Requirements for Sponsors of Accredited Programs

Policy Statements

The Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT):

11.401requires that sponsors of radiologic sciences educational programs be accredited by an agency recognized by the United States Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation or equivalent.
11.402permits transfer of program sponsorship from one sponsor to another, in accordance with established procedures, and requires JRCERT approval prior to such transfer.
11.403requires accredited programs to comply with relevant accreditation standards, and policies and practices relating to the accreditation process.
11.404defines a transfer student as an individual who meets the criteria listed below:
  • has not graduated from an educational program in radiography, radiation therapy, medical dosimetry, or magnetic resonance but has received some coursework for which the student has received credit/clock hours towards the certificate/degree sought; and
  • seeks to enroll into a different educational program and have the program recognize credits earned through prior education to complete the certificate/degree.
11.405requires programs to provide notification of substantive change(s) for review and approval by the JRCERT Board of Directors prior to implementation, with the exception of a change of ownership. In the case of a change in ownership, programs must notify the JRCERT Board of Directors within seven (7) days of the actual change in ownership.
11.406determines the program’s student capacity based on available human and physical resources.
11.407requires programs to develop policies and procedures for determining credit hours. The formula for calculating credit hours must be consistently applied for all didactic and all clinical courses, respectively.
11.408requires that sponsors and programs demonstrate honesty and integrity in complying with accreditation requirements, policies, decisions and requests.
11.409for those sponsors and programs for which the JRCERT serves as gatekeeper for Title IV financial aid, requires sponsors to annually monitor records of student loan default rates or any financial or compliance audits provided by the Secretary of the United States Department of Education (USDE).
11.410requires programs to provide timely notification to the JRCERT of any litigation or administrative complaint against the program or the sponsoring institution that relates or could relate to the program.
11.411does not recognize branch campuses or additional locations per Policy 11.900.

Procedures

The Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT):

11.401Arequires for sponsors of radiologic science educational programs whose institution is recognized by an institutional accrediting agency such as the Higher Learning Commission, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, or Middle States Commission on Higher Education, etc., the JRCERT will serve as the programmatic accreditor.
11.401Brequires for sponsors of radiologic science educational programs whose institution is not recognized by the agencies identified in Procedure 11.401A, the JRCERT will serve as an institutional accreditor and gatekeeper for those programs that participate in Title IV federal funding.
11.401Crequires programs to notify the JRCERT if an accrediting agency recognized by the United States Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation or equivalent or a state agency takes an adverse action or places the sponsor or program on public probationary status or issues a show cause order.
11.401Drequires programs to notify currently enrolled and prospective students of the sponsoring institution’s accreditation status if the accrediting agency takes an adverse action or places the sponsor or program on public probationary status or issues a show cause order.
11.401Erequires the program to provide documentation of such notification to the JRCERT within thirty (30) days of notice.
11.402Arequires the new program sponsor to request transfer of sponsorship between sponsors. Such request shall include a narrative and exhibits relating to program faculty, curriculum, and program operation to assure ongoing sponsor compliance with the relevant accreditation standards.

Following review of submitted materials, the JRCERT has the following options:
  • approve the transfer of sponsorship and maintain the current accreditation status of the program;
  • approve the transfer of sponsorship and initiate the continuing accreditation process of the program;
  • deny the transfer of sponsorship.
11.402Bdoes not require that historical Program Effectiveness Data (credentialing examination pass rate, job placement rate, and program completion rate) be transferred to the new sponsor, unless the terminal award is the same.
11.403Alimits the response time for sponsors and programs to comply with the relevant accreditation standards by establishing the following maximum time-frame for compliance:
 i.     18 months from the date of notice of non-compliance if the program is at least one year but less than two years in length;
 ii.   24 months from the date of notice of non-compliance if the program is two years or longer in length.
11.403Bmust take immediate adverse action (involuntary withdrawal of accreditation) if the program does not document compliance within the specified time-frame, unless the JRCERT, for good cause, extends the period for achieving compliance.
 i.     Grounds for a good cause extension of the time-frame for achieving compliance may include, but are not limited to, the following:
        a.  Natural disasters or acts of God,
        b.  A change in ownership; or
        c.  Change in key program personnel
       d.  Accepting students from another institution due to closure.
       e.  Significant and documented local or national economic change.
       f.  A change to the national certification requirements.
       g.  Noncompliance with student achievement/success objectives.
 ii.    The length of such a good cause extension is generally 12 months but in any event will not exceed 24 months. The good cause extension will commence upon expiration of the compliance time-frame.

