Curriculum
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time spent in clinical settings
time spent in labs
time spent in classroom
Student experiences
Our integrated curriculum mixes lectures that teach the foundational skills with hands-on learning that allows you to put your knowledge to practice right away. By the time you’ve completed the program, you’ll feel completely prepared to start your career.
Classroom learning
You’ll spend the first part of your training in the classroom, learning the foundational skills needed as a radiologic technologist. You’ll work side-by-side with your classmates, learning from some of the best and brightest faculty in the field. Throughout the program, you attend courses specific to radiography on the Rochester campus.
Lab
Once you have a foundation, you’ll transfer your knowledge to practice. During your first three semesters, you’ll attend one lab per week in our state-of-the-art energized radiographic laboratory. You’ll gain hands-on experience and confidence using radiographic equipment for a wide variety of radiographic exams by practicing with your peers. Throughout the program, you attend labs on the Rochester campus.
Clinical rotations and obligations
By week 11, you’re ready to start clinicals! During your clinical rotations, you’ll start working closely with radiologic technologists during patient exams to deliver diagnostic images for the health care team.
You’ll rotate through a large variety of clinical rotations, including outpatient and inpatient settings, emergency department, and operating room. You’ll clock more than 1,600 clinical hours and develop the skills necessary to perform more than 75 clinical competency assessments required for graduation. You are responsible for purchasing Caribbean blue scrub uniforms to wear during all clinical rotations.
On-site rotations
Students are assigned to clinicals in the Mayo Clinic Department of Radiology, located in Rochester, Minnesota. Our campus includes an extensive outpatient complex, Mayo Clinic Hospital — Rochester, and substantial research and education facilities. This Mayo Clinic site is among the largest, most advanced medical centers in the world.
Off-site rotations
The majority of clinical time is scheduled in Rochester, Minnesota but during the last three semesters of the program you are also assigned to clinical rotations at Mayo Clinic Health System facilities located in Lake City, Red Wing, and Cannon Falls, Minnesota. These rotations will only occur for three weeks while you are in the program. Students are responsible for driving to these sites and will not be reimbursed for travel expenses.
Non-regular rotations
During the last three semesters of the program, students are assigned evening and weekend clinical rotations on the Mayo Clinic Hospital, Saint Marys Campus. During the fourth semester, students are assigned to overnight clinical rotations at Mayo Clinic Hospital, Saint Marys Campus. These non-regular rotations provide students with an opportunity to develop their trauma skills in a Level 1 trauma center.
Professional liability
Mayo Clinic provides professional liability insurance for learners in relation to their radiography program educational activities.
Contingency plan
If extenuating catastrophic circumstances (for an example: mass casualty event, pandemic, or a natural disaster) impact Mayo Clinic operations, Mayo Clinic operations, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine operations, or student access to clinical environments at Mayo Clinic sites, the Radiography Program may utilize the program contingency plan. For more information, review a copy of Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences Radiography Program's Contingency Plan.
Faculty
Learn more about the faculty of the Radiography Program.
Teaching faculty
The Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences Radiography Program is coordinated and taught by the clinical, scientific, and technical staff at Mayo Clinic's campus in Rochester, Minnesota. Faculty members are chosen for their commitment to teaching, as well as their clinical practice and research.
Dedicated program faculty members provide an educational experience centered on student success. Faculty members share their expertise from a variety of specialized areas within radiology, including mammography, CT, MRI, surgery, and trauma. These experienced radiographers share their knowledge and skill throughout the length of the program by delivering lectures in the class and facilitating lab sessions.
These faculty members also work alongside students during their clinical rotations. The unique combination of time with program faculty members in the classroom, lab, and clinical settings delivers individualized mentoring to support student success. You'll have direct access to these individuals throughout your training, giving you the opportunity to learn from some of today's best practitioners in radiography and radiology.
Jessica Lodermeier, B.A., R.T.(R)
Program Director
Jessica Lodermeier is an alumna of Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences Radiography Program, graduating in 1996. She joined the Radiography Program as Clinical Instructor in 2003 following her role as Lead Technologist in the General Radiology Department at Mayo Clinic Hospital — Rochester, Saint Marys Campus. Mrs. Lodermeier then completed her bachelor's degree in organizational management and communication in 2007 with Concordia University in St. Paul, Minnesota. In 2017, she advanced to the position of Academic Coordinator for the Radiography Program. Mrs. Lodermeier was appointed Program Director for the Radiography Program in the fall of 2022. She is currently working on obtaining her master's degree in education with Saint Mary's University in St. Paul, Minnesota.
