essentialresearch Enrollment Snapshot of Radiography, Radiation Therapy and Nuclear Medicine Technology Programs 2016

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1 Enrollment Snapshot of Radiography, Radiation Therapy and Nuclear Medicine Technology Programs 2016 January ASRT. All rights reserved. Reproduction in any form is forbidden without written permission from publisher. American Society of Radiologic Technologists essentialresearch

2 Table of Contents Executive Summary... 3 Demographic Analysis... 3 Credit Hours, Accreditation and the State of Education... 3 Enrollment Analysis Student Capacity... 3 Near-term Changes... 1 Program Outcomes... 1 Comparing Canadian and U.S Glossary... 2 Demographics... 3 Indicate your program type What is your primary place of employment?... 3 What is the terminal degree earned by the graduates in your program?... 4 In what country is your program located?... 4 If you chose the United States in the question above, please indicate in which region your program is located Credit Hours, Accreditation and the State of Education... 6 How many didactic credits are required for to graduate from your program? (including pre-requisites)... 6 How many clinical credits are required for to graduate from your program?... 6 Total Credits for Program Completion... 6 How many hours of clinical time are required for each clinical credit?... 6 Does your state mandate a limit on the maximum number of credits required for a degree in your program?... 7 If your state mandates a maximum number of credits for a degree in your program, what is the limit?... 7 What type of credit system do you use in your program?... 8 What is the level of educational accreditation in your program?... 8 Which domains of learning do you include when writing objectives for clinical rotations? (Select all that apply) Enrollment Analysis number of entering by program and institution type Is your program currently at full enrollment? Do you plan any changes related to enrollment? How viable is your program over the next few years? Longitudinal Enrollment Trends Radiography total enrolled for all radiography Radiation Therapy total enrolled for all radiation therapy Nuclear Medicine Technology total enrolled for all nuclear medicine ARRT-recognized Programs

3 2016 Comparison of U.S. and Canadian Programs Radiography Radiation Therapy Nuclear Medicine Technology Job Placement of Graduates What percentage of were able to find employment in their discipline within six months after graduation? Appendix A. Survey Instruments and Invitation Letter (Please contact the ASRT for a copy.) Appendix B. Verbatim responses (Please contact the ASRT for a copy.) 2

4 In late September 2016, an invitation to complete an online questionnaire was sent via to 916 radiography, radiation therapy, and nuclear medicine technology listed by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT). At the close of the survey on December 5, 2016, a total of 372 responses had been received, yielding an overall response rate of 40.6%. Margin of Error Return Population Percent Sampled at the 95% Level R % ±4.5% T % ±12.7% NMT % ±12.7% Overall % ±4.0% This report summarizes findings regarding radiologic sciences enrollment in ARRT-recognized based on the responses from program directors. Demographic Analysis A plurality of respondents (38.2%) work at a community college or 2-year institution, 26.6% work at a university or 4-year institution, 20.4% work at a medical center, 8.9% work at a technical college, 2.7% work at a for-profit school, and the remaining 3.0% work at another type of institution. Most responding to the survey are in radiography (78.2%); of the remaining respondents, 10.8% were nuclear medicine, 10.5% were radiation therapy, and 0.5% were other types of imaging. The terminal degree granted by responding to the survey was most likely to be an associate degree (62.1% of respondents); 21.5% grant a bachelor s degree, and the other 16.4% grant some other type of terminal degree. The vast majority of surveyed (96.2%) are located in the United States; 3.0% are in Canada, and 0.8% are elsewhere. o The US regions with the highest response rates were East North Central and South Atlantic, with a response rate of 19.9% in each. The lowest response rates were in the Mountain region and New England at 5.9% and 5.3%, respectively. Credit Hours, Accreditation and the State of Education Respondents were asked several questions pertaining to the number of credits needed to graduate from their program and their institutions accreditation. Asked about the level of institutional accreditation in their program, 69.8% of respondents said they have both programmatic and institutional accreditation, 16.4% said they had only programmatic Executive Summary accreditation, 8.4% said they had only institutional accreditation, and the remaining 5.4% cited an other accreditation arrangement. The majority of responding to the survey (84.1%) use semester hours for their credit system; 6.7% use quarter hours, and the remaining 7.3% use another system. Asked whether their state mandates a limit on the maximum number of credit hours allowable for a degree in their program 33.8% of respondents said yes, 33.2% said no, and the remaining 33.0% were unsure. On average, offering an associate degree require 77.6 total credits while those offering a bachelor s degree require total credits. o Associate degree require an average of 56.3 didactic credits; bachelor s degree require o Associate degree require 23.4 clinical credits; bachelor s degree require The average number of clinical hours required for each clinical credit was 62.1 for offering an associate degree and 52.1 for offering a bachelor s degree. Enrollment Analysis Based on the survey response, an average of 21.1 entered radiography in This represents an increase of 0.4 per program from the previous year; average enrollment in 2015 was This produces an overall estimate of 15,537 entering ARRT-certified radiography in 2016, up from 15,228 in On average, 10.8 entered radiation therapy in This represents a noticeable decline of 3.1 per program from 2015, when on average, 13.9 enrolled in each radiation therapy program. This produces an overall estimate of 1,185 enrolling in ARRT-certified radiation therapy in 2016, down from 1,572 in An average of 11.4 entered nuclear medicine in This represents an increase of 0.9 per program from 2015, when on average, 10.5 enrolled in each nuclear medicine program. Overall, this produces an estimate of 1,368 enrolling in nuclear medicine in 2016, up from 1,276 in Student Capacity Asked whether their program is currently at full enrollment, 52.4% of radiography, 39.5% of 3

