Program Description
PROFESSIONNuclear medicine uses radioactivity to diagnose and treat disease. This medical specialty provides information about both the structure and the function of virtually every major organ system within the body. Nuclear medicine procedures are safe, involve little or no patient discomfort, and do not require the use of anesthesia. The nuclear medicine technologist is responsible for preparing and administering radiopharmaceuticals; performing patient-imaging procedures; accomplishing computer processing and image enhancement; analyzing biologic specimens; and providing images, data analysis, and patient information for diagnostic interpretation by the physician health care team member.
Program Length
9 quarters (27 months)Possible Careers
Nuclear Medicine Technologist, Hospital Administration, Radiation Safety Officer (RSO), and ResearchApplication Deadlines
October 1 to August 15 (priority deadline April 15)Admissions Requirements
HUMANITIES (16 quarter/11 semester units min.)
- Choose a minimum of three areas from: history, literature, philosophy, foreign language, art/music appreciation/history
- Eight units of religion are included in the BSNM program
NATURAL SCIENCES (12 quarter/8 semester units min.)
- Chemistry (Intro or General) with lab (one class). Chemistry for non-science majors is not accepted
- Intro or General Physics with lab (one course)
- Human Anatomy & Physiology with lab (complete sequence [2 courses])
- College Algebra (Statistics not accepted)
- Medical Terminology
SOCIAL SCIENCES (12 quarter/8 semester units min.)
- General Psychology (4 quarter-units/3 semester-units) required
- Choose remaining units from the following areas: sociology anthropology, economics, and geography
COMMUNICATION (9 quarter/6 semester units min.)
- Freshman Composition, complete sequence (required)
- Oral Communication
HEALTH AND WELLNESS (2 quarter/1.5 semester units min.)
- Physical Education (2 activities)
- Health or Nutrition
ELECTIVES (to meet minimum total of 96 quarter-units/ 64 semester-units)
PLEASE NOTE: “C minus” grades are not transferable for credit
Observation Experience
A minimum of 8 hours of career observation (volunteer/employee) in a Nuclear Medicine Department is required. The observation form is located online (www.llu.edu) under School of Allied Health Professions, under “forms”. Print it out and take it with you to the facility you will be observing.
Prerequisites
Applicants must complete the following subjects at an accredited college or university prior to entering the program.HUMANITIES
20 quarter/14 semester units minimum.
Choose a minimum of three areas from: history, literature, philosophy, foreign language, art/music appreciation/history.
Included in this minimum must be 4 quarter units of religion per year of attendance at an SDA college/university.
Eight units of religion are already included in the BS in DMS degree.
NATURAL SCIENCES
Chemistry (Intro or General) with lab (complete seq, one year)
Intro or General Physics with lab
Human Anatomy & Physiology with lab (complete sequence)
College Algebra
Medical Terminology
SOCIAL SCIENCES (6 quarter/4 semester units min.)
Choose two areas from the categories of Psychology, Sociology, Lifespan Development, Anthropology, Economics, Geography.
Within the program, students will take AHCJ 493 Portfolio I (3) and AHCJ 494 Portfolio II (3) to fulfill the cultural diversity requirement.
COMMUNICATION (9 quarter/6 semester units min.)
Freshman Composition, complete sequence (required) Oral Communication
HEALTH AND WELLNESS (3 quarter/2 semester units min.)
Physical Education (2 activities)
Health or Nutrition
ELECTIVES (to meet minimum total of 80 quarter units)
PLEASE NOTE: “C minus” grades are not transferable for credit
Discipline Accrediting Agency
Loma Linda University is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities, and the Radiologic Health Branch of the Department of Health Services.
The nuclear medicine technology program at Loma Linda University is accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Educational Programs in Nuclear Medicine Technology (JRCNMT), 820 W. Danforth Rd, #B1 / Edmond, OK 73003; phone 405-285-0546; mail@jrcnmt.org; www.jrcnmt.org.
Expected Cost of Attendance
Academic Year 2023-2024
| Year of Program: | Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $37,800 | $39,825 | $8,775 |
| Fees | $4,120 | $4,120 | $1,030 |
| Books & Supplies | $3,859 | $2,752 | $689 |
| Instruments | — | — | — |
| Misc (e.g., Boards, Licensing exam, Uniforms) | $79 | $79 | $29 |
| Total | $45,858 | $46,776 | $10,523 |
Notes
The cost of attendance varies from year to year. Please contact the office of Student Finance for up-to-date costs.Estimated Living Expenses
Academic Year 2023-2024, off campus, with a roommate
| Year of Program: | Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Months enrolled | 12 | 12 | 3 |
| Food and Housing | $23,040 | $23,040 | $5,760 |
| Transportation | $4,200 | $4,200 | $1,050 |
| Miscellaneous Personal Costs | $3,600 | $3,600 | $900 |
Notes
- Amounts are what a student can apply to borrow for the number of months shown in each academic year based on living off campus with a roommate and not with a relative.
- International students need to calculate 12 months of living expenses based on the numbers listed here.
- In general, to qualify for financial aid a student must be enrolled at least half time taking degree requirements. Half time is 6 units in a quarter for undergraduate programs and 4 units in a quarter for graduate programs.