While student interest in educational programs in the radiologic sciences is high, a lack of facilities and faculty contributed to almost 32,000 qualified students being denied enrollment in 2005, according to a survey by the American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT).
The number of first-year radiography students increased by approximately 5.1%, while the number of radiation therapy students by grew 9%, according to the Albuquerque, NM-based society. The new figures reflect a continuing slowdown from the double-digit enrollment increases seen in radiography, nuclear medicine, and radiation therapy programs in 2002 and 2003, the ASRT said.
If the trend continues, there will be a shortage of radiologic technologists needed to meet government-projected demand through 2012, ASRT chief academic officer Sal Martino said. In the survey, 76.7% of program directors reported full enrollment in the fall of 2005. Less than 20% of program directors in radiography, radiation therapy, and nuclear medicine say they have future plans to increase enrollment, according to the society.
In other findings, about 67% of the program directors said they had difficulty recruiting new faculty members, with salary cited as the most-reported obstacle to faculty recruitment, according to the ASRT. The mean salary for full-time radiologic science faculty in 2005 was $48,833, according to the society.
By AuntMinnie.com staff writers
February 9, 2006
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