Become an MRI
Technologist
in 23 Months
Earn your AAS in Magnetic Resonance Imaging at California Career Institute and launch a high-demand healthcare career at our campuses in Orange County and Los Angeles.
- 23 months, hybrid
- OC and LA campuses
- 2 starts per year
- No prerequisites
What makes CCI different
Why choose CCI for your MRI Technologist program
Every detail of our MRI program is built around how working adults actually train, learn, and launch healthcare careers in California.
Accredited AAS degree
Approved by the California BPPE and accredited by ACCET. Program built following ARRT (MRI) and ARMRIT credentialing requirements.
No prerequisites required to apply
Start without prior healthcare experience, ARRT certification, or extensive science prereqs. Apply when you're ready.
Hybrid plus flexible scheduling
Online theory, on-campus skills labs, and clinical training. Day or evening tracks built around adult learners.
Campuses in Orange County and Los Angeles
Train at our Anaheim or Hawthorne location, with clinical placements at trusted regional hospitals and imaging centers.
Financial Aid Options for Those Who Qualify
Qualify for federal Pell Grants, Cal Grants, Direct Loans, and Sallie Mae. Most students attend for less than they expected.
Three start dates per year
Fall, winter, and summer cohorts. Don't wait twelve months to begin your career.
Why CCI
Built on 20+ years of allied health training experience
CCI graduates have served Orange County and Los Angeles hospitals, clinics, and imaging centers for two decades. Our AAS in Magnetic Resonance Imaging brings that same proven approach into one of healthcare's fastest-growing careers, with small cohorts, experienced faculty, and real clinical placements.
Get MRI Program Details Now
An admissions advisor will contact you within 24 hours.
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Why MRI technology
Why MRI technology is more than a job
A career as an MRI technologist is more than a job. You'll work alongside radiologists and physicians, operating advanced imaging technology that helps diagnose injury, illness, and disease. It's skilled, rewarding work with strong earning potential and the kind of daily purpose that comes from knowing your scans directly shape patient care.
Who this program is built for
Three paths into MRI technology
Recent high school grads
Skip the four-year detour. Earn an accredited associate degree and start a healthcare career in under two years, with strong starting wages and real growth potential.
Career changers
Leaving retail, hospitality, military, or office work? Hybrid scheduling and flexible start dates make it possible to retrain without putting your life on pause.
Healthcare professionals
Already a Medical Assistant, CNA, or Patient Care Tech? Use your existing healthcare foundation to step into a higher-paying imaging specialty.
Day in the life
A career that pays well and matters every day
Operate advanced imaging scanners, work alongside radiologists, and capture the images that help diagnose injury and disease across hospitals, outpatient centers, and specialty imaging clinics throughout Orange County and Los Angeles.
Local wage data
Local median: $88.2K. Wages vary by employer, location, experience, credentials, and labor market conditions
Job growth
New job opportunities are very likely in the future.
Time to career
MRI program length
This site incorporates information from O*NET Web Services by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA).
Tuition and financial aid
Affordable tuition with strong financial aid options
Most CCI students attend with the help of federal Pell Grants, Cal Grants, and Direct Loans or Sallie Mae private loans. Our admissions and financial aid teams will help you build a personalized plan that fits your situation. Many students attend for significantly less than they expected.
Federal aid
Pell Grants
State aid
Cal Grant Programs
Federal loans
Direct Student Loans
Scholarships
Private Scholarships
Payment flexibility
Payment Plan Options
Frequently asked
Common questions
1. How long is the program?
2. Do I need prior healthcare experience?
3. How much does an MRI tech earn in California?
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024.
4. Can I work while attending?
5. What financial aid is available?
Clinical Education
MRI Clinical Training Experience
CCI's MRI program includes 1,000 clinical education hours designed to help students develop patient care, MRI safety, workflow, documentation, and image-quality skills for entry-level MRI practice.
Clinical Readiness
Students develop the safety habits, communication skills, and professional judgment expected in the MRI environment.
Patient Care and Safety
Clinical education reinforces patient preparation, screening, positioning support, comfort, privacy, and professional communication.
MRI Workflow and Safety
Students strengthen their understanding of MRI screening, coil selection, exam setup, workflow, documentation, and image-quality review.
Documentation and Professional Practice
Students practice clear communication, accurate documentation, confidentiality, and professional conduct within the healthcare setting.
Clinical education schedules, settings, procedure mix, and learning activities may vary.
Locations
MRI Program Locations in Southern California
CCI offers the MRI program at its Anaheim and Hawthorne campuses. Campus availability and scheduling may vary by cohort.