Philadelphia School of Radiologic Technology

The Philadelphia School of Radiologic Technology at St. Christopher's Hospital for Children is a Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT) accredited, 23-month, full-time certificate program that begins the first week of August. Program graduates are eligible for American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) Certification.

Radiologic technologists perform an important function in the rapidly growing branch of medicine known as radiology. They are assistants to physicians who specialize in the use of X-rays and other forms of radiation to diagnose and treat diseases and injuries. As part of the radiologic team, technologists perform a vital role in a science dedicated to saving lives and alleviating human suffering.

On this page, you will find program effectiveness data, an application packet, application to the program, as well as information on policies, tuition and associated fees, the curriculum, courses, and graduation requirements. For more information, please contact Program Director Cecile Williams at 215-427-6751 or at Cecile.Williams@towerhealth.org.

Radiologic Technology Program Mission

Our mission is to educate and equip students with skills essential for employing best practices in radiation protection for imaging examinations. Our graduates will demonstrate competence and compassion as safety focused entry-level graduates who meet and exceed requirements.

Goal 1: Students will be clinically competent.

Student Learning Outcomes:

• Students will apply positioning skills.
• Students will select appropriate technical factors.
• Students will utilize radiation protection.

Goal 2: Students will practice ARRT Code of Ethics.

Student Learning Outcomes:

• Student will exhibit Professionalism at all times.
• Student will perform using Ethical Patient care skills.

Goal 3: Students will use problem solving and critical thinking skills.

Student Learning Outcomes:

• Students choose technical factors for non-routine examinations.
• Students will adapt positioning skills to accommodate non-routine examinations.

Goal 4: Students will demonstrate effective communication skills.

Student Learning Outcomes:

• Students will be able to explain procedures to staff, patients, and family members.
• Students will practice effective written communication skills.

Goal 5: Graduate completing the program within the 23 month time frame will be adequately prepared to take ARRT examination.

Student Learning Outcomes:

• Students will pass the ARRT Certification Examination 1st attempt.
• Students pursuing employment will be gainfully employed within six months of graduation.
• Graduation (retention) rates will meet or exceed program standards.

Goal 6: Demonstrate program satisfaction for didactic education and clinical performance.

Student Learning Outcomes:

• Employers indicate satisfaction with graduate’s performances.
• Graduates will be satisfied with didactic education and curriculum structure.
• Graduates will be satisfied with clinical education.

For more information, view the Philadelphia School of Radiologic Technology at St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children's Student Handbook.

Program Effectiveness Data

Most current program effectiveness data for the Philadelphia School of Radiologic is mandated by the accreditation agency, the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT), to define and ensure program publication of Program Effectiveness Data annually on websites for transparency and public knowledge.

• Number of graduates in 2023 were four.
• Number of current students nine.
• Number of new enrollments 11.
• Total current student number 20.

Job Placement Rate – Defined as the number of graduates employed in the discipline within one year of graduation. Graduates have one year in the state of Pennsylvania to pass licensing examination.

• 54/58 = 93% average 5 years.
• The five-year average benchmark established by the JRCERT is 75%.

Program Completion Rate – Defined as the number of students completing the program within 150% of the program length of 23 months. The program calculated the five (5) year completion rate is 62/66=94%.

The annual benchmark is 75% established by the Program and calculated as 4/5= 80%.

Credentialing Examination Pass Rate – A total of fifty-eight (58) graduates took the ARRT examination; of that number forty-seven (47) passed the examination on the first attempt within 6 months of graduation. 47/58 = 81% average 5 years.

The five-year average benchmark established by the JRCERT is 75%.

• Program completion rate is defined as the number of students who complete the program within 150% of the stated program length.
• Credentialing examination pass rate is defined as the number of student graduates who pass, on first attempt, the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification examination.
• Job placement rate is defined as the number of graduates employed in the discipline compared to the number of graduates actively seeking employment in the discipline. The JRCERT has defined not actively seeking employment as:

1. Graduate fails to communicate with program officials regarding employment status after multiple attempts
2. Graduate is unwilling to seek employment that requires relocation
3. Graduate is unwilling to accept employment due to salary or hours
4. Graduate is on active military duty, and/or
5. Graduate is continuing education.

Application Procedures

In order to be considered for the program you must:

• Complete and sign the (SCHC) Philadelphia School of Radiologic Technology Application Form.
• Provide two signed letters of recommendation from a counselor, teacher or non-family member.
• Have official transcript with a 2.8 minimum GPA mailed to the school office. (All transcripts must be in a sealed envelope).
  • Transcript must have document pre-requisites acquired within the past ten (10) years.
  • All applicants must have an associate degree or higher upon entry into the program.
    • Applicants in the process of acquiring an associate degree must have completed all degree requirements by May of the application year. Send an updated transcript verifying degree completion.
    • Applicants in 2+2 programs must complete all required core courses for their degree from the university before applying to the SCHC School of Radiologic Technology.
    • Applicants acquiring an associate degree (not finished) may be considered for the next year's class when placement is available, and degree has been successfully completed.
  • Submit the completed application before the deadline of February 28, in order to be considered for that year.
    • A non-refundable application fee of $25.00 check or money order must accompany the application when submitted to the school.

Return the application to:
Philadelphia School of Radiologic Technology at St. Christopher's Hospital for Children
160 East Erie Ave.
Philadelphia, PA 19134

Admission Procedures

Program prerequisites:

• Anatomy and Physiology I and II
• Chemistry or Physics
• Biology
• College Algebra

Admission to the radiography program is selective and interested students must follow the application procedure as follows:

• Individuals interested in the radiography program must complete an application; provide an official college/s transcript/s.
• The applicant will be contacted in writing concerning the status of the application (complete or incomplete).
• Upon completion of the admission interview, the Admission Committee will review and score all applications.
• The Radiologic Technology Program Admissions Committee consists of the following members:
  • Radiology Administrative Director
  • Program Director
  • Designated Faculty
  • Designated Clinical Instructors
• The Radiography Program Admission Committee reviews candidate's application with particular attention to:
  • Strength of college grades and GPA 2.8.
  • Community service, work experience and extracurricular activities.
• The applicant is notified in writing, between March 1st and March 31, concerning the decision of the Admission Committee.
• Upon acceptance into the program:
  • The student must pay $700.00 acceptance deposit that will be applied towards tuition. This may be paid in two deposits - $350.00 upon acceptance then, $350.00 thirty days later.
  • The student must provide proof of health insurance, which will be monitored bi-annually.
  • The student will be required to have a physical performed at St. Christopher's Hospital.
  • The student must provide documentation of up to date immunizations, recent PPD, and Hepatitis-B Vaccine.
• The Program begins in August of each year.

Tuition and Fees

Anticipated Tuition and Expenses for 2022- 2024

Please note: there is currently no Financial Aid.

The tuition and expenses listed above do not include transportation, housing, or meals.

Program Refund Policy

If written notification of cancellation is submitted to the Program Director two weeks prior to the program start date, a fifty percent (50%) refund of the $700 advanced tuition fee will be refunded. No refunds will be issued following a two-week enrollment period.

Program Transfer Policy

A student requesting transfer into the program from another radiography program must complete the following tasks:

1. Submit an application and all transcripts three months prior to the requested entering semester.
   1. Will only be exempted from courses determined to be equivalent in content to course in the St. Christopher's Hospital School of Radiologic Technology.
2. Complete a minimum of one year in the St. Christopher's Hospital School of Radiologic Technology.
3. Submit a letter of recommendation from the Program Director from the school in which the transfer is being made prior to acceptance into St. Christopher's Hospital School of Radiologic Technology.