20 Best Radiology Programs In Kansas City, MO (2023 Updated)
Kansas City is home to some of the top radiology programs and institutions in the country. With a vibrant medical community and several renowned healthcare organizations, Kansas City offers exceptional training and educational opportunities for those looking to pursue careers in medical imaging and radiology.
In this blog post, I will highlight the 20 best radiology programs in Kansas City, MO based on factors like program offerings, clinical training opportunities, technology/facilities, faculty expertise, and student outcomes. For each school or program, I have included a brief overview along with key details to help prospective students evaluate which option aligns best with their goals and interests.
1. University of Kansas Medical Center – Department of Diagnostic Radiology
The University of Kansas Medical Center houses one of the top radiology residency programs in the Midwest region. The Department of Diagnostic Radiology offers a 4-year residency program accredited by the ACGME, providing rigorous clinical training across all subspecialties like neuroradiology, pediatric radiology, interventional radiology, and more.
Residents get hands-on experience through rotations at various KU-affiliated hospitals and outpatient clinics. They also have access to state-of-the-art imaging equipment and technology for training purposes. The faculty comprises renowned radiologists who provide excellent teaching and mentorship. Graduates of the residency program are well-prepared for careers in academic medicine or private practice.
2. Saint Luke‘s Health System – Radiology Residency Program
Saint Luke‘s Health System operates a large network of hospitals and clinics in the Kansas City metro area. Their radiology residency is a 4-year ACGME accredited program with rotations across 6 hospitals, including the prestigious Saint Luke’s Hospital in Kansas City.
Residents are exposed to diverse pathology and procedures, while working alongside subspecialized attending radiologists. There is a strong focus on academics – residents regularly attend multidisciplinary conferences and have opportunities to be involved in research. Saint Luke‘s uses advanced imaging equipment from GE Healthcare, allowing trainees to learn on the same technologies used in practice. The outstanding faculty provides personalized mentoring to help residents achieve their professional goals.
3. North Kansas City Hospital – Radiology Residency Program
The radiology residency program at North Kansas City Hospital is a well-established 4-year training opportunity providing extensive clinical experience. Residents complete rotations in all radiology subspecialties and have access to top-tier imaging technology like the Revolution CT scanner.
Faculty members take an active role in teaching through case review sessions, multidisciplinary conferences, journal clubs and more. The program has an outstanding board pass rate and has trained successful radiologists practicing across the country. Graduates praise the strong foundations built in diagnostic interpretation, communication skills and quality assurance. This mid-sized program offers individual attention and a close-knit learning environment.
4. Kansas City University – Radiologic Technology Program
Kansas City University offers a highly regarded associate‘s degree program in Radiologic Technology, encompassing classroom instruction and clinical externships. Students learn the theoretical foundations along with practical skills like operating imaging equipment, radiation safety protocols, image evaluation, quality assurance, and patient care.
The program has a strong reputation due to its intensive curriculum, expert faculty with 5-10+ years of experience, and clinical training at renowned hospitals. Graduates can sit for and are well-prepared to pass the ARRT radiography exam. This program admits just 14 students annually, allowing for personalized training in an interactive setting with the very latest imaging labs and technology.
5. Metropolitan Community College – Penn Valley Radiologic Technology
The radiologic technology program at Metropolitan Community College – Penn Valley provides an affordable pathway to begin a successful career as a radiologic technologist. This is an intense 2-year associate‘s degree program covering areas like radiographic procedures, equipment operation, radiation production and characteristics, imaging standards, and patient communication.
Students complete five semesters of clinical education at partner hospitals and outpatient centers, applying classroom teachings in real-world practice under the guidance of radiology professionals. Graduates are eligible to take the ARRT Radiography exam and have a strong first-time pass rate. MCC has rolling admissions, experienced instructors and a career placement coordinator.
6. Research College of Nursing – Radiology Certificate Program
The Research College of Nursing offers a 1-year certificate program in Computed Tomography (CT) for radiologic technologists looking to specialize. This program goes over the physical principles of CT scanning, data acquisition and processing methods, patient safety protocols, quality assurance procedures and image reconstruction techniques.
