The number of students entering radiography educational programs decreased in 2012, according to the latest ASRT Enrollment Snapshot of Radiography, Radiation Therapy and Nuclear Medicine Technology Programs. Study results show that an estimated 15,675 radiography students entered programs in 2012 compared to 16,454 in 2011, representing a 4.7%decrease. However, the number of students enrolling in radiation therapy and nuclear medicine programs rose. The ASRT study shows 1,403 students enrolled in radiation therapy programs in 2012, a 16.5% increase from the 1,204 who enrolled the previous year. In addition, the number of students entering nuclear medicine programs jumped from 1,175 in 2011 to 1,407 in 2012, a 19.7% increase.
The survey also outlines the job placement rate for recent program graduates. Close to 85%of radiography students and 86% of radiation therapy students found employment in their respective disciplines within 6 months of graduating in 2011. However, only 57.2% of nuclear medicine students found employment after graduation.