Mrs. Lodermeier’s topics of expertise in the classroom include radiation biology and protection, radiographic procedures of the vertebral column, gastrointestinal system, chest, and thorax, along with introductory concepts and patient care curriculum. She is passionate about radiographic image critique and assessment. Mrs. Lodermeier was also instrumental in the development of delivering lab curriculum in an electronic format. Mrs. Lodermeier strives to enhance the psychomotor, cognitive, and affective development of students in the classroom, lab, and clinical setting. She has countless hours of clinical education experience in which she provides a positive learning environment focused on student success, curriculum development, and program improvement initiatives.
Mrs. Lodermeier has a rich history within the radiology department, making her a resource for many on a variety of topics. She has presented at the regional and local levels on a variety of topics, eager to promote high-quality image acquisition. In 2008, Mrs. Lodermeier received the Outstanding Clinical Educator Award by Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences. She is also an active member on a number of committees within the Radiography Program and General Radiology Department.
Susan Clausen, B.S., R.T.(R)(M)
Academic Coordinator
Susan Clausen obtained her associate degree in 1992 from Rochester Community and Technical College and received her certificate in radiography in 1993. While working as a staff technologist in general radiology, Mrs. Clausen passed the mammography registry exam and transitioned to the breast imaging department. In 2007, she joined the Radiography Program as Clinical Instructor, and earned a bachelor’s degree in health sciences in 2013. She is now the Academic Coordinator for the Radiography Program.
Along with working with students in the lab and clinical settings, Mrs. Clausen enjoys teaching in the classroom. Her teaching interests include anatomy and positioning of the lower limb, pathology for radiographers, and breast imaging and intervention.
Mrs. Clausen has experience in various areas of radiology including general radiology, mammography, and computed tomography (CT), and has worked with the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists Mammography Practice Analysis Committee to update and revise the board examination for technologists seeking additional certification in mammography.
Chris Knoepke, B.S., R.T.(R)
Clinical Coordinator
Chris Knoepke graduated from the MCSHS Radiography Program in 2008. Mr. Knoepke worked as a staff technologist at Mayo Clinic with an emphasis on surgical and gastrointestinal practice until 2016 when he joined the Radiography Program as program faculty. His current role in the Radiography Program is Clinical Coordinator, which he began in 2017.
Mr. Knoepke completed his Bachelor of Science degree from St. Mary’s University in 2018. He is a member of the Minnesota Society of Radiologic Technologists and the American Society of Radiologic Technologists. He instructs in gastrointestinal imaging, radiation physics, and exposure. He also oversees the students’ clinical experience.
Melissa Bray, B.S., R.T.(R)
Program Faculty
Melissa Bray joined the Radiography Program in July 2020. Mrs. Bray earned her first bachelor's degree from the University of Minnesota in 2011. After earning her bachelor's degree, she began working at Mayo Clinic as a certified pharmacy technician. It was during this time that she realized her compassion for patients and quality care would be a perfect fit for a career in radiology.
She completed the Mayo Radiography Program in 2017 while earning her second bachelor's degree, and was also the class president. She started working in the general radiology department at Mayo Clinic immediately after graduation and most recently in the pediatric department. She enjoyed working with radiography students in the department and received the Outstanding Clinical Educator Award from the class of 2018.
Mrs. Bray is extremely passionate about the exciting world of radiology, and most of all she loves teaching and mentoring students in order to help them succeed.
Karla Melver, B.S., R.T.(R)
Program Faculty
Karla Melver graduated from the University of Minnesota Rochester with a bachelor's degree in Health Profession and from the Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences Radiography Program in 2015. Following graduation, Mrs. Melver worked as a radiologic technologist specializing in surgery until she became a lead technologist in 2016. During this time, her love for teaching grew and she made the transition to the Radiography Program as a program faculty member in 2021.
Mrs. Melver enjoys working with students in the classroom, lab, and clinical environments. Her area of expertise includes introductory concepts and radiographic procedures of the thorax, urology system, and gastrointestinal system.
Ariel Mustic, B.S., R.T.(R)
Program Faculty
Ariel Mustic graduated from Winona State University with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration in 2014. Following graduation, Mrs. Mustic worked in higher education at Rochester Community and Technical College in various roles including those in Admissions, Orientation, and Academic Advising. As an adviser, she was assigned many programs including the partnership programs between RCTC and Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences. After advising students into the Radiography Program, she realized this would be the perfect career change for her. She graduated from the Radiography Program in 2020 and received the Outstanding Clinical Performance Award. Following graduation from the program, she worked as a radiologic technologist where she enjoyed working with patients at St. Mary’s Hospital and her specialty of GI’s.
Mrs. Mustic combined her passions of radiology and higher education and transitioned to the Radiography Program in 2023. She is looking forward to sharing her excitement about radiology with the students and giving them the knowledge to thrive in the program and in clinical.
Hours
The majority of the classroom instruction and clinical rotations are scheduled Monday through Friday between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m.
