How to Apply
When it comes to applicants, we look at more than test scores and grades. While those numbers are important, we also care about your career aspirations and goals. We’ve designed this program to have three pathways to admission. This application pathways infographic details the possible pathways. Discover what comes next on your path to becoming a radiologic technologist.
Enrollment options
Affiliated bachelor's degree options
Students seeking a bachelor’s degree are eligible to apply to the Radiography Program after completing the required coursework at one of our affiliated academic institutions. We’ve worked with the below affiliated institutions to ensure you’re getting the exact prerequisite education you need to be a strong candidate for our program.
- Minot State University (MSU) — Minot, North Dakota
- Mount Marty College (MMC) — Yankton, South Dakota
- St. Cloud State University (SCSU) — St. Cloud, Minnesota
- Saint Mary's University (SMU) — Winona, Minnesota
- University of Mary (UMary) — Bismarck, North Dakota
- University of Minnesota Rochester (UMR) — Rochester, Minnesota
- University of Sioux Falls (USF) — Sioux Falls, South Dakota
- University of Wisconsin River Falls (UWRF) — River Falls, Wisconsin
- Winona State University (WSU) — Winona, Minnesota
Once you complete the required coursework, you’ll apply for the Radiography Program through Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences. Typically, students will apply during their sophomore or junior year.
Affiliated associate degree option
Students seeking an associate of applied science degree at Rochester Community and Technical College (RCTC) are eligible to apply to the Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences (MCSHS) Radiography Program. Students who pursue this pathway must complete 28 credits at RCTC prior to starting the MCSHS Radiography Program.
Certificate pathway
If you have already completed an associate or bachelor’s degree and the prerequisites listed below before the start of the program, you may be eligible to apply for the Radiography Program. Your degree must come from an institution accredited by an agency that ARRT recognizes. View a list of ARRT-Recognized Accreditation Agencies by visiting the ARRT website.
The certificate option will grant you a certificate of completion from Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences and allow you to sit for the credentialing exam directly after completing the Radiography Program.
Articulation agreements
For more information, view our affiliation agreement documents.
Prerequisites and minimum admissions requirements
To be eligible for the Radiography Program, you must:
- Hold a minimum of a high school diploma or GED (or equivalent)
- Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale
- Complete at least two hours of job shadowing in a general radiology department (this can be done at Mayo Clinic or another health care institution)
- Be currently enrolled at one of the program’s academic affiliates and be on track for degree completion or have already earned an associate degree (or higher)
- Complete the following prerequisite college coursework with a C or higher prior to the program start date. Pass/Fail grades will not be accepted.
| Subject | Minimum requirements |
|---|---|
| English | One semester of college-level English composition |
| Mathematics | One semester of college algebra; a higher-level math course also satisfies this requirement |
| Anatomy and physiology | Two semesters of college-level anatomy and physiology with a lab component. This can be fulfilled by completing either Anatomy and Physiology I and Anatomy and Physiology II or Human Anatomy and Human Physiology courses. |
| Physics | One semester of college-level physics with a lab component |
| Speech or Interpersonal Communications | One semester of college-level speech or interpersonal communications |
| Chemistry | One semester of college-level chemistry with a lab component |
| Ethics | One semester of college-level ethics or medical ethics |
In addition to the prerequisite courses listed above, some affiliates may have additional degree requirements or prerequisites.
Competitive applicants
Students will be most competitive if they meet the following criteria:
- Have a GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
- Have good grades (B and above) in math and science prerequisite courses
- Have completed the prerequisite coursework within five years of applying
- Have previous patient care or customer service experience
- Demonstrate genuine interest in the radiography profession
Transfer student policy
St. Cloud State University (SCSU), Saint Mary's University (SMU), Mount Marty College (MMC), Minot State University (MSU), Rochester Community and Technical College (RCTC), University of Mary (UMary), University of Minnesota Rochester (UMR), University of Sioux Falls (USF), University of Wisconsin - River Falls (UWRF), and Winona State University (WSU) may accept transfer credit for previous general college coursework. Refer to those institutions to learn about their transfer policies.
Transfer students from other radiography programs are not accepted.
PSEO and advanced placement credits
Students considering Advanced Placement (AP) and Post-Secondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) when completing program prerequisite coursework should refer to the college granting credits for questions regarding credit awards.
Admission policy
Learn about Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences admissions policy information.
Technical standards
Candidates must meet the technology standards for the Radiography Program (Minnesota) (with or without reasonable accommodation) necessary to acquire or demonstrate competence in health professions. To seek exceptions to these standards, students accepted for admission must initiate a request at least six weeks before the program begins.
