Exploring the Lone Star College Radiology Program
Radiology and medical imaging represent dynamic and crucial fields within the healthcare sector. Lone Star College (LSC) offers comprehensive Medical Radiologic Technology programs designed to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and professional values necessary for success in this demanding industry. These programs, offered at both the Montgomery and CyFair campuses, combine classroom instruction with hands-on clinical experience to prepare graduates for a rewarding career as radiologic technologists.
Program Overview
Lone Star College-Montgomery and Lone Star College-CyFair both offer a two-year Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree program in Medical Radiologic Technology. These programs are accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT), ensuring that they meet rigorous standards for quality and effectiveness. The JRCERT is the only agency recognized by the United States Department of Education (USDE) and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) for the accreditation of traditional and distance delivery educational programs in radiography, radiation therapy, magnetic resonance, and medical dosimetry. Successful completion of a JRCERT-accredited program assures that students will be provided with the knowledge, skills, and professional values required for career success.
The mission of the Lone Star College Montgomery, Medical Radiologic Technology Programs, is to provide a comprehensive education of structured learning experiences and to assist in meeting the community’s need for medical imaging professionals. The program’s curriculum combines didactic and clinical education experiences to enable the student to acquire knowledge; develop medical imaging skills; professional values; and the desire for life-long learning. Students will demonstrate radiographic procedures & positioning skills.
Admission Requirements and Program Structure
To be admitted into the professional phase of the MRT program at either the Montgomery or CyFair campus, a prospective student must be at least 18 years old. Interested students should possess a high school diploma or its equivalent and demonstrate college-level proficiency in math, English, and writing. Specific admission criteria and minimal physical requirements, such as the ability to lift and move equipment, are detailed in scheduled information sessions. Applications are typically accepted at Lone Star College-CyFair during the spring semester, with the program commencing in the fall semester of the same year.
Enrolled students receive classroom instructions (didactic education) at the college and clinical education experiences at affiliated hospitals and clinics. Student learning outcomes in didactic education are assessed using combinations of unit tests, quizzes, research projects, term papers, classroom discussions, presentations, and final comprehensive examinations. Clinical education learning outcomes and skill development are assessed by way of clinical competency demonstrations and testing in program laboratories and at affiliated clinical education sites.
Read also: Applying for Scholarships at Lone Star
The program includes intense presentation and learning, with strict attendance requirements. Students will be working with real radiographic systems in both laboratory and clinical environments. While developing an understanding of equipment and procedures, students will also work in area hospitals, interacting with patients, physicians, nurses, and other healthcare personnel. Following graduation, students are eligible to take the national certification examination administered by the American Registry of Radiographic Technologists (ARRT).
Clinical Education
A cornerstone of the Lone Star College radiology program is its emphasis on clinical education. Clinical education assignments allow integration of classroom and lab knowledge with actual patient care experience. Each semester, students will be assigned to one of the clinical education settings by the Program faculty.
Students are responsible for their own transportation to and from assigned clinical sites and are expected to arrive punctually. All students are required to purchase professional liability insurance prior to participation in clinical education setting. The insurance protects the student, college, and clinical education setting in case of any medical situations that result in litigation.
Lone Star College also notifies students prior to admission that healthcare facilities may require students to possess a Social Security number or a Visa as a condition of being assigned to a clinical facility. A Social Security number or Visa may also be necessary for background checks and for taking the licensing examination upon completion of the program. Final acceptance into the program is contingent upon a satisfactory background check (as required by hospitals) that is completed by a college approved agency at the student's expense. Clinical facilities may also require completion of satisfactory drug screening. Students accepted into the program are also required to submit proof of required immunizations, TB test, and proof of current CPR certification (2 year healthcare provider type).
Academic Standards and Progression
The specifics for grade determination in each course are contained within the appropriate course syllabus. Progression from one Radiography course to the next within each level of the program is dependent upon the student obtaining a course grade of "C" or better in each prerequisite course. Failure to do so will result in removal from the program until the course is offered again.
Read also: Explore leadership development with Lone Star
Former students may be allowed readmission on a "space available" basis as referenced in the program’s readmission policy contained in the handbook. A student who is required to exit the Program due to academic reasons will only be granted one (1) readmission. Students gaining readmission to the Program must retake academically deficient course(s) and may be required to audit course(s) that are offered in the same semester. CHI St. CHI St. A signed personal statement from the student describing their reasons for originally leaving the program. Students who are asked to leave the program for violation(s) of the LSC's or the program's code of conduct, ethical standards, academic honesty, civil rights, or harassment policies are not eligible for readmission.
Students receive letter grades in both didactic and clinical courses at the end of each semester, and they are required to achieve and maintain a grade of C (75%) or better in each course, in order to continue in the program and graduate.
Graduation Requirements
Graduation eligibility requires the student to have satisfactorily completed the prescribed curriculum and competency requirements with an overall "C" (2.0 GPA) in all Radiography and general academic courses. Additionally, students must meet all system’s graduation requirements as stated in the LSC Catalog.
Accreditation and Program Standards
As program accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT), Lone Star College-CyFair program adheres to the Standards for an Accredited Program in Radiologic Sciences. The 2021 Radiography Standards require a program to clearly demonstrate the appropriateness of its purposes, document its effectiveness, and provide assurance that it will continue to meet accreditation standards. The continuing accreditation status of the Lone Star College - Montgomery program was considered at the June 9, 2025, meeting of the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology. The program was evaluated according to the Standards for an Accredited Educational Program in Radiography (2021). The program documents compliance with all relevant Standards; therefore, the JRCERT awards: ACCREDITATION FOR A PERIOD OF EIGHT YEARS.
Student complaints regarding allegations of Program non-compliance with JRCERT Standards will be addressed according to the published Program and LSCS appeal processes. The Program will maintain all such complaints with their resolution in accordance with the United States Department of Education (USDE) regulations.
Read also: Advance Your Career with Lone Star College
Career Prospects
Radiologic technologists play a vital role in the diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions. They utilize x-rays and other energy forms to create images of body parts and organ systems, assisting physicians in performing sophisticated procedures. They are responsible for explaining and preparing patients for Radiologic examinations.
Demand for Radiologic Technologists is extremely strong in and around the Houston and Gulf Coast region. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of radiologic technologists is expected to grow faster than the average for all occupations through 2010, as the populations grows and ages, thus increasing the demand for diagnostic imaging. A new graduate seeking employment as a radiologic technologist could expect to earn an average of $17 per hour. According to the Houston Chronicle (Sept. 2002), salaries for imaging professionals have become very competitive, largely due to the shortage of personal and the technology that has made medical imaging so complex and critical to diagnosis.
The Lone Star College-CyFair’s radiologic technology program capitalizes on expanding opportunities by partnering directly with area hospitals and clinics to provide a unique, two-year associate of applied science (AAS) degree plan.
Additional Programs
Lone Star College also offers other programs that may be of interest, including:
- Occupational and Life Skills Associate (OLSA): A four-year comprehensive post-secondary education opportunity for students who have disabilities that affect executive functioning.
- Certificate awards structured to allow students to move on to a higher-level certificate or Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree.
These programs prepare students to enter a specialized career field or upgrade their skills for job advancement.
tags: #lone #star #college #radiology #program #information
