Undergraduate Programs
Radiation Therapy
The educational program in Radiation Therapy through the IU Department of Radiation Oncology is located on the Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis campus, Indiana University Medical Center.
Mission Statement The Radiation Therapy Program, sponsored by the School of Medicine on the Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis campus, is designed to provide academic and clinical education to prepare qualified radiation therapists. The major purpose of the program is to provide a quality baccalaureate degree program in radiation therapy dedicated to the health and welfare of the patient through treatment of disease.
Program Goals
Student Learning Outcomes:
- Students will demonstrate the appropriate knowledge of radiation therapy procedures.
- Students will apply principles of radiation protection for patient, self, and others.
- Students will perform basic radiation therapy dose calculations and access treatment plans.
- Students will be able to perform radiation therapy treatments as prescribed by a radiation oncologist.
- Students will be able to perform radiation therapy simulation competencies.
- Students will evaluate pptients for effects, reactions, and therapeutic responses.
Student Learning Outcomes:
- Students will demonstrate effective oral communication skills.
- Students will demonstrate effective written communication skills.
Student Learning Outcomes:
- Students will develop a solution to a scenario.
- Students will perform challenge exams.
- Students will apply research methods to the senior research project.
Student Learning Outcomes:
- Students will attend professional meetings.
- Students will be knowledgeable of the importance of professional development and life-long learning.
- Students will formulate methods for pursuit of life-long learning
- Students will participate in one service learning activity.
Program Outcomes:
- Employers will be satisfied with the graduate's performance.
- Graduates will achieve a 90% or greater first attempt credentialing pass rate over the past five years.
- Graduates job placement rate will be 90% or greater within 6 ;months of gratuation during the past five years.
- Graduates will pass the AART national exam on the first attempt.
- Students will complete the program within 20 months for radiographers and 22 months for non-radiographers.
- Students will be satisfied with their education.
- Of those pursuing employment, graduates will be employed within 6 months of graduation.
Description of the Profession Radiation therapy involves the use of different forms of ionizing radiation for the treatment of benign and malignant tumors. Radiation therapists administer the prescribed dose of ionizing radiation to specific sites of the patient’s body as directed by the physician. They operate varied types of equipment, including high-energy linear accelerators, and work with radioactive materials. In addition, radiation therapists observe the clinical progress of the patient undergoing radiation therapy, observe the first signs of any complication, and determine when treatment should be withheld until a physician may be consulted.
Graduates of the Program The Radiation Therapy Program is designed to prepare graduates to meet the scope of practice standards for radiation therapy. Upon completion of the program, graduates are eligible to take the radiation therapy certification examination given by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT). Having passed this exam, certificate holders are classified as registered radiation therapists, R.T.(T)(ARRT).
Licensure Required to Practice Licensure of radiation therapists is required in Indiana.
Scholarships Some hospitals and employers offer financial assistance for students pursuing radiation therapy.
For further information, contact:
Judith Schneider, Director
Radiation Therapy Program
Indiana Cancer Care Pavilion
535 Barnhill Drive, RT 107B
Indianapolis, IN 46202-5289
Phone: (317) 948-7945
E-mail: jmschnei@iupui.edu
Last Updated: February 8, 2012