Radiology Schools in Hawaii

  • The National Center for Education Statistics lists one institution in Hawaii that offers a radiology tech program(1).
  • The Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT) has accredited one radiography program from one radiology tech school in Hawaii(2).
  • The University of Hawai’i – Kapi‘olani Community College is the only institution in the state that offers an Associate in Science degree program in radiologic technology.
  • No school in Hawaii offers certificate programs, bachelor’s degree programs, master’s degree programs, or online programs in radiologic technology.
  • Based on the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data, radiologic technologists and radiology technicians in Hawaii have an annual average salary of $82,680 and an hourly average salary of $39.75 as of May 2019(3).

Radiologists, radiologic technologists, and radiology technicians are allied health science specialists in diagnostic imaging. The job outlook for these occupations increases as the American population grows.

Production of medical images involves modalities, including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), X-ray, sonography, computed tomography (CT), ultrasound, and mammography.

Students typically need an associate’s degree from a radiography program to pursue specialized degrees from radiology programs.

Radiology programs involve higher-ranking courses in MRI, nuclear medicine, radiation therapy, fluoroscopy, and other specialized classes. Radiologists are licensed physicians who conduct medical imaging services and diagnose patients.

Graduates of accredited radiography programs may apply for entry-level positions as radiographers. These professionals are also known as X-ray technicians or radiologic technicians. They operate sonography or X-ray machines.

Radiographers do not officially diagnose patients. However, those who aim for specialized and advanced positions may study radiology programs to prepare for specific radiology fields.

Best Radiology Schools in Hawaii

The best radiology technician school in the state of Hawaii has accreditation from the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT). This committee is the only one recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) and the United States Department of Education (USDE).

Only one school offers an associate’s degree in radiography. Such degrees are necessary to proceed to enter advanced radiology programs for specialized radiologic technology occupations.

Based on the latest report of the JRCERT, the following table is a summary of program effectiveness data of the only school in Hawaii and the radiologic technology program that it offers(4)*. 

Radiology School Type of Program Degree/ Certificate Program Length (in months) Tuition (per year) Program Effectiveness Data (%)
Completion Rate Credential Examination Pass Rate Job Placement Rate
University of Hawaii–Kapiolani Community College

Honolulu, Hawaii

 Radiography Associate of Science 23 $4,545 (resident), $21,960 (non-resident) 100  100 97.06

*Data retrieved on Sept. 15, 2020. Changes may occur when new information comes in.

University of Hawaii–Kapiolani Community College – Honolulu, Hawaii

This school offers an Associate of Science (AS) degree in radiography. During 2018 to 2019, 16 students completed the program(5).

The radiologic technology (RAD) program comprises various subjects and faculty-supervised clinical experiences to prepare students for safe operation of X-ray equipment.

The curriculum combines classroom lectures, hands-on exercises in fully equipped laboratories, and supervised comprehensive clinical practice in affiliated hospitals. Some affiliations include:

  • Castle Medical Center – Kailua
  • Kaiser Permanente Moanalua Medical Center – Honolulu
  • Pali Momi Medical Center – Aiea
  • Kapi‘olani Medical Center for Women and Children – Honolulu
  • Kuakini Medical Center – Honolulu
  • Queen’s Medical Center – Honolulu
  • Shriner’s Hospital for Children – Honolulu
  • Straub Clinic and Hospital – Honolulu
  • Hawai‘i Diagnostic Radiology Services – Honolulu 

As a JRCERT-accredited educational program, the University of Hawaii-Kapiolani Community College’s Radiography Program allows graduates to sit for the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) exam(6).

Passing the ARRT certification exam is required for state licensure. Most states, including Hawaii, require licensure before radiographers can legally practice(7).

Licensed radiology technicians must also take continuing education and renew their license every two years.

How to Become a Radiologic Technologist in Hawaii

Typical requirements for radiology school prospects include a high school degree or satisfactory general education development (GED) results. Applicants must be at least 17 years old to enter an accredited college with a radiology program.

Application

Schools, colleges, and universities typically accommodate online applications. Official websites require membership for easier application processes. Some of these school portals also offer a dedicated webpage for applicants to request information.

Tuition and Fees

Tuition and additional fees may vary depending on the residency of students. Residents of Hawaii may have lesser tuition than non-residents. Most schools offer financial aid options for non-resident students.

During the academic year 2018 to 2019 of Kapiolani Community College, the estimated total expenses of in-state students who lived off campus was $22,924. Meanwhile, out-of-state students living off campus spent $28,060(8).

Admission

The admission processes of radiology schools tend to be competitive. Schools may prioritize students with a grade point average (GPA) above 3.0 for their radiologic technology programs. Having taken advanced math and science courses in high school also boosts one’s admission chances.

