Saint Joseph’s University offers the only Nuclear Medicine Technology Certificate of its kind in Central Pennsylvania. Designed for students who hold a college degree, this certificate program will provide you with the skills and preparation necessary to become a successful nuclear medicine technologist. Upon completion of program requirements, you will be eligible to take the Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board (NMTCB) exam and the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) exam.
Associate Degree in Nuclear Medicine Technology
Saint Joseph’s University offers the only Associate Degree in Nuclear Medicine Technology of its kind in Central Pennsylvania. This associate degree program will provide you with the skills and preparation necessary to become a successful nuclear medicine technologist.
You will learn how to take diagnostic images of nearly every system within the body, as well as how to operate sophisticated equipment to help doctors diagnose and treat illness. This 64-credit associate degree program can be completed in as little as two years. Complete the nuclear medicine technology associate’s degree, land a job and use tuition reimbursement offered by many healthcare organizations to pursue a bachelor’s degree.
If you already have an associate degree or higher or have completed a two-year, post-secondary allied health program, you may be eligible for our Nuclear Medicine Technology Certificate.
What is Nuclear Medicine Technology?
Nuclear medicine technology is a specialty within radiology that uses radioactive materials to make diagnostic images of nearly every system within the body. It can demonstrate function, whereas many other areas of radiology often show only structure. Nuclear medicine technologists operate highly sophisticated equipment to help doctors diagnose and treat illnesses. Nuclear medicine also provides personalized treatments and therapy.
What Sets Our Nuclear Medicine Technology Program Apart
Hands-On Learning in the First & Only Learning Space of its Kind in the Lancaster Area
You’ll feel like you’re on the job from day one at Lancaster’s newest and most advanced clinical simulation lab. You’ll observe a wide range of exams and invasive procedures and experience hands-on learning with simulation labs and clinical placements.
The Center for Excellence in Practice Simulation Center is a 20,000-square-foot facility made up of 24 rooms, including an intensive care unit and five conference rooms. This simulation center is the first and only learning space of its kind in the Lancaster area. With simulation-based education, you’ll work with students from other programs in realistic simulations that mirror real-life healthcare settings.
Three Semesters of Clinical Experience Your Second Year
You are guaranteed three semesters of clinical experience at premier locations in Pennsylvania during your second year. You’ll have the opportunity to experience working in clinical settings with expert faculty, helping transfer knowledge and skills from the classroom to in-person patient experiences. You will learn critical thinking, collaboration and problem-solving by engaging in realistic scenarios staged in real-world medical environments.
Taught by Experienced Faculty in Nuclear Medicine Technology
Students in the nuclear medicine technology associate program will learn from and work alongside faculty who have a breadth of experience working in nuclear medicine technology.
Graduate Rate, Certification Exam Pass Rate and Job Placement Rate
Graduate achievement data is an indicator of program effectiveness, demonstrating the extent to which a program achieves its goals. The current report on graduate achievement data, identified by program, is available on the JRCNMT website by clicking on the following link: Graduate Achievement Report
Why Study Nuclear Medicine Technology in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania is home to top-tier hospitals, clinics, research centers and therapy centers seeking nuclear medicine technologists, including:
- Lancaster General Hospital
- Penn State Hershey Medical Center
- Lehigh Valley Hospital
- Penn Medicine Chester County Hospital
- Meritus Medical Center
- St. Luke’s University Health Network
- WellSpan Good Samaritan Hospital
- WellSpan York Hospital
- Cardinal Health
- UPMC Memorial
- UPMC Carlisle
- Tower Health Phoenixville Hospital
Program Details
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Explore the required courses and curriculum information for this program, which can be found in Saint Joseph's academic catalog. Please contact us if you have any questions about the program curriculum.
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Our nuclear medicine technology program is accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Educational Programs in Nuclear Medicine Technology (JRCNMT).
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Saint Joseph's University – Lancaster’s tuition structure includes both per-credit tuition and program-specific fees.
PER-CREDIT TUITION:
The cost of the Nuclear Medicine Technology Associate Degree is $683 per credit for the 2024-2025 academic year.
PROGRAM-SPECIFIC FEES:
In addition to the per-credit rate, there are also program-specific fees for the following courses:
- When a student enrolls in NMT 211, they will be responsible for paying a fee totaling $4,185
- When a student enrolls in NMT 212, they will be responsible for paying a fee totaling $4,185
For a detailed breakdown and additional information, visit our Tuition & Fees page.
