Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT)

Program Accreditation

Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT)
20 N. Wacker Drive, Suite 2850
Chicago, IL 60606-3182
JRCERT | Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology

The program will not be accepting any applications in Spring 2024 and Spring 2025. In Spring 2023, the program received applications from sixty (60) students. The applicants from Spring 2023 will be given priority for acceptance before any new applications are considered.

The program will resume accepting applications starting from Spring 2026, and from then on, applications will be accepted annually.

Enrollment in the Program:

Program Enrollment: The program enrolls students every year in the Fall semester, and the enrollment process requires a special application directly to the Radiologic Science program. Starting from Spring 2026, the application period will be annually, between March 15 and April 15.

All courses that are considered for enrollment in the program must be completed prior to the application deadline. All necessary supporting documents must be submitted no later than April 15 of the application year. Please note that due to the high volume of applications, it generally takes 2-3 years for qualified students to gain acceptance into the program.

A. Requirements for Eligibility:

1. High school completion or passing the GED test or its equivalent (proof must be provided).
2. All prerequisite courses must be completed with a grade of “C” or better for each course and an overall GPA of 2.5 or higher (only for prerequisite courses) before applying.
3. Prerequisite courses must have been completed within the last 7 years.
4. All General Education requirements for the Associate degree must be completed. Students who already have an Associate degree or higher fulfill this requirement.
5. Students must obtain (at their own cost) medical clearance and provide proof of immunity to hepatitis, diphtheria, tetanus, polio, rubeola, rubella, mumps, and chickenpox before enrolling in the program. A negative Tuberculosis screen (either a PPD skin test or chest X-ray) is also required.
6. Students must obtain a drug screen and background check (at their own cost) before enrolling in the program. Students with a history of illegal substance abuse and/or felony convictions, including abuse or fraud, may be barred from participating in clinical education and from taking the ARRT licensing examination. Other types of offenses may also lead to exclusion from clinical education (at the discretion of the clinical affiliate) and/or the licensing examination. Students with such histories must complete a pre-application review with the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (http://www.arrt.org 651-687-0048 ext. 580). Students who cannot obtain a provisional clearance with the ARRT will not be allowed to enter the program.

1. Procedures for Application (Annually between March 15 and April 15, starting Spring 2026): Upon completion of the Prerequisite courses and General Education courses, applicants should:

1. Request two official sets of transcripts from all colleges attended, both within and outside the Peralta Community College District. One official set should be sent directly to the Peralta Community College District Admissions and Records Office, located at 333 East 8th St., Oakland, CA 94606. The official sets from each college must remain sealed and be submitted to the Radiologic Science program along with the application packet. The unofficial set is for review by the enrollment evaluator and the Counseling Department at Merritt College and can be opened and reviewed by the student. Transcripts sent directly to the Merritt College Radiologic Science program without the accompanying application materials will not be kept.
2. Request one set of high school transcripts or provide proof of high school completion (a copy of the diploma or GED certificate, or equivalent). This document must be included in the application packet; there are no exceptions.
3. Schedule an appointment during the application period with the Radiologic Science enrollment evaluator for verification of the completed prerequisite courses and a record of General Education courses. This can be done by emailing the Allied Health secretary at wkarim@peralta.edu. Upon verification, the evaluator will complete a “Permit to Apply” form and provide you with an application. The completed “Permit to Apply” form and General Education verification will be sent directly to the Radiologic Science program by the evaluator. Applicants are responsible for submitting the application, proof of high-school completion or GED, and transcripts from all colleges attended. Application materials for students who have not finished all prerequisite courses and/or have not completed ALL General Education requirements by the deadline date will not be considered.
4. The complete application packet must be submitted directly to the Radiologic Science program. A complete application packet includes:

• The Permit to Apply
• A record of completed General Education coursework (verified and delivered by the evaluator)
• The completed application
• Proof of high-school graduation (or equivalent)
• Two official (unopened) sets of transcripts from each college attended (including colleges in the Peralta Community College District).

The application packet can be hand-delivered to:
Merritt College
Allied Health Office Building S343

Or mailed to:

Merritt College Radiologic Science Program
12500 Campus Drive
Oakland, CA 94619

C. Medical Requirements: 

Once admitted and before the commencement of the program, the student is required to provide evidence of immunity against transmissible diseases, undergo a medical examination, drug screening, and a background check.

D. CPR Requirements:

The student is required to hold a current CPR (Basic Life Support for the Health Care Provider) certification. The CPR certification and tuberculosis screening must remain up to date for the entire duration of the program.

Enrollment in the program takes place annually in the Fall semester, The upcoming class will commence the program on August 19, 2024, and will conclude the program in August 2026. Class Schedule & Catalog – Merritt College

A. Eligibility Requirements:

Completion of high school or GED test or equivalent (must provide proof).

