Nuclear Medicine Technologist (AAS) - Nevada is an Associate Degree program (Hybrid) offered by National Polytechnic College in Henderson, NV. The program takes 107 weeks to complete, with a total tuition of $58,991.
Program Overview
The Nuclear Medicine Technologist program leads to an Associate in Applied Science degree and prepares students to apply for state and national certification. Through lecture and clinical externship instruction, students learn to perform nuclear medicine scanning examinations and procedures and record anatomic, pathologic and physiologic data for interpretation by a physician.
Nuclear medicine uses small amounts of radioactive materials, called radiotracers, which are injected, inhaled or ingested and detected by a special camera or scanner to image organs and tissues. It is used to diagnose and treat cancer, heart disease, neurological disorders and bone and joint disorders, and can deliver targeted radiation therapy.
General education courses come first, then core courses in radiation protection, radiopharmacy, instrumentation, physics and dosimetry, pharmacology and venipuncture, and nuclear medicine procedures, followed by 1,000 hours of clinical externship.
What sets this Program apart
- Meets ARRT requirements for graduates pursuing American Registry of Radiologic Technologists certification; the NMTCB certificate is the other accepted credential.
- A board review and mock exam course before externship.
- Venipuncture certification and dosimetry are included in supplies.
- Clinical site affiliations give students access to nuclear medicine equipment — gamma cameras, PET and SPECT scanners — during externship.
Admission Requirements and Process
NPCollege certainly wants you to experience an easy application process. Applicants will have an opportunity to be interviewed by a school representative who can help you pave the way for your career decisions, and you will be given a tour of the campus and receive a catalog describing the course offerings and the school policies. Once your program interest has been determined, a standardized entrance assessment may be administered.
General Requirements
- High School Diploma or EquivalentProvide proof of a high school diploma from an accredited high school or the recognized equivalent before being granted enrollment. Applicants must provide a copy of their high…
- Foreign Credential EvaluationHigh school documentation from a country other than the United States must be translated and evaluated to be at least the equivalent of a U.S. high school diploma by an agency…
- Campus VisitVisit the College before enrollment to obtain a clear understanding of NPCollege, view the facilities and equipment, and meet with staff and instructors.
- Application and Admissions InterviewComplete an application form and engage in an interview with an Admissions Coordinator. NPCollege admission procedures require completion of admissions interview prior to…
- Signed Enrollment AgreementComplete and sign an Enrollment Agreement.
- Minimum Age 18At least be 18 years of age (official ID is required) to enroll into the College.
- English ProficiencyAbility to read and write in English at a high school graduate level, as demonstrated by a high school transcript, GED, or passing the Nevada high school proficiency exam.
- Registration FeePay a non-refundable registration fee upon enrollment.
- Wonderlic Entrance ExamAll associate degree applicants must take the Wonderlic SLE (on campus) or SLE-Q (online) entrance exam. The minimum passing score is 18 on the SLE or SLE-Q, and passing scores…
- New Student Technology AssessmentBefore starting the program, a prospective student must complete a new student assessment covering access to technology (computer, webcam, microphone, internet access, email…
- Externship Physical and ImmunizationsStudents may be required to have a physical examination from a health care provider attesting to their ability to meet the program's physical and mental requirements; a negative…
- Background Check and Drug TestA Personal/Criminal Background Check and Drug Testing may be required to be completed and passed before your assigned externship.
Application Process
- 1Schedule a Meeting with AdmissionsNPCollege requires you to schedule a meeting with the admissions office before any application is reviewed. You will be interviewed by a school representative who will review your academic background and goals and help you choose the right program.
- 2Tour the CampusVisit the College before enrollment to view the facilities and equipment and meet with staff and instructors. You will receive a catalog describing the course offerings and the school policies.
- 3Take the Entrance AssessmentAssociate degree applicants take the Wonderlic SLE (on campus) or SLE-Q (online) entrance exam and must score at least 18.
- 4Complete Your ApplicationComplete an application form with your Admissions Coordinator and provide proof of your high school diploma, GED, or equivalent. Contact admissions to get started.
- 5Apply for Financial Aid (FAFSA)Meet with the Financial Aid Department to learn about your eligibility for federal funding and get answers to your questions. Complete the FAFSA using the NPCollege school code.FAFSA Code for Henderson: E41349Fill Out the FAFSA
- 6Sign Your Enrollment AgreementComplete and sign an Enrollment Agreement and pay the non-refundable registration fee. NPCollege recommends making financial arrangements to cover tuition and registration fees, since it is the last step before processing your application.
- 7Complete OrientationAll new students are required to complete an orientation prior to their program start date, covering institutional policies, academic expectations, student resources, technology requirements, and support services.
