Application deadline
Applications now open for Fall 2025 admission.
Fall applicants: All electronic portions of the application must be submitted by midnight on March 15. All transcripts must be received (not postmarked) in the Office of Admissions by March 15. Applications completed after March 15 will be considered at the discretion of the chair. Please contact the Department of Radiation Sciences by calling (804) 828-9104.
Spring applicants: (for radiologic technologists wishing to earn a B.S. degree in their respective discipline) Please contact the Department of Radiation Sciences by calling (804) 828-9104 to determine if you are eligible for spring entry. All electronic portions of the application must be submitted by midnight on November 1. All transcripts must be received (not postmarked) in the Office of Admissions by November 1. Applications completed after November 1 will be considered at the discretion of the chair.
Admissions and Prerequisites
All students admitted to Radiologic Science programs must meet technical standards.
Prerequisites must be completed prior to entry into the program.
Application Procedures
Review and understand all information provided on the Clinical Radiation Sciences website for in-depth information on the admission process and your responsibilities. Specific information regarding criminal background checks, prerequisite courses and other admission requirements is only available on the departmental website. Failure to meet these responsibilities will result in the application being considered incomplete. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.
Applicants apply and submit supporting documentation electronically. It is the responsibility of the applicant to make sure the application is complete and on time. You will receive a confirmation immediately upon submission of your documentation. Please allow 10 business days for processing before inquiring about your application. You will have the ability to track documentation, such as transcripts and letters of reference, using the online application account you will set up during the application process as described below.
- Application for undergraduate admission and application fee. For currently enrolled, full-time VCU students, an application fee is not required. You will be notified if you are not eligible for waiver of the application fee.
After clicking on the link above, select the term (e.g. Fall 2023)
- Under Select an Application, select “Clinical Radiation Sciences”
- The application consists of 10 sections
- In the second section, “Clinical Radiation Sciences”, re-select the entry term, select Clinical Radiation Sciences, select the program level, and then finally select the specific program (e.g. Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Radiation Therapy, Nuclear Medicine or Radiography for entry-level)
- Two personal references. Please select individuals who can comment on the quality of your academic or work experience. You will enter the name and contact information for your reference into the application system. Your references will receive an automated email with instructions on how to submit their reference. Paper references are not accepted.
You will be able to verify the submission of each reference in the application portal.
- Transcripts—All courses taken, except at VCU, must be submitted on an official transcript from the institution where the courses were taken. This includes, but is not limited to, courses accepted for transfer credit at another institution, dual enrollment and study abroad. All institutions attended, including VCU (if applicable), must be listed on the application during the online process. Failure to comply with these instructions will result in the application being considered incomplete.
Transcripts may either be sent from the institution directly to VCU or to you. However, please remember not to open any transcript. Doing so will render the document unofficial and will not be considered for your application. Transcripts must be sealed, signed across the seal by a college official and mailed to the VCU Office of Admissions on the Monroe Park Campus at Box 842526, Richmond, VA 23284-2526.
General information for all applicants to VCU
In-state tuition eligibility
All applicants are considered nonresidents for tuition purposes. To be considered in-state tuition, you will need to complete the online application for in-state tuition which is part of the Residency Information section of the application.
Financial Aid
Applicants planning to apply for financial aid should initiate the process as soon as possible. The priority deadline to submit the FAFSA is February 1. Please visit the VCU Financial Aid website for additional information.
Prerequisites
To begin your education in the entry-level programs in radiography, radiation therapy, nuclear medicine technology, or diagnostic medical sonography you must first complete the courses listed.
| Semester Credits | VCU Equivalent |
| 6 of Composition and Rhetoric | UNIV 111-112* |
| 3 of College Algebra | MATH 141 |
| 8 of Human Anatomy & Physiology | BIOL 205, PHIS 206, PHIZ 206 |
| 4 of Physics | PHYS 101 & PHYZ 101 |
| 3 of General Psychology | PSYC 101 |
| 3 of Humanities Elective | |
| * Students outside of VCU must complete 2 semesters (6 credits) of freshman composition. | |
Applicants for the second modality or degree completion programs will find the prerequisite requirements on the specific concentration/modality curriculum to which they are applying (radiography, radiation therapy, nuclear medicine or diagnostic medical sonography).