5 radiation therapy, and 32.5% of nuclear medicine said that they are at capacity. There were statistically significant differences between groups. Programs not at full enrollment were asked how many additional their program could accommodate. On average, radiography said they could accommodate an additional 6.6, radiation therapy said they could accommodate an additional 4.6, and nuclear medicine said they could accommodate an additional 7.8. o This produces an estimate of 2326 additional across all radiography, 309 additional across all radiation therapy, and 631 additional in nuclear medicine. The mean number of qualified turned away by radiography was 23.6; radiation therapy turned away an average of 11.3 qualified, and nuclear medicine turned away an average of 3.2 qualified. o This produces an estimate of 9,102 qualified turned away in radiography, 492 turned away by therapy, and 124 turned down by nuclear medicine. Near-term Changes Most of the surveyed plan to maintain their current levels of enrollment; 84.2% of across disciplines plan to keep their enrollment at the same level; 14.7% of plan to increase enrollment, and the remaining 1.1% plan to decrease their enrollment. In radiography, 86.1% of plan to maintain current enrollment; 12.8% plan to increase their enrollment, and the remaining 1.0% of plan to decrease their enrollment. In radiation therapy, 84.6% of plan to keep their current enrollment level; 12.8% are planning an increase, and 2.6% plan to decrease enrollment. In nuclear medicine, 7 of plan to leave their enrollment unchanged, 3 are planning an increase, and none plan to decrease their enrollment. The majority of across disciplines (82.1%) will definitely continue to operate; 16.8% will most likely continue operations, 0.8% will likely close, and the remaining 0.3% will definitely close. There were significant differences between groups. In radiography, 83.4% of said they would definitely continue to operate; 16.3% will most likely continue operations, and the remaining 0.3% will definitely close. In radiation therapy, 79.5% of will definitely continue to operate, 15.4% of will most likely continue operations, and the remaining 5.1% will likely close. In nuclear medicine, 75.0% of will definitely continue to operate; 22.5% will likely continue to operate, and the remaining 2.5% will likely close. Program Outcomes Asked about the attrition rate 1 at their program, respondents indicated that, on average: 18.2% of in radiography failed to complete their course of study. 7.3% of in radiation therapy failed to complete their course of study. 11.1% of in nuclear medicine failed to finish their studies. For those who successfully completed the program, respondents were asked what percentage of graduates passed the credentialing exam on their first attempt: On average, 92.1% of radiography graduates pass the exam on their first attempt. On average, 93.7% of radiation therapy graduates pass the exam on their first attempt. On average, 94.4% of nuclear medicine graduates pass the exam on their first attempt. Asked whether graduates of their program were able to find employment in their primary discipline within 6 months of graduating: Respondents said that, from the class of 2015, 95.3% of graduates from radiography, 88.7% from radiation therapy, and 76.3% of graduates of nuclear medicine were able to find employment in their field within 6 months. These placement rates represent an increase of 2.3% from 93.0% the previous year in radiography, a decrease of 1.9% from 90.6% the previous year in radiation therapy, and a decrease of 5.8% from 82.1% the previous year in nuclear medicine. Comparing Canadian and U.S. In radiography, the mean entering class size was larger in Canada than in the United States. On average, 35.7 entered Canadian, compared with an average of 20.8 entering in the United States. In radiation therapy, U.S. enrolled slightly more than their Canadian counterparts, with 10.9 entering in the U.S. compared with 10.2 in Canada. None of Canada s 5 nuclear medicine responded to the survey this year, making any comparison there impossible. Overall, based on the survey responses, the calculated mean entering class size, and the total number of, the estimated total enrollment for each discipline is: o Radiography: 14,636 in the United States and 785 in Canada. o Radiation therapy: 987 in the United States and 143 in Canada. Canadian radiography were more likely to be at full enrollment than their US counterparts: 1 Methodological Note: In previous years, no attempt was made to determine the plausibility of responses about attrition. This year responses were recoded according to the following scheme: If the respondent indicated an attrition rate of 59% or lower, the response was left as is. If the respondent indicated an attrition rate over 59%, the response was recoded as (1-x) where x = uncoded user response. For this reason, reported attrition means on this year s Enrollment Snapshot will be noticeably lower than they have been in previous years. 1