Students get intensive clinical experience at the college‘s medical center and affiliated healthcare organizations. Upon completion, technologists are prepared to sit for and pass the ARRT advanced certification exam in Computed Tomography. This program has a 100% job placement rate within a few months.
7. Cox College – Radiography Program
Cox College houses a highly selective radiography program leading to an Associate of Science in Radiography degree. The curriculum covers areas like radiation physics, radiographic procedures, equipment protocols, patient care, medical ethics and quality management. Students also complete five semesters of clinical rotations at CoxHealth hospitals and clinics.
The program is recognized for its small class sizes of 12 students, allowing for individualized training and attention. Graduates have consistently high first-time pass rates on the ARRT exam. The college also has reserved seats in CoxHealth’s radiography apprenticeship program for students seeking employment immediately after graduating.
8. Research Medical Center – Radiology Residency Program
Research Medical Center offers a 4-year diagnostic radiology residency accredited by the ACGME, providing rigorous subspecialty training to produce competent clinical radiologists. Residents interpret high volumes of complex cases alongside specialized faculty, attend multidisciplinary conferences, and have abundant research opportunities.
The department is equipped with advanced imaging modalities and PACS systems identical to real-world practice. Residents can participate in international radiology missions and are strongly supported in their career development. The outstanding clinical experience and strong foundation in diagnostic interpretation makes graduates very competitive for radiology fellowships and jobs.
9. North Kansas City Hospital – Radiology Technology Program
The radiography program at North Kansas City Hospital leads to an associate‘s degree and prepares students for entry-level radiologic technologist roles. The curriculum covers subjects like radiation physics, radiographic procedures, equipment protocols, patient care, medical ethics and quality management. Students also complete five semesters of clinical rotations at partner hospitals and outpatient centers, applying classroom teachings in real-world practice under the guidance of radiology professionals. Graduates are eligible to take the ARRT Radiography exam and have a strong first-time pass rate.
10. University of Missouri – Kansas City School of Medicine – Radiology Department
The UMKC School of Medicine has a reputable academic radiology department offering residency and fellowship training, numerous research initiatives and the latest imaging technology. Residents in the 4-year diagnostic radiology program rotate across Truman Medical Center, Children‘s Mercy Hospital and other clinical sites.
They gain substantial clinical experience in all modalities and subspecialties while working closely with renowned faculty. The department also offers 1-2 year fellowship programs in areas like abdominal imaging, cardiothoracic imaging, interventional radiology, musculoskeletal radiology and nuclear medicine. Graduates acquire strong diagnostic skills and teaching abilities.
11. Olathe Medical Center – Diagnostic Radiology Residency
The diagnostic radiology residency program at Olathe Medical Center focuses on developing outstanding clinical radiologists with subspecialty expertise. This 4-year ACGME accredited program provides rotations in modalities like CT, MRI, ultrasound, nuclear medicine, mammography and interventional radiology.
Residents have opportunities to engage in research and become skilled educators. They work closely with faculty who subspecialize in areas like neuroradiology, abdominal imaging, pediatric radiology and musculoskeletal imaging. The department is equipped with cutting-edge imaging technology and a robust PACS system. Graduates acquire exceptional diagnostic skills and have a 100% board pass rate.
12. Saint Luke‘s Marion Bloch Neuroscience Institute – Neuroradiology Fellowship
The Saint Luke‘s Marion Bloch Neuroscience Institute has an outstanding 1-year neuroradiology fellowship program preparing radiologists for careers in this subspecialty. By training alongside specialized neuroradiology faculty, fellows gain extensive clinical experience in neuroimaging interpretation and diagnostic procedures.
Fellows have access to the most advanced MRI scanners and interventional suites at Saint Luke’s nationally-ranked neuroscience hospital. They are exposed to one of the highest volumes and most complex cases in the region. Upon completion, graduates are equipped with exceptional diagnostic skills and are ready to practice as consultants.