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Students enrolled in the nuclear medicine technology associate program must complete a total of 960 clinical hours.
On Average, How Much Do Nuclear Medicine Technologists Make?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary of a nuclear medicine technologist in 2022 is $85,300.
Admission Information
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1. To be considered for admission, you must have graduated from an approved secondary school (or be on track to graduate), received a diploma from an accredited home school association or earned a GED.
2. High school or post-secondary college-level courses must include the following:
- At least four units of English
- At least three units of Social Sciences
- At least three units of Mathematics (Two (2) of which are at least the level of Algebra)
- Two (2) units of Science with a related laboratory or an equivalent (One (1) of which must be biology).
3. Applicants must have a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 or greater on a 4.0-point scale in secondary or post-secondary education (whichever is more recent). However, the GPA requirement can be different depending on specific program requirements. Please see our undergraduate requirements or reach out to the Office of Admission for additional information.
4. A high school transcript with an official school stamp or an official GED transcript is also required. High school transcripts must include courses completed through your junior year as well as courses in progress during your senior year. If you’ve attended any post-secondary institutions, official transcripts for those institutions are required as well.
Additional Admission Factors for Consideration*:
In addition to the required items above, the admission team will consider the following factors when making an admission decision:
- Class rank
- Academic performance in post-secondary science and math courses
- Community service
- Healthcare-related service
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To apply for this program, complete an application online. SAT and/or ACT scores are optional but you can submit them if you think they’ll strengthen your application.
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First-Year Students
Applications for high school students are available beginning August 1 of your senior year. For a full timeline of deadlines and addition information, visit our admission page.Transfer Students
Applications to transfer to Saint Joseph’s are accepted on a rolling basis for fall and spring start terms. -
If you are not a United States citizen, you must show proof of permanent resident visa status. Students educated in another country may be admitted if they:
- Satisfy general admission requirements
- Earn a minimum of 550 (paper-based), 213 (computer-based) or 79 (internet-based) on the Test of English as Foreign Language (TOEFL) administered by the Educational Testing Service of Princeton, New Jersey
Students from English-speaking countries may choose to take the SAT or ACT instead of the TOEFL exam. An evaluation of foreign transcripts by the World Education Service or other approved agency is required.
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Transfer credit may be awarded for previous coursework. A course must meet the following requirements to be considered for transfer to Saint Joseph’s University’s Lancaster campus:
- Undergraduate courses with a grade of “C” or above
- Graduate courses with a grade of “B” or above (Pass/Fail grades are not eligible for transfer credit)
- Must be from a regionally or programmatically accredited institution
- The coursework must match the course offered at Saint Joseph’s University
- Some programs have a time limit for specific courses
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Saint Joseph’s is a military-friendly institution and offers assistance and services to veterans and their dependents who are utilizing educational benefits. Benefits include:
- Chapter 30 Montgomery GI Bill®
- Chapter 31 Vocational Rehabilitation
- Chapter 33 Post 911 GI Bill®
- Chapter 35 Survivors and Dependents Assistance
- Chapter 1606 National Guard or Reserves
- Chapter 1607 National Guard or Reserves (REAP) (*if eligible, must be utilized by November 25, 2019)
- Pennsylvania National Guard Educational Assistance Program (EAP)
- Federal Tuition Assistance (FTA)
Explore Other Degree Programs
Offered at our Philadelphia and Lancaster locations, Saint Joseph’s University’s Medical Laboratory Science Certificate will prepare you for a career performing life-saving tests and analyses in a hospital, clinic, research facility or forensic science lab. Designed for students who hold a college degree, this 46-credit, 12-month certificate program will help you play a critical role in the detection, diagnosis and treatment of disease.
Saint Joseph’s University’s Associate Degree in Diagnostic Medical Sonography is designed for students who do not currently hold a college degree. Upon completion of program requirements, you will be eligible to take the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) examinations in Sonography Principles & Instrumentation (SPI), abdomen (Abdomen) and obstetrics/gynecology (OB/Gyn). As a graduate of the associate program, you will receive the preparation necessary to become an entry level general sonographer or ultrasound technologist in a hospital or outpatient center.