Magnetic Resonance Imaging Qualification Certificate

Through classroom lectures and hands-on experience, including an externship, students in our Magnetic Resonance Imaging Qualification Certificate program will learn:

• MRI Cross-Sectional Anatomy
• MRI Physics, Safety, Bio-Effects
• MRI Pathophysiology
• A commitment to ethics and professionalism
• Get hands-on learning throughout the program at offsite MRI clinics and labs

At Smith Chason College, our commitment to comprehensive education extends beyond the classroom. Through our externship programs, we integrate theoretical knowledge with practical experience, empowering our students to thrive in their respective fields. Collaborating with hospitals and clinics nationwide, we offer hands-on learning opportunities under a mentor’s guidance. Whether aspiring to become proficient sonographers, MRI technologists, or healthcare professionals, our students gain invaluable real-life experience, supporting their goals to become exceptional practitioners prepared to meet the demands of their chosen profession. 

These experiences are typically conducted toward the end of the program, allowing students to apply their accumulated knowledge in real-world settings. Moreover, these opportunities often serve as a gateway to potential job opportunities, enabling students to forge connections and establish themselves within their chosen field even before graduation. At Smith Chason College, we believe in equipping our students with not only the requisite skills but also the practical experience and industry connections necessary to support them on their journey toward a successful career in healthcare. 

Program Objectives:

Graduates of the certificate Magnetic Resonance Imaging Qualification Certificate Program will:

1. Conduct screening of patients for MRI exams following all MRI safety requirements and patient care procedures as Level II MR personnel.
2. Perform MRI imaging procedures utilizing appropriate patient, technical and procedural, evaluation skills.
3. Choose appropriate imaging parameters, contrast, and options to optimize MRI image quality.
4. Integrate knowledge of cross-sectional anatomy and patient set-up utilizing correct imaging planes to properly visualize anatomy and pathology.
5. Demonstrate essential knowledge, skills, and abilities required to apply and sit for nationally recognized certification exam and registration.

Class schedules are subject to change. Students will be notified of any change prior to the start of the quarter. Not all schedules are available at all campuses. Speak to an admissions representative to learn more about which schedules are available for your requested start date. 

Weekday/Weeknight:   

• Mornings: Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM – 1:30 PM  
• Evenings: Monday through Friday, 5:30 PM – 10:30 PM 

Weekend:  

• Saturday – Sunday, 8:30 AM – 6:30 PM  
• Friday – May be required

All applicants must meet the Smith Chason College General Admissions Requirements and pass the entrance exam to be eligible for enrollment.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Qualification Certificate (MRQCP) applicants must also qualify by one of the following criteria:

ARRT Credentialed Technologist: Provide proof of graduation from an accredited medical imaging program and possess a current Certification and Registration through ARRT by holding ARRT Credential in one or more of following categories/disciplines:

• Radiography (R): R.T.(R)(ARRT)
• Sonography (S): R.T.(S)(ARRT) and/or RDMS
• Nuclear Medicine Technology (N): R.T.(N)(ARRT) and/or NMTCB
• Radiation Therapy (T): R.T.(T)(ARRT)

MRI Technologist: Be a non-registered MRI Technologist who has graduated from an associate degree program (or higher) and meets at least one of the following criteria:

• MRI associate degree (or higher) from an educational institution not approved by ARRT at time of graduation
• Three failed attempts of the ARRT Certification and Registration Examination for MRI Program
• Did not apply for ARRT Certification and Registration Examination exam within three years of graduation from MRI Program

MRI Qualification Certificate applicants must meet with the Program Director prior to enrollment in the program and provide proof of completion/transcripts of the associate (or other) degree. All applicants’ obtained degrees-USA based or international-must be acceptable by ARRT. International applicants holding one of the categories must provide evaluated transcripts by an USA-based International Credential evaluation agency approved by ARRT for program and PD review.

Entrance Exam 

All applicants for the MRI Qualification Certificate program must pass the Wonderlic entrance exam with a minimum passing score of 25 at all College campuses.

About Tuition and Fees

Knowing what to expect is important when planning for your college education. We understand that this can be a big commitment for you in your life and for your finances. Combining quality with value is important and we aspire to give you both.

The current schedule of tuition and fees is included in the latest School Catalog under “Tuition and Fee Schedules”. The cost is dependent on the term and location; for exact financial information please contact your local representative.

See details about Tuition here

Financial Aid is available.

Smith Chason College is eligible to participate in federal financial assistance programs, California state aid programs, approved for the training of veterans and eligible persons, private student loans, and scholarships. Learn more about financial options available to those who qualify at Smith Chason College on our Financial Aid page

Magnetic resonance imaging—often called MRI—is one of the more detailed and dynamic forms of medical imaging available. It uses magnetic fields and radio waves to take detailed pictures of the insides of the body, giving physicians a non-invasive way to see what’s going on in a patient. MRI is unique in that it can look through bones or gas-filled areas in ways that X-rays or ultrasounds can’t, giving us a more complete picture of the patient’s current state. MRIs can be used all over the body, including the head and brain.

