Frequently Asked Questions

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• Associate Degree Nursing
• Practical Nursing
• Dental Hygiene
• Radiography
• Surgical Technology
• BSIS - Management
• BSIS Sonography

Associate Degree Nursing

Q.   Is the ADN program accredited?

A.   Yes, the ADN program is accredited by the National League of Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) and approved by the Arkansas State Board of Nursing.

Q.   How do I get into the nursing program?

A.   Applications are accepted in the spring semester for entrance into the program beginning in August.  You must submit your application to the Coordinator of Academic Support Services prior to the application deadline of May 15^th.  The application can be found here.

Q.   May I attend the program on a part-time basis?

A.   No.  It takes 2 years (4 semesters) of full-time attendance to complete the program.

Q.   Are there prerequisite courses to be taken prior to entering the program?

A.   Yes, beginning with students who sign the 2011-2012 ADN degree plan. A good foundation in the prescribed courses is essential for success in the ADN program.  Admission into the ADN program is competitive; students who have taken prerequisites generally score higher on the NLN PAX-RN exam.

Q.   How are applicants selected?

A.   The selection process is based on a weighted scoring system using the Pre-Admission Exam (PAX-RN) worth 75% and the quality points earned from the prescribed course work worth 25%.  Qualified candidates will be ranked from highest to lowest according to scores.  Admission is based on the highest order of rank.

Q.   Will I be taking care of patients with HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis B, etc.?

A.   You may be taking care of patients with infectious diseases. Healthcare providers practice standard/universal precautions to guard against contact with blood-borne pathogens.

Q.   How is the job market?

A.   At the present time, there is a shortage of all types of nurses.

Practical Nursing

Q.   Is the practical nursing program approved?

A.   Yes. The program is approved by the Arkansas State Board of Nursing.

Q.   What is the application deadline?

A.   June1^st of each year.

Q.   How long is the program?

A.   Twelve months - the program begins in August and ends in August.

Q.   May I attend the program on a part-time basis?

A.   No.  It takes 12 months of full time attendance to complete the program.

Q.   When do I need uniforms?

A.   You will not need uniforms for several weeks.  The uniform is specific- your instructor will advise you of the details regarding required items and a timeframe for purchase.

Q.   When will we be going to clinical sites?

A.   Several weeks after classes begin.  You will practice and check-off on skills in the campus laboratory before going to the clinical sites.

Q.   Is transportation provided to and from the clinical sites?

A.   No.  Students are responsible for their own transportation.

Q.   Will I be taking care of patients with HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis B, etc.?

A.   You may be taking care of patients with infectious diseases. Healthcare providers practice standard/universal precautions to guard against contact with blood-borne pathogens.

Q.   How is the job market?

A.   At the present time, there is a shortage of all types of nurses.

Dental Hygiene

Q. How do I get into the dental hygiene program?

A. Applications are accepted in each spring semester for entrance into the program. Applications and all supporting documents must be submitted prior to the application deadline.

Q. When may I enter the dental hygiene program?

A. Each year, one class is admitted in May and begins in the fall semester.

Q. Are there any prerequisite courses to be taken before entering the program?

A. Yes. Some of the courses are general education courses, required for an associate degree in Arkansas. Courses such as science "build on each other". A good foundation in all these subjects is essential for success in the dental hygiene program.

Q. How are applicants selected?

A. Applicants who have completed the application process and meet the admission criteria will be invited to interview if their accrued points in the selection system are high enough. The selection process is based on a weighted scoring system using the PSB examination, quality points earned for prescribed coursework, and personal interview.

After all of the top ranking candidates have been interviewed, they will be ranked from highest to lowest according to their scores. Admission is based on the highest order of rank.

Q. How much dental office observation should I try to get?

A. 50 hours is required, including forty hours with two dental hygienists from two different dental offices. The Dental Office Observation Verification form must be submitted and may be obtained from the Coordinator of Academic Support Services for the College of Health Sciences.

