BS IN MEDICAL IMAGING AND RADIATION SCIENCES - NUCLEAR MEDICINE

Nuclear Medicine is the profession that utilizes radiopharmaceuticals, scintillation cameras, and computers to image and quantify various physiologic processes throughout the body. The nuclear medicine technologist administers radiopharmaceuticals to patients, positions them for images, and operates the cameras and computers to produce the images and analyze the data. They have a detailed knowledge of radiation safety procedures and regulations and radiopharmacy. Technologists obtain images and provide physicians with information on injuries and disease processes affecting organ function. Nuclear medicine technologists perform general, cardiac, and oncologic procedures in hospital and clinical settings on adult and pediatric patients.

Student setting up patient for Nuclear Medicine Hepatobiliary Study.

The Department of Medical Imaging & Radiation Sciences offers a four-year baccalaureate degree with programs in Radiography, Nuclear Medicine, Radiation Therapy, and Sonography. Students may apply to the professional phase of the program, which is offered at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center in Oklahoma City, after completing 64 hours of general education, inclusive of the prerequisite courses.

Each of the four professional programs begins in the summer of every year and consists of 68 semester hours of sequenced and integrated didactic and clinical courses. Students will complete clinical assignments in selected hospital and clinic facilities located throughout the Oklahoma City metropolitan area. Program faculty determine student assignments to clinical rotation sites based upon each student’s abilities and clinical education needs.

Why should you choose a bachelor's degree program? Click here to learn more.  The four-year program culminates in the baccalaureate degree in Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences (B.S.M.I.R.S.) in the specific discipline of study. Upon successfully completing the chosen educational program, the student is eligible to apply to the appropriate credentialing agency to sit for the certification examination in the respective profession.

In 1970, the department established a baccalaureate degree program in Radiography. Baccalaureate programs in Nuclear Medicine and Radiation Therapy were instituted in 1975. In 1978, the fourth program in Sonography was approved. The offering of baccalaureate degrees in all four disciplines within one academic department is unique in the country.

None of the four professions is a prerequisite to one another or subordinate to another. Each degree program can be entered directly after completing prerequisite courses and selection by the Admissions Committee through a competitive application process.

If you would like to explore nuclear medicine further, view the following YouTube videos:

• Society of Nuclear Medicine
• Nuclear Medicine Technologist Job Outlook 

Course numbers are those of the University of Oklahoma.  Approved prerequisite courses are offered at many institutions.  It is extremely important that you look up every course you have taken, plan to take, and/or are currently enrolled in to verify that they are equivalent courses. The responsibility is yours to enroll in equivalent courses and we provide the tools to make sure you do.  Check the Transfer Equivalencies Database or with your school advisor regarding equivalent courses.  There are instructions on that page on how to request a transcript evaluation for particular courses if your courses are not listed in the database. 

Click on this link to use the prerequisite worksheet to keep track of your prerequisite classes.

All prerequisites are required unless noted in the footnotes.  Please read the footnote descriptions located directly underneath the table.

(^) 2024 Applicants:  Applicants applying in 2024 will be required to complete 1 of the 3 “First Year Experience” courses for graduation. A “First Year Experience” course may be taken prior to applying to OUHSC or a “First Year Experience” course will be offered after admission to OUHSC for those who still need to complete this requirement. The MIRS Department recommends completing this requirement prior to admission to OUHSC. The courses are part of the General Education offered through OU-Norman or may be an equivalent course approved by OU-Norman.

Please note:  varies = there are multiple courses that are equivalent for these prerequisites.  If you are attending OU in Norman for these courses, click here for equivalent courses; if attending another institution, please check the Transfer Equivalency Database link below. 

**Starting in 2022, APPLICANTS MAY BEGIN THE OUHSC PROGRAM WITH 61 COLLEGE CREDIT HOURS OF ELECTIVES IF THEY HAVE NOT TAKEN THE First-Year Experience COURSE. ADMITTED STUDENTS WILL STILL TAKE THE First-Year Experience COURSE BUT IT WILL BE DURING THE OUHSC PROGRAM.  The MIRS Department recommends taking this prerequisite course prior to admission to OUHSC if possible. 

REMEDIAL COURSES DO NOT COUNT TOWARD THE TRANSCRIPTED CREDIT HOURS.

