The Joint Review Committee on Education Radiologic Technology (JRCERT) recently awarded the maximum eight-year accreditation to UNLV's radiography certificate program.

The program, which is offered by UNLV's College of Extended Studies, has been continuously accredited since 1972.

"The radiography program has always strived to provide students with the very best educational opportunities, and this re-accreditation by JRCERT acknowledges our efforts in maintaining those high standards," said Patrick Apfel, program director of the radiography certificate program.

Prior to 1997, the maximum period of accreditation was five years. In the year 2000, only 39 percent of radiography programs reviewed nationwide received the new maximum eight-year accreditation, Apfel said.

The radiography curriculum is a two-year, structured program designed to prepare students for entry-level clinical practice. Facilities in the Rod Lee Bigelow Health Sciences Building provide the students with hands-on experiences under the direction of imaging professionals and faculty.

The program is affiliated with major hospitals and clinics in the Las Vegas, North Las Vegas, and Henderson areas. Upon successful completion of the program, a student is awarded a certificate in radiography and is eligible to take the national American Registry of Radiologic Technologists' certifying exam in radiography.

"The radiography field has quickly been expanding in the last few decades, especially with new technological advancements such as magnetic resonance imaging," Apfel said. "These advanced imaging techniques now have certifying exams, which require certification in radiography as a prerequisite for writing these exams and performing advanced procedures." For additional information about the radiography certificate program, contact Apfel at 895-3811.