The CT program seeks to develop and educate competent, efficient and compassionate technologists, capable of functioning in any environment. At COD, you'll discover: 

• Small class sizes that ensure students receive personalized attention.
• Dedicated instructors with years of professional experience.
• Instruction utilizing a General Electric CT scanner.
• Up-to-date, competency-based curriculum.
• Affordable programs to help students achieve success without creating overwhelming debt or draining a savings account.

Computed Tomography (CT), Certificate

The Computed Tomography (CT) certificate provides the student with the required course work and clinical practice to perform as a Computed Tomography (CT) technologist in medical imaging departments of hospitals, medical centers, and free standing medical imaging facilities. Upon successful completion of the program, students are eligible to take the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) for certification. In addition, the CT graduates must also obtain licensure in the State of Illinois with IEMA (Illinois Emergency Management Agency). This certificate requires 18 credits in the courses listed below.

Nuclear Medicine Technology, Certificate

The Nuclear Medicine Technology certificate involves clinical education. Upon successful completion of the program, students are eligible for two certification boards: American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) and Nuclear Medicine Technologist Certification Board (NMTCB). In addition, graduates must also obtain licensure in the State of Illinois with IEMA (Illinois Emergency Management Agency). This certificate program consists of 40 credits in the courses listed below.

Students are expected to provide proof of a Comprehensive Health Insurance Plan prior to the start of the program or clinical start. The insurance plan must cover you throughout the length of your clinical experience, which in most cases, consists of the entire length of the program. If you are in need of Health Insurance, please note the following important dates and visit cod.studentbenefitplans.com.

Important Dates

• Open Enrollment: Typically opens November through mid-January
  If you will need health insurance ANYTIME within the next year, you must apply during the current open enrollment period.

If you miss open enrollment, but have a qualifying life event, you can still apply during a Special Enrollment Period.

While we cannot guarantee your official acceptance into the program, you need to be aware that there is short timeframe of when you are able to purchase a Health Insurance plan. The purpose of this step is to make you aware and that the time to research and purchase is NOW. Purchasing health insurance outside of this timeframe will take months and may prohibit your admittance into the Program. NOTE: Obtaining Health Insurance is NOT an application requirement but it is a requirement to be in the program.

• Clinical Requirements Packet - Learn more about health requirements you may need to complete prior to registration or after program admission.
• Social Security Number (SSN) Requirements - While the College may not require an SSN for admission to all healthcare programs, students should be aware that the absence of an SSN may limit or prevent their ability to participate in certain clinical experiences, obtain required licensure or certification or secure employment upon graduation. Many healthcare employers, clinical education sites, licensing agencies and credentialing organizations require a valid SSN for employment, criminal background checks, payroll processing and/or professional licensure or certification. Students are strongly encouraged to verify SSN requirements with the applicable licensing board, certifying agency and prospective employers before enrolling in a healthcare program.

• Educate competent, efficient, and compassionate Computed Tomography (CT) technologists, capable of functioning in any environment.
• Provide a complete, up-to-date, competency-based curriculum.
• Educate the student to properly conduct CT procedures and administer doses of radiation to patients according to established professional standards of practice.
• Support the development of a diverse set of skills necessary to participate in both current and emerging technologies in Computed Tomography.
• Promote development of integrative, critical thinking, and written, verbal and computer-based communication skills.
• Prepare the student for eligibility to sit for the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) and NMTCB credentialing examination for Computed Tomography (CT). College of DuPage and/or its faculty and staff do not guarantee successful candidate performance on these certification exams, as a condition of successful Program completion. Program graduates must individually apply for the ARRT or NMTCB exam in CT after Program completion.
• Provide accurate student advisement to aid in student retention, course completion, program completion and possible future job placement.
• Provide opportunities for continuing education for Computed Tomography (CT) technologists.

Diagnostic Medical Imaging Computed Tomography Program graduates will:

• Operate CT equipment and perform CT exams under the direct supervision of qualified CT Technologists until they have successfully passed clinical experience evaluations on CT exams. 
• Demonstrate a minimum number of repetitions of CT procedures within 6 AART categories (Head, Spine and Musculoskeletal; Neck and Chest; Abdomen and Pelvis as required by the ARRT; Additional Procedures; Image Display and Post Processing, and Quality Assurance) ideally completing 65 CT procedures per clinical course. The CT program objectives are based on ARRT CT Certification requirements.

The primary mission of the Computed Tomography (CT) Certificate Program is to provide advanced qualifications in computed tomography with academic, laboratory, and clinical education to the graduate medical imaging professional. This mission will be realized through the excellent facilities at College of DuPage, including the General Electric CT Scanner, state-of-the-art classroom on campus, and the busy CT departments at the affiliated hospitals and imaging centers. The program will prepare students for eligibility to sit for the national certification exam in CT administered by the ARRT and NMTCB as well as providing continuing education credits for other medical imaging professionals.

The following clinical sites currently provide clinical education and experience for students in the computed tomography certificate program sponsored by the College of DuPage. Clinical sites are subject to change with annual revisions and additions.

• Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital (Downers Grove, IL)
• Advocate Christ Hospital (Oak Lawn, IL)
• Advocate Lutheran General (Park Ridge, IL)
• St Alexius Medical Center (Hoffman Estates, IL)
• Central DuPage Hospital (Winfield, Il)
• Elmhurst Memorial Healthcare (Elmhurst, IL)
• Delnor Hospital (Geneva, IL)
• DuPage Medical Group (Glen Ellyn, IL)
• Edward Hospital (Naperville, IL)
• Silver Cross (New Lenox, IL)
• Rush Copley (Aurora, IL)
• Rush University Medical Center (Chicago, IL)
• Loyola University Medical Center (Maywood, IL)
• Northshore University Health System (Skokie, IL)
• Northwestern Memorial Hospital (Chicago, IL)

Additional clinical sites may be added through the year. Please contact the CT program coordinator for the most recent list of sites.

To participate in the clinical education portion of the Program, the applicant must possess additional non-academic skills. These technical standards are consistent with the duties of the entry-level medical imaging professional. The applicant shall have:

• The ability to transport, move, lift and transfer patients from a wheelchair or stretcher to and from the treatment and/or simulation table.
• The ability to move, adjust, manipulate Computed Tomography and other medical equipment to perform simulation and imaging procedures.

• Sufficient visual acuity to observe patients and equipment operation during treatment, as well as read the patient’s radiation reports and medical information. Hearing also must be adequate to perceive and interpret audio signals from equipment, and to respond to patients’ questions or concerns.
• The ability to understand and communicate clearly in English, both orally and in writing, with patients, physicians and other personnel, with the ability to follow written and verbal directions.
• The ability to view computer monitors and digital medical images for extended periods.
• Sufficient problem-solving skills and the ability to perform these skills in a timely manner. Such skills include, but are not limited to, measuring, calculating, analyzing, and evaluating medical and technological information, and synthesizing this information in a way that facilitates troubleshooting problems and/or responding to emergency situations.
• The Essential Functions for Health Career Programs can be found on our program’s website section. Students may be denied acceptance into the Computed Tomography program solely based on not meeting these Essential Functions.