Frequently asked Questions
What Should I Know About Radiography as a Career?
It is one the fastest growing career choices in the medical professions.
Radiographers use a variety of x-ray equipment in the production of diagnostic images.
Today, computer technology is used for the creation of diagnostic images.
Radiographers are employed in a variety of environments, such as hospitals, medical offices, private radiology offices and imaging centers.
Many radiographers opt to continue their professional study in magnetic resonance, computed tomography or other imaging specialty.
Radiographers who elect to study radiation therapy and nuclear medicine will require additional classroom and clinical education in their respective disciplines.
Radiographers may pursue baccalaureate degrees.
What Happens When I Finish The Program?
Graduates are eligible to apply for the certification examination in radiography by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists.
Graduates are eligible to apply for a New Jersey State Temporary License in Diagnostic Imaging.
You will be awarded an Associate of Applied Science Degree.
What High School Level Courses Do I Need In Order To Apply to The Radiography Program?
College Placement (CP) Biology; with a lab.
Algebra II
What is involved in the radiography program admissions process?
Admission to the radiography program sponsored by Bergen Community College is a five (5) step process. Perspective students are encouraged to read the requirements of each step in the process.
Background Check
Before applying to the radiography program, the applicant must be aware of the Criminal History Background Check (CHBC).
Applicants are required to read and follow the Division of Health Professions Policy for Criminal History Background Checks.
What is the background check? Why is it absolutely required?
A criminal background check is required for all persons who attend clinical education classes at our hospital affiliates. This is a requirement mandated by the hospital accreditation agency.
Students who have a background issue may defer enrollment until the next year. Students are advised that all must be cleared by the enrollment date deadline of March 1st
High School
College Placement Biology with a laboratory component with a B grade or higher; and,
Algebra II.
College Substitution
Applicants who have not taken CP Biology must take BIO 109 Anatomy & Physiology I.
Applicants must either test out or place into a remedial math course.
Take the College Math/ English Placement Test
This is a requirement for all incoming students who wish to apply to any college program.
Students who place into basic mathematics and algebra are advised that it will take 2 years of completing these requirements before being considered for admissions to the Radiography Program.
Application to the Radiography Program
Use this form if you are presently a degree- seeking student in another program at Bergen Community College
Use this form if you are applying to Bergen Community College first time; or (b) a non-degree seeking student.
Radiography Admissions Examination
When all prerequisite courses are successfully met and a minimal GPA of 2.5 is attained, the applicant will be invited to take the Radiography Admissions Examination.
Prior to taking this test, applicants should consider taking English and mathematics courses to improve upon their skills.
What Should I Do to Better Prepare for Program’s Admissions? You should complete:
BIO 109 Anatomy & Physiology I
BIO 209 Anatomy & Physiology II
A college level math course
SPE 111- Speech Communication
Earn a GPA of at least 2.5 or higher to apply to the program
*In order to be eligible to take MAT 035, all students must take the Accuplacer test. All students enrolled at Bergen Community College must take this test.
Have all official transcripts released to BCC, if you have not already done so.
Make sure you apply by the deadline date of March 1st.
What Am I Likely to Experience In the Program?
The radiography educational program consists of classroom and clinical education experience. You will be experiencing approximately 1000 hours of classroom experience and 2000 hours of clinical education.
All radiography programs follow a Competency Based Clinical Education System. Students are expected to perform all imaging studies in a competent manner. Therefore, the radiography program must afford all students sufficient clinical education time to accomplish their competency tasks.
What should I expect when I am in the program?
Students are expected to make concessions in their life for classes, study & work.
The program is intense. You will be spending many hours in class, clinical & studying.
Candidates and enrolled students must be aware of the expenses of tuition, fees, books, and uniforms.
What Are The Graduation Requirements?
All, 71 credits of liberal arts and science courses must be successfully completed.
All didactic radiography courses must be successfully completed.
All clinical competency requirements and objectives must be successfully completed.
The freshmen comprehensive examination must be passed with a grade of 75% or higher.
The senior exit examination must be passed with a grade of 75% or higher.
Who Do I Contact In The Radiography Program?
It is important to meet with one member of the full-time radiography faculty. They will take the time with you to plan your admission process. Our faculty will explain the program and its demands to you in detail.
Who Are The Full-Time Radiography Faculty?
The radiography program has full-time educators:
Professor Joseph Mamatz, Jr. is the Academic Chairman of the Radiography Department. He may be reached at 201.493.5000 or by email:
Professor Elizabeth Romano serves in the capacity of the Clinical Education Coordinator.
Professor Margaret Galla instructs in the classroom, laboratory and clinical education settings.
The program’s office is situated in the Pitkin Education Center, L-114. You may contact the faculty using the email addresses above. You may call 201-493-5000 and follow the menu prompts.
Is the Program Accredited?
Yes, we are fully accredited. Accreditation of Radiography Program is an essential component in the educational process. This assures that the program complies with certain educational Standards.
Who Are We Accredited by?
The radiography program is accredited with the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology and the New Jersey Radiologic Technology Board of Examiners.
This ensures that our graduates will be eligible for the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists certification examination in Radiography and a New Jersey State Temporary License in Diagnostic Imaging.
Any Recommendations?
- Attend a Health Professions information session.
- Research the field.
- Explore employment opportunities.
- Ask questions.
- Make an appointment to meet with a member of the radiography faculty for advisement.
- Address specific questions to the faculty using the following email address-radiographyad@bergen.edu.
The course prerequisites for consideration for admission to the Radiography program are a minimum:
1. 2.5 GPA;
2. Science-HS CP Biology with a with lab; or Anatomy and Physiology I
3. Mathematics-HS Algebra 2; or Remedial Mathematics courses. Completed.
Students are encouraged to complete the other general education courses as soon as possible before entering the program, as the core radiography courses of the program are very demanding.
4. If you have completed these courses: Algebra, and BIO 109, within the past 10 years, then you are ready to apply to the program for the Fall semester. I would encourage you to take the Anatomy I and II in the next two semesters.
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