Q. What are the costs of the program?

A. In addition to tuition and books, dental hygiene students must purchase an instrument kit, uniform, and name tags. The cost will vary from year to year; currently we estimate the additional costs for the items at $3,250.

Once students have completed the program, they are required to take the National Dental Hygiene Board Examination and a Regional and/or State Board examination in order to become licensed to practice as a dental hygienist. Fees for taking these exams will vary from region to region and state to state. Contact the dental hygiene program for approximate costs of the examinations.

Radiography

What is the difference between an x-ray technologist, a radiologic technologist, and a radiographer?

    * None. The names have evolved over time, but represent the same professional position.

Is the program accredited?

    * Yes. The UA Fort Smith Radiography Program is accredited by the Joint Review Commission on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT).

What is the application deadline?

    * May 15th of each year.

When may I enter the Radiography Program?

    * Classes begin each fall semester with the Radiography core curriculum.

How long is the program?

    * The Radiography program is a two-year sequentially formatted program. Once admitted, students are expected to complete the entire program in two years.

If I take some courses ahead of time, can I complete the program in a shorter time?

    * No. Even though you must take some general education courses prior to entering the program, it will still take you two years to complete the Radiography Program. The radiography courses are offered in sequence with each course building upon the previous courses and are not offered out of sequence.

May I attend the program on a part-time basis?

    * No. It takes 2 years (6 semesters) of full-time attendance to complete the program. Accreditation standards require all students to complete the program in 36 months or less.

Are there any age, gender, or race restrictions or requirements?

    * No.

Do I get any vacation time during the two years?

    * Yes. Vacations between the fall and spring semesters, spring break, between the spring and summer semesters, one month between the end of the summer semester and the 2nd year fall semester and all holidays observed by the University.

Are there any prerequisite courses to be taken prior to entering the program?

    * Yes. See degree requirements for the AAS is Radiography.

Are there any physical requirements necessary for acceptance into the Radiography program?

    * Yes. You must be able to safely and competently complete all assignments and professional procedures in class, lab, and clinical education. Good physical, mental and dental health is encouraged.

Does acceptance into the UA Fort Smith and taking required general education courses prior to admission to the program guarantee admission to the Radiography program?

    * No. There are a limited number of positions available in the program, so admission is on a selective and competitive basis.

How many students are accepted each year?

    * Only 20 students will be accepted each year. Admission is competitive. The selection process is outlined in Admissions Criteria and Application Process - Selection Process.

How hard is the program?

    * Potential students need to be aware of the academic and time demands of the program. Students will spend a minimum of 20 hours/week in clinical education each semester. It is recommended that a student work no more than 20-25 hours per week.

Are uniforms provided?

    * No. You will be required to purchase them.

Is transportation to and from the clinical sites provided?

    * No. You are responsible for your own transportation.

Will I be exposed to risks or hazards?

    * Yes. You may be exposed to infectious patients and substances. Proper procedures in radiation protection and standard precautions (infection and disease control) are taught in the program.

How is the job market?

    * The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects excellent job availability through the near future.

I want to go into Ultrasound (Sonography), Nuclear Medicine, Radiation Therapy, or Mammography. Does UA Fort Smith have these programs?

    * Yes, in Ultrasound (Sonography). As of Fall 2004, the UA Fort Smith Imaging Sciences Program will begin a Bachelor of Science degree in Imaging Sciences to include a Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ultrasound) Program.(See Imaging Sciences - Sonography for more information.)

    * No formal education currently exists at UA Fort Smith for nuclear medicine, radiation therapy, mammography and others specialties such as MRI, CT, heart cath lab, bone densitometry and special procedures. However, once a student has completed the formal education in radiography, he/she can then continue the educational process in one or more of these imaging specialties. Most imaging specialties require prior education and certification in radiography before being considered for specialty training. Nuclear medicine programs will accept radiography certification plus 1 or 2 additional years of specialty training in nuclear Medicine or a student can attend a 4 year nuclear medicine program. Training and certification in some specialty areas such as MRI, CT, special procedures, heart cath lab, and mammography can still be obtained through on the job training.

