The pre-nuclear medicine technology program prepares students to become healthcare professionals who specialize in using radioactive materials to diagnose and treat diseases. They play a critical role in nuclear medicine, a branch of medical imaging that focuses on visualizing and analyzing the function of organs and tissues within the body.

Carthage has numerous faculty/staff members to support your journey to professional school. Make sure you are working closely with your assigned faculty advisor to address any questions relating to your major or minor requirements. For questions regarding pre-nuclear medicine technology program requirements and preparation, please contact a pre-health coordinator.

See the pre-nuclear medicine technology timeline

Students enrolled in the 3 + 1 nuclear medicine technology program must complete the following prerequisites by the end of their junior year. However, different schools may have different prerequisites on what classes you should take. Make sure to check your desired program’s website.

  • CHM 1010 General Chemistry I
  • CHM 1020 General Chemistry II
  • BIO 2010 Anatomy and Physiology for the Healthcare Professional I
  • BIO 2020 Anatomy and Physiology for the Healthcare Professional II
  • MTH 1040 Principles of Modern Mathematics or a higher-level course
  • PHY 2100 Physics I
  • PHY 2200 Physics II
  • AHS/NRS 3330 Statistics for Health and Human Services
  • ENG 2060 Expository Composition

The 3 + 1 nuclear medicine technology program with Northwestern Medicine is for students who major in allied health science at Carthage. Learn more about the 3 + 1 program

School Applications
This is not a direct-entry program; students apply to the nuclear medicine technology program through our clinical partner, Northwestern Medicine. Below is the list of application materials:

  • Shadowing hours
  • Personal statement
  • Resume/ CV
  • Three or more references
  • Transcripts (official copy)

Shadowing/Volunteering
All students are encouraged to shadow a nuclear medicine technologist. No specific amount of hours is required for nuclear medical technologist school, but students should have enough experience to understand the profession thoroughly.

Required Entrance Exams
There are no required entrance exams.

Personal Statement
You may need to submit a personal statement with your application. To help craft your personal statement, attend our Personal Statement Workshop, typically held in the fall semester.

Letters of Recommendation
You will need three references for the Northwestern Medicine application. These individuals are then contacted to complete an evaluation of you. Students need to give at least three to four weeks of notice. This way, references have adequate time to reflect upon their experience and write the best possible letter. If you are participating in an experiential role, it is suggested that you ask for a reference a month or two before the end of that experience.

Please note that different professions may require different degrees and levels of education.

Nuclear Cardiology Technologist
Nuclear cardiology technologists specialize in imaging techniques like myocardial perfusion scans to assess heart function and diagnose cardiovascular diseases.

Nuclear Medicine Technologist
Nuclear medicine technologists specialize in performing imaging procedures using radioactive substances to help diagnose and treat diseases like cancer, heart conditions, and more.

Radiation Safety Officer
Radiation safety officers ensure that nuclear medicine procedures comply with safety regulations and that radiation exposure is minimized for both patients and staff.

Research Technologist in Nuclear Medicine
These technologists work in clinical or laboratory settings to develop new techniques, radiopharmaceuticals, and imaging technologies for advanced diagnostic and therapeutic applications.