ACCSC's scope of recognition with the U.S. Department of Education includes the accreditation of private, postsecondary, non-degree-granting institutions and degree-granting institutions that are predominantly organized to educate students for occupational, trade and technical careers.

Rate Calculation

Number of graduates employed¹
Divided by/
Number of graduates available for employment²

• ¹ "Graduates employed in field" is the number of graduates employed in jobs for which the program trained them.
  • In applying this ACCSC definition, we classify graduates as employed in jobs for which the program trained them if they are employed in a related field that requires the graduate to use at least 20% of the skills taught in his/her core program curriculum.
• ² "Graduates available for employment" is the number of students who graduated from the program within 150% of the stated program length, minus the number of:
  • graduates that continue on with education in an accredited institution of higher education (postsecondary) on at least a half-time basis
  • graduates who fall into one of the following categories
    -deceased,
    -incarcerated,
    -actively deployed in the military,
    -unable to work due to the onset of a medical condition that prevents employment, or
    -international students who have returned to their country of origin.

The scope of ACICS recognition by the Secretary of Education is defined as accreditation of private postsecondary institutions offering certificates or diplomas, and postsecondary institutions offering associate, bachelor’s, or master’s degrees in programs designed to educate students for professional, technical, or occupational careers, including those that offer those programs via distance education.

Rate Calculation

(PF+PR)/(G-U)

PF = Placed in Field, PR = Placed in Related Field
G = Graduates and Completers, U = Unavailable for Work

• "Placed in Field" means the position requires a direct use of the skills taught in the program
  • In applying this ACICS definition, we classify graduates as employed in some cases if they are employed on a part-time or temporary basis or in a non-traditional capacity.
• "Placed in Related Field" means the position requires an indirect use of the skills taught in the program.
• A "graduate" is (all of the following):
  1. Has achieved a GPA of 2.0 or greater at graduation.
  2. Has successfully passed all courses in the program or substitute courses permitted by the institution.
  3. Has attained required competencies or speed levels in all courses.
  4. Has met all clinical, internship, and externship requirements.
  5. Has satisfied all other academic requirements for graduation.
  6. Has satisfied all non-academic requirements for graduation, such as payment of tuition and fees, return of books, etc.
  7. Has received the appropriate credential.
  8. Ceased enrollment in the program at the institution.
• A "completer" is a student who is no longer enrolled in the institution and who has either completed the time allowed or attempted the maximum allowable number of credits for the program of study but did not accomplish one of the following graduation requirements:
  1. Achieve a GPA of at least 2.0.
  2. Attain required competencies or speed skills.
  3. Satisfy non-academic requirements (e.g., outstanding financial obligations).
• "Unavailable for work" includes graduates who are unavailable for employment because of pregnancy, death, or other health-related situations, continuing education, or military service, as well as students who are not eligible for employment in the United States because of visa restrictions, or who are completers and graduates of a stand-alone English as a Second Language program.
  • Spouses and dependents of military personnel who have moved due to military transfer orders should be included.
  • Graduates are
    not
    considered "Unavailable for work" if they have relocated from the area, declined the use of placement services, or expressed a lack of interest in seeking employment. Also, graduates who may be working out of their home cannot be listed under this category. Instead, they must be listed as employed if documented evidence is available or not working if documentation cannot be obtained.

The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP), Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (JRC-DMS), and the American College of Cardiology, American College of Radiology, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine, American Society of Echocardiography, American Society of Radiologic Technologists, Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Society for Vascular Surgery, and Society for Vascular Ultrasound cooperate to establish, maintain and promote appropriate standards of quality for educational programs in diagnostic medical sonography and to provide recognition for educational programs that meet or exceed the minimum standards outlined in the accreditation Standards and Guidelines.

Rate Calculation

The JRC-DMS threshold for Graduate Placement is 80%

Total Number of Graduates Placed¹
Divided by/
Total Graduates = Placement Rate

¹ Number of graduates employed full or part-time in a related field
Plus (+)
The number of graduates continuing their education
Plus (+)
The number of graduates active in the military