Radiology Technologist Schools and Careers in Louisiana

Louisiana’s colleges and universities offer an array of options for earning a degree or certificate in radiologic technology, including programs in specialty areas of practice like radiation therapy and diagnostic medical sonography. This guide to radiologic technologist and technician schools in Louisiana will help you choose the school that is right for you. Read about the difference between radiology technologists and radiology technicians. As an alternative to traditional on-campus courses, online rad tech courses may also be a suitable choice for continuing your career and education. Continue reading this page to find profiles of select programs, a table of rad tech programs, and more about radiologic technologist and technician schools in Louisiana.

Quick Facts

• There are 12 not-for-profit colleges and universities with radiologic technology degree programs in Louisiana.¹
• 4 schools offer a certificate program in radiologic science.¹
• 8 schools offer an associate’s degree in radiologic science.¹
• 5 schools offer 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
• 3 schools have medical imaging programs 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

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

Louisiana 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 Louisiana on a variety of factors. You should check with the Louisiana State Radiologic Technology Board of Examiners (LSRTBE, or the Board) to ensure that the program you are considering will meet licensure requirements.

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

Select Schools in Louisiana with Radiology Technologist Degree Programs

Delgado Community College

Delgado Community College’s (DCC) 24-month radiography program leads to an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Radiologic Technology. Graduates of the 24-month, 69-credit hour program will meet the requirements to sit for the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification exam. Students complete core college requirements before beginning the coursework and clinical education for the radiology technology program. In addition to clinical rotations, students complete courses such as Pathology and Terminology; Radiologic Positioning; and Radiation Biology and Protection. Clinical rotations are held throughout the New Orleans metro and the surrounding region. Applications are due by February 15 of each year, with admitted students starting in the fall semester. Graduates are prepared to seek entry-level work as radiographers and may also be interested in transferring their associate’s degree work toward a bachelor’s degree in radiologic science. DCC also offers post-associate programs in Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Nuclear Medicine Technology, and Radiation Therapy.

Louisiana State University of Alexandria

Louisiana State University of Alexandria (LSUA) confers an Associate of Science (AS) in Radiologic Technology. Graduates of the seven-semester, 72-credit program will be qualified to take the ARRT certification exam. In addition to general education coursework, radiologic technology majors complete a range of radiologic technology courses and clinical rotations. Students are assigned clinical rotations at one of the university’s affiliate medical facilities, such as Avoyelles Hospital, LaSalle General Hospital, and Winn Parish Medical Center. Prospective applicants must complete prerequisite courses in psychology, algebra, radiologic technology, and human anatomy with a “C” or higher before applying. The selection process is competitive. Graduates of the AS program may be interested in continuing their education with LSUA’s Bachelor of Science (BS) in Health Professions with a concentration in Medical Imaging.

Southern University Shreveport

Southern University Shreveport (SUSLA) offers an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Radiologic Technology that helps prepare students to pursue positions across various disciplines at hospitals, clinics, and other imaging facilities. The 72-credit hour curriculum begins with prerequisite general education courses. Students who complete the prerequisites with a GPA of 2.5 or higher and complete 24 hours of professional observation may apply for the program’s clinical portion. The clinical curriculum includes courses such as Equipment Operations and Maintenance; Radiographic Exposure; Radiologic Physics; and five semesters of clinical rotations. Retention in the program requires a “C” or higher in all courses; students who fail to meet this requirement must apply for readmission into the program and repeat the course. Only one course may be repeated before permanent dismissal from the program. Students in the clinical program must meet the physical standards necessary to complete clinical responsibilities, get necessary vaccinations, and pass a drug screen.

University of Holy Cross

At the University of Holy Cross (UOHC), students can earn an Associate of Science (AS) in Radiologic Technology that fulfills the requirements to sit for the ARRT certification exam and prepares graduates for entry-level positions as radiologic technologists. The 21-month curriculum requires students to commit to 40 hours a week of classes and clinical rotations. The first portion of the program consists of general education courses. Once the general education courses are complete, students may apply for the professional training portion of the program. Coursework in the professional training curriculum covers subjects such as medical ethics, radiation protection, and contrast media. Admission into the program’s professional training portion requires the completion of all prerequisite courses with a “C” or higher and a minimum GPA of 2.5. Successful applicants to the program begin in the fall semester. Students can also earn a BS in Radiologic Technology at UOHC. The professional training component for the BS program mirrors the AS, with BS students taking more prerequisite credit hours.

How to Become a Radiology Technologist in Louisiana

Radiologic technologists and technicians in Louisiana must be licensed to practice by the Board. The Board uses the ARRT exam as the licensing exam for the state and also recognizes ARRT certification as meeting the qualifications for licensure. Licensure in Louisiana as a rad tech requires applicants to:

1. Complete an educational program in their chosen modality. Louisiana and the ARRT require radiologic technologists to complete an educational program in their chosen modality. All candidates are required to complete an associate’s degree or higher to meet the requirements for the exam, though this may be separate from the rad tech program.
2. Take the certification exam. Candidates who have completed the education requirement may apply to take the ARRT exam and must pass with a score of 75 or higher.
3. Apply for a license. Candidates who have passed the ARRT exam may apply to the Board for a license. Licenses take 60 to 90 days to process.
4. Maintain your license. The Board requires renewal of radiologic technologist licenses every two years. For every renewal period, rad techs must complete 24 hours of continuing education.

Louisiana Radiology Tech Salary and Job Outlook

The most recent data available for Louisiana suggests employment for radiologic technologists is expected to remain flat through 2030 with no new positions added to the job market overall.⁵ However, 220 average annual openings are expected due to replacements.⁵ National job growth for this occupation is projected at 8.6% during the same time period.⁵ According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), as of 2022, there were approximately 3,770 radiologic technologists and technicians in Louisiana, earning an average annual wage of $57,590.⁶ Although the BLS does not track occupational data for x-ray technicians, technicians typically earn less than RTs due to the lower educational requirements and work responsibilities. Hospitals, doctors’ offices, medical facilities, and imaging centers all employ radiologic technologists and technicians. Job opportunities in Louisiana include medical imaging jobs with such organizations as Baton Rouge General, North Oaks Health System, St. Tammany Health System, Imaging Center of Louisiana, and Ochsner Lafayette General Medical Center.

Louisiana 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