6 66.7% of Canadian radiography were at full enrollment, compared with 52.3% of U.S.. In radiation therapy, 4 of Canadian and 39.4% of U.S. were at capacity. Glossary The following statistical results are displayed using a common set of acronyms and symbols for brevity. The symbols and acronyms used are listed here for reference. N Number of responses. Valid Percent Percentage of total responses. the arithmetic average. Population The total number of. SD Standard Deviation. Χ 2 Chi-squared, from Pearson s Chi-Squared Test for statistical significance. P Probability, as a measure for statistical significance when P F F-statistic, from analysis of variance (ANOVA) to test for statistical significance. 2

7 Indicate your program type. Demographics Sample as N Valid Percent Population Percent of Population Radiography % % Nuclear Medicine Technology % % Radiation Therapy % % Other 2 0.5% n/a n/a Total % Indicate your program type Radiography Nuclear Medicine Technology Radiation Therapy What is your primary place of employment? N Valid Percent Community college or two-year institution % University or four-year institution % Medical center % Technical College % For-profit school % Other % Total Other What is your primary place of employment? 45.0% % % % 1 5.0% Community college or two-year institution University or four-year institution Medical center Technical College For-profit school Other 3

8 What is the terminal degree earned by the graduates in your program? N Valid Percent Associate degree % Bachelor's degree % Other % Total What is the terminal degree earned by the graduates in your program? Associate degree Bachelor's degree Other In what country is your program located? N Valid Percent United States % Canada % Other 3 0.8% Total In what country is your program located? United States Canada Other 4

9 If you chose the United States in the question above, please indicate in which region your program is located. N Valid Percent East North Central (WI, MI, IL, IN, OH) % South Atlantic (DE, MD, DC, VA, WV, NC, SC, GA, FL, PR) % Mid-Atlantic (NY, PA, NJ) % West South Central (OK, TX, AR, LA) % West North Central (ND, SD, NE, KS, MN, IA, MO) % East South Central (KY, TN, MS, AL) % Pacific (AK, WA, OR, CA, HI) % Mountain (ID, MT, WY, NV, UT, CO, AZ, NM) % New England (ME, NH, VT, MA, RI, CT) % Total % If you chose the United States in the question above, please indicate in which region your program is located % 1 5.0% 5

