Long Beach City College offers a two-semester program in Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI).  The MRI program will begin every two years on “odd” years (2021, 2023, 2025, etc.)

Long Beach City College has a unique opportunity for ARRT registered technologists who would like to increase their knowledge of MRI in preparation for the ARRT examination.  Upon program completion, students qualify to take the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) examination in this modality.  Graduates of the LBCC imaging programs are highly sought by employers.  Since the MRI program is so unique, graduates are likely to be readily employed upon completion of the program and passing of the ARRT examination.

The Program accepts 20 students each year. The selection is made during the summer. The didactic courses and the clinical practicum occur in the Fall and Spring semesters. The didactic classes are usually conducted in the evening Monday through Friday. The clinical days are assigned Mondays through Saturdays based on the availability of clinical locations.   Clinical assignment dates/times are assigned by the college based on availability at our MRI sites.  Students do not have the ability to choose their clinical site or their arranged clinical hours.

MRI Program Cost

The program includes didactic and clinical courses.  There are 17 required units at a cost of $46 per unit.  The total cost of the program, including background check and other requirements, is approximately $1,300.

Continuing Education Courses

If an applicant wishes to enroll in any of the didactic courses of the MRI program, excluding DMI-405A/B clinical, he/she may do so with the understanding that the required ARRT competencies must be obtained before being considered eligible to take the ARRT exam in MRI.  The competencies must be completed at the applicant’s place of employment or an Imaging location.  In addition, LBCC will not issue a Certificate of Completion until all MRI courses have been completed.

An ARRT registered technologist (Radiography, Nuclear Medicine (NMTCB accepted), Sonography (ARDMS accepted) or Radiation Therapy) may enroll in any of the following courses.  All courses are 3.0 units and qualify for Category A continuing education units (CEU) through the American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT).

• DMI-403             Cross Sectional Anatomy
• DMI-404             MRI/CT Pathology
• DMI-401              MRI Physics
• DMI-403             MRI Procedures

How to Apply

All applicants must submit the following in person to Marc Smith, Nursing & Allied Health Coordinator, in Room C107.  Applications are accepted January 1 through May 31 of each odd year (2019, 2021, etc.).  Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted.

• An LBCC student ID number – Former LBCC students use the same ID number.  All other applicants must apply for admission online or through the Admissions & Records Department to obtain a student ID number.
• MRI Program Application – Available in the Nursing & Allied Health office located in Room C101.
• A Resume documenting at least one year of verifiable experience as an ARRT registered technologist in Radiography, Nuclear Medicine (NMTCB accepted), Sonography (ARDMS accepted) or Radiation Therapy.  ARMRIT certification is not accepted.
• Verification of a California Venipuncture must be submitted.  If an applicant does not possess a California Venipuncture certificate, this must be completed prior to program acceptance.
• Valid ARRT, CRT, and California Fluoroscopy permit.
• Unofficial transcripts showing at least the last 30 units of college coursework completed.
• 2 letters of recommendation, dated within 6 months of application date.

Selection Consideration

• Candidates must have completed DMI403 Cross Sectional Anatomy with a grade of “C” or better, or be enrolled in DMI403 in LBCC summer session.
  • ONLY Summer session is available for CT/MRI applicants.  DMI403 is offered in Spring ONLY to DMI program students.  There are NO exceptions.  Any non-DMI program student that is registered for Spring session DMI403 course will be automatically dropped from the class.
  • The grade for the Summer session DMI403 course will be used to determine program acceptance in the Fall semester.
  • All former LBCC DMI program graduates must retake DMI403 during the Summer session to be eligible for selection.

• Attend the mandatory meeting held on the first day of the DMI403 summer course (usually during the 2^nd full week of June).  Failure to attend the mandatory meeting will result in disqualification.
• Students are selected based on a “point” system.  The point system utilizes years of experience, highest level of education, GPA for the last 30 units of college coursework, U.S. veteran status, former LBCC DMI program graduate, DMI403 grade, application date.
• The approximately 20 candidates with the highest points are selected for the program.

Selected Candidates

All selected candidates must provide the following:

• Current American Heart Association (AHA) Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers CPR certification.  No others are accepted.
• Proof of MMR, TDAP, HEP-B, TB, and Influenza vaccinations.
• Background Check through CastleBranch – the cost is between $120-$150.  We will provide the proper access code for CastleBranch.  In addition, all documentation (MMR, TB, CPR, malpractice insurance, etc.) must be uploaded to CastleBranch by the applicant.
• Malpractice (Liability) Insurance through HPSO – cost is approximately $100.
• 2 sets of Navy Blue scrubs with LBCC logo on right chest and embroidered candidate’s name with ARRT credentials on left chest – cost is approximately $100.
• Student Health Evaluation form.  You may use your personal healthcare provider to complete the form or use the LBCC Student Health Services – cost is approximately $40.
• Latex Allergy Policy form.
• Some clinical sites require LiveScan fingerprinting – cost is approximately $70