Frequently Asked Questions

When does this program begin and how long does it last?

This is a 2 year program with classes beginning Fall of every year continuing for a total of 7 quarters and includes the Summer quarter.

Is there a program orientation?

There is a monthly Information Session to answer questions regarding the NDT program and how to gain admittance. (Please see “Information Sessions” for dates and times.)

How many students are admitted into the program?

Enrollment is currently limited to a maximum of 12 students per year.

What are the necessary admission requirements?

NDT admission requirements include the following:

• Completion of required program prerequisites.
• Unofficial transcripts verifying prerequisite completion.
• A resume and cover letter, citing education and work experience

When is notification of acceptance into the program announced?

Notification of acceptance into this limited enrollment program will precede the opening Fall quarter.

What times and days are classes held?

All required program activities occur between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m., seven days per week. Lecture courses will either be in the classroom or online. As we do not control when off-site facilities require the presence of our students, all students must plan their schedule to be fully available to whatever time-schedule outside clinics request.

Why is the program scheduled this way, with both day and evening hours?

Your instructors will be physicians and registered ND Technologists currently working in the field. It is necessary to schedule all classes to accommodate their availability. Once classes begin, however, class times will not change.

Where will classes and clinical courses be held?

Most classroom courses will be held on the Bellevue College campus. Clinical experiences will be at local hospitals and under the supervision of a registered ND Technologist. During the program, students will rotate to different clinical sites. Students must have reliable transportation to do this.

How is the program structured?

This is a 7-quarter program that includes a summer session. The program starts in September and ends two years later in June. All core courses are taken in sequence with all students moving through the program as a cohort. There are short breaks between quarters and a longer break over the December holidays.

What are the physical and mental demands of the program?

In the clinical experience students will be under considerable physical and emotional stress as they undertake responsibilities and duties that impact patients’ lives. Students need to be able to demonstrate rational and appropriate behavior under stressful conditions. To successfully complete this program, all students need to be able to:

• Walk and stand for long periods of time
• Above-average manual dexterity and hand/eye coordination
• Good vision and hearing (or correctable to good)
• Ability to lift 50 pounds
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Lifting and moving of ill or injured patients
• Able to work under stress
• Students must maintain a ‘C’ or higher in all courses to remain in the NDT program at Bellevue College.

How much will the program cost?

• Bellevue College’s standard tuition fees.
• Required screenings and tests (immunizations, background check, transcript fees, etc.), the cost of which are the responsibility of the student. The Tuberculosis test must occur within three months of the program beginning.
• Lab Supply Fees:  The cost of all supplies is the responsibility of the student.
• A set of navy blue scrubs and a white lab coat are the required uniform of all classes and clinical sites. The cost for these is the responsibility of the student.
• Textbooks as required by instructors for each of the classes. The cost of textbooks are the responsibility of the student.

Are there any other requirements once accepted into the program?

• Students will have no visible body jewelry, face piercings, or tattoos at clinical sites. Small rings on the hands and small earrings in the ears are acceptable.
• Hair color and style must be professional with no unnatural hair colors (i.e., orange, green); hair longer than shoulder length must be tied back.
• Beards must be neat and well groomed.
• Nails must be short and trimmed.
• Shoes must have closed toes and heels.
• No perfume or after-shave is allowed.
• An official name badge will be worn at all times at clinical sites.
• All students must be on time to their externships. If a student falls ill, they must call both their instructor and supervisor at the medical facility before their scheduled start time. Failure to notify either of these people may result in the student losing their externship and getting a grade of ‘F’.
• All students will conduct themselves in an ethical and professional manner as set out by the medical facility serving as their externship site. Failure to do so may result in the student losing their externship and getting a grade of ‘F’.

Students must maintain a ‘C’ or higher in all courses to remain in the NDT program at Bellevue College. Please read each syllabus carefully to determine the grading requirements for each course.

How much study is required in this program?

Experience has shown that students find this an extremely difficult program. Based on their experience and recommendations students should not work or take any additional classes while enrolled in this program. Students who study an additional three hours “outside class” for every hour spent “inside class” more successfully achieve the course’s learning outcomes. (Example: a 4-credit class requires four hours of classroom instruction per week. This equates to 12 hours of additional weekly study “outside the classroom.” Multiplying the first quarter’s work of 15 credits (equating to 15 hours of instruction every week) by three hours, one gets an additional 45 hours of “outside class” study time. This means a total of 60 hours per week (15 hours + 45hours) dedicated to successfully completing the first quarter’s work. That is in excess of a full-time job!)

Do I need medical blue scrubs on the first day of class?

No, you will need your medical scrubs starting mid winter quarter.

Is this 2-year Associate Degree at Bellevue College accredited?

The NDT Associate Degree at Bellevue College is accredited by:

Commission on Accreditation Of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)

AA Degree Students Professionally Hired After Graduation

Last Updated July 17, 2023