If you are planning to attend the University of Oklahoma Norman campus to fulfill your Western Culture, World Culture (or Non-Western Culture), Artistic Forms, and/or Upper-Level General Education prerequisite, please click here to review acceptable courses offered in these categories on the University of Oklahoma Norman campus.  Please remember to review footnote #1 above for instructions on the Upper-Level General Education Course.

2024-2025 Cycle Deadlines

University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Application Opens on July 15, 2024

Application Closes on March 1st, 2025

All application components outlined in the Application Procedure section must be completed on or before March 1st in order to be considered. Incomplete applications will be automatically denied.

Eligibility Requirements
To be considered for admission, an applicant must:

1. Meet the following credit hour requirements:
   1. Have successfully completed, or be in the process of completing, a minimum of sixty-four (64) semester hours of coursework (which includes 1 of 3 "First-Year Experience" courses from OU-Norman) prior to beginning the program; OR;
   2. Have successfully completed, or be in the process of completing, a minimum of sixty-one (61) semester hours of coursework (excluding the OU-Norman "First-Year Experience"). Applicants should understand that if admitted in this scenario, the student will be enrolled in a ‘First Year Experience’ course while enrolled in the OUHSC program;
2. AND meet the following GPA requirements:
   1. At minimum, earn a 2.50 cumulative grade point average on a 4.0 scale;
   2. The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences does not recognize academic forgiveness nor reprieve policies. All attempts of a course are included in the calculation of GPAs;
   3. Be in good standing with the college or university last or currently attending;
   4. While a 2.50 is the minimum eligibility requirement, please review our admission statistics from the previous year to ensure that you are a competitive applicant.
3. AND have completed, or are in the process of completing the required pre-requisites:
   1. Successfully complete all departmental prerequisite courses with grades of C or better prior to beginning our program in June;
      1. We recommend that students be enrolled in no more than two pre-requisite science courses in their final semester prior to beginning the program in June.
   2. Courses taken during the spring 2020 semester may have a “P” for passing or “S” for satisfactory due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Please note that the required 2.75 cumulative grade point average still applies;
   3. If your pre-requisites are from a college or university that is not the University of Oklahoma, please refer to the Transfer Equivalency Database to find out if your courses transfer.
4. If English is a second language, submit Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) scores. Applicants must earn a minimum score of 600 (paper-based) or 100 (Internet-based) within two years prior to application. The OUHSC institution code for the TOEFL is 6902. The department may waive TOEFL scores if the applicant provides evidence of graduation from a U.S. High School or a 4-year Bachelor’s degree or higher from a U.S. institution. Click here to review additional information regarding the TOEFL and TOEFL waiver.

Application Procedure 

1. Complete an online application through the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Office of Admissions and Records;
2. Submit official, sealed transcripts from all colleges and/or universities attended directly to OUHS Admissions and Records;
   1. If previous coursework is from colleges or universities outside of the US, have all transcripts/mark sheets processed through World Education Services (WES);
3. Once the OUHS application is complete and all transcripts have been received, applicants will receive a link to complete the online asynchronous interview/assessment through Kira Talent; 
4. Selection:
   1. Once an application is complete, including the OUHS application, Official Transcripts, and Kira Talent Assessment, it will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Decisions may be made as early as October 1st.
      1. Decisions may include admitted, waitlisted, or denied. We do not publish our waitlist and will continue to admit students until the class is filled, which may continue through April 2025.
      2. Admitted applicants will be notified via an electronic letter sent by OU Health Sciences Admissions and Records. Waitlisted or Denied students will be notified via email of their status.
      3. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure they have provided a correct email address in the OU application system and be monitoring their email for updates.
5. Admitted applicants must accept their position according to the timeline communicated on their electronic letter received through OU Health Sciences Admissions and Records, or the position will be considered declined. If admitted, applicants must accept their position by paying a non-refundable deposit, which will be applied toward tuition and fees during the first term.
6. Students are required to attend a mandatory orientation the week before the start of their first semester beginning in June 2025 as well as meet all university compliance and eligibility requirements. Admission is conditional based on meeting all requirements and the college reserves the right to rescind admission offers up until the start of the first week of school.

Students may expect additional costs that include, but are not limited to, a personal computer, textbooks, lab fees, insurance, and supplies. Students are required to assume financial responsibilities for expenses associated with clinical requirements. For financial aid information, contact the Financial Aid Office at (405) 271-2118.