- 8Start Your ProgramNew students start their program following the completion of all admission requirements and procedures. Students must complete the entire admissions process before the first day of class.
Program Schedule
107 weeks (24 months on the College’s program page), 2,660 clock hours and 99.5 semester credits. Classes run in morning (8:00 AM to 12:00 PM), afternoon (1:00 to 5:00 PM) or evening (5:30 to 9:30 PM) sessions, Monday through Friday; general education classes run between 8:00 AM and 9:30 PM. Externship hours are scheduled Monday through Friday according to the clinical site’s availability.
The Nevada academic calendar lists an afternoon start April 13, 2026, an AM start February 22, 2027 and a PM start April 26, 2027. Start dates may be added or removed.
All lectures are delivered in a blended format: traditional face-to-face classroom instruction combined with remote, live-streamed lectures, for flexibility for students with busy schedules or long commutes. Most of the remote learning comes from the lecture hours; skills are built in the on-campus labs before clinical rotations.
Campus Location
Why Accreditation Is Important
When you attend an accredited institution, you attend a school that has been independently evaluated for educational quality.
This program: National Polytechnic College is institutionally accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC). It is licensed to operate in Nevada by the Commission on Postsecondary Education.
- A reliable indicator of quality
- Approved program of study
- Qualified instructors
- Recognition by employers nationwide
Accreditations
Cost of Attendance and Financial Aid Information
| Charge | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $58,991 |
| Account for Student Indemnification (ASI) | $9 |
| Registration (non-refundable) | $150 |
| Textbooks & eBooks | $2,004 |
| Supplies | $2,670 |
| Total charges | $63,824 |
Supplies include CPR, dosimetry badge and ring, ARRT registration and exam, venipuncture certification, state application, and a laptop. Background and drug testing apply to all programs if required.
Nevada students’ charges include the $9 Account for Student Indemnification assessment, Nevada’s student protection fund.
Financial aid. NPCollege participates in the U.S. Department of Education’s Title IV financial aid programs, and is approved for the training of veterans and eligible persons under Title 38.
Paying tuition. Tuition for the first enrollment period is due at the first session of each module unless other arrangements are made with the Financial Aid and Fiscal Department. Tuition and charges are estimates and subject to change. Replacement student IDs are $15 and replacement uniform sets $40; returned checks carry a $40 fee. Veterans’ benefits do not cover the school-issued laptop, which the veteran pays directly.
Curriculum
The catalog’s course table for this Associate in Applied Science degree: 20 core courses and 6 general education courses, 2,660 clock hours including 1,000 externship hours, and 99.5 semester credits.
The catalog’s printed column totals for the core courses read 1,220 lecture and 170 lab hours; its own rows add to 1,210 and 180. Clock hours (2,390 core) and credits (81.5 core) agree either way.
The Nevada tuition table prints this program as 2,615 hours (and its per-hour rate is based on that figure), while the Nevada catalog’s program listing and course table give 2,660; the College’s program page says 2,585 hours.
The required courses below are from National Polytechnic College's published catalog.
Required Courses
| Subject # | Name | Lecture | Lab | External | Total | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Required Courses
| Subject # | Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
Career Outcomes
Graduates are qualified to work as entry-level nuclear medicine technologists (SOC 29-2033) in hospitals and healthcare facilities, medical clinics, radiology imaging centers, physician offices and mobile nuclear medicine services, as freelance or traveling technologists, or as applications specialists. Technologists prepare and administer radiopharmaceuticals, operate imaging equipment and maintain radiation safety protocols.
California requires a Certified Technologist, Nuclear Medicine certificate from the Radiologic Health Branch, with a passed ARRT (N) exam or an NMTCB certificate; Nevada requires a certificate from the Nevada Radiation Control Program. NPCollege does not publish a placement rate on these pages.
What to expect as a National Polytechnic College student
National Polytechnic College was founded in 1996 and has trained students for allied health careers ever since. Formerly Montebello Career College, it took its current name in March 1999, was accredited by ACCSC in November 2003 and was approved for Title IV financial aid in September 2005.
The main campus is at 4105 South Street in Lakewood, California, with an extension facility at 4102 South Street within walking distance. Classrooms include laboratory areas equipped as in private industry, with instructor computers and overhead projectors. Typical lecture and lab settings range from about 10 to 20 students. In 2025 the College opened a branch campus in Henderson, Nevada, which shares faculty with Lakewood and upholds the same accreditation, academic standards and policies.
Externships are completed under the supervision of a qualified preceptor at participating clinical sites; students record externship attendance through a mobile app. Graduates may take skill refresher courses, often at no additional charge, and Career Services supports students from day one. Office hours are Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:30 PM, with virtual meetings available.