Radiology Technologist Schools and Careers in Mississippi

The radiologic technologist and technician schools in Mississippi offer a broad array of options for earning your degree and beginning your career in the field of radiologic technology. This guide to radiologic technologist schools in Mississippi provides key information to help you make the right choice for your skills, interests, and career goals. As an alternative to traditional on-campus programs, online programs can offer similar educational opportunities with potentially increased flexibility for self-motivated learners. Read about the difference between radiology technologists and radiology technicians. Find out more about schools in Mississippi including a table of rad tech programs, student reviews, profiles of select programs, and more below.

Quick Facts

• There are 10 not-for-profit colleges and universities with radiologic technology degree programs in Mississippi.¹
• No schools offer a certificate program in radiologic science.¹
• 9 schools offer an associate’s degree in radiologic science.¹
• 1 school offers a bachelor’s degree in radiologic science.¹
• 1 school offers a master’s degree in radiologic science.¹
• 10 schools have medical imaging programs accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT).²
• 1 school has a medical imaging program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).³
• 1 school has a medical imaging program accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Educational Programs in Nuclear Medicine Technology (JRCNMT).⁴

Table of Contents

• Mississippi Medical Imaging Schools Comparison
• Select Schools in Mississippi with RT Programs
• How to Become an RT in Mississippi
• Mississippi RT Salary and Job Outlook
• Student Reviews

Mississippi Medical Imaging Schools Comparison

We have designed the following table to allow you to easily compare the not-for-profit radiologic technology and medical imaging programs in Mississippi on a variety of factors. You should check with the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) to ensure that the program you are considering will meet licensure requirements.

• — indicates none.
• N.Av. indicates no data available.

Select Schools in Mississippi with Radiology Technologist Degree Programs

Copiah-Lincoln Community College

The Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Medical Radiologic Technology program at Copiah-Lincoln Community College (Co-Lin) is a two-year program that meets the requirements to sit for the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification exam. The program prepares students through a combination of academic theory, laboratory practice, and clinical experience. Students take a series of courses that include Patient Care in Radiography; Radiographic Procedures; Ethical and Legal Responsibilities; and Radiographic Pathology. Students also participate in five semesters of clinical practicums at affiliated medical institutions. In the first semester of clinical rotations, students work during weekdays and will add weekend and evening rotations in subsequent terms. Applicants to the program must have an ACT score of at least 18. Acceptance is based on the overall strength of the application packet, which includes GPA, ACT score, and an interview.

Itawamba Community College

Itawamba Community College (ICC) offers an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Radiologic Technology. The five-semester program consists of classroom and clinical education. Students complete a core curriculum of radiography and general education classes including Anatomy and Physiology; Physics of Imaging Equipment; Ethical and Legal Responsibilities, and Radiographic Pathology. Clinical rotations begin in the first semester at affiliated medical facilities. Clinical rotations include some evening shifts. Admission to the program requires students to complete five prerequisites with a “C” or higher, earn a minimum ACT score of 28, and meet the physical requirements of the program. Graduation from the AAS in Radiologic Technology requires a “C” in all major courses, maintaining a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0, and completing a final clinical assessment.

Meridian Community College

The Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree in Radiologic Technology at Meridian Community College (MCC) is a two-year clinical training program designed to prepare students for entry-level radiology and radiography positions. The curriculum emphasizes competency-based instruction. Students in the 87-credit hour program take courses sequentially and have the opportunity to take some prerequisite courses online. Classes include Physics of Imaging Equipment; Patient Care and Radiography; Digital Imaging Acquisition and Display; and Ethics and Legal Responsibilities. Clinical rotations begin in the first semester with 12 hours per week and increase to 24 hours per week during the second year. During the summer semester, students will take one class and spend 32 hours per week in clinical training. Students complete clinical rotations at medical facilities such as Noxubee General Hospital, Rush Imaging Centers, and Anderson Regional Medical Center. The program is selective and gives priority to in-district students. Applicants must have an ACT of 18 or higher and complete two prerequisite courses with at least a “C” to meet the minimum requirements for acceptance.

University of Mississippi

The School of Health Related Professions at the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) offers a five-semester Bachelor of Science (BS) in Radiologic Sciences program that meets the education requirements for ARRT certification. The program contains both didactic and clinical elements and offers classes and clinical rotations during the day on weekdays. Clinical rotations begin with two days a week in the first year and increase later in the program. Students in clinical rotations will be required to travel to area clinical sites. Coursework includes classes such as Concepts of Radiologic Sciences, Age-Specific Patient Care, and Principles of Computed Tomography. Applicants to the program must complete at least 60 credit hours of academic courses, maintain a GPA of 2.5 or higher, and receive a “C” or better in all prerequisite courses. Ole Miss also offers an online BS in Radiologic Sciences for practicing radiologic technologists and master’s programs in Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Nuclear Medicine Technology.