Application process
| Application window | Program start | Apply |
|---|---|---|
| Dec. 1-Jan. 15 | May 27, 2025 | Online application |
Note: There are two options for application to the Radiography Program — General application for admission and University of Minnesota Rochester (UMR) students only application for admission.
Application instructions (general application)
Complete the following steps to apply:
- Create an account to begin the online Application for Admission
- Select - Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences
- Select - Radiography Program (RST)
- Complete each section of the application and submit
- After submission, view the required Supplemental Items and Documents
- Upload each required item in the Supplemental Items section
- CV/resume
- Essay questions
- Unofficial college transcripts from all institutions attended, including PSEO or AP coursework. Uploaded transcripts must contain a GPA and reflect all Fall 2024 grades, as well as any prerequisite coursework planned for Spring 2025.
- Unofficial high school transcripts are needed only for applicants pursuing the affiliated associate of applied science degree through RCTC.
- Complete the Recommendation Request section
- Two recommendations are required and must be completed in the Recommendation Request section. Each recommender will receive an email with a link to complete a recommendation form.
- Academic: Choose a person familiar with your educational qualifications and your potential for success in the field of radiography. References may include current or former teachers or professors.
- Professional: Choose a person familiar with your professional qualifications and your potential for success in the field of radiography. References may include employers, teachers, or supervisors.
- Two recommendations are required and must be completed in the Recommendation Request section. Each recommender will receive an email with a link to complete a recommendation form.
- Upload each required item in the Supplemental Items section
Note: If accepted to the program, official transcripts must be mailed from the institution to the address below or emailed from an online database such as Clearinghouse or Parchment to radiography.admissions@mayo.edu.
Radiography Program
Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences
Siebens Building, 7th Floor
200 First St. SW
Rochester, MN 55905
Application instructions (specific to University of Minnesota Rochester UMR students)
Students pursuing the Bachelor of Science in Health Professions (BSHP) degree option at UMR should complete this UMR application for admission. If accepted to the Radiography Program, BSHP students are jointly admitted to UMR and Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences.
Additional information for all applicants
Incomplete applications, or applications postmarked or electronically submitted outside of the Dec. 1 to Jan. 15 timeframe, may not be processed. Program information and application materials are updated each year and therefore are not valid for subsequent applications.
Any updates or changes to the published information that affect applicants for the next class are made on this website before the application window opens.
Interview process
Interviews will be conducted 100 percent virtually for the upcoming admissions cycle.
All applicants who meet the minimum admissions requirements will be offered an interview.
Fluency in written and spoken English is essential for success in the program and to ensure patient safety. Applicants must demonstrate objective competency in English through the admission interview and may be required to submit results from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) examination or equivalent examination.
Multiple program applicants
Radiography program applicants must determine their first and second choice program preference by Feb. 27, 2025, if they are also applying for one of the following programs in Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences:
- MRI Program
- Sonography Program
- Respiratory Therapy Program
- Echocardiography Program
Acceptance
For the 2024-2025 admissions cycle, the Radiography program may accept up to 34 students. All acceptance letters are emailed in March. Your reply is required within seven business days. Acceptance is contingent upon successful completion of the occupational health review and background checks (federal and Minnesota).
Enrolled students are required to be covered in a medical insurance plan throughout their educational program at Mayo Clinic. Students who do not have health care coverage should purchase a policy from an agency or company of their choice. Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences does not endorse any particular plan or provider.
Background checks
All students must complete a state and national background check when accepted. All acceptances are contingent upon satisfactory clearance of the background checks. Mayo Clinic will investigate any discrepancy between the background check and the learner’s application and reserves the right to withdraw the learner’s acceptance based on negative findings. Students are not responsible for the cost of these background checks.
Non-U.S. citizen applicants
Admission to Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences is open to U.S. workers in the four categories below. Therefore, visa sponsorship is not available.
- U.S. citizens
- U.S. nationals
- Lawful permanent residents
- Asylees and refugees
Applicants whose primary language is not English must submit results from the Test of English as a Foreign Language Internet-based test (TOEFL iBT). Scores from the speaking portion of the exam are given particular consideration in admission decisions. Learn more about the exam and register online at the Educational Testing Service.
The Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences code for the TOEFL iBT is 5784.
Educational transcripts from schools outside the U.S. must be translated (if they are not already in English) and evaluated for U.S. equivalence by an accredited credential evaluation service company prior to submission. Please refer to the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services for a list of qualified companies. The applicant pays for the examination and credential-evaluation services.
Equal opportunity
Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences upholds all federal and state laws that preclude discrimination on the basis of race, sex, age, religion, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, disabilities, or veteran status.
For more information, visit the Education Office for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.