Completion of all prerequisite courses prior to application with a “C” grade or better for each course and an overall GPA of 2.5 or better (for prerequisite courses only).

Prerequisite courses must be current within 7 years.

Currency for old Math courses may be established by taking the Math Assessment test (available through the Merritt College Counseling department). A copy of the assessment test scores must be submitted with the application packet if pertinent.

Completion of all general education requirements for the Associate Degree. Students with prior Associate Degrees or higher meet this requirement. Due to the high volume of program applicants, students who have not met this requirement will not be enrolled in the program nor placed on the wait list.

Students must obtain medical clearance (at their own expense) and show proof of immunity to hepatitis, diphtheria, tetanus, polio, rubeola, rubella, mumps, and chicken pox before enrolling in the program. A negative Tuberculosis screen (PPD skin test or Chest X-ray) is also required.

Students must obtain a drug screen and background check (at their own expense) prior to enrolling in the program. Students with a history of illegal substance abuse and/or felony convictions including abuse or fraud may be excluded from participating in clinical education and from taking the ARRT licensing examination. Other types of offenses may also result in exclusion from clinical education (at the discretion of the clinical affiliate) and/or the licensing examination. Students with such histories are required to complete a pre-application review with the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (www.arrt.org, 651-687-0048 ext. 580). Students who are unable to obtain a provisional clearance with the ARRT will not be permitted to enter the program.

B. Application Procedures:

After completion of the prerequisite courses and General Education courses applicants shall:

Request two official sets and one unofficial set of transcripts from all colleges attended outside of the Peralta Community College District (one set of unofficial transcripts from colleges within the Peralta Community College District are OK). One set of the official transcripts should be sent directly to the Peralta Community College District Admissions office (333 East 8th St., Oakland, CA 94606). Order one official set and one unofficial set to be sent directly to you. One official set from each college must remain sealed to be submitted to the Radiologic Science Program along with the application packet. The unofficial set is for review by the enrollment evaluator and the counseling department at Merritt College and may be opened and reviewed by the student. Transcripts sent directly to the Merritt College Radiologic Science Department without accompanying application materials will not be retained.

Request one set of high school transcripts or provide proof of high school completion (a copy of the diploma or GED certificate, or equivalent). This document must be submitted with the application packet, no exceptions are made.

Schedule an appointment during the application period with the Radiologic Science enrollment evaluator by emailing the Allied Health secretary at wkarim@peralta.edu for verification of the prerequisite courses and a record of General Education courses completed. Upon verification, the evaluator will complete a “Permit to Apply” form and give you an application. The completed “Permit to Apply” and General Education verification will be forwarded directly to the Radiologic Science Program by the evaluator. Applicants are responsible for submitting the application, proof of high school completion or GED, and transcripts from all colleges attended. Application materials will not be considered for students who have unfinished prerequisite courses and/or have not completed ALL General Education requirements by the deadline date.

Submit the complete application packet directly to the Radiologic Science Program. A complete application packet consists of: the Permit to Apply, a record of General Education coursework completed (verified and delivered by the evaluator), the completed application, assessment test scores to validate Math classes more than 7 years old, proof of high school graduation (or equivalent), and one official (unopened) set of transcripts from each college attended (unofficial set for courses completed in the Peralta Community College District is OK). The application packet may be hand-delivered to the Allied Health office in D 102 on the Merritt Campus, or mailed to the Merritt College Radiologic Science Department, 12500 Campus Drive, Oakland, CA 94619.

Incomplete application packets will not be considered.

C. Post-Admission Requirement:

Prior to program start, students must pass a drug screen, background check, medical exam, CPR class and must provide proof of immunity to communicable diseases. You will be given further instructions for completing this requirement upon acceptance into the program.

Class Schedule & Catalog – Merritt College

Students will be awarded the Associate of Science (AS) degree and the Certificate in Radiologic Science upon successful completion of the prerequisite requirements, the general education requirements, and the major course requirements, The option to obtain only the certificate is available to those who have already earned an Associate degree or higher.

The curriculum includes a clinical practicum at various hospitals in the East Bay. This is a continuous program that lasts for 24 months. Students applying to the program must be ready to commit full-time (approximately 36 hours per week during daytime hours) for two full years, including summers. After successfully completing the required courses in Radiologic Science and the Merritt College Associate Degree requirements (or equivalent), the student becomes eligible to take the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists examination (ARRT), which is necessary for licensure and practice in the state of California.

Upon successful completion of the program and obtaining the California certificate, graduates will be eligible for employment as Radiologic Technologists. They will be capable of performing a broad range of patient radiographic procedures in various healthcare settings such as hospitals, clinics, medical offices, and imaging centers.

