Future students interested in pursuing medical imaging at Mohawk College are faced with the tough choice of which Mohawk College program is right for them. This gets particularly tough when comparing the Medical Radiation Sciences (729) Advanced Diploma and Degree program with the Radiography (740) Advanced Diploma or the Sonography (750) Advanced Diploma.
The Mohawk College and McMaster University Medical Radiation Sciences (MRSc) Program is a collaborative diploma-degree program. Radiography (740) and Sonography (750) Advanced Diplomas are new programs launched in 2025 by Mohawk College.
To help you decide which program is right for you, we’re going to take a closer look at each of the three program options. We will compare the various factors and features of each program so that you can make an informed decision for your future.
Program comparison
There are many key differences between the Medical Radiation Sciences (729), Sonography (750) and Radiography (740) programs. We’ve created this chart to make it easier to reference these differences.
| Medical Radiation Sciences (729) | Sonography (750) | Radiography (740) | |
| Ministry of Colleges and Universities (MCU) credential | Bachelor of Medical Radiation Sciences and Ontario College Advanced Diploma | Ontario College Advanced Diploma | Ontario College Advanced Diploma |
| Delivery | In-person | Online | Online |
| Program length | 10 semesters | 6 semesters, 2-years | 6 semesters, 2-years |
| Clinical Placement | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Specialization | Common first year and then students are streamed after semester two finishes into Radiography, Ultrasonography or Radiation Therapy | Ultrasonography | Radiography |
| Application System | Apply through Ontario Universities’ Application Centre (OUAC) | Apply through ontariocolleges.ca | Apply through ontariocolleges.ca
|
Questions about clinical placements? Connect with a Clinical Placement Specialist: AlliedHealthFPS [at] mohawkcollege.ca (AlliedHealthFPS[at]mohawkcollege[dot]ca)
Academic requirements comparison
In addition to differences in length, accreditation and specialization, each program also features unique admission requirements.
The following chart shows the course requirements for domestic students entering the programs directly from high school. For more information regarding admission requirements for non-direct or international students, please contact Admissions.
| Medical Radiation Sciences (729) | Sonography (750)
| Radiography (740)
| |
| English | U | Grade 12, C or U or equivalent | Grade 12, C or U or equivalent |
| Math | Advanced Functions U | C*, M or U or equivalent * MAP4C will not be accepted | C*, M or U or equivalent * MAP4C will not be accepted |
| Biology | U | Grade 11 or 12, C or U or equivalent | Grade 11 or 12, C or U or equivalent |
| Physics | Not required | Grade 11 or 12, C or U or equivalent | Grade 11 or 12, C or U or equivalent |
| Chemistry | U | Grade 11 or 12, C or U or equivalent | Grade 11 or 12, C or U or equivalent |
| Calculus and Vectors | U | Not required | Not required |
| Additional U/M Course | Completion of one additional U or M course to total six courses | N/A | N/A |
| Grade point average | 88% and above | The average of all five required courses must be 80% or higher | The average of all five required courses must be 80% or higher |
| Equal consideration date | January 15 | February 1 | February 1 |
Please note: The information in the chart above is the admission requirements as of January 28, 2025. For the most up to date information, please visit the program pages.
Direct career entry vs further education
Another factor that could influence your decision when choosing a program is whether you want to begin your career immediately or pursue further education.
Students in the Sonography (750) and Radiography (740) programs can start their careers sooner than those in the Medical Radiation Sciences (729) program, as their programs are only six semesters long compared to the 10 semesters required for Medical Radiation Sciences.
With regard to further education, students in the Sonography (750) and Radiography (740) programs have a pathway into other Mohawk College imaging programs. As well as having access to this pathway, students in the Medical Radiation Sciences (729) program have these pathways into university programs where they can continue their studies to earn a Master’s or Doctorate.
Each program offers pathways to future employment and further educational opportunities. Your career and educational goals will help determine which of the three programs is the best fit for you, as each one is tailored to meet different needs and aspirations.
Many students select Medical Radiation Sciences (729) because they want to keep as many doors open as possible. Other students select Radiography (740) or Sonography (750) because they know exactly what they want to do with their career so streamlining their choice makes sense.
The traditional college experience
For some students, getting the “classic college/university experience” is an important part in their choice of program. For others, they just want to buckle down, get the skills they need and jump right into a job they love.
Regardless of the program you choose students from all three programs will have face -to -face skills courses delivered at the Institute for Applied Health Sciences (IAHS) in Hamilton, Ontario. Students in the collaborative Medical Radiation Sciences (729) degree/diploma program will be required to live in the area to attend classes. Students in Radiography (740) and Sonography (750) will be able to attend their skills training session in an intensive 2 to 3 week delivery.
Medical Radiation Sciences (729) is an in-person program, with students spending the majority of their time on campus. This means they will interact more with fellow students as well as the larger Mohawk College community. In-person classes also offer the benefit of connecting more with peers and faculty. These close-knit bonds often turn into friendships and mentorships that last a lifetime.
Radiography (740) and Sonography (750) are mainly online. Students get the opportunity to meet their classmates in-person during intensives, but interact less with the Mohawk College community as a result of spending less time on campus.
Tuition and affordability
The tuition and overall affordability of your program will vary depending on the program you choose.
The tuition for Medical Radiation Sciences (729) is based on McMaster University’s tuition fees, whereas the tuition for Radiography (740) and Sonography (750) is based on Mohawk College’s tuition fees. Additionally, you are only paying for six semesters of Radiography (740) or Sonography (750) instead of 10 semesters of Medical Radiation Sciences (729), so as far as tuition is concerned, Medical Radiation Sciences (729) is the more expensive option but you graduate with an honours degree and an advanced diploma.
Students in the Sonography (750) and Radiography (740) Advanced Diplomas will graduate sooner and enter their career faster in comparison to the Medical Radiation Sciences (729) collaborative degree and diploma program. This quicker entry into a career can translate to a faster return on your educational investment.
It's worth weighting your financial investment with your desired career progression. A degree may open the door to management or research roles with higher earning potential. If that’s a path you want to go down, then taking the Medical Radiation Sciences (729) program may be worth the short-term higher investment.
In addition to tuition, each program comes with additional costs you may want to consider, such as accommodations and campus dining expenses.
Final decision
The decision of which program to choose will depend on your individual goals and interests. There is no right or wrong answer, and we encourage you to talk with family, advisors and peers when considering your options.
If you're seeking a comprehensive education and the opportunity to explore radiography, ultrasonography and radiation therapy before you specialize, then Medical Radiation Sciences (729) may be the right fit for you. If you're eager to enter the workforce and already have a specialization in mind, Radiography (740) or Sonography (750) may be the better option.
By reading this far, you’ve already taken the right step towards making an informed decision. Regardless of your selection, all of Mohawk College’s imaging programs are great options for someone planning a career in medical imaging.
If you still need help deciding, book a "Future Student Advising" appointment with the Registrar's office. They can help review your goals to determine which program aligns best. Also, consider speaking with the program coordinator of the program you’re interested in to learn more.
Published 28/01/2025
