RPA to BSRS

Radiology Practitioner Assistants (RPA)s
Welcome to the
MSU Bachelor of Science in Radiologic Sciences Program!

 

MSU BSRS: Convenient & Affordable!

 

The MSU Bachelor of Science in Radiologic Science (BSRS) degree is ENTIRELY available through distance education, so students NEVER have to come to the MSU campus to earn this degree.  

 

All courses in the BSRS program are offered as Internet courses.  Instructors are available by phone and/or email.  Course content is based on standard textbooks and the on-line course instructions guide students through every step of the material.  Courses are usually divided into several individual units or modules with accompanying assignments or quizzes submitted for grading.  Specific instructions for assignments, quizzes, projects, online discussion boards, and exams are provided in each course syllabus. Students take exams at approved proctored sites.

 

Students determine their own course load each semester, whether they want to take one course or more courses.  This program provides lateral and upward mobility for technologists who are unable to attend college on a full-time, on-campus basis.   All the MSU BSRS courses are available at the IN-STATE tuition rate of approximately $200 per credit hour!  This is particularly valuable to RPAs who seek a baccalaureate degree. 

 

You can continue to work full time and still earn your BSRS with minimal cost and maximum convenience and flexibility!

 

 

 

MSU BSRS: Advanced Placement Credits!

 

After successfully completing twelve (12) credit hours at MSU towards an MSU BSRS degree, students may be eligible for advanced placement credits. 

 

Upon satisfactory completion of an online advanced placement exam administered by MSU faculty, ARRT certified radiographers may earn up to 46 semester credit hours of advanced standing in recognition of their previous radiography education and professional experience.   Graduates of accredited Radiologic Sciences Programs in Texas that have articulation agreements with MSU do not have to take this advanced placement exam to receive these credits.

 

 

 

MSU BSRS: Getting In

 

Students may enter the BSRS Program during any semester – Fall, Spring, or Summer. 

 

Admission Criteria:

  • Meet all MSU admission requirements
  • Have a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher
  • Be certified by ARRT
  • Document compliance with state mandated immunizations
  • Have reliable Internet access and a working email address
  • Meet Texas Success Initiative (TSI) requirements or submit a signed copy of the TSI Temporary Waiver Form for Distance Education Students found at http://registrar.mwsu.edu/successdist.asp

 

Admission Procedures:

  • Submit all required admission materials to the MSU Admissions Office
  • Contact the Radiologic Sciences Department for the name of your advisor
    • Be sure to indicate that you are an RPA seeking your BSRS so you will be assigned to the appropriate advisor
  • Submit a working email address to your Radiologic Sciences advisor
  • Request your PIN number from your advisor
  • Complete the online BSRS Program Orientation

 

Admission to MSU – Students must be admitted to MSU as undergraduate Radiologic Science students.  They should allow several weeks for this to happen because there are several steps to the process.  Students are encouraged to complete the online MSU application and pay the application fee online.  Students must be careful to mark the correct semester when they will first enroll in classes – (e.g. fall or spring semester).  http://admissions.mwsu.edu/apply.asp

 

The MSU application process includes submitting official transcripts to the MSU Admissions Office.  Official transcripts must be originals (not copies) sent directly from the issuing institutions to the MSU Admissions Office.  Transcripts must be provided for ALL higher education institutions attended.  An online transcript request form is available so proper information is received by the MSU Admissions Office. http://admissions.mwsu.edu/transcripts.asp

 

 

 

MSU BSRS: Curriculum Plan

 

The MSU BSRS Degree Plan includes 130 credit hours.  BSRS students must take at least 33 credit hours from MSU to earn a baccalaureate degree from this institution.  They must have at least 36 credit hours in upper level courses.  Click on the link in the left menu to see the BSRS Degree Plan.
 

            Basic Core Courses                                          33 credit hours

            Supplemental Core Courses                            18 credit hours

Professional Core Courses                               33 credit hours

Advanced Placement Credits                           46 credit hours

   (for ARRT Radiography Certification)

Total                                                               130 credit hours

 

 

 

MSU BSRS: Transfer Credits

 

MSU offers all the Basic and Supplemental Core courses online sometime during the academic year.  But you can take these general education courses at an institution more convenient to you and transfer them to MSU towards your BSRS degree!   MOST RPAs have general education credits that will transfer to MSU from their previous college experiences such as associate degree work in a community college or previous university undergraduate level courses.  The MSU Registrar will evaluate any transfer credits for these general education requirements. 

 

By taking your upper level professional / Radiologic Science courses online from MSU, you will satisfy the requirement to take 33 credit hours from MSU for this degree.

 

MSU BSRS: Sample Cases – How This Might Work for You!

 

Let’s see how this could “play out” for different sample RPAs.  In each case there are 130 total credits - 46 advanced placement credits, leaving 84 credit hours to fulfill:

 

 

RPA #1, "Robin" has taken several university undergraduate courses and the MSU Registrar determined that two English classes, one math class, two biology classes, one psychology class, one history class, a PE class, one sociology class, and a computer science class will transfer to MSU for a total of 30 credits.  84 – 30 = 54 credits @ approximately $200 per credit hour = approximately $10,800

 

If RPA #1 takes four courses (12 credit hours) each semester starting in Summer 2007, he will complete the program in five semesters, at the end of Fall 2008. 

 

If RPA #1 take three courses (9 credit hours) each semester starting in Summer 2007, he will complete the BSRS Program in six semesters, at the end of Spring 2009. 

 

 

 

RPA #2 "Pat" has an Associate Degree and the MSU Registrar determined that two English classes, one math class, one biology class, and one psychology class will transfer to MSU for a total of 15 credits.  84 – 15 = 69 credits @ approximately $200 per credit hour = approximately $13,800

 

If RPA #2 takes four courses (12 credit hours) each semester starting in Summer 2007, she will complete the program in six semesters, at the end of Spring 2009. 

 

If RPA #2 take three courses (9 credit hours) each semester starting in Summer 2007, she will complete the BSRS Program in eight semesters, at the end of Fall 2009. 

 

 

 

RPA #3 "Adrian" has no previous college or university classes that will transfer to MSU.  He must take all 84 credits to earn the BSRS degree.  84 credits @ approximately $200 per credit hour = approximately $16,800

 

If RPA #3 takes four courses (12 credit hours) each semester starting in Summer 2007, he will complete the program in seven semesters, at the end of Summer 2009. 

 

If RPA #3 take three courses (9 credit hours) each semester starting in Summer 2007, he will complete the BSRS Program in ten semesters, at the end of Summer 2010.

 



And when you have completed the BSRS degree ---- consider advancing your career with the MSU Master of Science in Radiologic Sciences (MSRS) Program which now features THREE (3) majors for students with different career interests:  Education, Administration, and Radiologist Assistant ! 

 


For More Information About the MSU BSRS for RPA Plan:

 

Donna Lee Wright, EdD, RT(R) or Jeff Killion, PhD, RT(R)(QM)

Midwestern State University, 3410 Taft Boulevard, Wichita Falls, TX  76308-2099

Toll Free:  866-575-4305   Fax: 940-397-4845

donna.wright@mwsu.edu or jeff.killion@mwsu.edu