MRI Technologist Programs

Meet the Expert: Richard Weening, PhD

Dr. Richard Weening is a professor and MRI program director in the Department of Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences of the Jefferson College of Health Professions. His PhD is in theoretical plasma physics, where he specialized in magnetic fusion energy. He has been a research scientist at several national and international labs, including being an NRSA Research Fellow in the Laboratory for Structural NMR Imaging in the Department of Radiology at the University of Pennsylvania.

Dr. Weening has taught courses in subjects such as MRI physics and MRI safety at Thomas Jefferson University for more than 25 years, and many hundreds of graduates have successfully completed the TJU MRI technology program along the way. He has served on numerous national professional committees, including the American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT) MRI Curriculum Committee, and he was named a Fellow of the Association of Educators in Imaging and Radiation Sciences (AEIRS).

MedicalTechnologySchools.com: What is something you wish the public understood about MRI technologists?

Dr. Weening: The public should be aware that performing an MRI exam on a patient is both an art and a science—and marrying these two aspects of MRI leads to a superior MRI technologist. That is, MRI is a very technically sophisticated imaging modality, and a good MRI technologist must have an excellent understanding of these various technical aspects to give the radiologist the best MRI images for the medical diagnosis.

However, every patient is also a unique individual. Managing your patients so that they receive both a safe and efficient MRI exam is equally important, thus, the skill and experience of the MRI technologist in patient care counts for a lot, too!

MedicalTechnologySchools.com: What advice would you give to aspiring MRI technology students?

Dr. Weening: The knowledge basis for medical imaging is the sciences. In particular, when entering the radiologic sciences, aspiring MRI technologists need to have taken good foundational courses in anatomy and physiology, along with courses in physics and mathematics. Establishing a good foundation in the basic sciences will allow MRI technology students to perform more sophisticated MRI exams and continue learning throughout their professional careers. That is, MRI continues to be an expanding and very dynamic field of medical imaging.

Meet the Expert: Tom Coen BS, RT(R)(MR)

Tom Coen is an instructor and clinical coordinator for MRI at Thomas Jefferson University. His past experiences in radiography and medical massage therapy culminated in a love for medical imaging and MRI in particular.

Coen’s passion for teaching stems from experience in the pedagogy of classical music performance, and he aims to engender the excitement and enthusiasm in students that will serve them throughout a long career in imaging and beyond.

MedicalTechnologySchools.com: What is something you wish the public understood about MRI technologists?

Coen: The public might wrongly assume that the job of an MRI tech is easy or boring. To a casual observer watching the technologist at their scanner, it may seem as if they are just pushing buttons, and the computer does all of the work. This is absolutely not true. The MRI technologist must be able to balance the needs of their patients against the requirements of the radiologist or ordering physician and the limitations of the machine. This occurs mostly in the mind of the technologist.

We have a saying around here that while in some imaging modalities your feet are tired by the end of the day, after a day of MRI, our brains are very tired!

MedicalTechnologySchools.com: What advice would you give to aspiring MRI technology students?

Coen: Students who wish to pursue the profession of MRI technologist should possess an innate sense of curiosity and a love for the physical sciences. This will serve them well as there are constant advances in the technology and its applications. The MRI tech we want you to be will eagerly assist in advancing this innovation.

MRI Technologist Hybrid & Online Programs

Clinical training and experience are the keys to becoming a fully educated and prepared MRI tech. However, accredited schools offer the classroom portions of their training programs online for maximum flexibility. This is particularly useful for MRI technologists who may already be working in radiology departments and wish to further their education while working in their current positions. Here is a list of hybrid and online MRI technologist programs.

Greenville Technical College

The GTC’s MRI program can be quite convenient with campuses throughout the greater Greenville, South Carolina area. The core curriculum is offered entirely online and organized so that students need to meet for didactic training just one day per week, with both afternoon and evening schedules available. For clinical practice, students must work a total of 495 hours at an approved clinical location site. The ARRT recognizes the GTC program and allows graduates to sit for their primary certification exam.

Made up of 34 credits, the program includes courses such as introduction to MRI, MRI patient care and safety, MRI physics, MR imaging of the head and neck, cross-sectional anatomy for medical imaging, advanced MR imaging techniques, MR imaging of the spine & musculoskeletal system, MR imaging of the abdomen and pelvis, and MR imaging of the thorax.

