Radiology Technologist Schools and Careers in South Dakota

The following overview of radiologic technologist and technician schools in South Dakota provides information to support your decision on where to pursue a degree or certificate in radiologic technology. The colleges and universities in South Dakota offer several radiologic technology programs and provide opportunities to pursue study in specialty areas like diagnostic sonography. Online radiologic technologist programs are another choice you might consider, which may provide enhanced flexibility over traditional on-campus courses. Read about the difference between radiology technologists and radiology technicians. Continue learning about radiologic technologist and technician schools in South Dakota as well as career options for radiologic technologists and technicians by reading below, where you will find a table of rad tech programs, profiles of select schools, and additional information about careers in radiologic technology.

Quick Facts

• There are 7 not-for-profit colleges and universities with radiologic technology degree programs in South Dakota.¹
• 3 schools offer a certificate program in radiologic science.¹
• 3 schools offer an associate’s degree in radiologic science.¹
• 2 schools offer a bachelor’s degree in radiologic science.¹
• No schools offer a master’s or advanced degree in radiologic science.¹
• 4 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
• No schools have medical imaging programs accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Educational Programs in Nuclear Medicine Technology (JRCNMT).⁴

Table of Contents

• South Dakota Medical Imaging Schools Comparison
• Select Schools in South Dakota with RT Programs
• How to Become an RT in South Dakota
• South Dakota RT Salary and Job Outlook

South Dakota Medical Imaging Schools Comparison

We have designed the following table to allow you to easily compare all the not-for-profit radiologic technology and medical imaging programs in South Dakota on a variety of factors. You should check with the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) to ensure that the program you are considering will meet certification requirements.

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

Select Schools in South Dakota with Radiology Technologist Degree Programs

Mitchell Technical Institute

Mitchell Technical Institute’s (MTI) Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Radiologic Technology program provides students with a blended curriculum of on-campus coursework and laboratory experience combined with clinical rotations. The majority of class-based coursework in the full-time, 21-month program is offered in the first two semesters, including classes such as Intro to Clinical Radiology, Medical Terminology, and Radiographic Pathology. Students begin clinical rotations in the summer during the third semester and then complete additional clinical rotations in the following two semesters. Clinical rotations are held at affiliate sites in the Mitchell, Watertown, and Grand Rapids areas. Prospective applicants must visit a radiologic technology department for job-shadowing and write an essay prior to submitting application materials. Retention in the program requires a minimum grade of a “C” in all required courses. Radiologic technology graduates are qualified to sit for the ARRT certification exam.

Mount Marty University

Mount Marty University (Mount Marty) offers a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Radiologic Technology in cooperation with affiliated, JRCERT-accredited clinical schools of radiology, such as Avera Sacred Heart Hospital School of Radiologic Technology. Students in the bachelor’s program will complete two years (68 credit hours) of math and science courses at Mount Marty, followed by a two-year radiologic technology program at an affiliated clinical school. Clinical rotations are held during the day, evening, night, and weekends. Upon completion of the clinical component, students will be granted 60 further credits and awarded the BS in Radiologic Technology from Mount Marty, provided they have fulfilled all other degree requirements. Admission into the clinical component is based on a point system, with points awarded based on factors such as prerequisites completed, GPA in courses at Mount Marty, and previous healthcare experience.

Southeast Technical College

The Diagnostic Medical Sonography (DMS) program at Southeast Technical College offers the opportunity to earn an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in six semesters. Applicants to the program must first complete at least 19 credit hours of prerequisite courses and the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) exam before applying to the 75-credit hour DMS program. The DMS curriculum includes both didactic and clinical study. Once enrolled, students take classes in sonography such as Cross Sectional Anatomy; Abdominal Sonography; Asepsis for the Sonographer; and Acoustical Physics and Instrumentation. Beginning in the second year of the program, students complete a seven-month clinical rotation. Due to a limited number of clinical sites in Sioux Falls and South Dakota, students may be assigned to clinical rotations in different states such as Alaska, Nevada, or North Dakota. Graduation from the program requires a “C” or higher in all major coursework.

How to Become a Radiology Technologist in South Dakota

South Dakota does not require radiologic technologists to be licensed in order to practice in the state. However, technologists operating radiologic equipment must be either certified by a national organization such as the ARRT, be licensed as a radiologic technologist in another state, or have undergone other acceptable training. Certification by the ARRT requires the following steps:

1. Complete a diploma, certificate, or degree in your chosen modality. Candidates for certification by the ARRT must complete an educational program in their specific modality as well as an associate’s degree or higher. These may be the same program, but are not required to be.
2. Take and pass the ARRT exam. The ARRT offers certification exams in a variety of radiologic technology modalities. A passing score of 75 or higher is required for all ARRT exams.
3. Maintain your registration. ARRT certification and registration must be renewed every year. For every two years, a certified rad tech must complete at least 24 hours of approved continuing education (CE).

South Dakota Radiology Tech Salary and Job Outlook

Projections estimate job growth of 13.4% for radiologic technologists and technicians in South Dakota between 2020 and 2030.⁵ By comparison, Projections Central reports an expected 8.6% growth for radiology techs nationwide through 2030.⁵ According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), as of 2022, South Dakota was home to an estimated 990 radiologic technologist and technician positions.⁶ The average annual salary for radiologic technologists in South Dakota was $58,900 as of 2022.⁶ South Dakota also had the second-highest concentration of rad techs of any state in the US in 2022, with rad techs making up 2.29 of every 1,000 jobs.⁶ Although the BLS does not provide employment data for limited scope x-ray technicians, technicians typically earn less than radiologic technologists due to the lower educational requirements and scope of responsibility. Radiologic technologists and technicians commonly secure employment in hospitals, imaging centers, doctors’ offices, and medical facilities. Organizations that hire radiologic techs in South Dakota include the Department of Veteran Affairs, Huron Regional Medical Center, Avera Health, and Prairie Lakes Healthcare System.

South Dakota Radiologic Technologist Salary by Metro Area

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