Sequence of Courses for Six Semesters:

FIRST YEAR

FIRST SEMESTER (FALL)

SECOND SEMESTER (SPRING)

THIRD SEMESTER (SUMMER)

SECOND YEAR

FOURTH SEMESTER (FALL)

FIFTH SEMESTER (SPRING)

SIXTH SEMESTER (SUMMER)

Student Selection Process:

Starting from spring 2026, applications will be received on an annual basis. The program plans to admit 24 students each year through a lottery system. The exact number of admissions will depend on the availability of clinical placements at affiliate sites.

The program will no longer maintain a waitlist. If a student does not get accepted in their first attempt, they will have to reapply the following year. However, there will be no need for re-evaluation of transcripts.

For specific details about the student selection process for a given application period, students can refer to the Radiologic Science program via email to the staff assistant. This information will also be shared in the prerequisite course, Radsc 1A, Survey of Radiologic Science.

If the number of eligible applicants surpasses the available spots in the program, a lottery system will be employed for student selection. Detailed updates about the student selection process for a specific application period will be shared in the prerequisite course, Survey of Radiologic Science which is offered two times per semester. The program accepts approximately 24 students each year, contingent on the number of clinical placements available at affiliate sites. All applicants will receive notifications about their acceptance status. Students are required to monitor their Peralta email accounts for all program-related communications.

Merritt College Radiologic Sciences program has in place articulation agreements with the following institutions of higher learning:

California State University at Northridge
Department of Health Sciences
18111 Nordhoff Street
Northridge, CA 91330
http://www.csun.edu/health-human-development/health-sciences
Phone: (818) 677-1200

Loma Linda University
Radiation Technology Program
24851 Circle Dr.
Loma Linda, CA 92354

www.llu.edu
Radsci@llu.edu
(909) 558-4931

Institution Name: Merritt College Radiologic Science Program

Program Type: Radiography

Degree Type:

Associate Degree Program Effectiveness Data

The following is the most current program effectiveness data. Our programmatic accreditation agency, the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT), defines and publishes this information, which can be found directly on the JRCERT webpage.

Credentialing Examination:

The number of students who pass, on the first attempt, the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification examination, or an unrestricted state licensing examination, compared with the number of graduates who take the examination within six months of graduation. The five-year average benchmark established by the JRCERT is 75%.

Job Placement: The number of graduates employed in the radiologic sciences compared to the number of graduates actively seeking employment in the radiologic sciences within twelve months of graduating. The five-year average benchmark established by the JRCERT is 75%.

Program Completion: The number of students who complete the program within the stated length. The annual benchmark established by the program is 70%.

American Society of Radiologic Technologists: This is a comprehensive resource offering information on the profession, accredited schools, news, opportunities for continuing education, and more. American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT)

California Society of Radiologic Technologists: This platform provides information about the profession, job opportunities, continuing education, press releases, legislative actions, and more. Homepage | California Society of Radiologic Technologists (csrt.org)

American Registry of Radiologic Technology: This is the credentialing agency for the profession, providing information on the credentialing process, testing information, exam content specifications, and more. ARRT.org Home Page – ARRT

California Department of Public Health, Radiologic Health Branch: This is the regulatory agency responsible for radiation safety, licensing and certification of physicians and technologists in California, and accreditation of x-ray schools in California. It provides information about legislation relating to radiation safety, details pertaining to x-ray schools, directories of schools, licensed physicians, and certificated radiologic technologists. CDPH Home (ca.gov) RHB Permits and Certificates on the Web

Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology: This is the accrediting body for the program, located at 20 N. Wacker Drive, Suite 2850, Chicago, IL 60606-3182. Students can visit their website to review the Standards for an Accredited Educational Program in Radiography, as well as for other accreditation information. The Merritt College Radiologic Science Program Effectiveness Data can also be accessed on this site. For students wishing to make a formal complaint about the program, instructions are provided on their website. JRCERT | Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology

We asked our Radiologic Science graduates how the program changed their lives, and here’s what they said

“The two years I spent in the Radiologic Science program were by far the most engaging, exciting, and eye-opening years of my whole educational experience. I felt like I was finally learning skills that I could use to help people and was encouraged to work hard to master the art of x-ray.  I got to meet really great people in the program, many of whom are now some of my closest friends.  Now that I have graduated, being an x-ray technologist has allowed me to do the things I’ve always dreamed of when I was younger, like travel the world and be able to give back to my family for taking care of me.  I have been asked many times by my peers about my journey through the Radiologic Science program and if I am happy with the path I’ve chosen.  Without hesitation, I always tell them I would do it all over again in a heartbeat.”

“The Merritt College Radiology program is something worth the wait! Be honest with yourselves, many people give excuses in life as to why they are not able to accomplish goals or go back to school! I recommend taking the challenge, it will provide you with the tools needed for a great field. The program has allowed me to launch into an exciting career I enjoy doing. Like all great things it takes time and hard work! If you are motivated and want a positive change in your life, the radiology program is for you! Stick with it and finish through! In the end you will have accomplished something for yourself and the ability to help others.”
–Christoper Kemper