Volume 78 - Spring / Summer 2001	Download

Program Resources Required for the Number of Students Admitted by Jean Holter, EdD, MT(ASCP), CLS(NCA) Member, NAACLS Clinical Laboratory Sciences Programs Review Committee

At a recent CLEC meeting in St. Louis several educators noted that the number of students they could enroll in their accredited program was limited by NAACLS. While formerly programs were accredited for a specific number of students, this is no longer true and has not been true for approximately a decade.

The current (1995) Essentials that address the resources and the "number" of students include the following:

Essential 4: General Resources

Resources must support the number of students admitted into the program. The instructor to student ratio shall be adequate to achieve the stated program goals.

Essential 10: Physical Resources

1. Classrooms, laboratories, administrative offices and other facilities shall be adequate, equipped for safety, and shall be in compliance with pertinent federal and state laws.
2. Modern equipment and supplies in sufficient quantity shall be provided.
3. An accessible library collection or information resource containing current editions of books, periodicals, and other reference materials related to all content areas of the curriculum shall be provided.
4. Instructional resources shall include clinical, reference, and demonstration materials. Computer technology must be provided.

None of these Essentials states a specific number of students that may be admitted. The institution is permitted to determine the number of students admitted based upon resources made available to the program. NAACLS is concerned that there be adequate resources for whatever numbers of students are admitted so that they have the opportunity to learn. As noted above the resources include space, instructors, equipment and supplies. How these resources are configured and used is the prerogative of the program and the institution.

For example, if a program has a classroom sufficient for 10 students but would like to admit 20, it is acceptable as long as the program can make arrangements to provide the same instruction and quality of instruction to all 20 students. They may schedule two different sections in the classroom. In the same manner, if a program has a student laboratory that can accommodate 10 students but has 20 students enrolled in the program, it is acceptable if the same student laboratory experience can be provided to two separate groups.

NAACLS does not define a student to teacher ratio. That is up to program officials to determine. NAACLS is concerned that all students have appropriate instruction and that there are adequate numbers of faculty and clinical personnel to provide for that instruction.

NAACLS is also concerned about available clinical facilities. The number of students admitted must not exceed the ability of the program to place the student for clinical rotations. If this number is exceeded, students must be informed about the process of selection and/or assignment.

There is no Essential that addresses the number of students that may be admitted to an accredited program. It is the responsibility of the program to be able to meet all of the Essentials for the number of students enrolled.

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