Health Professions

Profession

Radiologic Technology is a medical specialty that uses x-rays for diagnostic and research purposes. 

Highly simplified, a typical procedure would involve you to;

1. consult with the physician (Radiologist) as to the correct procedure for the patient;
2. educate the patient as to the procedure you will be performing on them,
3. position the patient for the most optimal image, and
4. acquire images of the patient.

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Some of the primary responsibilities for Radiologic Technologists are:

• Operating equipment used to produce medical images.
• Caring for the ill and injured.
• Positioning patients for diagnostic examinations.
• Calculating proper exposure factors.
• Processing images and assessing the diagnostic quality of the radiographs.
• Assisting the radiologist with fluoroscopic examinations, treatments with ionizing radiation, diagnostic testing, angiographic procedures, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and mammography.

To learn about the job outlook for Radiologic Technologists, please visit Employment Outlook

The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse (UWL) offers a Radiologic Science Major: Radiologic Technology Emphasis in which a student could earn a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree.

The student can accomplish this in two years of course work at UWL and a two-year internship at an affiliated hospital. The first two years at UWL are typically occupied with fulfilling general education requirements, as well as taking introductory prereq classes.  Further information is available in the Radiologic Technology advising guide RAD Tech Advisor Sample Plan 2025

Students typically apply for admission to the Radiologic Technology program in the middle of their sophomore year.  Once accepted, the student will begin their internship at UW Health in Madison or one of three Milwaukee sites: Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin , Ascension St. Joseph, Children's Wisconsin Hospital (pending).

UWL is academically affiliated with these hospital-based programs.

All Radiologic Technology programs are fully accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT). Upon successful completion of the student's internship at one of the programs, graduates are eligible to take certification examinations.  UWL graduates have done very well on these exams and have an excellent record of employment after graduation and certification.

Professional Licensure Disclosure

If you plan to apply for licensure in a state other than Wisconsin after completion of this program, you should refer to the Professional Licensure Disclosure website and contact the other state's appropriate licensing board to determine whether the UWL program meets licensure requirements in that state.

Selection Process- Applications due Monday, November 24, 2025

The number of students admitted to the Radiologic Technology major is on a competitive basis and is determined by the number of students accepted by each clinical affiliate internship site. Each site independently selects applicants and receives applications from other schools. Students are encouraged to apply to all clinical affiliate sites. Applicants must be a UWL student to apply to the clinical affiliates.

Admission Statistics

The clinical internship sites currently affiliated with UWL are:

• UW Health School of Radiologic Technology
• Froedtert School of Radiologic Technology
• Ascension St. Joseph School of Radiologic Technology
• Pending: Children’s Wisconsin School of Radiologic Technology (accepting applications for Fall of 2026 start).

Each clinical affiliate internship site maintains a selection committee. The selection committee will evaluate each application based on the following criteria of each applicant:

• Grade Point Average. A cumulative grade point average of 2.5 is required as well as 2.5 in the pre-professional courses.
• References
• Healthcare and work experiences
• Interest in the field of Radiologic Technology
• Formal Interview

Based on these factors, the applicants are ranked and accepted for entry into the professional program. Acceptance is effective at the beginning of the third year (junior year) and conditional upon successful completion of all general education and pre-professional courses, as well as a criminal background check.

How to Apply:

• Complete the UWL Radiologic Technology Application.
  • You only need to fill out one application and it can be shared with all clinical affiliate sites. The UWL Program Director will forward your application to the site.
  • Indicate which clinical affiliate sites you wish to have your application sent to. You are encouraged to apply to all affiliated sites.
  • All instructions for completion can be viewed by clicking on the application link.

• Attach with the application the following forms (as instructed on application):
  • 3 Reference Forms (2025 applicants may still use the previous version)
    • It is preferred that references come from both educational and employment sources. Personal references from relatives, friends and social acquaintances are not acceptable.
  • Verification of Job Shadow Observation Experience (2025 applicants may still use the previous version)
  • Autobiographical Statement
    • You will include an autobiographical statement of 200 words or less describing why this field interests you. Include your qualifications for becoming a radiologic technologist.
    • The essay must be typed, double-spaced, signed and dated by the applicant to verify authenticity.
  • If a CNA, attaching a copy of your certification
  • If completed CPR training, attaching a copy of your certification or state when you plan to become CPR certified.
    • Should be American Heart Association BLS or ACLS.
    • CPR training needs to be completed prior to starting the program for UW and Ascension St. Joseph.
  • Submit official transcript of all college level credit course work.
    • Official transcripts must be sent from the college or university that issued them.  Please direct electronic transcripts to RadSci@uwlax.edu
      • You will need to send an additional unofficial transcript after Fall 2025 semester grades are submitted and appear on your transcript.
    • Submit the non-refundable $50 payment via the following link UW Health Payment
      • Only one payment is required and that is to UW Health.
      • If you need financial assistance with application fees, please contact RadSci@uwlax.edu.
    • A $25 application fee will be due to the Children’s Imaging program at the time of application by check or money order. Please make out to: "Children’s Wisconsin School of Radiologic Technology" and deliver to Pete Amann in Room 4031 HSC. 
      • They will be sent to the program.

Admissions Timeline

• Application and all required forms are due to Pete Amann via email or in person (4033 HSC) by Monday, November 24.
• Jan-Feb- Programs notify applicants of scheduling interview, visiting program.
  • Note: This often occurs during UWL winter break, students are advised to pay attention to their UWL emails. 
• Feb- March- Interviews
• April 1- Notification of admission- applicants typically have one week to accept admission.
• Late Aug./Sept- Program orientation and program begins

Additional Information for Applicants:

• Students will apply for admission to the professional program in November, after having taken or registered for all general education and pre-professional requirements.
• Applicants are required to have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale and a grade of "C" or higher in all general education and pre-professional courses.
• Applicants are required to have a minimum pre-professional grade point average of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale.
• Students must have a recent set of immunizations prior to admission to the clinical affiliate program to comply with hospital policy.
• Applicants are considered without regard to sex, race, color, creed, religion, national origin, disability, ancestry, age, sexual orientation, pregnancy, marital status, or parental status.
• Students for whom English is a second language must earn a minimum score of 600 (paper-based), 250 (computer-based), or 100 (internet-based) on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or a score of 6.5 on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) exam within two years prior to application to the program.

Radiologic technology affiliated clinical internship sites:

• University of Wisconsin Hospital, Madison, WI
• Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee, WI
• Ascension St. Joseph School of Radiologic Technology in Milwaukee, WI
• Children's Wisconsin Hospital School of Radiologic Technology in Milwaukee, WI (pending)

Tuition and costs of professional education

While at the clinical internship, which spans two academic years, students will pay the base tuition rate to UWL, in addition to a “clinical experience fee” which will be assessed each semester in the program. These fees are a percentage of the base tuition rate and may fluctuate slightly and are approximately $8,000 per academic year. Additionally, students may have fees, assessed by the clinical internship program, which are associated with professional costs like textbooks, caregiver background checks, scrubs, etc.