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Aaron Littlejohn is a second-year student in the Master of Science in Imaging Sciences program — and a full-time radiologic technologist. 

“I feel excited to be doing what I wanted to do,” said Littlejohn. “It’s perfect for me because I still get the patient interaction. That’s the No. 1 thing for me — I enjoy helping people.”

With his certification from the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT), Littlejohn is working at a local hospital and has his sights set on working as a travel medical imaging technologist.

A native of Oklahoma City, Littlejohn left a 10-year career in transportation and logistics for a company in Oklahoma to enroll in the MS in Imaging Sciences program, which welcomed its first cohort in fall 2023. 

“I came here for this program specifically,” Littlejohn said. “It seemed like the stars aligned for me to come into this program in this field. Really since I started the clinical part of it, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it. I really enjoy doing what I do.”

The Master of Science in Imaging Sciences program prepares students to earn three ARRT certifications in two years, including radiography, computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). 

Littlejohn is the first student in the program to earn his medical radiologic technologist licensure from the Texas Medical Board and to work full time as a registered technologist, said , program director and assistant professor. Littlejohn started working as a student technologist at a local hospital before moving to his current full-time position after earning his licensure.

“I think that shows his perseverance and his character — that he is willing to do what it takes to be successful not only in the classroom but also as a professional,” she said.

In another first, Littlejohn and his classmates in the program’s inaugural cohort are scheduled to graduate in August 2025.