How to Become a Radiology Technologist in Mississippi

Mississippi requires radiologic technologists to become licensed by the MSDH. The MSDH issues the Medical Radiation Technologist license to radiologic technologists, nuclear medicine technologists, and radiation therapists. The requirements for a license include certification by the ARRT or, for nuclear medicine techs, the Nuclear Medicine Technologist Certification Board (NMTCB). Temporary permits are available at the discretion of the MSDH to rad techs who have completed their education but are awaiting professional certification. In general, Mississippi licensure requires the following steps:

1. Complete an accredited program in your chosen modality. To qualify for the certification exam, candidates must complete a certificate or degree in a recognized modality. The ARRT requires candidates to complete an associate’s degree or higher; this may be the same program as the radiography training, but doesn’t have to be.
2. Take and pass the certification exam. Candidates must apply for and pass either the ARRT or NMTCB certification exam appropriate to their modality.
3. Apply to the MSDH for a license. Candidates must submit an application, application fee, and proof of licensure to the MSDH.
4. Renew the license and complete the continuing education. In Mississippi, rad techs must renew their license every two years. The MSDH requires 24 hours of continuing education during each renewal period.

The MSDH also offers a Limited X-Ray Machine Operator (LXMO) permit for limited-scope x-ray technicians. This permit allows the taking of x-rays of designated areas of the body under supervision. To qualify as an LXMO, candidates must complete at least 12 hours of department-approved education in radiography and submit a complete application. Approved applicants will be issued a permit.

Mississippi Radiology Tech Salary and Job Outlook

Radiologic technologist and technician employment in Mississippi is projected to grow by 8.7% through the decade ending in 2030.⁵ Rad techs have a similar job outlook nationally, with a predicted 8.6% growth rate over the same time period.⁵ As of 2022, about 2,490 radiologic technologists and technicians were working in the state of Mississippi, earning an average annual income of $51,240, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).⁶ The BLS reports that, as of 2022, Mississippi had the third-highest concentration of rad techs of any state in the country, with rad techs comprising more than two out of every 1,000 jobs.⁶ The BLS does not track occupational data for limited-scope x-ray technicians. However, limited-scope technicians typically earn less than licensed radiologic technologists due to the lower educational requirements and work responsibilities. Rad techs can consider employment at one of the state’s many hospitals, including the University of Mississippi Medical Center, Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System, Forrest General Hospital, and Singing River Health System. Prospective radiology technologists and technicians can also consider seeking employment at one of the state’s radiologic imaging centers, including Jackson Healthcare, Compass Imaging, Madison Imaging, Premier Imaging LLC, and Open MRI.

Mississippi Radiologic Technologist Salary by Metro Area

Student Reviews

Note: Student Reviews are based on the experiences of a few individuals and it is unlikely that you will have similar results. Please review the “Data, Student Reviews and Other Information” section in our Terms of Use and Disclaimers.

Hinds Community College
608 Hinds Blvd
Raymond, MS 39154
(601) 857-5261
https://www.hindscc.edu/

Student Review: “I can truly say that choosing the Radiologic Technology program at Hinds Community College was one of the best decisions that I’ve made. All the instructors in the department take a really hands-on approach and are very concerned about the advancement of each student in the program. The Radiologic Technology department facility offers state-of-the-art equipment that allows students to really get a feel for what it’s like on the job. My favorite part of the program was the opportunity for job placement after completion. Because of its affiliations with many local hospitals in the area, students who take up the Radiologic Technology program are often easily hired after clinicals.” – Student at Hinds Community College

The University of Mississippi Medical Center
2500 N State St
Jackson, MS 39216
(601) 984-1000
https://www.umc.edu/

Student Review: “At $3,000 per semester the program was the most expensive in the state. The quality of didactic education was excellent, and our class outperformed all other programs in the state in the yearly “prep bowl” competition. I would rate didactic education a full 5 out of 5. Also, all students started to work at the hospital at the end of the first semester. No other program offers this in the State of Mississippi. In theory, this made UMMC students more independent than their peers after graduation. Despite this, clinical education had major room for improvement. Being the state’s only level 1 trauma center, there was no shortage of surgical procedures, but general radiologic procedures were somewhat rare. Fluoroscopy was especially lacking, and there was a lack of personnel who could teach us how to perform fluoroscopy procedures. I graduated with a lack of fluoroscopy skills and I graduated top of my class. I did not master fluoro until after graduation, on the job.” – Student at University of Mississippi Medical Center

References:
1. National Center for Education Statistics College Navigator: https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/
2. Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology Program Effectiveness Data: https://www.jrcert.org/program-effectiveness-data/
3. Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs: https://www.caahep.org/students/find-an-accredited-program
4. Joint Review Committee on Educational Programs in Nuclear Medicine Technology: https://www.jrcnmt.org/programs/
5. Projections Central Long Term Occupational Projections: https://projectionscentral.org/Projections/LongTerm
6. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wages, Radiologic Technologists and Technicians: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes292034.htm
7. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Metropolitan and Nonmetropolitan Area Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oessrcma.htm