Radiation Therapy Mission, Goals, and Student Learning Outcomes
The B.S. radiation therapy program offered by Indiana University Northwest is designed to prepare students for professional careers as radiation therapists in the medical field. By providing pertinent learning experiences, the program faculty strives to develop students' interests in lifelong learning through professional societies and continuing education. The curriculum is designed in accordance with the guidelines established by the American Society of Radiologic Technologists.
Design of the Professional Curriculum
The curriculum follows a pattern that trains the student to become skilled in the performance of radiation therapy procedures. Courses in radiologic principles, technical courses in radiation therapy, clinical application of theory, and general education are included in the curriculum. Lectures, lab, and clinical experiences are integrated throughout the program.
The radiation therapy program has set forth the following goals and student learning outcomes:
Student Learning Outcomes:
Students will be competent in positioning patients.
Students will practice radiation protection.
Student Learning Outcomes:
Students will demonstrate oral communication skills.
Students will demonstrate written communication skills.
Student Learning Outcomes:
Students will be able to adapt to non-routine situations.
Students will establish resolution and rationale for challenging circumstances that they may encounter.
Student Learning Outcomes:
Students will demonstrate appropriate professional values in the clinical setting.
Students will detail the ethical obligations described in the ARRT Code of Ethics.
Student Learning Outcomes:
Students will participate in professional continuing education activities.
Students will be members of professional societies.
Program Effectiveness Measures:
Graduates will pass the ARRT exam on the first attempt.
Graduates will express confidence in the overall quality of their skills.
Employers will express confidence in the overall quality of the graduate's skills.
Of those pursuing employment, graduates will be gainfully employed within 12 months post-graduation.
Students will successfully complete the program in the two-year time frame.
Assessment data described in Goal #6 are available for review under Program Effectiveness Data.
Structure of the Professional Program
Classes are held during the day. Clinical experience is scheduled in cooperation with the clinical site with experience during normal daytime hours.
Opportunity for Students to Work
Students may find full-time employment during the professional program difficult.
Description of Facilities
The radiation therapy program offices and classrooms are located in the Dunes Medical/Professional Building at IU Northwest. Clinical experiences have been planned in local hospitals, including the Powers Health in Munster, Indiana; Franciscan St. James Health in Olympia Fields, Illinois; Franciscan Health Munster in Munster, Indiana; Franciscan Health Lafayette in Lafayette, Indiana. Franciscan Health Crown Point in Crown Point, Indiana. UChicago Medicine/Ingalls in Harvey, Illinois; Methodist Hospital Southlake campus in Merrillville, Indiana. Michiana Hematology Oncology, PC, in Westville, Indiana; Franciscan Health Woodland Cancer Care Center in Michigan City, Indiana; Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood, Illinois; Loyola University Medical Center Cancer Center in Tinley Park Illinois. Powers Health in Hobart, Indiana.
Additional costs
In addition to regular university tuition and fees, students should expect to pay program-related expenses such as books, uniforms, physical examinations, immunizations, drug screens, background checks, online clinical management and tracking, parking fees on campus and at clinical sites, and radiation monitoring.
Important information about this program
Please note that this is a hybrid program. Students enrolled in a hybrid program are expected to complete more than 20% of their coursework face-to-face over the course of the degree. Not fulfulling this requirement may result in the loss of coursework that will apply to the degree.
Accreditation
The radiation therapy program is accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT), 20 North Wacker Drive, Suite 2850 Chicago, IL 60606-3182 Phone: 312-704-5300 Email: mail@jrcert.org
The program was last evaluated according to the Standards for an Accredited Educational Program in Radiation Therapy (2014) and was awarded maintenance of accreditation for a period of eight years. The next site visit is tentatively scheduled for the second quarter of 2024.
General program accreditation information and the current accreditation award letter can be found on the JRCERT website.
Required Courses
Credit hours
*W131 Reading, Writing, and Inquiry I (G)
3
*W231 Professional Writing (G)
3
*Verbal Communication Course
3
*M119 Brief Survey of Calculus or M125 Precalculus Mathematics
3
*Human Anatomy and Physiology I & II with lab (G)
8
Introductory Psychology (G)
3
Arts & Humanities Electives (G)
3
Second Social/Behavioral Science Elective (G)
3
Cultural & Historical Studies Electives (G)
3
Additional Arts & Humanities OR Cultural & Historical Studies Elective (G)
3
Statistics (G)
3
Health Professional Radiography Coursework or Electives
13
Total Minimum Number of Credit Hours
51
A total of 51 credit hours must be completed before taking professional courses. *Courses must be completed with a C (2.0) or higher.
Summer Session II
RADS
R100
Orientation to Radiologic Technology*
2
RADS
R185
Medical Terminology*
1
RADS
J304
Radiation Oncology Patient Care*
2
RADS
R181
Clinical Experience in Radiography*
1
Total
6
Fall Semester
RADS
R250
Physics Applied to Radiology*
3
RADS
J301
Orientation to Radiation Therapy*
4
RADS
R472
Multiplanar Anatomy and Pathology I*
3
RADS
J350
Clinical Practicum I*
4
Total
14
Spring Semester
RADS
R260
Radiation Biology and Protection*
3
RADS
R473
Multiplanar Anatomy and Pathology II*
3
RADS
J302
Radiation Oncology Techniques*
3
RADS
J351
Clinical Practicum II*
4
Total
13
Year Total
33
*All professional courses must be completed with a C (2.0) or higher.
Summer Semester
RADS
J402
Radiation Oncology Techniques II*
3
RADS
J450
Clinical Practicum III*
4
Total
7
Fall Semester
RADS
J303
Clinical Oncology I*
3
RADS
J305
Clinical Dosimetry*
3
RADS
J400
Physics of Radiation Oncology I*
3
RADS
J451
Clinical Practicum IV*
4
Total
13
Spring Semester
RADS
J401
Physics of Radiation Oncology II*
3
RADS
J403
Clinical Oncology II*
3
RADS
J404
Quality Management in Radiation Oncology*
3
RADS
J409
Senior Project in Radiation Oncology*
3
RADS
R452
Clinical Practicum V*
4
TOTAL
16
Year Total
36
PROFESSIONAL COURSE TOTAL
69
Satisfactory completion of 120 credit hours including 51 credit hours of prerequisite and health profession or general education courses and 69 credit hours of professional courses is required for graduation. All coursework must be completed in compliance with the program's and department's academic and professional policies.
Preference is given to healthcare professions (A.S. degree or higher in a healthcare professional field) and radiographers. Admission to the program is highly competitive. Students are selected based on their previous academic background, Professional Assessment in Radiologic Sciences (PARS), and evidence of registration if applying under a healthcare professional background.
For admission policies and procedures for all radiologic sciences programs, please see the link here: Admission Policies and Procedures
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