Radiologic Tech Program Transitioning to ECC

East Central College is poised to take over sponsorship of the radiologic technology training program from the Rolla School District.

ECC Trustees unanimously approved a new tuition and fee schedule to fund the radiologic technology program that is housed in the Rolla Technical Center (RTC). The program will remain at RTC and ECC will retain the faculty members who have been teaching the courses.

Radiologic Technology students use state-of-the-art equipment and ionizing radiation to produce images to aid in the diagnosis and treatment of illness and disease. ECC is slated to take over the program by the fall 2021 semester.

According to ECC President Dr. Jon Bauer, the program will be less costly to students once ECC takes over, and it will be fully funded by tuition and fees paid by students.

“We wanted to develop a schedule so tuition and student fees will cover the cost of the program,” he added. “We are doing this at a cost that is a bit less that what students currently pay.”

It will cost $200 per credit hour for in-district students and $300 per credit hours for out-of-district students. The course fees will vary.

The Rolla School District is transitioning the program to ECC, in part, because the program is only available to adults, not high school students. Rolla Public Schools Is focusing programming specifically on elementary and secondary education.

“We are very grateful to the Rolla District for their assistance during this transition,” Dr. Bauer said. “They have been very supportive, and we are very excited about this opportunity to serve the students and the community.”

Nancy Mitchell, dean of health sciences at ECC; and Christina Ayres, ECC Rolla director, have been working diligently to shift the accrediting body from the Rolla School District to ECC. Vice President of Academic Affairs Robyn Walter also has been heavily involved in the project.

Mitchell noted that certification exam pass rates and job placement rates remain at 100 percent consistently from year to year.

“I am so excited for the college to be able to participate in this,” added Ann Hartley, board of trustees president. “I know students walk right of the program and into a job — a much needed job.”

Mitchell added that ECC and the Rolla School District have partnered to offer radiological technology for 20 years.

“We are thrilled to be given the opportunity to seamlessly transition this program solely to ECC,” she said. “We are committed to the integrity of the program from curriculum, to faculty and program operations as well as current and ongoing accreditation standards.

“We look forward to serving the region and creating a center for healthcare education excellence.”

Radiologic technology is a 20-month program that is accredited by the Joint Review Committee for Education in Radiologic Technology. Graduates of the Radiologic Technology program receive an associate of applied science degree and sit for the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists, a national certification examination.

For information about the program, visit www.eastcentral.edu/allied-health/radiologic-technology/, or contact Mitchell at Nancy.Mitchell@eastcentral.edu or 636-584-6616. Applications to join the program are due May 1.