Once I graduate from the Radiography Program and am certified, where can I work?

    * Acute Care Hospitals
    * Physicians' offices
    * Outpatient Surgery Centers
    * Medical Clinics
    * Mobile Radiography Services
    * Industrial Radiography
    * Sales and Service
    * Traveling Technologists

What is a traveling technologist?

    * A traveling technologist is a certified radiographer hired by a staffing agency to relocate for short periods of time to other areas of the country (your choice) where the need for radiographers is too great. Salary and benefits for traveling technologists is very attractive. (To learn more about this opportunity, contact a medical staffing agency involved in traveling positions.)

How may I continue my education in radiography beyond my associate degree?

• Bachelor of Science in Radiologic Technology/Radiologic Sciences or Imaging Sciences

  • General Diagnostic

  • Ultrasound (Sonography)

  • Nuclear Medicine

  • Radiation Therapy

• Master's Degree in Radiologic Sciences

  • Education

  • Management

• Specialized certification in:

  • MRI

  • CT

  • Ultrasound

  • Heart cath

  • Special procedures

  • Mammography

  • Bone densitometry

• Private Technologists for Surgeons
• Main Operating Rooms in Acute Care Hospitals
• Ambulatory Surgery Suites
• Traveling Surgical Technologists
• Organ and Tissue Procurement Technician
• Materials/Equipment Manager
• Central Service Manager
• Veterinarian Surgical Assistant
• Medical Sales Representative
• Physician Offices

Most surgical technologists are employed in hospitals and adjacent outpatient surgery centers.  Positions are also open in physicians’ clinics, free-standing surgery centers, veterinary clinics, as a traveling tech, and as a private physician’s assistant.

Q.  How is the job market?

A.  Salaries and benefits vary according to experience, ability, and geographic location. Recent surveys reveal a predicted need for 25% more surgical technologists by the year 2018.

BSIS - Management

What is an Imaging Sciences completion program?

The Imaging Sciences completion program is designed for ARRT certified radiographers who have an associate degree OR diploma (certificate from a JRCERT accredited institution) in Radiologic Technology who wish to obtain a baccalaureate in Imaging Sciences.

Can any RT take the Imaging Sciences courses offered?

The BSIS Management track is open enrollment but admission or approval of the Executive Director of Imaging Sciences is required.

What do we mean when we say that the BSIS in Management is Web facilitated?

The majority of the BSIS Management courses will be delivered via the web. The courses were developed to provide maximum flexibility. Contact with the instructors and group work may be conducted synchronously and asynchronously via the use of discussion groups, e-mail and chat rooms.

Can I "clep out" (College Level Examination) of any courses?

UA Fort Smith allows that 30 credits of a degree may be taken by “non-traditional” means. UA Fort Smith offers many opportunities for credit by examination. Please refer to the academic catalog for further details.

How many credit hours is the total program?

How long will it take me to finish the program?

It depends on you! Upper Division Imaging Sciences courses can be finished in one calendar year on a full-time basis, or you may choose to complete the program on a part-time basis.

BSIS Sonography

What is an Imaging Sciences completion program?

The Imaging Sciences completion program is designed for ARRT certified radiographers who have an associate degree OR diploma (certificate from a JRCERT accredited institution) in Radiologic Technology who wish to obtain a baccalaureate in Imaging Sciences.

Are there alternative class schedules (nights or weekends)?

No. The DMS program of study follows a traditional class schedule due to the nature of the clinical component.

How long will it take me to finish the program?

It will take twenty-one (21) months or 5 semesters to complete the DMS program. The first semester begins in the fall and continues through the spring and summer semesters of the first year. The second year consists of the fall and spring semesters with graduation in the spring of the second year.

Can I "clep out" (College Level Examination) of any courses?

UA Fort Smith allows that 30 credits of a degree may be taken by “non-traditional” means. UA Fort Smith offers many opportunities for credit by examination. Please refer to the academic catalog for further details.

How many credit hours is the total program?