Grace College and John Patrick University of Health and Applied Sciences in South Bend, Indiana, are partnering to offer Grace College students a bachelor of science in medical imaging degree. Grace students can enroll in the program accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology this spring. Grace’s addition of the degree comes in response to an increased need for medical imaging technicians in the nation — and specifically in Kosciusko County — to face the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic and an aging population.
“Only a handful of medical Christian colleges and universities in the country are offering medical imaging degrees, and now, Grace College is one of them,” said Dr. Joseph Frentzel, chair of the Department of Science and Mathematics at Grace.
The medical imaging program prepares students to take the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (AART) examination and offers students specializations in computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), nuclear medicine and sonography.
“Grace College and JPU have worked very closely to develop this innovative agreement designed to benefit Grace’s students,” said JPU President Brent Murphy. “I have found working with Grace to be very rewarding as our vision, passion and values are well aligned. This alignment has allowed us to create unique opportunities in niche disciplines that are being underserved in today’s challenging healthcare markets,” said Murphy.
Grace students will take the Grace College Core liberal arts curriculum and general math and science courses, but the medical imaging-specific courses will be taught by JPU faculty.
“It’s important for prospective students to understand that JPU is a top-tier applied science institution,” said Frentzel. “President Murphy himself is a medical physicist who has spent years working in the radiographic sciences, training doctors and technicians on the proper use of imaging equipment. His extensive network of clinical rotations sites for students includes locations right here in Warsaw,” he said.
The partners are exploring a variety of other opportunities involving additional bachelor’s degree options for Grace students, professional certificates, and graduate course offerings.
“Grace is excited to bring this novel expertise to our students where they can learn from leaders in the field while maintaining the Christian college experience for which Grace is renowned,” said Frentzel.
For more information on the program, visit www.grace.edu/major/medical-imaging-major/ or contact Joe Frentzel at frentzjw@grace.edu.
