M.S. in Radiologist Assistant
NJ’s Only Masters’ Degree Recognized by the American Registry of Radiologic Technology (ARRT)
We offer an online, 24-month master’s degree Radiologist Assistant program for radiologic technologist professionals who hold a bachelor’s degree and are certified by the American Registry of Radiologic Technology.
Our Master of Science Radiologist Assistant Program follows a nationally recognized curriculum that includes clinical and didactic instruction. It prepares the radiologist assistant to be an integral member of the health care team. As an advanced care practitioner, the RA functions as a critical extension of a radiologist performing a variety of cases ranging from invasive and non-invasive procedures while improving productivity and efficiency at a time when the demand for imaging procedures is at its peak.
In our 46-credit program, students develop the skills to become advanced level practitioners, working under the supervision of a radiologist, to perform radiology examinations and procedures, evaluating image quality, and making initial observations that are communicated to the radiologist. Program graduates positively impact the delivery of care by ensuring high-quality standards with diagnostic imaging.
Students are expected to identify a radiology practice with an American Board of Radiology radiologist willing to mentor and assess the competence of the RA student.
- New Jersey’s only masters’ degree program recognized by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologist (ARRT)
- Consistently high pass rates on the national board certification exam.
- Follows the national curriculum established by the American Society of Radiologic Technologist and the American College of Radiology
- The 46-credit program combines distance education with annual visits to the campus to provide students with the benefit of face-to-face contact with faculty.
- Part-time radiologist assistant program offers the opportunity for students to continue working while advancing their careers
- Consistently recognized by the ARRT for meeting all educational benchmarks
- Rutgers University is ranked #1 out of 582 colleges by College Factual for best college for health professions
- Graduates are able to perform as integral members of a healthcare team
- Graduates are able to take on leadership positions to enhance the profession
- Graduates are competent and effective in their skills and knowledge to perform as a radiologist assistant
Salary expectations: $106,000- $129,980 annually according to Salary.com
See the 2023 Radiologist Assistant Compensation and Practice Survey.
A shortage of 35,000 unfilled seats for physicians including radiologists and other specialty physicians and is expected by 2034 according to the Association of American Medical Colleges (published in their 7th Annual Analysis of Physician Supply). Physician extenders such as the registered radiologist assistant may help with the shortage in this specialized field.
Few professions are expanding as rapidly as health care. According to the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics, the need for advanced-practice radiographers is projected to grow faster than average. Those with expertise in more than one diagnostic modality will enhance their employment opportunities. Now is the optimal time to expand your skills by becoming a multicompetent radiographer.
The Master of Science Radiologist Assistant program at Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey is accredited and meets the minimum requirements set forth by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) and is in compliance until January 31st, 2026.
Students applying to the program must identify a radiology practice group that is American Board of Radiology (ABR) certified to serve as their mentor/preceptor who are willing to instruct and assess the competence of RA students working and learning under their supervision. This requires an established Clinical Memorandum of Understanding between the school and the clinical facility.
Deadline for Fall admissions: June 15th
Applicants must:
- Be a graduate of a Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology-approved Diagnostic Radiography program
- Hold a bachelor’s degree with a grade point average of 3.0 or higher and submit official transcripts
- Submit a letter from employer showing employment as a radiographer for a minimum of one year
- Provide three letters of recommendation (two from a radiologist)
- Provide personal statement
- Provide proof of current BCLS certification
- Provide a notarized copy of current ARRT registry and state licensure
- Identify a radiologist to serve as your preceptor and provide Preceptorship Agreement
- Provide Preceptors ABR certificate, state license, and curriculum vitae
- Additional required forms
For Tuition and Fees, please see the Graduate Tuition and Fees.
(Scroll down to 2023-2024 Rutgers Health Tuition and Fee Rates and click on School of Health Professions)
The M.S. in Radiologist Assistant program is an online, 46-credit graduate degree program designed to meet the needs and career goals of busy professionals.
Students will enroll in 10 to 6 credits per semester.
The program requires students to attend labs on the Newark campus for a minimum of twice each year for 3 to 4 days. The program commences every September.
Course requirements and descriptions.