Additional cost information:
Other Requirements for Students Admitted to MIRS Program
Bursar's Office Tuition and Fees
Student Financial Aid

Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences Faculty

The high school early admission option for the nuclear medicine, radiation therapy, radiography, and sonography program at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center was created to offer outstanding prospective students the opportunity to secure a position in one of the Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences programs prior to graduating from high school.  

Admission Requirements - High School Early Admission:

To be considered for admission, an applicant must:

• be in good standing with the high school currently attending;
• have a minimum grade point average of 3.75 on a 4.0 scale for all high school work attempted;
• have completed at least three high school science credits with grades of B or better;
• complete and document an interview of a Supervisor in a hospital in the area of interest;
• have scored at least a 24 on the American Collegiate Testing (ACT) or equivalent SAT-I score of 1090; and
• complete a minimum of 24 hours of volunteer experience in a health care setting no later than August 1 of the following year. (It is recommended to complete the volunteer experience before the application deadline if possible but not required.) 

Application Procedure:

1. Applicants must submit the following by December 1 of their senior year:
   • a completed University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center online application for Admission;  
   • official transcripts from all high schools attended;
   • completed interview of a Supervisor in a hospital in the area of interest;
   • ACT/SAT-I Scores; and
   • a $50 non-refundable application fee. 
2. The applicant will receive an acceptance or denial letter by mid-January of the applicant's senior year in high school.
3. The applicant must accept the position in writing by March 1st of their senior year in high school.

Requirement if Conditionally Admitted:

Applicant must complete the following after acceptance into the program:

1. documentation of a minimum of 24 hours of volunteer experience in the health care setting by August 1^st after high school graduation; and
2. attend the College of Allied Health Open House in November and have attendance verified by a Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences Faculty member.

Admission Contingency:

A student admitted to the program must satisfy all the admission requirements before beginning the program and must maintain at least a 3.25 cumulative grade point average and a 3.25 science grade point average on a 4.0 scale.  Sixty-four (64) semester hours to include the prerequisites must be completed within two years after high school graduation but no later than the end of May, the year the student enters the program.  Transcripts of all classes taken are required to be submitted at the end of each semester.  Contact the College of Allied Health Office of Academic and Student Services by email at alliedhealth-info@ouhsc.edu or (405) 271-6588 with advisement questions.  Should a student not fulfill the requirements, the early admission is forfeited and the student may apply through the regular admission process.

High School Early Admission Program Brochure

Conditionally accepted applicants to the College of Allied Health in the Department of Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences will be required to obtain a Criminal History Background Check and a Drug Test.  Conditionally accepted applicants who have an adverse finding on a criminal background report and/or drug test may be denied full admission. Many clinical facilities require a background check, including a check of the sex offenders list.  The student’s responsibility is to have the background check completed prior to starting the clinical experience and as instructed by the clinical coordinator. The student’s responsibility is to maintain the background check for presentation to the clinical facility personnel. 
Drug screening is required of all OUHSC students in designated programs as many clinical facilities require students to pass a drug test.  The student’s responsibility is to comply with the necessary procedures and consent forms for the required drug screening.  Students who fail to adhere to the drug testing procedure established by the Department will be deferred for a year while documentation can be received for clearance. 
Any arrest, charge, or conviction for a felony or a misdemeanor may also affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the certification examination in their profession.  For a fee, many certification boards will conduct a pre-assessment based on the student’s prior offenses to determine if the student would be allowed to sit for the board examination.  

Students may contact the following certification board directly for further information:

• Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board

Year 1

Summer Semester

Fall Semester

Winter Intersession

Spring Semester

Year 2

Summer Semester

Fall Semester

Spring Semester

Last reviewed: November 2022

Course Descriptions

Office of Academic and Student Affairs
Phone:  (405) 271-6588
Email the Office of Academic and Student Affairs

Department of Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences
College of Allied Health
The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center
1200 N Stonewall Avenue, Room 3021
Oklahoma City, OK  73117-1215

Click here to schedule a virtual, phone, or in-person prospective student appointment with one of our Advisors.

Click here to schedule a virtual or in-person recruitment event or presentation for your class, club, career fair, etc.

Prospective students are encouraged to visit the prospective student's page to utilize resources such as the transfer equivalency tables, admission statistics, job shadowing, gpa calculation, tuition cost, scholarships, student life, campus resources, etc.

To learn more about the physical and technical requirements to obtain a job in this profession CLICK HERE to find a summary of what a typical clinic would expect from their employees.