10 Credit Hours, Accreditation and the State of Education How many didactic credits are required for to graduate from your program? (including pre-requisites) How many clinical credits are required for to graduate from your program? Associate Degree Bachelor's Degree N SD N SD Total Credits for Program Completion How many hours of clinical time are required for each clinical credit? How many didactic credits are required for to graduate from your program? (including pre-requisites) Associate Degree Bachelor's Degree How many clinical credits are required for to graduate from your program? Associate Degree Bachelor's Degree Total Credits for Program Completion Associate Degree Bachelor's Degree How many hours of clinical time are required for each clinical credit? Associate Degree Bachelor's Degree 6

11 Does your state mandate a limit on the maximum number of credits required for a degree in your program? N Valid Percent Yes % No % I don't know % Total Does your state mandate a limit on the maximum number of credits required for a degree in your program? Yes No I don't know. If your state mandates a maximum number of credits for a degree in your program, what is the limit? N SD Radiography Radiation Therapy Nuclear Medicine Technology Total There were no statistically significant differences in the means between groups. If your state mandates a maximum number of credits for a degree in your program, what is the limit? Radiography Radiation Therapy Nuclear Medicine Technology 7

12 What type of credit system do you use in your program? N Valid Percent Semester hours % Quarter hours % Other % Total What type of credit system do you use in your program? Semester hours Quarter hours Other What is the level of educational accreditation in your program? N Valid Percent Both programmatic (JRCERT) and institutional % Only programmatic (JRCERT) % Only institutional % Other % Total What is the level of educational accreditation in your program? Both programmatic (JRCERT) and institutional Only programmatic (JRCERT) Only institutional Other 8

13 Which domains of learning do you include when writing objectives for clinical rotations? (Select all that apply) Radiography Radiation Therapy Nuclear Medicine Technology Affective Cognitive Psychomotor N % 94.8% 97.9% 96.5% N % 97.4% 97.4% 97.4% N % 97.4% 97.4% 94.9% Which domains of learning do you include when writing objectives for clinical rotations? (Select all that apply) Affective Cognitive Psychomotor Radiography Radiation Therapy Nuclear Medicine Technology 9

14 2016 Enrollment Analysis number of entering by program and institution type. Radiography Radiation Therapy Nuclear Medicine Technology Overall N SD N SD N SD N SD Community college or two-year institution Technical College University or four-year institution For-profit school Medical center Other Total The overall mean number of entering in medical centers was statistically different than the other institution types, F(5,365) = 8.19, P <.001 number of entering by program and institution type. - Overall Community college or 2-year institution Technical College University or 4- year institution For-profit school Medical center Other 10

15 Is your program currently at full enrollment? Yes No Total Nuclear Radiography Radiation Therapy Medicine Technology Total N % 52.4% 39.5% 32.5% 48.9% N % 47.6% 60.5% 67.5% 51.1% N % The percentage differences were statistically significant 2 (2, n = 368) = 7.09, P =.029. Is your program currently at full enrollment? Yes No Radiography Radiation Therapy Nuclear Medicine Technology 11

16 If you are not at full enrollment, how many additional could be accommodated by your program? How many qualified did you turn away this fall? Radiography Radiation Therapy Nuclear Medicine Technology Total N SD N SD N SD N SD Attrition rate in % % 7.3% % 11.1% % 16.3% % What percentage of graduating in 2016 passed the credentialing exam on the first try? 92.1% % 93.7% % 94.4% % 92.5% % If you are not at full enrollment, how many additional could be accommodated by your program? Radiography Radiation Therapy Nuclear Medicine Technology How many qualified did you turn away this fall? Radiography Radiation Therapy Nuclear Medicine Technology What was the attrition rate for the class of 2016? % 1 5.0% Radiography Radiation Therapy Nuclear Medicine Technology What percentage of from the class of 2016 passed the credentialing exam on the first try? Radiography Radiation Therapy Nuclear Medicine Technology 12

