MRI Technology Program in Houston
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Technology, AAS
MRI Technology Program (AAS)
MRI Technology: Start a Career in Medical Imaging
MRI technologists use magnetic resonance imaging to produce the detailed images physicians rely on to diagnose injuries and disease. It is hands-on, patient-centered work in hospitals, outpatient imaging centers, and specialty clinics.
Texas Health School’s Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Technology program is an Associate of Applied Science degree you can complete in 80 weeks. Our hybrid format combines online coursework with on-campus labs, hands-on scanning practice in ScanLabMR simulation software, and 750 hours of supervised clinical externship. The program also prepares you for the ARRT and ARMRIT MRI certification exams.
Starting January 2027. Join a free information session any Thursday at 3:30 pm to learn more.
80 weeks5 semesters
71semester credits
1,754clock hours
750clinical externship hours
740simulated MRI procedures
Hybridonline + on campus
Register for an MRI Technology Information Session
Information sessions are held every Thursday at 3:30 pm.
Why Choose the Texas Health School MRI Technology Program?
You do not need to complete prerequisite courses somewhere else before you start. General education courses, including Anatomy and Physiology, English Composition, College Algebra, and Introduction to Psychology, are built into the program.
Most coursework is delivered online. You come to campus for Anatomy and Physiology labs and complete your clinical externships at healthcare facilities. The schedule is designed to fit a range of student needs.
Courses combine live (synchronous) online classes with self-paced (asynchronous) learning, so you can attend sessions with your instructor and also study when it suits you.
Certification preparation is part of the curriculum, including a dedicated MR Registry Review course in your final semester, to prepare you for the ARRT and ARMRIT MRI exams.
Every student receives an individual academic plan with a defined start date and a projected graduation date.
Smaller classes mean more personal instruction and more support from your instructors.
Our career services team helps graduates move into the workforce, with résumé writing, mock interviews, job search assistance, and employer connections.
Texas Health School (THS) is nationally accredited by the Council on Occupational Education (COE) and licensed by the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC).
Program Overview
The MRI Technology AAS prepares you for an entry-level career as an MRI technologist. Over five 16-week semesters, you build the knowledge, technical skills, and professional judgment to perform MRI procedures safely and effectively, from patient screening and positioning to image acquisition and quality assurance.
Curriculum Overview
You will study MRI principles and physics, cross-sectional anatomy, image formation, imaging parameters and protocols, MRI safety and screening, and patient care. The curriculum emphasizes patient-centered care, ethical decision-making, clear communication, and MRI safety guidelines, and you apply all of it in supervised clinical settings.
How the MRI Technology Program Works
The program is delivered in a hybrid format. You complete most of your coursework online, through a mix of live classes and self-paced learning, and come to campus or a clinical site for hands-on training.
Before you work with patients, you practice scanning in ScanLabMR, an MRI simulation application. Across four simulation courses you complete 740 simulated MRI procedures of the brain, neck, spine, musculoskeletal system, chest, abdomen, and pelvis, following real protocols and clinical criteria.
Exam ready at graduation
Your final semester includes MR Registry Review, a comprehensive review of every major MRI topic in the program.
Your path through the program
- Online lectures, live and self-paced
- On-campus Anatomy and Physiology labs
- 740 simulated MRI procedures in ScanLabMR
- 750 hours of clinical externship, supervised by a qualified MRI technologist, at sites such as hospital radiology departments (inpatient and emergency), outpatient and diagnostic imaging centers, urgent care centers, and standalone emergency centers
- MR Registry Review to prepare for certification exams
MRI Technology Curriculum by Semester
| Course | Hours | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Anatomy and Physiology I (Lecture) | 48 | 3.0 |
| Anatomy and Physiology I (Lab, on campus) | 32 | 1.0 |
| Anatomy and Physiology II (Lecture) | 48 | 3.0 |
| Anatomy and Physiology II (Lab, on campus) | 32 | 1.0 |
| English Composition | 48 | 3.0 |
| College Algebra | 48 | 3.0 |
| Introduction to Psychology | 48 | 3.0 |
| Course | Hours | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MR Fundamentals | 45 | 3.0 |
| MR Image Formation | 45 | 3.0 |
| MR Parameters and Options | 45 | 3.0 |
| MR Screening and Safety | 45 | 3.0 |
| Course | Hours | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Cross-Sectional Anatomy | 60 | 4.0 |
| MR Procedures I | 45 | 3.0 |
| MR Simulation I | 30 | 1.0 |
| MR Procedures II | 45 | 3.0 |
| MR Simulation II | 30 | 1.0 |
| Course | Hours | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Ethics and Law | 15 | 1.0 |
| Patient Care | 45 | 3.0 |
| MR Simulation III | 95 | 3.0 |
| Clinical Externship I (at a clinical site) | 375 | 8.0 |
| Course | Hours | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MR Registry Review | 60 | 4.0 |
| MR Simulation IV | 95 | 3.0 |
| Clinical Externship II (at a clinical site) | 375 | 8.0 |
Program Hours and Schedules
Program Length
80 weeks (five 16-week semesters) and 71 semester credits
Program Schedules
Courses are delivered remotely through live (synchronous) and self-paced (asynchronous) learning. Schedules vary by semester and stay consistent week to week within each semester. On-campus lab and testing schedules are provided a couple of weeks before each semester starts.
