop Schedule and Reservations flyer is here.