Frequently Asked Questions

Applicants must:

• meet the general admission requirements for the college.
• hold a high school diploma or GED.
• have a cumulative grade point average (GPA) ≥ 2.5 based on the GPA calculated at the most recent institution/college at which you completed at least 12 college credit hours.

If you have not taken 12 college credit hours at any one college by the end of Fall 2025, your high school GPA must be ≥ 2.5.

The following are the prerequisites for Fall 2026 consideration:

• One high school or college lab science (Biology, Physics, or Chemistry)
  Biology is preferred. BIO 141 can not be used to fulfill this prerequisite, but BIO 101 or NAS 2 can.
• BIO 141 (Human Anatomy and Physiology I) completed within the last 5 years.
  Note: A challenge exam is available for placing directly into BIO 141 for those who feel their prior knowledge is sufficient without having to complete BIO 101 or NAS 2.
• SDV 101 (Orientation to Health Professions)

Each course must be completed with a C or higher by the end of the spring 2026 semester.

If your college offers a one-credit SDV 100 and a one-credit SDV 101, we can combine those two courses to equate to the two-credit SDV 101 prerequisite, provided the final grades are a C or higher.  Alternately, if you have completed an Associate degree or higher, upon receipt of the official transcript showing degree completion we can use the previous degree to award credit for prior learning for the two credit SDV prerequisite.

Twenty-one to twenty-four (21-24) students will be admitted to the 2026 Radiography Class. In 2025, there were approximately 150 qualified applicants considered.

Criteria used in the selection of students includes:

• interviews
• HESI entrance test results
• student essay
• overall GPA
• science grades.

Applicants must score a minimum of 70 on the HESI to proceed to the interview process. Testing will begin in late March and interviews will take place typically in April. Applicants are encouraged to research the Radiologic Technologists (RT) profession.

Meeting the admission criteria does not guarantee program admission nor does completion of the Introduction to Radiography CSC.

There is not a waiting list. All applicants who meet the deadline and are minimally qualified will be considered for the program. 

The core RAD courses must be taken in sequence as outlined in the college catalog (including a summer semester). The core program coursework is only offered during the day. Clinical experiences are primarily full days, but applicants should anticipate a limited number of evening or a weekend clinical during the program.

We accept permanent residents, asylee, refugees and most visa types. However, we do not accept students on F1 or M1 visas as those visas are affiliated with a particular school. Students on F1 or M1 visas are not allowed to pursue a degree or certificate program with Virginia Western. Students on B1 and B2 visas are also not allowed to enroll at Virginia Western.

The Introduction to Radiography CSC allows applicants who may not be accepted into the AAS program to academically prepare to take the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) certification exam, if the EMS 111/120 course sequence is completed. 

Additionally, if you already have a healthcare licensure/certification (such as CCMA, CNA, Phlebotomist, etc,) if you submit a copy of your current license to the HPAAO, we can complete paperwork on your behalf to determine if  Credit for Prior Learning can be awarded for one of the options under the job skill portion of the Introduction to Radiography CSC.

The Introduction to Radiography CSC consists of specific coursework that is designed to allow applicants to the Radiography program to complete some of the courses required within the AAS and to also offer a job skill option to applicants in case of non-admittance to the program. Not all prerequisite and support classes are included in the CSC. MTH 130 is not included in the CSC and you are offered the choice of PSY 230 OR PHI 220.

If you are using financial aid to cover the cost of classes, financial aid will only cover the cost of either PSY 230 OR PHI 220 if you are eligible for financial aid. Financial aid will also not cover the elective since it is not included in the CSC.

If you wish to complete these courses prior to entry, you need to pay for those courses out of pocket.  If you are accepted into the AAS Radiography program, financial aid will then cover those courses. The plan change for accepted students from the CSC to the AAS typically occurs in late May or early June and will not be effective until the fall term.

Applicants for admission to the Radiography program are considered for class positions based on their ability to meet program admissions standards, without regard to race, color, sex, age, religion, disability, national origin, or other non-merit factors.