For more information about non-regular clinical shifts refer to the clinical obligations above.
Summer semester 1
Course list
| Number | Course | Credits |
|---|---|---|
|
RAD 3011 |
Foundations of Radiography |
2 |
|
RAD 3101 |
Radiographic Procedures I |
2 |
|
RAD 3201 |
Introduction to Clinical Radiography |
2 |
Hours
- Academic classes and labs occur between 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday
Fall semester 2
Course list
| Number | Course | Credits |
|---|---|---|
|
RAD 3111 |
Radiation Physics |
2 |
|
RAD 3102 |
Radiographic Procedures II |
7 |
|
RAD 3301 |
Clinical Practicum I |
5 |
Hours
- Academic classes and labs occur between 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays
- Clinicals occur between 7 a.m.-5 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays
Spring semester 3
Course list
| Number | Course | Credits |
|---|---|---|
|
RAD 3202 |
Principles of Radiographic Exposure I |
2 |
|
RAD 3303 |
Clinical Practicum II |
9 |
|
RAD 4103 |
Radiographic Procedures III |
2 |
|
HP 4802 |
Health Economics and Finance* | 3 |
* The 4802 Health Economics and Finance course is offered for students seeking 3 additional credits required by their academic affiliate for degree completion.
Hours
- Academic classes occur on Wednesdays between 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
- Most clinicals and lab occur between 7 a.m. - 5 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays
- Evening and weekend clinical shifts are also scheduled during this semester
Summer semester 4
Course list
| Number | Course | Credits |
|---|---|---|
|
RAD 4303 |
Clinical Practicum III |
7 |
Hours
- No labs or academic classes are scheduled this semester
- Most clinicals occur between 7 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday through Friday
- Some evening, overnight, and weekend clinical shifts are also scheduled during this semester
Fall semester 5
Course list
| Number | Course | Credits |
|---|---|---|
|
RAD 4243 |
Radiation Biology and Protection |
2 |
|
RAD 4202 |
Principles of Radiographic Exposure II |
1 |
|
RAD 4302 |
Advanced Modalities |
1 |
|
RAD 4501 |
Certification Exam Review |
2 |
|
RAD 4403 |
Clinical Practicum IV |
7 |
Total: 53 credits
Hours
- Academic classes occur on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
- Most clinicals occur between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays
- Evening and weekend clinical shifts are also scheduled during this semester
Note: Clinical practicums include clinical and lab hours. Courses and sequencing are subject to change.
Curriculum enhancements
Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences is committed to developing and maintaining the best education programs. The curriculum and other aspects of this program are assessed constantly and changed as necessary to ensure the highest quality training.
Grading and evaluation
Students must complete all courses listed in the program curriculum with a grade of C or above. Students should be aware that failure to meet or maintain the academic or clinical standards listed may necessitate remedial work of subject matter, as well as possible evaluation for probation or dismissal. All such instances are handled according to the due process policies of the program and Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences. A formal written warning is most often the first step in the process.
Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences uses these evaluative tools: written examinations, written assignments, demonstration of skills, self-assessment exercises, faculty reviews, and technologist evaluations.
All courses taught by Mayo faculty are graded according to methods developed by the Radiography Program:
- A — 93 to 100 percent
- B — 85 to 92.99 percent
- C — 78 to 84.99 percent
- D — 75 to 77.99 percent
- F — below 75 percent
Grade points of A = 4.0, B = 3.0, C = 2.0, D = 1.0 and F = 0 for each credit hour earned are assigned on the Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences transcript.
Graduation requirements
To successfully complete the program, you must meet didactic and clinical requirements.
Didactic requirements
In order to meet the didactic requirements for graduation, students must complete all courses listed in the program curriculum with a grade of C or above.
Clinical requirements
In order to meet the clinical requirements for graduation, students must complete all clinical competencies identified in the Clinical Competency Policy and required by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT).
Certification
After successfully completing this program, you receive a certificate of completion from Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences. Students seeking a degree from one of the program's affiliated academic institutions also receive a degree from their respective college university upon program completion.
Graduates are eligible to apply to take the radiography certification examination administered by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) after they have successfully completed the Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences Radiography Program and earned an associate, baccalaureate, master's, or doctoral degree. The degree does not need to be in radiologic science and can be earned before entering or while completing this radiography program. Degrees must be granted by an institution accredited by a mechanism recognized by the ARRT. The degree must be completed prior to a candidate taking the examination.
This certification provides graduates with nationally recognized credentials for practicing radiography and fulfills employment credentialing requirements in Minnesota. In addition to ARRT certification requirements, individual states may have additional licensure requirements.
To learn more about ARRT Certification and Registration and individual state licensing requirements, visit the ARRT website.