17 Do you plan any changes related to enrollment? Nuclear Radiography Radiation Therapy Medicine Technology Total Plan to remain N the same % 86.1% 84.6% % Plan to N increase % 12.8% 12.8% % Plan to N decrease % 1.0% 2.6% 1.1% Total N % There were no statistically significant differences between groups. Do you plan any changes related to enrollment? Radiography 5 4 Radiation Therapy 3 2 Nuclear Medicine Technology 1 Plan to remain the same Plan to increase Plan to decrease 13

18 How viable is your program over the next few years? Will definitely continue to operate Most likely will continue to operate Most likely will be closing Definitely will be closing Total Radiography Radiation Therapy Nuclear Medicine Technology Total N % 83.4% 79.5% 75.0% 82.1% N % 16.3% 15.4% 22.5% 16.8% N % 5.1% 2.5% 0.8% N % 0.3% 0.3% N % The percentage differences were statistically significant 2 (4, n = 368) = 16.8, P =.002. How viable is your program over the next few years? Will definitely continue to operate Most likely will continue to operate Most likely Definitely will will be closing be closing Radiography Radiation Therapy Nuclear Medicine Technology 14

19 Radiography ARRTrecognized Percent of responding to survey with enrollment data number of entering classroom Longitudinal Enrollment Trends total enrolled for all attrition Rate Percent of not at full capacity additional per program for those not at full capacity total additional for not at full capacity qualified per program turned away total qualified turned away Year % , % 50.2% % , % 30.9% 8.7 1, , % , % 21.2% , % , % 21.7% 7.5 1, , % , % 20.9% 7.4 1, , % , % 22.6% 7.0 1, , % , % 30.2% 7.1 1, , % , % 33.3% 8.4 2, , % , % , , % , % 43.7% 7.6 2, , % , % 46.2% 7.6 2, , % , % 44.9% 8.3 2, , % , % 46.5% 7.8 2, , % , % 50.3% 7.2 2, , % , % 49.9% 8.7 3, , % , % 47.6% 6.6 2, ,102 total enrolled for all radiography 20,000 18,000 16,000 14,000 12,000 10,000 8,000 6,000 4,000 2, ,508 14,734 14,965 15,684 16,333 17,323 16,614 17,066 16,785 15,948 16,454 15,645 16,154 15,211 15,228 15,

20 Radiation Therapy ARRTrecognized Percent of responding to survey with enrollment data number of entering classroom total enrolled for all attrition Rate Percent of not at full capacity additional per program for those not at full capacity total additional for not at full capacity qualified per program turned away total qualified turned away Year % % 44.4% % , % 48.0% % , % 44.6% % , % 30.5% % , % 32.1% % , % 49.3% % , % 51.5% % , % 58.6% % , % 55.5% % , % 49.3% % 9.8 1, % 51.9% % , % 53.4% % , % 57.6% % , % 49.1% % , % 55.4% % , % 60.5% total enrolled for all radiation therapy 1,800 1,600 1,400 1,200 1, ,326 1,274 1,513 1,416 1,295 1,576 1,313 1,525 1,462 1,204 1,403 1,513 1,544 1, ,185 16

21 Nuclear Medicine Technology ARRT recognized Percent of responding to survey with enrollment data number of entering classroom total enrolled for all attrition Rate Percent of not at full capacity additional per program for those not at full capacity total additional for not at full capacity qualified per program turned away total qualified turned away Year % , % 53.2% % , % 35.7% % , % 33.3% % , % 20.9% % , % 30.6% % , % 31.8% % , % 39.7% % , % 58.4% % , % 63.0% % , % 78.8% % 8.8 1, % 82.5% % , % 73.0% % , % 76.1% % 8.5 1, % 79.2% % , % 68.9% % , % 67.5% total enrolled for all nuclear medicine 2,500 2,000 1,500 1,000 1,252 1,454 1,612 1,633 1,673 2,033 1,781 1,659 1,469 1,534 1,175 1,407 1,280 1,061 1,276 1,