For non-high school students, some schools may require prerequisite courses before admission. These subjects include physiology and anatomy, which are essential starting points in clinical education and science in radiologic technology.

Upon acceptance to a radiography program, students must meet academic and clinical requirements to become eligible for graduation.

To be eligible for graduation, students should maintain a grade of C (2.0) or higher in each course and take the ARRT certification exam. Graduation may be delayed should students fail to meet these requirements.

Curriculum

A standard curriculum of radiography programs includes industry fundamentals, such as theory, procedures, radiation protection, medical assisting, specialized patient care, and other coursework.

A particular program of study may include courses that expose students to actual radiography practices. Students take immersive classes in various diagnostic imaging departments to develop and refine their patient management skills.

Graduation

Graduation from radiography programs in Hawaii earns students an AS degree. These programs may take two years to complete.

AS degree holders may apply for entry-level positions in radiology departments of hospitals as X-ray technicians or operators of CT scans and ultrasound machines.

Graduates of radiography programs may also pursue advanced radiology programs outside the state of Hawaii, such as radiation technology or MRI. This step is essential in getting a medical degree.

Students of JRCERT-accredited schools have better chances of securing jobs in radiologic technology upon graduation.

Graduates may also join the Hawaii Society of Radiologic Technologists(9). This professional organization aims to advance the state’s radiologic technology specialties to allow imaging professionals to provide the best quality healthcare.

Career Opportunities and Salary

The BLS offers an Occupational Employment Statistics query system, which gathers the latest labor data of multiple occupations for a specific geographic area(10). 

Based on BLS data as of May 2019, the following table summarizes the employment rates and wages for radiologic technologists, radiology technicians, and other related occupations in Hawaii:

State: Hawaii

Period: May 2019

Occupation Employment(A) Average Hourly Salary Average Annual Salary(B)
Radiation Therapists Data unavailable $47.23 $98,240.00
Cardiovascular Technologists and Cardiovascular Technicians 150 $31.37 $65,250.00
Diagnostic Medical Sonographers 170 $49.11 $102,140.00
Nuclear Medicine Technologists 40 $47.35 $98,480.00
Radiologic Technologists and Radiology Technicians 660 $39.75 $82,680.00
Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists 110 $46.42 $96,540.00

A. Estimates for detailed occupations do not sum to the totals because the totals include occupations not shown separately. Estimates do not include self-employed workers. Date extracted: September 14, 2020.

B. Annual wages have been calculated by multiplying the corresponding hourly wage by 2,080 hours. Date extracted: September 14, 2020.

Conclusion

Currently, there is one radiology tech school in Hawaii with accreditation from the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology.

Students who complete accredited radiologic science programs may earn Associate of Science degrees in radiography. The radiography program may take about two years to complete. 

Students looking to pursue radiology programs must look outside the state of Hawaii.

Radiation therapy, MRI, mammography, diagnostic medical sonography, and nuclear medicine technology, are among the specialized programs that radiography students pursue.

Professionals in these radiology fields earn significantly more than radiographers and radiologic technicians.

Radiologists are actual physicians with advanced clinical experience. These professionals work full-time with medical imaging and radiation sciences to diagnose and treat patients.

Meanwhile, radiographers and rad techs may assist radiologists in the workplace. However, they cannot give formal diagnoses.

  1. National Center for Education Statistics. College Navigator. Retrieved from https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?s=HI&p=51.0907+26.0209+51.0916+51.0911+51.0814&l=91+92+93+94 
  2. JRCERT program effectiveness data. Retrieved from www.jrcert.org/resources/program-effectiveness-data/
  3. May 2019 State Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates Hawaii. Occupational Employment Statistics. National Center for Education Statistics. US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Retrieved from https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_hi.htm 
  4. JRCERT program effectiveness data. Op cit
  5. College Navigator – Hawaii Technical Community College-Terry. National Center for Education Statistics. https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?s=HI&p=51.0907+26.0209+51.0916+51.0911+51.0814&l=91+92+93+94&id=141796 
  6. Student FAQs. Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology. Retrieved from https://www.jrcert.org/students/student-faqs/#javelin_faq1149_276
  7. Radiation Section. State of Hawaii, Department of Health – Indoor and Radiological Health Branch. Retrieved from https://health.hawaii.gov/irhb/radiation/  
  8. College Navigator – Hawaii Technical Community College-Terry. National Center for Education Statistics. Op cit
  9. Our Mission. Hawaii Society of Radiologic Technologists. Retrieved from http://www.hawaiisrt.org/ 
  10. Occupational Employment Statistics Query System. US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Retrieved from https://data.bls.gov/oes/#/home 
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