Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Program
The Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Program, accredited by the American Registry of Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists (ARMRIT), is designed to prepare students to perform clinical MRI examinations of the patient’s body, with special consideration for image production, quality control, balanced signal-to-noise ratio, and basic pulse sequences. After graduation, students are required to successfully pass the American Registry of Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists (ARMRIT) MRI Registry to become gainfully employed in the field of MRI.
The Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Technologist is a medical professional who uses specialized MRI equipment to create images of structures inside the human body. MRI technologists must be able to interact compassionately and effectively with people who range from healthy to critically ill. The MRI technologist student will be supervised by registered and licensed radiologic technologists and MRI technologists but will be provided responsibility and independence in the performance of their duties.
The program is eighteen (18) months in duration and includes didactic classes, a virtual scanning lab, and clinical training in the discipline of MRI. The curriculum encompasses all principles of magnetic resonance imaging technology, which includes twelve (12) technical didactic instructional courses (34 credits), five (5) general education courses (20 credits), and one thousand (1000) hours of supervised clinical externship (22 credits).
All didactic and general education courses will be completed online through Canvas LMS. Students will be assigned to an MRI facility, where they will complete a 1,000-hour clinical externship. Upon completion of the program, an Associate of Science Degree is awarded.
Mission Statement
Pulse Radiology Institute (“PRI” or “Institution”) provides quality hybrid education and training to aspiring non-allied health professionals and those currently employed as allied health professionals in the field of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
Our program provides a comprehensive curriculum enhanced through on-site clinical training in private imaging centers and hospital networks within PRI’s approved enrollment areas.
The PRI team is committed to providing high-level education, training, and guidance so each student can earn an associate’s degree and gain employment in the radiology field.
Program Objectives
- Students will demonstrate entry level readiness by applying critical thinking skills and exhibiting MRI safety knowledge.
- Students will demonstrate professional and ethical behavior.
- Students will successfully demonstrate the technical skills required to be an entry level MRI technologist.
- Students will demonstrate entry level communication readiness to be able to communicate with patients and others within a healthcare setting.
Curriculum
| Course Code | Course Title | Credits |
| MRI100 | Patient Care & MRI Safety | 3 |
| MRI102 | Medical Terminology | 3 |
| MRI103 | Anatomy & Physiology | 3 |
| MRI200 | Fundamentals of MRI Physics | 3 |
| MRI201 | Sectional Anatomy | 3 |
| MRI203 | Pulse Sequence Design & Parameters | 3 |
| MRI300 | MRI Procedures | 3 |
| MRI301 | MR Equipment & Image Acquisition | 3 |
| MRI400 | Comprehensive MRI Pathology | 3 |
| LAB100 | MRI Scanning Lab | 1 |
| MRI401 | Troubleshooting MRI Artifacts | 3 |
| MRI402 | Medical Ethics, Law & Cultural Diversities | 3 |
| MRI500 | Clinical Externship | 22 |
| COM100 | Communications | 4 |
| ENC100 | English Composition I | 4 |
| ENV100 | Environmental Science | 4 |
| MAT100 | College Algebra | 4 |
| PSY100 | Psychology | 4 |
| TOTAL | 76 |
MRI Simulation Lab
Pulse Radiology Institute uses ScanLab MRI simulation software to support the MRI Scanning Lab requirement. ScanLab gives students a virtual environment where instructors can demonstrate slice alignment, MRI console operation, and parameter adjustments that affect image contrast and resolution.
During live Zoom sessions, instructors guide students through simulated scanning activities and explain proper MRI scanning techniques, anatomical landmarks, pulse sequence parameters, and how those parameters affect image quality. Students also receive individual competency assessments using a pass-or-fail grading system. This structured practice helps students develop foundational scanning skills and confidence before beginning their clinical externship.
Clinical Training & Partnerships
Pulse Radiology Institute maintains educational agreements with approved clinical training sites in the states where the institution is authorized to enroll students. As a PRI student, you will benefit from high-quality clinical experiences at leading hospitals, imaging centers, and healthcare networks. Clinical placement is based on program requirements, student location, site availability, and applicable state authorization.
Our students are placed within a 100-mile radius of their location, ensuring access to a variety of clinical MRI examinations. Each student is paired with a licensed MRI technologist who will guide them in developing practical technical and patient-centric skills. These clinical leaders act as direct supervisors, ensuring adherence to policies, procedures, and attendance requirements.
Upon completion of each clinical semester, the clinical leader provides a detailed performance evaluation to the institution, which is combined with clinical coordination reports to determine the student’s overall clinical externship grade. This hands-on experience is integral to preparing our students for success as they enter the field of MRI.
Institutional Catalog
To learn more about our program, download our institutional catalog below.