For current VCU students, an excellent source of advice is the pre-health science advisors through VCU University College Academic Advising. They may be contacted at (804)827-UNIV (8648).
Please Note: students completing course work at institutions other than VCU (e.g., community colleges or universities) should consult with their institution's academic counselor and use the VCU Transfer Guide to make decisions regarding course enrollment.
Additional Information
Radiation Sciences students pay undergraduate tuition and fees based on a per credit basis. VCU’s Tuition and Fees calculator is a helpful tool for identifying estimated tuition and fee based on a variety of factors (number of credit hours, residency status, housing and meals).
Estimate your tuition and fees with VCU's Undergraduate calculator.
Please note that the “Program Fee” is a per semester charge covering professional expenses while enrolled to include consumable laboratory supplies, radiographic markers (if appropriate), clinical scheduling/evaluation systems subscription, professional liability insurances, etc.
Miscellaneous required expenses include student uniforms and CPR certification. Although prices vary, a complete set of uniform scrubs is $75-90 per set. For more information, please visit our uniform partner, Jet Design Graphics, Inc.
Optional expenses may include the following:
- Lambda Nu Honor Society dues: $45
- Professional society membership varies by organization (approximately $0-45 annually)
Students are responsible for their own transportation and related expenses (e.g., parking, tolls) to VCU campuses as well as clinical education rotations. Students may be required to travel to clinical sites up to 80 miles from our campus, with opportunities for elective rotations are sites still further away. However, the majority of clinical sites are within the greater Richmond metropolitan area.
Prior to applying, it is critical that the applicant thoroughly explore the modality (Radiography, Nuclear Medicine, Radiation Therapy, Diagnostic Medical Sonography) of interest. This exploration may include research on the Internet, talking with professionals in the field, attending a VCU Department of Radiation Sciences Information Session, taking CLRS 101 Introduction to the Radiation Sciences (VCU course), spending time in the clinical modality setting (to be arranged by the applicant), etc.
Second modality or degree completion applicants registered with the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) or the Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board (NMTCB) must submit proof of their current ARRT/NMTCB registration.
All students admitted to a Bachelor of Science in Clinical Radiation Sciences program must demonstrate aptitude, abilities and skills in the following categories: sensory, communication, physical/mobility, cognitive and behavioral/social. These categories are further delineated in the radiation sciences technical standards.
Please visit the VCU Division for Academic Success for information on student services and those for disabled students.
Following an application review, an interview with the admissions committee will be required for all applicants meeting minimum requirements. The department will contact you to schedule an interview.
Applicants are notified of committee decisions at the earliest possible date.
Following admission, successful completion of a criminal background check and drug testing will be required (at student expense) for participation in clinical education courses (entry-level and second modality programs). Failure to pass one of these tests will prevent the student from successfully completing the clinical education requirements and, therefore, the program. In addition, before a student begins the entry-level or second modality program of study, it should be noted that a conviction of either a felony or misdemeanor (other than parking/speeding violations) is considered as part of the determination of eligibility for the certifying exam of the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists. Questions should be referred to the Department of Radiologic Sciences.
Prior to attending clinical education, students are required to be CPR certified and show evidence of appropriate immunizations.
Clinical hours may vary but are limited to weekdays-no weekend or evening hours are assigned except for our diagnostic medical sonography and radiography programs. Students may be required to travel to clinical sites up to 80 miles from our campus, with opportunities for elective rotations are sites still further away. However, the majority of clinical sites are within the greater Richmond metropolitan area.
Students are required to be in uniform, including a VCU Identification badge, for all clinical assignments. In addition, individual clinical sites may require additional orientation education and identification badges. Professional conduct is expected at all times.
Students are covered by professional liability insurance, provided by the University, during scheduled clinical education course work.
In general, course grading scales are established by the individual course faculty. However, the majority of classroom and laboratory courses in Radiation Sciences employ the following grading scale:
A: 93-100
B: 85-92
C: 77-84
D: 70-76
F: < 70
All clinical courses require a grade of “C” or better for continuance. CLRS clinical courses all utilize the following grading scale:
A: 96-100
B: 89-95
C: 85-89
D: 80-84
F: < 80
On occasion a course may utilize a traditional 10-point grading scale:
A: 90-100
B: 80-89
C: 70-79
D: 60-69
F: < 60
The most current student handbooks may be found below. Please contact the department for past handbooks.