The American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT) announced that the number of first-year students enrolling in radiography and radiation therapy programs increased slightly in 2013.
The data come from an ASRT survey that shows an estimated 16,154 students enrolled in radiography programs and 1,513 students in radiation therapy programs in 2013. These figures represent an average increase of close to one student per class for radiography programs and an average of one student per class for radiation therapy programs, compared with 2012 enrollment numbers, ASRT said.
Nuclear medicine technology programs experienced a small decrease in enrollment in 2013. An estimated 1,280 students enrolled in programs, indicating an average 0.5 decrease in students per program from 2012.
Even with the slight enrollment increases in radiography and radiation therapy programs, many program directors appear to be limiting enrollment numbers, ASRT found. In 2013, radiography program directors turned away an average of 36.3 qualified applicants per class, and radiation therapy programs passed on an average of 17.1 students. Nuclear medicine program directors turned away an average of 7.8 students.
If the number of students who weren't admitted and the available slots in programs are considered, more than 15,500 students were turned away in 2013. Also, 46% of radiography program directors who participated in the survey said their program was not at full capacity in 2013, which could indicate that directors are carefully monitoring their enrollment.
The survey was sent to directors of radiography, radiation therapy, and nuclear medicine programs listed by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists. ASRT sent the survey by email to 990 program directors in October 2013, and 501 participants responded, resulting in a 50.6% response rate.