In order to be considered for a good cause extension, the program must apply for the mitigating circumstances and provide the following:
  • Listing of all students currently enrolled in the program, including those admitted since the program was initially placed on Probation;
  • Anticipated graduation date(s) for the above students;
  • Status and results of previously implemented action plan(s) to address the areas of non-compliance;
  • Action plan to aid students in the event that accreditation is withdrawn for failure to document full compliance with the STANDARDS; and
  • The associated fee.
 iii.   Only one extension for good cause will be granted within one accreditation award cycle.
11.403Cmaintains relevant accreditation standards that identify the qualifications for program officials.
 i.     An “acting” program official is defined as an individual who lacks one (1) or more of the required qualifications delineated in the relevant accreditation standards but who will have attained these qualifications within twelve (12) months, with the exception of individuals lacking the degree requirement.  The JRCERT may recognize such an individual in an acting capacity not to exceed twenty-four (24) months.  Prior to the conclusion of an acting appointment of program director, clinical coordinator or educational coordinator, the program must submit a progress report detailing the activities and experiences of the individual in achieving compliance with the qualifications of the relevant accreditation standards.
 ii.    An “interim” program official is defined as an individual who meets the required qualifications delineated in the relevant accreditation standards but who serves in an interim capacity in the absence of the permanent program official.  The JRCERT may recognize such an individual in an interim capacity for a maximum of twelve (12) months.  Prior to the conclusion of an interim appointment, the program must submit a progress report indicating the return of the permanent program official or appointment of another qualified or acting program official to the position.  
 iii.   A “temporary” program official is defined as an individual who lacks one (1) or more of the required qualifications delineated in the relevant accreditation standards and who will not be able to attain these qualifications within one (1) year.  The JRCERT may recognize such an individual in a temporary capacity for a maximum of six (6) months.  Prior to the conclusion of a temporary appointment, the program must submit a progress report identifying a qualified or acting program official in the position.
 iv.   The progress report is evaluated, and a permanent appointment is recognized by the JRCERT as appropriate.
 v.    Sponsors employing acting, interim or temporary program officials for longer than the designated period are advised that the program is considered in non-compliance with the appropriate relevant accreditation standard and will be considered for Probationary Accreditation.
11.403Drequires that programs apply for recognition of clinical settings and receive approval prior to placement of students.
 i.     Considers as a clinical setting all radiologic facilities under a single radiologic administration within a campus. (Campus is defined as the buildings and grounds of a school, college, university, or hospital and does NOT include any geographically dispersed campus.)
 ii.    Evaluates applications for recognition of clinical settings on the basis of ongoing assurance of program compliance with the relevant accreditation standards and guided by the current accreditation status.
 iii.   Requires a current and fully executed affiliation agreement that identifies the responsibilities of each party and clearly addresses professional liability.
iv.   Does not require on-site evaluation for recognition of additional clinical settings submitted independently from the program accreditation process.
11.403Erequires that programs implement a structured plan of competency based education, as evidenced by documented student achievement of defined objectives and competencies.
11.403Frequires that programs identify the duration of the educational experience.
 i.     Recognizes that competency based education provides for variable graduation;
 ii.    Requires programs that offer variable graduation to include options for early release of eligible students and for extension of program length for students unable to complete program requirements in the established time-frame;
 iii.   Requires documentation in the student’s record of successful completion of all didactic and clinical courses and achievement of all required competencies;
 iv.   Advises sponsors that arbitrary release of students is interpreted as non-compliance with the relevant accreditation standards.
11.403Grequires that sponsors grant a degree, certificate or other official evidence of successful program completion.
11.404Arecognizes that programs may accept transfer students based on documentation of student attainment of published program requirements.
 i.     Requires that institutions/programs publish policies and procedures for the evaluation of the equivalency of educational courses prior to admission.
 ii.    Courses and/or clinical competencies successfully challenged must be recorded in the student permanent record.
 iii.   Courses for which credit is awarded must be similar in scope and content to the courses taught by the program into which a student is transferring.
 iv.   Requires that at least 51% of all professional courses required to award the degree/certificate be completed within the JRCERT-accredited program granting the degree/certificate.
 v.    Requires that students accepted into the program be considered graduates of the educational program and included in program effectiveness data.
11.405Aidentifies the following as substantive changes:
 i.    any change in the established mission or objectives of the sponsor or program.
 ii.    any change in the legal status, form of control or ownership of the sponsor or program.
 iii.    the addition of programs that represent a significant departure from the existing offerings of the educational program or method of delivery from those that were offered when the agency last evaluated the program including but not limited to the following alternative learning options:
  • weekend, evening, or part-time tracks;
  • distance or hybrid delivery of four (4) or more radiologic science didactic courses (excludes the general education component of the curriculum.)
  • distance delivery of more than 50% of total clinical clock hours (medical dosimetry only)
 iv.    addition of a degree or credential level different from that included in the program’s current accreditation.
 v.    change from clock hours to credit hours or credit hours to clock hours.
 vi.    change in terminal award provided by the program.
 vii.    addition/deletion of more than 10% of existing clock hours.
 viii.    addition/deletion of more than two (2) courses.
 ix.    addition/deletion of more than eight (8) weeks of program length.
x.    any change from semester, trimester, or quarters.
xi.    the addition of a graduate program by an institution that previously offered only undergraduate programs or certificates.
11.405Brequires the program for which the JRCERT serves as an institutional accreditor, i.e., gatekeeper for Title IV federal funding, to report if the program enrolls at least 50% of its students in a distance education course or offers 50% or more of the program’s courses through distance education. The JRCERT will review the courses to ensure student learning outcomes are not compromised.
11.405Crequires the program to track historical Program Effectiveness Data (PED) (credentialing examination pass rate, job placement rate, and program completion rate) if the program has had a change in the terminal award.  The program must monitor PED for the current award.
11.405Ddoes not allow a program that participates in Title IV federal funding, and for which the JRCERT serves as gatekeeper, to contract out any portion of the educational program to an institution or organization not certified to participate in Title IV federal funding.
11.405Erequires the program to submit narrative and exhibits for review by JRCERT staff that describe the substantive change and its impact on program operations to ensure that the program remains in compliance with the Standards. The program must assure the JRCERT that it has sufficient human and physical resources to support the substantive change.
11.405Ffollowing review of the submitted materials, the JRCERT Board of Directors will approve or deny the substantive change. If the substantive change is approved, the JRCERT will identify an effective date, which will not be retroactive.
11.405Grequires that if the substantive change is a change in ownership, the JRCERT Board of Directors shall make its accreditation decision within 30 days of the change in ownership. If approved, the Board of Directors may designate the effective date of approval as the date of the change in ownership.
11.405Hinitiates the continuing accreditation process which includes submission of a self-study report and an onsite review consistent with JRCERT Policy 11.600 (Site Visit of the Program) if the program implements the following substantive changes within one calendar year regardless of whether the JRCERT serves as the institutional or programmatic accreditor:
 i.     any change that represents an aggregate change of 25% or more of courses or program length.

