Mammography

Curriculum

For Registered Radiologic Technologists, Direct to Work

Offered in the Classroom

CERT Certificate | 6 Credits

Program of Study

About the Program

Are you a registered Radiologic Technologist who loves the patient care aspect of the profession?

Increase your skills and earning potential by adding an additional credential after your name. Mammography is a patient-centered modality, which requires a high level of technical skill.

The medical imaging modality of mammography is an important tool used in the diagnosis of breast cancer. This program will assist you in obtaining the necessary didactic education and mandatory clinical competencies to prepare you to sit for the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) Mammography Certification Examination.

Get an introduction to mammographic imaging and the fundamentals of mammography.

Application

Apply June 1 to July 15 annually for Fall semester start; October 1 to November 15 for a Spring semester start. Summer courses are not curently being offered.

Applications are accecpted on a first-come, first-served basis. Some clinical sites may interview potential applicants at their discretion.

What You’ll Learn

The program covers

specifics of equipment and instrumentation used in mammographic image production,
patient care and positioning,
radiation protection and safety,
specifics of the Mammographic Quality Standards Act (MQSA) and its requirements for quality control testing,
patient assessment and risk factors for breast disease,
interventional procedures, and
an introduction to breast tomosynthesis imaging.

Accreditation

American Registry of Radiologic Technologists and the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology.

This program exceeds the 16 ARRT requirements of didactic education and the 40 contact hours of instruction required by the Mammography Quality Standards Act (MQSA) of 1992 and 1998.

Course & Program Fees

Some programs and/or courses may require additional fees in addition to the base tuition and fees. High-cost course fees are used to support the maintenance and development of the course labs and are embedded within your general tuition.

Course Fees

The fees listed here are estimated and may change at any time. Please contact your advisor with any questions. The following courses have additional fees:

Course	Description	Fee
RTE 250	High-cost course fee	$7.35 (per credit hour)
RTE 291	Malpractice Insurance Non-EMT	$8.50 (flat)
RTE 291	Clinical Site Rotation Tracking	$39.50 (flat)
RTE 291 all internships	Dosimetry Badge	$19.00 (flat)

Online Course Fees

A separate fee is used to absorb the cost of any lab kits needed for lab-based online courses. This fee eliminates the need for students to purchase lab kits separately.

Course	Description	Fee
RTE 250	Online course fee	$7.21 (per credit hour)

Financial Aid Eligibility

This program is not eligible for federal student aid.

Internships & Service Learning Opportunities

To be successful, you will need to possess the critical thinking skills necessary to move into your clinical internship and an autonomous working environment.

Course Sequence
RTE 250 Mammography	3 credits
RTE 291 Mammography; Internship	4 credits
Total	7 credits

Job Outlook & Salary Information

What Can I Do with My Major?

The job growth for mammography is the same for radiologic technologists. The radiologic technologist acquires post-primary certification after completing structured education requirement and clinical skills. The growth is 13 percent for 2016-2026 nationally. Colorado and the Denver metro area has a larger population growth so the need is up to 25 percent.

This post-primary certification will increase your employment options and earning potential. Designed with the working technologist in mind, we offer an online didactic course and flexible internship opportunities to follow in the fall, spring, and summer semesters. This certificate includes a three-credit online course, exceeding the requirement of the American Registry of Radiologic Technologies (ARRT).

Learn more about this career path by visiting CCD's Career and Transfer Center.

How Much Can I Expect to Earn?

The starting salary for a new mammographer is $25.00-$30.00 per hour, about three to five dollars more than a technologist without this specialized training.

The information provided here is by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook.