Academic Catalog

Radiation Therapy Technology (B.S.)

Office: 5134 EACPHS: 313-577-5711
Program Director: Jeannetta Greer
http://cphs.wayne.edu/rtt

Radiation therapy technology is a health care discipline which utilizes ionizing radiation for the treatment of malignant diseases. This field requires a basic understanding of and interest in science, especially mathematics and physics, as well as emotional maturity and a desire to assist in the management of patient care. A radiation therapist has the unique opportunity to blend knowledge and skills of mathematics, medical science, and psychology in his or her everyday work. The therapist comes to know patients over a period of several months and becomes an important presence in their health care, a continued contact that is the source of much satisfaction and professional pride. The Bachelor of Science Degree program in Radiation Therapy Technology at Wayne State University is designed to prepare students for the technical, theoretical and psychological aspects of this career.

Radiation therapists are typically employed in hospitals, clinics, educational institutions, and commercial equipment corporations as staff therapists, clinical supervisors, administrators, educators, and technical marketing personnel. A radiation therapist is able to:

  • operate sophisticated radiation equipment to deliver a planned course of radiation therapy;
  • assist the physicist in quality assurance and in treatment planning procedures, and in the calibration of equipment;
  • observe the clinical progress of the patient undergoing radiation therapy, and recognize when a patient's condition requires the attention of a physician; and
  • assist in providing psychosocial support for patients who are dealing with the stress of their illness.

The Bachelor of Science in Radiation Therapy Technology is a four-year degree program consisting of two years of pre-professional courses and two years of professional courses. The  program  is accredited by the:

Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology
20 N. Wacker Drive, Suite 2850
Chicago IL 60606-3182
312-704-5300.

The program complies with the professional curriculum of the American Society of Radiologic Technologists. Upon completion of the program, the student receives a Bachelor of Science Degree in Radiation Therapy Technology and is eligible to take the national certification examination administered by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists.

Admission to Pre-professional Program

The first two years (pre-professional program) are taken in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the admission requirements of which are satisfied by general admission to the University. Application forms are available from the Office of Admissions, University Welcome Center. Students should consult with the University Advising Center, 1600 Adamany Library, regarding course selection. Students are urged to seek additional pre-professional advisement by contacting the Office of Student Affairs in the Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences for registration in a Monthly College Information Night. 

Recommended High School Preparation: Students interested in a career in radiation therapy technology should take as many of the following high school courses as possible: biology, chemistry, mathematics, physics, computer science, keyboarding, speech, and composition.

Admission to Professional Program

Admission to the professional program requires completion of the above pre-professional course requirements and satisfaction of specific admission requirements listed below. The application deadline is November 30 for matriculation into the professional program for the subsequent spring/summer term.

Students should contact the University Advising Center (313-577-2680) prior to each fall term to obtain an updated list of pre-professional course and program admission requirements. The program faculty provides career advisement at the Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences 'Monthly College Information Meeting held on the first Tuesday of each month. Attendance to at least one monthly meeting is a mandatory admission requirement prior to the beginning of the application process. Out-of-state applicants should contact a member of the Radiation Therapy Technology faculty for options to accommodate individual circumstances.

Since applicants who are admitted will eventually be working as a member of a health care team, the admissions committee evaluates candidates based on their personal qualities as well as their academic achievement. Therefore, throughout the interview and the completion of other application requirements, such criteria as a student's maturity, motivation, knowledge of the profession, interpersonal skills, personal integrity, and empathy for others is evaluated.

Professional Program Admission Requirements

The student applying to the professional program must meet the following admission requirements:

  1. Completion of all pre-professional courses (or their equivalents) by the winter term in which admittance is desired. 
  2. Hold a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA, 2.7 math and prerequisite GPA, and 2.7 prerequisite GPA..
  3. Completion of a professional program application and two reference forms.
  4. Submission of official transcripts from all college institutions attended (other than Wayne State).
  5. Attendance at a Monthly College Information Night at the Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, held the first Tuesday of each month at 6:00pm. Out-of-state applicants should contact a Radiation Therapy Technology faculty member for options to accommodate individual circumstances.
  6. Completion of two clinical visits to affiliate institutions for the program. Call 313-577-5711 to make an appointment. Out-of-state applicants should contact a Radiation Therapy Technology faculty member for options to accommodate individual circumstances.
  7. Submission of two reference forms (available on the online application site): one from an employer/supervisor and one from a college professor/advisor.
  8. Completion of at least 57 credit hours before starting the professional program requirements.
  9. Satisfaction of the University General Education requirements.

The information requested in requirements 3, 4, 7, and 9 above, should be submitted to the Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Office of Student Affairs, 259 Mack, Suite 1600, Detroit, Michigan.

Application Deadline: The deadline for applications is on or about November 30. Applications which are incomplete by the deadline or are submitted after that date will be considered only with the approval of the Program Director. Prospective students are urged to submit applications as early as possible after the fall term.

Application Review: All applications will be reviewed for completeness. The Admissions Committee will review all qualified applicants with completed applications submitted by the deadline date. The Admissions Committee will notify applicants of their interview status. Admission interviews are typically conducted in February of each year. A number of criteria will be evaluated, including academic achievement and personal qualities. The Radiation Therapy Technology Program typically notifies each applicant of the final admission decision in March.

 

Pre-professional Program

Each of the following required pre-professional courses (or its equivalent) must be completed with a minimum grade of C (2.00 GPA, where A = 4.0).

First and Second Years

BIO 1500
BIO 1501
Basic Life Diversity
and Basic Life Diversity Laboratory
4
BIO 1510
BIO 1511
Basic Life Mechanisms
and Basic Life Mechanisms Laboratory
4
BIO 2870Anatomy and Physiology5
CHM 1020Survey of General Chemistry4
COM 1010Oral Communication: Basic Speech3
ENG 1020Introductory College Writing3
ENG 3010Intermediate Writing3
MAT 1800Elementary Functions4
PHI 1050Critical Thinking3
PHY 2130Physics for the Life Sciences I4
PHY 2131Physics for the Life Sciences Laboratory1
PHY 2140Physics for the Life Sciences II4
PHY 2141Physics for the Life Sciences Laboratory1
PS 1010American Government4
PSY 1010Introductory Psychology4
PSY 2300Psychology of Everyday Living4
University Requirements (see General Education Program Requirements)

Professional Program

Degree Requirements

Candidates for the degree Bachelor of Science in Radiation Therapy Technology must complete a minimum of 120 credits, plus sufficient credits to fulfill the University General Education Requirements not satisfied by either required courses or the student's choice of electives. The total course work will be distributed between two years of pre-professional courses and the two-year professional program as outlined below. Courses in the professional program are taken in the Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. Enrollment requires full-time student status for six consecutive terms (twenty-four months), during which time students take didactic and clinical courses. The clinical program includes approximately twenty hours per week of clinical education at multiple affiliate institutions in the greater metropolitan Detroit area. Such institutions include urban and suburban hospitals.

While most required courses are scheduled during usual daytime hours, students are required to attend some courses or individual class sessions in early evening.

Plan of Study Grid
Third YearCredits
RT 3000 Concepts of Clinical Care 3
RT 3010 Introductory Radiation Physics 3
RT 3020 Clinical Radiation Physics 3
RT 3110 Clinical Aspects of Radiation Therapy 3
RT 3140 Topographic Anatomy and Medical Imaging 3
RT 3200 Therapeutic Interactions in Oncology Care 2
RT 3310 Clinical Practicum I 4
RT 3320 Clinical Practicum II 4
RT 3330 Clinical Practicum III 4
RT 5650 Pathophysiology for Health Sciences 3
 Credits32
Fourth Year
RT 4110 Clinical Radiation Oncology 4
RT 4120 Basic Clinical Dosimetry 4
RT 4140 Oncologic Pathology 2
RT 4150 Radiobiology of Radiation Oncology 2
RT 4220 Radionuclide Physics 3
RT 4240 Radiation Therapy Technology Seminar 3
RT 4300 Quality Assurance 2
RT 4350 Clinical Practicum IV 4
RT 4360 Clinical Practicum V 4
RT 4370 Clinical Practicum VI 4
RT 5990 Directed Study in Radiation Therapy Technology (Max 5) 1-5
Elective 1 3
 Credits36-40
 Total Credits68-72
1

Students are encouraged to take a course in the areas of management, education, humanities or social studies. The course selected may be used to fulfill the social science requirement of the General Education Requirements.

Scholarship

Students in the professional program are subject to high academic and professional standards. A grade of 'C' (2.00) or above is required in each professional course, and the student must maintain a term grade point average of 2.70 throughout the program. A grade of 'C-minus' (1.67) in a professional course indicates unsatisfactory performance; repetition of the course is required, and review by the Academic Committee will occur. A second grade of 'C-minus' or below, or a single grade of 'D' or less (1.00 or less) will result in immediate dismissal from the professional program. Academic standards and program probation policies are subject to change. Academic standards and policies are published annually; copies are available upon request from the Radiation Therapy Technology Program.

Liability Insurance 

Each student is required to have professional liability insurance during the entire length of the professional program. Neither the clinical affiliates, nor Wayne State University, assume liability for student actions during clinical education.

Radiation Therapy Technology Honors

The Radiation Therapy Technology Honors Program is an opportunity for students to learn more about areas in radiation therapy that peaks the student’s interest. This provides students with a great opportunity to go beyond the classroom and explore more ways to enhance their academic experience and patient care skills.

Requirements

Graduate with a minimum cumulative university GPA of 3.5
Complete an Honors Seminar course (HON 42XX)3
Honors 1 - Third Year
RT 3200Therapeutic Interactions in Oncology Care2
Must have a minimum 3.3 cumulative GPA from Wayne State University to begin Honors 1.
Honors 2 - Fourth Year
RT 4240
RT 4110
Radiation Therapy Technology Seminar
and Clinical Radiation Oncology
7
Must have a 3.3 cumulative GPA from Wayne State University and a 3.4 GPA in Radiation Therapy courses to start Honors 2.
Honors 3 - Fourth Year
RT 4370Clinical Practicum VI4
Must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.3 from Wayne State University and a 3.5 GPA in RT courses to begin Honors 3.
Total Credits16
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