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Marion Technical College seeks approval to offer AS degree in radiography to restore recruitment path
Summary
MTC presented a notice of intent to convert its radiologic technology certificate into an Associate of Science (AS) degree, saying the change would allow the college to recruit students without preexisting college degrees and better meet local employer demand.
Marion Technical College has submitted a notice of intent to the Florida Department of Education to offer an Associate of Science degree in radiography, the college’s director told the Marion County School Board during the March 13 work session.
The proposal aims to restore a path that existed before 2015, when state licensing rules and local college decisions constrained recruitment into the college’s longstanding radiologic technology certificate program, the presenter said. Board members voiced support for the college’s effort to expand access.
MTC’s radiography program is currently a two‑year, 2,700 clock‑hour certificate accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology; presenter Mr. Smallridge told the board the program’s credentialing pass rate from 2019–2023 was about 94.8 percent and that job placement rates have been similarly strong. He said the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) moved during the 2006–2015 period to require candidates to hold a two‑year degree in order to sit for certain credentialing steps, and that when a local state college launched its own AS program the prior partnership that let MTC students obtain an AS degree ended.
Under the proposed AS structure, MTC would continue to provide approximately 58 credit hours of professional coursework already taught by the college and add 19 general education/prerequisite hours offered online to reach a 77‑hour AS curriculum. MTC would continue to offer the certificate option for students who already hold an associate degree; the AS pathway would allow entry for students without a prior degree, the presenter said.
Smallridge said MTC filed its notice of intent on Jan. 7 and that state procedures give Florida College System institutions 60 days to object; if objections occur MTC would respond and then submit a formal proposal to the Division of Career and Adult Education. The commissioner and State Board of Education would decide final approval after DCAE analysis and recommendations.
Smallridge told the board he had collected letters from local hospitals and imaging centers documenting employer demand for more graduates; he said CareerSource’s published job‑opening counts understate local employer demand and that the college will submit employer letters as part of the justification.
Board members praised the program’s outcomes and said approving an AS pathway would improve local access to a high‑quality, high‑demand health‑care career. The board asked MTC to continue updating the district as the notice and proposal process moves forward.