22 ARRT-recognized Programs Radiography Radiation Therapy Nuclear Medicine Technology

23 Radiography ARRTrecognized Percent of responding to survey with enrollment data 2016 Comparison of U.S. and Canadian Programs number of entering classroom total enrolled for all attrition Rate Percent of not at full capacity additional per program for those not at full capacity total additional for not at full capacity qualified per program turned away total qualified turned away Year United States , % 47.7% 6.7 2, ,672 Canada % % 33.3% Radiation Therapy ARRTrecognized Percent of responding to survey with enrollment data number of entering classroom total enrolled for all attrition Rate Percent of not at full capacity additional per program for those not at full capacity total additional for not at full capacity qualified per program turned away total qualified turned away Year United States % % 60.6% Canada % % Nuclear Medicine Technology ARRTrecognized Percent of responding to survey with enrollment data number of entering classroom total enrolled for all attrition Rate Percent of not at full capacity additional per program for those not at full capacity total additional for not at full capacity qualified per program turned away total qualified turned away Year United States % , % 69.2% Canada

24 Job Placement of Graduates What percentage of were able to find employment in their discipline within six months after graduation? New England (ME, NH, VT, MA, RI, CT) Mid-Atlantic (NY, PA, NJ) East North Central (WI, MI, IL, IN, OH) West North Central (ND, SD, NE, KS, MN, IA, MO) South Atlantic (DE, MD, DC, VA, WV, NC, SC, GA, FL, PR) East South Central (KY, TN, MS, AL) West South Central (OK, TX, AR, LA) Mountain (ID, MT, WY, NV, UT, CO, AZ, NM) Pacific (AK, WA, OR, CA, HI) Radiography % 80.3% 81.1% 84.1% 82.7% 86.3% 84.5% 79.1% 77.8% 82.2% % 76.2% 80.8% 82.3% 80.1% 88.5% 85.6% 78.9% 74.2% 80.8% % 87.0% 87.7% 86.7% 84.0% % 86.8% 81.0% 86.9% % 84.6% 87.7% 88.7% 86.3% 86.7% 77.8% 82.2% 84.7% 85.3% % 86.6% 87.2% 87.9% 85.2% 81.9% 80.4% 86.1% 85.2% 85.1% % 92.9% 92.3% 97.6% 89.7% 94.8% 95.9% 94.4% 90.5% 93.0% % 94.3% 94.4% 99.0% 94.9% 96.8% 96.0% 91.0% 95.8% 95.3% Radiation Therapy % 83.2% 70.4% 85.3% 70.5% 63.3% 79.8%. 92.0% 77.4% % 78.5% 87.7% 79.0% 78.7% 78.3% 89.7%. 93.3% 81.9% % 85.0% 77.3% 86.1% 68.6% 82.5% 85.0% % 81.4% % 88.7% 83.9% 79.6% 94.2% % 97.5% 82.2% 87.2% % 92.3% 76.8% 87.0% 96.3% 95.0% 65.8% 91.5% 89.7% 85.6% % 86.0% 87.2% 92.5% 92.6% 93.8% 85.0% % 90.6% % % 94.8% 89.3% 96.7% 95.0% 55.0% 95.0% 88.7% Nuclear Medicine Technology % 79.4% 76.7% 86.0% % 90.1% 87.3% 83.9% 83.2% % 61.6% 63.6% 69.6% 72.4% 87.4% 77.0% 81.7% 76.7% 70.6% % 41.9% 48.9% 86.1% 70.5% 70.5% 77.3% 75.0% 92.3% 63.6% % 80.8% 76.9% % % 93.3% % % % 95.0% 81.7% 89.6% % 92.0% 83.7% % 45.3% 81.9% 85.0% 88.4% 84.0% 84.9% 96.7% 93.3% 82.1% % 59.3% 76.8% 93.8% 65.3% 83.8% 83.8% % Overall Placement Rates for Graduates Total % % Radiography Radiation Therapy Nuclear Medicine Technology 20