1. Home
  2. Radiologic Technology Program
  3. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

TMCC's Skills Certificate Program in MRI is entirely online. Students complete all the didactic courses needed to take the national ARRT certification examination in MRI. The ARRT requires that clinical competencies be completed before making an application for the examination. TMCC offers a clinical internship for students needing this component who are not able to cross-train in the facility where they are employed.

MRI image of the brain

The American Registry for Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) outlines how to qualify for certification in this modality. Students wishing to become MRI certified through TMCC may only complete a Post Primary Pathway program which requires the student to already be a registered technologist with the ARRT.

About Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

MRI is a technique that uses a magnetic field and radio waves to create detailed images of the organs and tissues within your body. Most MRI machines are large, tube-shaped magnets. When you lie inside an MRI machine, the magnetic field temporarily realigns hydrogen atoms in your body.

Program Mission

The mission of TMCC’s Skills Certificate MRI Program is to provide general and basic science education, combined with a sound foundation in the theory and art of MRI, to meet the educational needs of the student. This is evidenced by a competency-based program employing various teaching methodologies and technologies delivered through quality education. Graduates will have the knowledge and skills necessary to successfully take the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) examination for MRI and practice as a member of the health care team.

Admission Criteria

Prerequisites

MRI students

Note: all degrees must be from an accredited institution acceptable to the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT).

  • MRI (Post Primary Pathway): Must possess ARRT certification (or equivalent) with a minimum of an associate degree or higher. Certification can be in:
    • Radiography or Radiation therapy (preferred)
    • Nuclear medicine
    • Sonography

Curriculum Requirements

Please review the MRI program requirements in the TMCC College Catalog:

Note: The TMCC MRI Skills Certificate can be obtained without the clinical internship (AMI 290); however, in order to take the ARRT certification examination, you must document the required competencies with the ARRT.

ARRT Competency Requirements

Before the graduate student is allowed to take the ARRT national certification examination, documentation of specific clinical competencies. Completion of the required competencies may be achieved by one of two different options:

  1. Find a clinical site that is willing to train you in their medical facility (not as a TMCC Clinical Internship student) in order for you to complete the required ARRT competencies and document them directly with the ARRT. This option may be available to students if the medical facility where they are currently employed is willing to cross-train them in the modality they are requesting, as a paid employee.
  2. Complete the required ARRT competencies by enrolling in TMCC’s clinical internship course (AMI 290). In the program application, students selecting this option will identify the medical facility where they will be completing their competency requirements. TMCC has affiliation agreements with medical facilities in the Reno/Carson area. Students selecting medical facilities without an affiliation agreement, usually outside the Reno/Carson area, should submit their application as soon as possible in order for the program to obtain an affiliation agreement with the medical facility that the student wishes to utilize for their ARRT competency requirement. The medical facility must have an articulation agreement with TMCC before the student may begin their internship.

The ARRT’s required competencies can be found on ARRT’s website under Clinical Experience Requirements. Click on your specific modality to identify the “Specific Procedural Requirements” to identify the performance requirements for the ARRT.

Please contact us if you need further assistance.

Steps to Apply

  1. Apply to the College
    View TMCC's Steps to Enroll to learn more about becoming a student at TMCC. You will need to submit your official transcripts from any higher education institution you've attended.
  2. Choose A Clinical Education Site
    • To complete the ARRT competency requirements, students must find a medical facility (Clinical Education Site) willing to allow them to do their ARRT competency examinations.
    • You will be asked to enter detailed information about the Clinical Education Site on the AMI Program Application.
  3. Submit Program Application
    Please complete and submit the AMI MRI Program Application by the due date, including copies of your ARRT credentials and unofficial transcripts verifying your degree.

Selection Process

Selection to TMCC’s MRI Program is based on the application submission date and information obtained from the admission requirements. Admission will be offered to the first 20 qualified applicants in each modality. Eligible students are ranked in order of the following:

  1. Former TMCC Radiography/Medical Imaging graduate.
    • Application submission date
  2. Medical Imaging certified applicants (ARRT or equivalent)
    • Application submission date

Estimated Expenses and Program-Related Costs

Please visit TMCC's College Catalog for all tuition and fees.

Expenses
Background check $52
Books (approximation for entire program) $500
Drug testing $35
Healthcare Provider CPR Card (must remain current) $50
Health Insurance Varies
Immunizations $250
Estimated Overall Costs (without health insurance) $3,968

After Being Selected for Admission

After admission, students will submit the following documentation by the due date indicated.

  1. Evidence of current major medical insurance coverage.
  2. Evidence of two-step negative TB skin tests done in the past year within three months of each other or three consecutive years of tests without expiration. Quantiferon tests are acceptable. Persons with a prior positive TB test must see the program director.
  3. Evidence of required immunization status for Hepatitis B, Varicella, MMR, TDaP or TD, and influenza vaccination.
  4. Evidence of a current Health Care Provider CPR card (preferably from the American Heart Association).
  5. A background check.
  6. A drug test.
  7. Any additional clinical site documentation.

Progression in the program is contingent upon maintaining a grade of C (75%) or better in all courses.

Program Outcomes

Students completing the MRI Skills Certificate will:

  • Learn patient screening procedures, safety issues, biological considerations, MR terminology, imaging principles, and physics.
  • Learn cross-sectional anatomy and pathology to cover the entire human body.
  • Learn imaging techniques for the entire human body, including patient positioning, protocols, pulse sequences, advanced imaging, and post-processing procedures.