Becoming an American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certified radiographer requires a formal education process. Most radiography educational programs are sponsored by community colleges, although a few are sponsored by hospitals.

The AC program, like most other college-based programs, consists of a minimum of two full academic years of study.  Courses are divided into three groups:

1. General Academic (non-radiography) Courses

2. Health Science Career Cluster Core Courses
3. Major (radiography) Courses

The Major Courses are further divided into two groups:

1. Lecture/Lab Courses (completed on AC campuses)
2. Practicum Courses (completed at the medical affiliate sites)

It is possible to complete any or all of the required general academic courses and cluster core courses in advance of entering the medical portion (major courses) of the program. There are two strong advantages to this approach. First, entry into the program is highly competetive. Applicant acceptance is point-based. Points are earned in a variety of ways with the greatest number of points awarded for completing the required general academic courses, the cluster core and one RADR course that do not have prerequisites. A second advantage to completing the basic courses early is that each future semester course load will be "lighter" once the student is accepted into the program. Even with these two important advantages, taking all of the general academic courses in advance of the major courses is NOT absolutely required.

The AC Radiography curriculum contains six practicum courses (one for each of six semesters). During these practicum courses, the student radiographer will be assigned in affiliated radiology departments performing x-ray procedures on "live" patients. A typical first year practicum course requires the student to be “on duty” about sixteen hours per week on Tuesdays and Thursdays. When the student advances into the second year practicum courses, the weekly time commitment increases to about twenty-five hours per week performed on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. The total clock hour commitment for all six practicum courses totals about 1,700 hours distributed over the six semesters.  Clincial hours begin between 7 am and 8:30 am depending on the clincial site.  Students are not normally required to earn practicum hours on Saturdays, Sundays, or holidays. Some early evening duty hours are required.  It is important that the student have a reliable means of transportation to regularly attend practicum assignments.

In addition to the practicum course component, there is also the more traditional  learning component that takes place in on-campus lecture rooms and laboratories. Amarillo College has an on-campus energized radiology facility consisting of three exposure rooms, each equipped with functional x-ray equipment, including the newest digital technology. In addition, students have laboratory access to numerous accessory equipment items used routinely in many radiology departments (e.g. radiation safety; quality control; special procedures, etc.).  It is very important that the student have a reliable means of transportation to regularly attend on-campus and laboratory sessions.

A complete list of all program required courses can be seen on the CURRICULUM page.