Schools offering a certificate in MRI technology include Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts in San Mateo, California. The San Mateo campus provides a hands-on training program that runs for approximately 52 weeks. Students are able to begin clinical courses in their fifth week of the program. An internship at an affiliated medical facility is provided prior to graduation. As of January 2011, the cost for the program is $32,312. Federal and state financial aid options are available to students. The American Academy of Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Morehead City, North Carolina, offers a one-year certificate program consisting of six months of clinical training and six months of fundamental courses. The cost of the program as of January 2011 is $18,000. Military personnel and veterans are eligible to receive funding granted by the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs. You can find more schools offering certificate programs in the Resources section.
An Associate of Applied Science in Magnetic Resonance Imaging is offered at the Casa Loma College in California. Three campus locations are available in Anaheim, Hawthorne and Van Nuys, California. Students who want to work part time or full time can take advantage of online and weekend classes offered. A successful completion of the program usually takes 18 months and is broken up into five semesters. The fourth and fifth semesters are reserved for clinical externships to prepare students for MRI careers. Graduate and post-graduate students who want to further their careers in MRI technology can participate in a fellowship program at the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, Arizona. The Mayo Clinic offers an MRI/Cross-Sectional Imaging Fellowship that consists of a one-year extensive hands-on curriculum. Entrance into the fellowship is competitive, and only three candidates are accepted each year.
Medical imaging and MRI technicians have the option of furthering their education online. Online programs allow working students more flexibility and the ability to learn at their own pace. The Florida Hospital College of Health Sciences offers a comprehensive online Bachelor in Radiology Sciences degree. This degree is for students with prior education and work experience in the diagnostic imaging field. Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, Arizona, offers an online bachelor's program in medical imaging sciences. The program consists of 120 credits and requires prior education and certifications. Financial aid, loans and scholarships are available for qualifying students.
Students are encouraged to take the American Registry of Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologist (ARMRIT) exam, as many employers expect graduating students to be ARMRIT certified. The exam is accredited by the American College of Radiology MRI Accrediting Committee. Students who have passed the exam are eligible for employment at any American College of Radiology facility. Being proactive by making sure your desired institution offers an accredited program is important. Attending an accredited school ensures that you are receiving quality and pertinent coursework. Most schools will post their accreditation information on their websites. If you don't see any accreditation information on a school's website, be sure to inquire with an admissions counselor.