13. University of Kansas Medical Center – Radiation Therapy Program
The radiation therapy program at the KU Medical Center leads to a bachelor‘s degree and provides the requisite knowledge and clinical skills to work as radiation therapists. The curriculum covers human anatomy, oncology, treatment planning, physics, dosimetry, patient care, and clinical radiobiology.
Students complete clinical rotations at the KU Cancer Center under an experienced preceptor, working directly with patients and other members of the cancer care team. This program has a 100% employment rate for graduates within six months. KUMC also offers a radiation therapist-to-dosimetrist track for working RTs looking to advance their career.
14. Research College of Nursing – Radiography Program
Research College of Nursing offers a radiography program leading to an associate’s degree and preparing students for entry-level radiography roles. The program includes an intensive curriculum along with structured clinical experiences in healthcare settings. Students gain hands-on practice in operating radiographic equipment, radiation protection protocols, patient care skills, and image evaluation.
The program’s competitive admission and small cohort size allows for focused learning and mentoring. RCN partners with hospitals across the metro area for clinical placements, allowing students to train on the latest diagnostic imaging equipment. Graduates have high ARRT exam pass rates and strong employment prospects.
15. Northland Career Center – Medical Imaging Program
The medical imaging program at Northland Career Center provides high school students with foundational knowledge and skills for radiography careers. Students explore areas like ethics and law, patient care, radiation physics, radiographic procedures and imaging. The program has a clinical component involving observation and directed practice at healthcare facilities, allowing students hands-on experience with diagnostic imaging and patient examinations. Upon completion students may continue onto radiography degree programs or apprenticeships.
16. Kansas City Kansas Community College – Radiologic Technology
Kansas City Kansas Community College has an associate’s degree program in radiologic technology covering concepts like radiation production and characteristics, imaging procedures, radiographic anatomy and pathology, patient care and medical ethics.
Students apply knowledge during clinical rotations at partnering hospitals and clinics under professional supervision, using state-of-the-art imaging equipment. Graduates can sit for ARRT radiography certification. KCKCC is affordable, has an excellent first-time exam pass rate for graduates, and offers strong employment support through the program’s employer connections.
17. Cass Career Center – Medical Imaging Program
Cass Career Center offers a medical imaging track introducing high school students to radiography and preparing them for further college training. The one-year program covers radiation physics, radiographic positioning, anatomy, physiology, terminology, and use of imaging equipment. Students observe and practice skills during clinical rotations at Belton Regional Medical Center. They have the opportunity to join the ASRT and earn CPR certification. Upon completion students may continue onto radiologic technology degrees at partner colleges.
18. University of Kansas Heath System – Radiology Continuing Education
The University of Kansas Health System has extensive continuing education offerings in radiology for practitioners looking to stay updated on the latest advances. Courses are offered in modalities like CT, MRI, mammography, nuclear medicine, interventional radiology, ultrasonography and more.
These CME-certified activities cover new technologies/techniques, changing protocols, challenging case reviews, quality improvement practices, patient safety, practice management strategies, and clinical research outcomes focused on improving patient care. The programs are delivered through in-person seminars and online modules by KU clinical and academic faculty.
19. Saint Luke’s Hospital – Radiology Observerships
Saint Luke’s Hospital offers radiology observership programs for medical students, residents and international physicians interested in gaining clinical experience within its radiology department. Observerships range from 2 weeks to 3 months with rotations tailored to individual objectives across modalities.
Observers see a high volume and wide variety of complex cases, attend multidisciplinary conferences, observe image-guided procedures, and acquire diagnostic film reading skills while shadowing subspecialized attending radiologists. These non-credit programs provide invaluable exposure to prepare for radiology residency applications.
20. Mid-America Nazarene University – Radiographic Imaging Sciences
Mid-America Nazarene University offers an associate degree program in radiographic imaging sciences providing classroom education along with guided clinical experience. Graduates are prepared to sit for national certification examinations to become licensed radiologic technologists.
The program has a strong reputation due to its comprehensive curriculum, expert faculty, small cohort size, and clinical partnerships with leading Kansas City metro hospitals. It focuses both on developing students’ technical skills in operating equipment as well as compassionate patient care abilities.
