Radiologic Technologist Programs See Enrollment Rise

The number of first-year students enrolling in radiography and radiation therapy programs increased slightly last year.

An estimated 16,154 students enrolled in radiography programs and 1, 513 students in radiation therapy programs in 2013 - an average of about one additional student per class compared with the previous year, according to the American Society of Radiologic Technologists. The association conducts an annual Enrollment Snapshot of Radiography, Radiation Therapy and Nuclear Medicine Technology Programs.

Nuclear medicine programs saw a slight decrease in enrollment in 2013. An estimated 1,280 students enrolled in programs, the survey found.

Despite the slight increases, many program directors appear to be limiting admissions. In 2013, radiography directors turned away an average of 36 qualified applicants per class, and radiation therapy programs turned away an average of 17 students, according to the association. Nuclear medicine programs turned down an average of almost 8 students.

“In addition, about 46 percent of radiography program directors who participated in the survey said their program was not at full capacity in 2013, which possibly indicates that many directors are carefully monitoring their enrollment.” said John Culbertson, ASRT director of research.

ASRT emailed the survey to 990 program directors in October 2013, and 501 participants responded, resulting in a 50.6 percent response rate.