Program Hours
| Lecture | Lab | Externship | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 690 | 314 | 750 | 1,754 |
For more about our MRI Technology Program:
MRI Certification Exam Preparation
Upon completing the program, graduates are prepared to sit for industry-recognized MRI certification exams:
- R.T.(MR), Registered Technologist in Magnetic Resonance Imaging, from the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT)
- MRI Technologist from the American Registry of Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists (ARMRIT)
In the Patient Care course you also complete training leading to certifications in CPR and HIV/AIDS education.
To learn more about these credentials, visit www.arrt.org or www.armrit.org. You can also call us at 713-932-9333 or email admissions@ths.edu.
MRI Technologist Job Outlook and Salary
MRI technologists work in hospitals, outpatient imaging centers, physician practices, specialty clinics, and diagnostic imaging facilities. Houston’s large healthcare network, including the Texas Medical Center, employs imaging professionals across hospitals and outpatient centers.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual wage for MRI technologists in the United States was $95,480 in May 2025.
Houston MRI Technologist Salary
MRI technologists in the Houston area earn more than the national median. According to the BLS, the Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land area employed about 820 MRI technologists in May 2025, with a median annual wage of $102,570.
A Career with Room to Grow
Diagnostic imaging is a core part of modern healthcare. Many MRI technologists build on their first credential over time, moving into specialized imaging, lead technologist roles, or education.
Job Placement Support at Texas Health School
At Texas Health School, we support students beyond graduation. Our career services team offers résumé writing, mock interviews, job search assistance, and employer connections to help you secure your first role. Many graduates find employment quickly thanks to the school’s network of Houston healthcare providers.
MRI Technology Admission Requirements
Applicants to the MRI Technology program complete a multi-step admission process:
- A high school diploma or GED
- A Wonderlic Scholastic Level Exam score of 17
- The ability to read and write in English
- A minimum ATI TEAS score of 60 in Reading and 55 in Math
- A panel interview with the selection committee
Your MRI Technology Instructors
- Instructor Qualifications: Our MRI Technology program is led by highly qualified faculty who possess advanced education in Magnetic Resonance Imaging and hold industry-recognized credentials. Faculty members bring a diverse range of clinical and teaching experience, offering students valuable insights gained from years of practice as MRI technologists and healthcare educators.
- Teaching Philosophy: “Caring for Others” is our core value, and our faculty is committed to student success and hands-on learning.
Accreditation
Texas Health School holds accreditation from the Commission of the Council on Occupational Education (COE), which is a national accrediting agency that is recognized by the United States Department of Education. For more information about COE, please visit their website at www.council.org.
Texas Health School is approved and regulated by:
- Texas Board of Nursing, Vocational Nursing Program https://www.bon.texas.gov/
- Texas Health and Human Services, Nurse Aide Training Program
- Texas Health and Human Services, Medication Aide Training Program
- Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, Massage Therapy Program
- Texas Workforce Commission, Career Schools and Colleges, Austin, Texas
- Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, Austin, Texas (to grant degrees)
- Texas Veterans Commission, Veterans Education
A copy of the school’s accreditation, licensure, and approvals are on file and available for review upon written request to the School Director.
Additional Information
If you are interested in becoming an MRI technologist, we invite you to begin your journey with us. For more information about the program and upcoming start dates, call us at 713-932-9333 or contact us online. The program starts in January 2027, and information sessions are held every Thursday at 3:30 pm.
MRI Technology Program FAQs in Houston, TX
MRI technologists operate magnetic resonance imaging scanners to create diagnostic images. They screen patients for MRI safety, explain the procedure, position patients and imaging coils, select protocols, and produce high-quality images for physicians to interpret.
No. General education courses are built into the program, so you can start without completing prerequisites elsewhere. You still need to meet the admission requirements: a high school diploma or GED, a Wonderlic score of 17, ATI TEAS scores of 60 in Reading and 55 in Math, and a panel interview.
The program starts in January 2027. Information sessions are held every Thursday at 3:30 pm.
The program takes 80 weeks, made up of five 16-week semesters, for a total of 71 semester credits and 1,754 clock hours.
It is a hybrid program. Lectures are delivered online through live and self-paced learning. Anatomy and Physiology labs take place on campus, and clinical externships take place at healthcare facilities.
You complete 750 hours of clinical externship, performing MRI procedures under the supervision of a qualified MRI technologist. Sites include hospital radiology departments (inpatient and emergency), outpatient facilities, urgent care centers, standalone emergency centers, and MRI and other diagnostic centers.
Upon completing the program, graduates are prepared to sit for the ARRT R.T.(MR) exam and the ARMRIT MRI Technologist exam. Certification preparation, including an MR Registry Review course, is built into the curriculum.
According to the BLS, the median annual wage for MRI technologists was $95,480 in the United States and $102,570 in the Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land area in May 2025.
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