• Location: Greenville, SC
• Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
• Expected Time to Completion: Nine months

Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts

At GAMA, an MRI associate of science (AS) hybrid degree program is offered with didactic classes online and clinical rotations at the school’s Arizona campus in Phoenix and Orlando and Tampa campuses in Florida. Other locations for clinical rotations include Fresno, CA; Las Vegas, NV; Los Angeles, CA; Palm Springs, CA; and Riverside, CA. The program lasts 72 weeks, with five days of coursework each week (varying days Monday through Saturday).

Unlike many other MRI technologist programs, this particular one does not require that incoming students have a previous degree in radiology, which may be an attractive feature for those eager to start working in the MRI field. Two start dates are available each year.

The program comprises 115 credits, including coursework in biology basics, essentials of anatomy and physiology, introduction to MRI, sectional anatomy, medical terminology, physical principles of MRI, MRI protocols and procedures, MRI pathology in diagnostic imaging, and computers in imaging and PACS, among others.

This program is recognized by ARRT and accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES).

• Location: San Mateo, CA
• Accreditation: Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES);
• Expected Time to Completion: 18 months

East Tennessee State University

At ETSU, students who hold an associate’s degree in radiography can earn a bachelor’s of science degree in radiologic science online. This 120-credit program accepts transfer credits and features courses such as allied health professionals, interprofessional allied health teams, clinical education, introduction to microbiology, research in allied health, leadership in allied health, radiographic pathology, and digital imaging in radiology technology.

This program is unique because it allows associate degree holders to transfer allied health professional course credits from a community college to count toward bachelor’s degree completion. To be eligible for this program, applicants must have a 2.5 GPA for transferable credit, transcripts proving two-year degree completion, and be licensed or eligible for professional licensure in radiologic science.

Additionally, ETSU offers an MRI certificate on-campus for registered radiologic technologists to advance their professional skills.

• Location: Johnson City, TN
• Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
• Expected Time to Completion: 24 to 48 months

MRI Technologist Program Accreditation

To be eligible to sit for the ARRT certification exam upon completing a course, students must graduate from an ARRT-recognized program. The ARRT approval process includes a thorough assessment and application to the ARRT Board of Trustees, who reserves the right to follow up this application with an in-person verification process. Accreditation can take between six to 12 months to complete, and the AART provides a list of current approved programmatic and institutional accreditation organizations.

Programmatic Accreditation

The Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT) is an accrediting organization for MRI programs and other programs within the purview of radiology. The JRCERT accreditation process aims to ensure educational program excellence and requires all programs seeking accreditation to complete an MRI program self-study, a site visit, report of findings, and pay a fee. JRCERT is the only agency recognized by the US Department of Education for accrediting traditional and distance education programs in radiography and magnetic resonance and other similar disciplines.

In line with JRCERT standards of excellence, the ARRT recognizes MRI technologist programs for program quality and holds a list of approved accreditation organizations, including JRCERT. The organizations on the ARRT list of recognized accreditation entities include programmatic and institutional accrediting bodies.

Institutional Accreditation

Institutions of higher learning usually hold institutional accreditations as well. This level of accreditation may come from any number of nationally recognized agencies listed on the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) website. Institutional accreditation is typically assigned by region:

• Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC)
• Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)
• Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
• Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
• New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)
• Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
• WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)

Licensing & Certification for MRI Techs

There are various certification paths for aspiring MRI technologists.

The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) offers certification and registration for those students who have completed MRI tech programs. To be eligible for the primary ARRT certification, students must complete an educational program approved by the ARRT, meet ethics requirements, and pass the examination.

Once certified by the ARRT, MRI techs become Registered Technologists (RTs) and must complete continuing education courses every two years to maintain their status with ARRT. As of March 2022, all students applying for certification from ARRT must have earned an associate degree, baccalaureate degree, or a graduate degree from a program or institution on the ARRT-approved accreditation list. More information on registering for certification and continuing education is available on the ARRT website.

Certification is also available from the American Registry of Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists (ARMRIT). The American College of Radiology (ACR) has recognized this certification as being on par with the ARRT certification since 2008 and acceptable for finding employment as an MRI tech.

While having a radiology license isn’t required by all states, more than 75 percent of states have licensing laws that require ARRT credentials to work legally. Other states may require their own licensing exams and credentials. Interested students should be sure to check with their school or with their local state authorities to determine the licensing requirements where they live and intend to work.