OR
 ii.    the program transitions to 50% of its radiologic science or medical dosimetry didactic courses or 50% of the program to distance distance delivery.

OR
 iii.   any substantive change(s) that the Board of Directors determines would compromise student learning. 
11.405Iadvises programs on Probationary Accreditation or any negative action over the past three academic years applying for a substantive change that the program will be subject to strict scrutiny and the substantive change may be denied until the Probationary Accreditation is resolved and the program is in good standing for three academic years following the resolution of the probationary status.
11.405Jadvises programs that a substantive change cannot be requested if the program is on Administrative Probation (for the definition of Administrative Probation, see Policy 10.200, Policy Statement 10.202).
11.406Arequires programs to submit a request and rationale for an increase in program capacity and requires JRCERT approval prior to implementation.
11.406Badvises programs with a Probationary Accreditation or Administrative Probationary Accreditation status that an increase in program/clinical capacity cannot be requested. 
11.406Cadvises programs whose sponsoring institution is on Probation or Show Cause by their institutional accreditor that an increase in program/clinical capacity cannot be requested.
11.407Arequires the JRCERT to promptly notify the Secretary of Education if the JRCERT finds a program does not have policies and procedures for determining credit hours or there is systemic non-compliance in the program’s application of such policies and procedures.
11.408Areserves the right to withhold or withdraw accreditation or to withhold consideration of a program for continuing accreditation if misrepresentation is found to have occurred, pending clarification and correction.
11.409Areviews the student loan default rate and any financial or compliance audit provided by the Secretary of the United States Department of Education (USDE) to determine whether the sponsor or program remains in compliance with the relevant accreditation standards.
11.409Binitiates appropriate action including an on-site review as necessary.
11.410Areviews and evaluate the information submitted for appropriate action.

Cross References

11.100  Principles of JRCERT Accreditation
11.500  Rights and Responsibilities of Sponsors of JRCERT Accredited Programs
11.600  Site Visit of the Program
11.700  Verification of Qualifications of Program Officials
11.800  Requirements for Decisions of State and other Accrediting Agencies
12.100  Change of Ownership Resulting In a Change of Control

Adopted by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology:  04/04
Revised:  10/04; 10/05; 10/06; 04/07; 10/07; 04/08; 10/08; 04/09; 10/10; 04/11; 05/11;10/11; 04/12;10/12; 04/13; 10/13; 04/14; 04/15; 04/16; 04/17; 10/17; 12/17; 04/19; 04/22; 04/23; 04/24
Editorial Revision:  04/21