Mammography Training Program
Mammography is a specialized imaging modality that uses ionizing radiation to produce high-quality, multidimensional soft-tissue breast imaging displays. This training offers radiologic technologists a pathway to expand their knowledge in mammography while completing a certificate program.
The program aligns its curriculum with the structured education and clinical requirements of the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) post-primary pathway certification in Mammography and meets the training requirements of the Mammography Quality Standards Act (MQSA).
This training is offered three times annually during the Fall, Spring, and Summer.
Mammography Training Options
| OPTION 1: Initial Training Only |
OPTION 2: Initial Training & ARRT Clinical Requirements |
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Clinical instruction and internship (if applicable) are facilitated at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in the Texas Medical Center and at MD Anderson’s Houston Area Locations as assigned by the Diagnostic Imaging Advanced Modalities Program Director or Associate Program Director. All accepted participants must complete MD Anderson's onboarding vetting process prior to program start.
Application Information
Priority Deadlines
Interested applicants must complete the online application and submit all documentation to be considered for enrollment. Applicants must provide the following information to complete their application.
- Fall Admissions All materials accepted through June 30
- Spring Admissions All materials accepted through October 30
- Summer Admissions All materials accepted through March 30
Acceptance & Tuition
Acceptance
Admitted applicants will receive a Letter of Acceptance via email, which includes the next required steps.
Tuition Payment
School of Health Professions personnel will contact each accepted applicant for payment information according to their program option.
Option 1: Initial Training Only $700
Option 2: Initial Training and ARRT Clinical Requirements $900
Tuition includes program delivery, materials and clinical experience. However, tuition does NOT include food, travel, lodging or other personal expenses.
Onboarding
All accepted participants are required to complete the Research Trainee Programs (RTP) Onboarding Process prior to their training at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas. This includes an RTP application, background check, drug screen, an immunization check and required paperwork for MD Anderson.
Curriculum
Option 1: Mammography Initial Training
Participants will complete a minimum of 40 hours of contact Mammography Initial Training to include the following.
- Twenty-four (24) hours of formal didactic training that includes breast anatomy and physiology, positioning and compression, quality assurance/quality control techniques, and imaging of patients with breast implants.
- Eight (8) hours of specific modality training in Full Field Digital Mammography (FFDM).
- Eight (8) hours of training in Digital Breast Tomosynthesis.
- Clinical instruction for the performance of 25 supervised exams as required by MQSA, and under the direct supervision of a Certified Mammographer at MD Anderson Cancer Center in the Texas Medical Center and its Houston Area Locations.
Option 2: Mammography Initial Training and ARRT Clinical Experience
Leading to ARRT Mammography Registry Eligibility
Participants will complete a minimum of 40 hours of contact Mammography Initial Training and all the Clinical Experience Requirements to take the ARRT Mammography Registry Examination to include the following.
- Twenty-four (24) hours of formal didactic training that includes breast anatomy and physiology, positioning and compression, quality assurance/quality control techniques, and imaging of patients with breast implants.
- Eight (8) hours of specific modality training in Full Field Digital Mammography (FFDM).
- Eight (8) hours of training in Digital Breast Tomosynthesis.
- Clinical instruction for the performance of 25 supervised exams as required by MQSA, and under the direct supervision of a Certified Mammographer at MD Anderson Cancer Center in the Texas Medical Center and its Houston Area Locations.
- Participants are assigned to the Mammography Department at MD Anderson Cancer Center in the Texas Medical Center and its Houston Area Locations to complete a Mammography Internship for the ARRT Clinical Experience Requirements which include the following.
- Mammographic Imaging: 75 patient-screening and/or diagnostic procedures.
- Quality Control: 32 QC-specific procedures as required by the ARRT.
- Mammographic Imaging Evaluation: Review of ten mammographic cases with an MD Anderson Cancer Center MQSA-qualified interpreting physician.
- Elective Interventional/Special Procedures: At least four elective patient procedures which may include Needle Localization, Localization Imaging, Surgical Specimen Imaging, Breast MRI, Breast Ultrasound, Stereotactic Biopsy with Clip Placement, Stereotactic Specimen Imaging, Tissue Marker Clip Placement, Breast Implant Imaging, Diagnostic Mammogram, or Recall from a Screening Mammogram.
- ARRT Mammography Review: this comprehensive review explores each category of the ARRT examination content specifications including patient care, image production, and procedures. This is a two-day seminar that will prepare the mammography student for the Post-Primary ARRT Mammography Exam. In addition, participants will receive 16 additional continuing education units (CEUs) that will be used to fulfill the structured education requirement for the ARRT.