Meeting of the Board of Regents | December 2009

SUMMARY

Issue for Decision (Consent Agenda)

Should the Board of Regents approve an amendment to the master plan of Trocaire College to authorize the College to offer its first program at the baccalaureate level, a B.S. program in Radiologic Technology?

Reason(s) for Consideration

Required by State regulation.

Proposed Handling

The question will come before the full Board at its December 2009 meeting, where it will be voted on and action taken.

Procedural History

In September 2008, Trocaire College submitted a proposal requesting registration of a Bachelor of Science program in Radiologic Technology. The proposed program represents the College’s first program at the baccalaureate level.

The Department conducted a canvass of all degree-granting institutions of higher education in the Western region. The Department received one response, which indicated no objection to the proposed program.

Background Information

Trocaire College (Buffalo) seeks to amend its master plan to allow it to establish a Bachelor of Science program in Radiologic Technology with an emphasis in Computed Tomography (CT). Master plan amendment is needed because this would be the College’s first program at the baccalaureate level, in the health professions discipline area. The Regents will consider separately a charter amendment to authorize the College to award the Bachelor of Science degree.

The College offers associate (A.S., A.A., and A.A.S.) and certificate programs, primarily in business and health fields, including an A.A.S. degree in Radiologic Technology. Graduates of the existing program have passed the profession’s certification examination at a rate similar to the State average. The proposed program would be the region’s first baccalaureate program in this subject area.

The mission of Trocaire College is to provide career-oriented education that empowers students. The proposed program, which is designed to prepare students to take an administrative leadership role in the profession of Radiologic Technology, fits well with that mission. It is intended for students who are certified in Radiologic Technology and/or who are working in that field.  Didactic and clinical training would be offered at Trocaire’s Buffalo Campus and at existing affiliated clinical sites. Instruction would be offered only in the evenings and weekends to accommodate working professionals and nontraditional students.

Students are required to have completed 81 lower division credits prior to transferring into the proposed upper division program.  The proposed upper-division program consists of 52 credits beyond the associate degree level. The curriculum is centered on radiologic core courses, clinical experiences, Computed Tomography, and liberal arts. The initial enrollment is projected to be 10 students, with enrollment anticipated to reach 20 or more students within five years.  Given the student population to be targeted, all students will be part-time. A team of external peer reviewers approved by the Department evaluated the proposed program and provided recommendations to which the College responded satisfactorily.

According to the College, the American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT) and the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) agree that the baccalaureate degree level is the appropriate level of education for the profession.  Both professional groups strongly support more explicit educational training in Computed Tomography. The demand for Radiologic Technologists, including those with CT expertise, is expected to continue to be strong.  

The Department has determined that the proposed program meets the standards of registration set forth in the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education.

Recommendation

It is recommended that the Board of Regents approve the amendment to the master plan of Trocaire College to authorize the College to offer its first program at the baccalaureate level, a B.S. program in Radiologic Technology. The amendment will be effective until December 31, 2010, unless the Department registers the program prior to that date, in which case master plan amendment shall be without term.

Timetable for Implementation

If the Board of Regents approves the master plan amendment and (under separate action) related charter amendment, the Department will register the program and the institution will proceed to recruit and enroll students.