Semester | Course# | Course Title | Credits |
---|---|---|---|
1-Fall | |||
MSRA5110 | Pathophysiology for Radiology Assistants | 3 | |
MSRA5200 | Advanced Patient Care and Pharmacology | 4 | |
MSRA5120 | Patient Assessment, Management and Education | 3 | |
2-Spring | |||
MSRA5111 | Imaging Pathophysiology and Clinical Pathways I | 3 | |
MSRA5100 | Radiobiology, Radiation Safety and Health Physics | 3 | |
MSRA5230 | Roles and Responsibilities in RAD. Procedures, Tech, & Quality Care | 3 | |
3-Summer | |||
MSRA5212 | Imaging Pathophysiology and Clinical Pathways II | 3 | |
MSRA5219 | Clinical Preceptorship and Image Evaluation I | 3 | |
MSRA5112 | Law, Regulation, and Risk Management | 1 | |
4-Fall | |||
MSRA5319 | Clinical Preceptorship and Image Evaluation II | 3 | |
MSRA7700 | Radiologist Assistant Special Topics | 2 | |
5-Spring | |||
MSRA5219 | Clinical Preceptorship and Image Evaluation III | 3 | |
IDST6200 | Research Methods for the Health Sciences | 3 | |
6-Summer | |||
MSRA7209 | Clinical Internship | 9 | |
Curriculum Total: | 46 |
You are invited to a Virtual Information Sessions to explore degree programs from the Rutgers School of Health Professions. Please register in advance to receive the Zoom link.
March 21, 2024 2:00 p.m. |
April 11, 2024 6:00 p.m. |
April 30, 2024 2:00 p.m. |
May 9, 2024 6:00 p.m. |
May 30, 2024 2:00 p.m. |
Our Master of Science Radiologist Assistant Program was designed to offer radiologic technologists the opportunity to expand their careers through a comprehensive online program.
With radiologist supervision, the radiologist assistant performs patient assessment, patient management, fluoroscopy and other radiology procedures.
Bachelor’s degree with a 3.0 average or above, graduation from an accredited Diagnostic Radiology program, preceptorship agreement. For additional admission requirements please see Admissions Criteria.
Applications can be found here.
Courses for this program are not offered on a non-matriculated basis.
Information on tuition and fees can be found here.
Yes. Rutgers University and the School of Health Professions offer a limited number of scholarship programs.
“Success often comes down to good decision-making and proper planning. Picking the right institution for graduate education is the start and is key in maximizing your overall clinical and didactic experience. While exploring educational options, I found myself unsure–I wanted to make the ‘BEST’ decision for myself, and my family. I reached out to a mentor asking for his thoughts, and without hesitation he said, “Go to Rutgers”. Trusting his guidance and advice, I applied, was accepted, and began my journey.
The Rutgers professors were fantastic– always available, honorable, knowledgeable, and helped me achieve my professional goals. It gives me great joy to be able to practice as a Registered Radiologist Assistant each day, and as a successful RA, I feel like I truly contribute to the care of the patients that we all serve. From patient assessment, to formulating differentials and connecting the radiologic ‘dots’, Rutgers has helped me understand what it means to be an RA. I’m proud to be an RA, and proud to be an alumni of such a great program and University.”
“As part of the initial graduating class of this Radiologist Assistant program I’ve witnessed the growth and progress of both the field and the program. I’ve had the pleasure of mentoring many Rutgers students over the years and welcomed some as coworkers. It’s been truly amazing to watch the field grow, my practice at a major NYC cancer center has grown from me as the initial RA to a staff of 15 RA’s with plans to expand substantially in the near future.”
“As a prior student for the Rutgers University’s Radiologist Assistant program, the journey has been nothing short of enlightening. The comprehensive curriculum and hands-on training have equipped me with the expertise to serve as a vital physician extender in the field of radiology. The opportunity to work closely with radiologists has not only deepened my understanding of medical imaging but has also allowed me to make a meaningful impact on patient care.”
This profession has proven to be incredibly rewarding, providing me with the privilege of contributing to accurate diagnoses and improved patient outcomes. The Radiologist Assistant program at Rutgers has been a stepping stone to a fulfilling and impactful career in healthcare”.
“I feel fortunate to have attended the Rutgers University Radiologist Assistant program, and to have the honor of graduating at the top of my class. For me, the program was the right fit, at the right time, and in the right way, mostly remote access didactics and a professor to radiologist collaboration with my clinical site.
In addition to a pathophysiologic foundation and a structured curriculum specific to the diagnostic duties of an RA, the course work covered pathophysiology, clinical assessment, and the medicolegal/ethics that I now use to function as a respected mid-level provider. As with any university, your intellectual return on investment will match the time and effort that you put in, but the friendliness and availability of the Rutgers University Radiologist Assistant program professors, for me, was a multiplier.”
For more information, call 908-889-2521 or email SHP-RA-AdvRad-info@shp.rutgers.edu.