Applicants can complete the GED and submit official scores of the GED to the HPAAO. Applicants can also submit their transcripts to one of the organizations who are members of NACES (National Association of Credential Evaluation Services) and have the official report that verifies completion of United States High School education equivalency sent to the HPAAO. Either the copy of the GED scores or the official report from a NACES organization member must arrive by the application deadline of February 1 to be considered for the fall program. Here is a link to the current members of the NACES.

If you are interested in taking classes to prepare for future entry into the program but you are unsure when you will be eligible, please submit the 2026 Radiography application with the appropriate transcripts. This will allow us to help you plan and suggest proper courses to begin your studies. The advisor will also evaluate your transcripts for transfer credit and can discuss your placement results.

We have a team of advisors for Health Professions.

• New students should begin with a New Student Advisor in the Enrollment Center.

• Rhonda Perdue is the Health Professions program advisor and provides advising about applying and preparing for health professions programs for continuing Virginia Western Students. Rhonda can assist with career planning and course selection and may be able to assist with preliminary information. You can schedule an appointment with Rhonda Perdue via Navigate.

• Pam Woody or Jasmine Terry will process your academic file and evaluate previously completed coursework after a review of your official transcripts. They will also send the process letter verifying your GPA, prerequisites, and the evaluation of your college course work. 

Submission of all academic materials including application and official transcripts from High School and all colleges attempted should be directed to: Attention: Pam Woody; VWCC; School of Health Professions; 3091 Colonial Avenue, SW; Roanoke VA 24015.

You may also contact the team of advisors at healthprofessions@virginiawestern.edu.

Click here for the HESI Prep Guide for Radiography (PDF).

Admission decisions are made by a Radiography Admissions Committee. Admission decisions are emailed by student email to the applicants as soon as possible following the spring semester, usually by late May. Please note that spring grades need to be posted to determine the prerequisite average prior to the Radiography Admissions Committee meeting.

VWCC Radiography Program – Projected Schedule 2026-2028

First Semester (Fall):

Second Semester (Spring):

Third Semester (Summer):

Fourth Semester (Fall):

Fifth Semester (Spring):

*Note: Program elective courses must not interfere with the RAD course times.

Virginia Western Community College faculty and students must comply with the policies required by clinical facilities with which we have legal agreements. If a student refuses to comply with a clinical facility immunization and vaccination requirement, Virginia Western Community College will attempt, but cannot guarantee, to assign a student to an alternative clinical facility. A student will be placed in an alternative location only if it meets the educational objectives of Virginia Western Community College and program requirements for clinical placement. Faculty also must be available to appropriately supervise students at the clinical facility. Refusal to comply with a clinical facility immunization and vaccination requirement by a student in our health programs may impede your progress in the program or your ability to remain in the program.

Yes! In all 50 states, students graduating from an accredited radiography program are required to pass the ARRT (American Registry of Radiologic Technologist) National Board exam and may have to meet additional state requirements in order to work as a Radiologic Technologist, Radiography (R.T.R).

Prospective students should be aware that completing a background check process is be part of the boarding process. If students have any concerns regarding possible findings on these reports, they should contact the ARRT to complete an ethics review prior to boarding and preferably before beginning the Radiography program.  If an ARRT ethics review is conducted, the ARRT will either accept or deny the students ability to sit for the board exam.

Students employed in a facility requiring licensure in the state of Virginia or wishing to be licensed in the state of Virginia must:

• Be 18 years of age or older
• Be a graduate of an accredited Radiography Program
• Pass the ARRT National Board Exam
• Complete the Virginia Board of Medicine application for Radiologic Technologist
• Demonstrate and maintain proof of Continuing Education

Virginia state licensure is not required by the state of Virginia for students employed in a hospital setting.  See the Virginia State Licensure requirements for Radiologic Technologist.  Licensure requirements differ from state to state.  Students intending to work out of the state of Virginia should consult the Board of Medicine for licensure requirements.