Certificate-based program misconceptions
After a recent post in here that was asking about certificate programs vs degree programs, I see from the comments that people either don’t know the workings of a certificate program or people just like to argue 😂.
I am a program director at a JRCERT accredited, hospital-based, certificate program, and I would like to keep my program concealed (I do use Reddit to see any feedback out there on my program!).
For starters, the ARRT states that a minimum of an associates degree is required to take the registry, and that “the degree doesn’t have to be in the radiologic sciences, and you can earn it before or after graduating from your radiological sciences educational program. You must receive the degree, however, before you take your ARRT examination.” Meaning you DO NOT have to have completed your associates degree at the time of radiography program completion. Now this statement pretty much only applies to certificate-based programs considering a student is awarded with a degree at degree-based programs.
Now that that fact is out of the way, it is entirely up to the program as to whether they will require applicants to have a degree at time of application. My program does NOT require an applicant to have a degree. We do prefer applicants to have or be close to having a degree, though, but it is not required.
Having a certificate vs an associates vs a bachelors does NOT matter in the long run for a radiologic technologist’s career. It allows you to sit for the registry (with your associates you got on the side) and become a registered radiologic technologist, which is the goal. A bachelors is beneficial for management and working in education at an accredited program, though.
If anyone has ANY questions, feel free to ask.