As an MRI technologist, you’re tasked with managing both patients and equipment, so you’ll need to balance your technical skills with soft skills like communication and organization. You’ll likely be asked to:

• Speak with patients about the procedure
• Answer any of the questions or concerns and calm their fears before proceeding
• Inject patients with contrast media needed for the scan
• Shield areas on the patient that don’t need to be image
• Operate the MRI equipment with care
• Follow precise and detailed physician orders in order to get an accurate image
• Clean and maintain the image equipment between procedures
• Keep detailed patient records of the results

The path to becoming an MRI technologist starts with quality training through an accredited program, like the one at Smith Chason WCUI. Our MRI certificate program readies you with the skills and knowledge you need to begin a career as an entry-level MRI technologist. You’ll learn how to use this technology to help a team of medical professionals in the diagnosing, monitoring, and treatment of diseases. MRI technologists also need:

• Good people skills—MRIs are often ordered for patients who are stressed or experiencing pain, and a technologist must be able to work with them with compassion and care.
• Good math skills—MRI technologists may be asked to calculate the amount of magnetic resonance emitted in order to produce a quality image.
• Strong attention to detail—Producing accurate and helpful magnetic resonance images require following very precise instructions and producing careful work.
• Strong technical skills—Magnetic resonance imaging equipment is often complex, so technologists must feel comfortable working and maintaining these machines.

The healthcare field is expected to see a significant boom in employment as the U.S. population continues to age and the rate of conditions like cancer and Alzheimer’s disease increases. Preventative and diagnostic services like MRIs will see the demand go up significantly, adding thousands of jobs to the field through 2030.

Of the 42,000 MRI technologists who worked in the U.S. as of May 2020, over half of them were at hospitals, including state, local, private, research, and specialty hospitals. But thousands of MRI techs are also employed at other kids of healthcare facilities, including:

• Medical and diagnostic labs
• Physicians’ offices
• Outpatient clinics
• Urgent care centers
• And more

Smith Chason College graduates are eligible to sit for their registry exams to become registered MRI technologists. Smith Chason strongly recommends obtaining certifications to provide you with the best knowledge and opportunities when entering the medical imaging field. Registry reviews and assistance with the registry exam process are available for students as they navigate through their program.

Our MRI certificate is geared toward a technologist who already has their ARRT(R) in radiography and would like formal education to help them sit for and pass the Advanced‐Level Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) examination through ARRT. Graduates of the program are eligible to sit for the ARRT (MR) exam.

Review our Pathways to Registry  for MRI Qualification Certificate Students to learn more about our suggested pathway and which exams are included in the program cost.

Other Registries to consider After Graduation and In Your Career:

• ARMRIT Certified MRI Technologist
• ARMRIT Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologist
• ARRT Registered Technologist–Radiography (RTR)
• ARRT Registered Technologist–Computed Tomography (RTCT)
• ARRT Registered Technologist–Mammography (RTM)

The eligibility prerequisites of all registries can be changed at any time without Smith Chason College’s knowledge or consent. This document is meant to be a guide only, there are additional steps and requirements not listed here, and all students should refer to the Smith Chason registry disclosure and review the registry’s website for the most up-to-date information. Your previous education may allow you to have registry eligibility not addressed here, please see the registry’s website for details. 

Yes, Smith Chason College is accredited by the ACCSC (Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges).

Our programs work in cooperation with community partners nationally in the medical field, including but not limited to hospitals, rehabilitation centers, clinics, and assisted living.

Externships and clinical rotations may be attended during daytime hours, evenings, or weekends as approved by externship/clinical sites and Smith Chason. Students are responsible for transportation to and from their externship site and may be required to travel more than 75 miles from the campus each way including out of the area or out of state.

In addition, our partners require that we ensure that our students participating in externships or clinical practice at their facilities have required vaccinations, health screenings, and clear background checks.

All programs at our college require clinical applications on real patients as required by the Boards that license our graduates. Therefore, any person enrolling at Smith Chason will be required to perform all clinical requirements to meet graduation and state board requirements.

63months for our MRI Qualification Certificate students.

Yes. Smith Chason College is eligible to participate in federal financial assistance programs, California state aid programs, approved for the training of veterans and eligible persons, private student loans, and scholarships. Learn more about financial options available to those who qualify at Smith Chason College on our Financial Aid page

Smith Chason also offers and accepts a variety of scholarships. Our Smith Chason Scholarship booklet contains a sampling of various scholarships granted by Smith Chason and other sources for you to consider as you embark on your educational journey. Scholarships can be a great source of additional assistance to help you fund your education and your future!

For other scholarships not listed in our booklet, please visit FastWeb, an online resource to search over 1.5 million scholarships.

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*Smith Chason College does not control the availability, validity or selection criteria of outside scholarships. Scholarships and financial aid is available to those who qualify

Yes, graduates who have successfully completed all parts of their program are eligible to sit for their registry and NCLEX exams. This includes the SPI and CCT which can be taken after completing PHY202 and CAR220 respectively, ARRT(S), ARRT(MR), ARMRIT, ARDMS, NCLEX-PN and NCLEX-RN after graduation.  Smith Chason strongly recommends obtaining certifications to provide you with the best knowledge and opportunities when entering the medical imaging and nursing field. Smith Chason provides registry reviews, NCLEX prep with  robust ATI program and assistance with the exam process.

See our Pathways to Registry for Medical Imaging Students for more information.