<p>I hope this is the right forum for this major. Currently, I'm a Kinesiology major, I have will finished all pre req courses this Spring semester and will be allowed to submit an application to the major (there's like a 90% admittance rate according to my adviser) I have 2.96 gpa for this university and a 3.3 cum gpa. I have sophomore standing.</p>
<p>Here's my problem, I recently have begun thinking about radiology technology submajor which is with the Bio-medical Degree. At this point I would have a 1 year worth of course work to finish and I would also be submitting an application to the major in September if I go this route. There is no getting around the 1 year of course work although taking a few courses in the summer would help, but primarily because the application for the professional course work is required to be submitted a year early. In addition to this application you must submit a "autobiography" with why you want to be in this field, and 3 letters of recommendations. I could get 2 no problem but the third might be an issue. I could go back to my first job, or ask a high school teacher. I have no college professor relationship yet. I honestly was planning on getting those through my Kinesiology coursework.</p>
<p>Is this degree worth it? I've read on other forums that a 4 yr degree for radiology is not worth it as someone who has a 2 yr degree is "cheaper" labor. I've also read that you must continue on with the education in order to become certified in CT, MRI, nuclear med, or radiation. The only benefit according to this other forum is that you could possibly become a manager of the department quicker.</p>
<p>I'm fine going an extra year, a little disappointed as I was hoping to graduate within 4 yrs. I'm also nervous about the application. I will schedule an appointment with the adviser to see if I even have a shot.</p>
<p>My oldest daughter went to one college for a BA in PR/General Science and was able to articulate her science credits with the university in state that offered radiology. The nuclear medicine/PET program she attended took 12 full months of 40 hour+ weeks. She graduated with a BS in that program. This university also offered certificates to those who already held a BS. (Lots of long-term planning on her part.)</p>
<p>She does have a great full time job, but did have to move 7 hours away to find full time employment. She has mentioned to me that employers have told her they don’t even consider 2 year graduates. She also discovered in her job search that people with multiple certifications are most employable; such as CT, Nuc Med, Ultrasound, and X-Ray. </p>
<p>Search job forums to see what is available. It is difficult to find employment in radiology, but if you attend a good program, it’s a bit easier. Good luck!</p>
<p>Thanks for the advice! I’ve been reading on jobs forum it is very tough and the market isn’t in the favor of graduates. Most of those posters seems to be people with 2 yr degrees so if what your D said is true then I could believe it. These people also are blaming the community and technical colleges for their problems in addition to telling people the 4 yr degree is what makes them unemployable. So who knows if their warning is written in good faith.</p>
<p>I will have to discuss the additional certificates with the adviser because like your D said I read that having more certificates make you more employable. I’m willingly to travel in fact I would prefer to go out West but I’m open to where ever life takes me. I did some reading on the professional based aspect of this degree and most of it is hospital based learning after the pre req’s, with current university offering their own program. I’m wondering if it is because the hospital have agreements with another university and some have a total of two additional which makes spots competitive. I’m also wondering if this is because they have a lot of students rejected from these programs. Not that you or your D would know but the program is UW-Milwaukee in WI.</p>
<p>Daughter got her CNA as a college sophomore and worked in a hospital for 2 years while getting her BA. In order to get into most high ranking programs, you must have lots of patient contact & radiation job shadow hours (her program required 100+ hours of observation, along with the basic “pre-med” requirements). This program also required fluency in Spanish.</p>
<p>While searching valiantly for her job, she was able to work full time at the university hospital as a surgery tech. Not exactly what my two degree holding daughter expected for the end result of so much work, but it paid the bills and gave her additional hospital experience. She had to hold 3 different part time nuclear jobs for 2 years (about 45 hours a week) before becoming full time at her current job. When she got the full time position she decided it was a monumental moment, as she got health insurance!</p>
<p>If you know what is down the pike, you won’t be as devastated as some of her peers who had not done the research before graduation. According to my daughter, UW is a great program. She went to the U of IA, and says her experience, though intense, was one of the best.</p>
<p>I’ll have to seriously consider getting my CNA license this summer then. On the website it does not mention anything about shadowing, but I’ll try to set something up at one of the hospitals for Spring Break. I think I could handle working multiple part time jobs although health insurance is huge to me so who knows. I’m not fluent in Spanish in fact I only know what I learned in my 7th grade world cultural class. It may mean purchasing something like Rosetta Stone if I want to make myself more employable. </p>
<p>It’s not directly with UW Madison, but you can apply to the UW hospital for the professional coursework.</p>
<p>I’ll call the adviser’s office this week to set something up. Maybe, after shadowing I will know for sure. In addition to finding out the number of applicants and if I even have a good chance.</p>
<p>At Iowa, they require 4 years of high school Spanish specifically. If you don’t have the pre-req, you will have to take it at the college level. Remember, this is a U of I requirement. </p>
<p>Right now, a lot of medical paths are loose; 2 years to be a nurse, radiology, and the like. But as I understand after 2015, most of those paths will require a four year degree! Might as well do it right at the start and save yourself some difficulty later.</p>
<p>Check with Wisconsin and see. Also check and see if they require organic, 'cuz I think they do…</p>
<p>The CNA earned her more money than any other job she held before her degrees. Might end up being a better thing financially for you!</p>
<p>Daughter was able to be on my insurance as she was under 26 and even though she was married, she was insured, so it worked out!</p>