Bachelor of Science in Radiation Therapy

Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis

Medical Advisor: Professor Randall

Program Director: Assistant Professor Dunn

Clinical Assistant Professor: Schneider

EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM

Length of the Program The radiation therapy program is a four-year baccalaureate degree program and has two tracks: one for the nonradiographer and one for the radiographer. For the nonradiographer, the program is composed of 50 credit hours of prerequisite and general-education requirements and a 22-month professional core in the junior and senior years. For the radiographer, the program includes general-education requirements and a 20-month professional core.

Structure of the Program The classroom and clinical experiences are provided Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. with continuous enrollment during the professional core.

Opportunity for Students to Work Students often seek employment in part-time positions outside the program, which must be balanced with evening study.

Additional Cost In addition to regular university tuition and fees, students should expect to pay program-related expenses. Contact the program for a current cost sheet.

Program Facilities The Radiation Therapy Program offices are located in Ball Residence, Rooms 119 and 120. Classrooms and laboratories are located in Coleman Hall, in radiation oncology departments of area hospitals, and in other buildings on the Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis campus.

Location of Clinicals The clinical practicums are provided at a variety of clinical sites located within a 60-mile radius of Indianapolis.

Accreditation The program is accredited by the:

ADMISSION—NON-RADIOGRAPHER

General Information

Admission into the School of Allied Health Sciences radiation therapy program is based on an admission index that is composed of a cumulative grade point average, the mathematics and science grade point average, prerequisite courses grade point average, and an interview.

Specific Requirements

In addition to the School of Allied Health Sciences admission policies and procedures found at the beginning of this bulletin, the following admission policies apply to the radiation therapy program.

Application Deadline December 1 of the year prior to desired entry into the program.

Minimum Number of Prerequisite Credit Hours 50.

Minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average 2.50 on a 4.00 scale. This requirement is applied at the time of program application. Grades from remedial courses are not calculated in the grade point average of the prerequisite courses to determine the admission index.

Minimum Specific Grade Point Average Science and math grade point average of 2.30 and a 2.50 grade point average in stated prerequisite courses (on a 4.00 scale). This requirement is applied at the time of program application and must be maintained. Grades from remedial courses are not calculated in the mathematics and science grade point average to determine the admission index.

Minimum Grade Requirement in a Prerequisite Course C (2.00 on a 4.00 scale).

Interview A personal interview is required. However, if the number of applications to the program far exceeds the number of positions available, the program’s admissions committee reserves the right to limit the number of applicants to be interviewed to two times the number of positions available in the class. Interviews are conducted in January.

Technical Standards See School of Allied Health Sciences policy.

Medical Requirements All required immunizations must be completed before the start of the program. Verification of immunizations and the health form must be submitted during orientation.

Indiana Residents Preference Policy See School of Allied Health Sciences policy.

Volunteer Experience The student must observe in a radiation oncology facility prior to applying to the program.

CURRICULUM—NON-RADIOGRAPHER

Prerequisites

The following prerequisite course of study must be completed to be eligible for admission into the professional program. Students should consult with their academic advisors for appropriate courses and semester sequence.

General-Education Areas

Verbal Communications (G)	2-3 cr.
Written Communications (G) (2 courses)	6 cr.
(Second writing course must focus on research and professional writing skills)
Humanities Elective (G)	3 cr.
Social/Behavioral Science Elective (G)	3 cr.
Introductory Psychology (G)	3 cr.
College Algebra and Trigonometry (G)	5-6 cr.
General Physics (with lab) (G)	4-5 cr.
Human Anatomy (with lab)	4-5 cr.
Basic Life Science Elective	4-5 cr.
Medical Terminology	1 cr.
Introduction to Computers	2-3 cr.

Suggested Electives (To bring total credits up to 50.) The number of elective courses will differ for each student to complete a total of 50 credit hours of prerequisite course work. Additional electives may be required, before or during the professional program, to complete a minimum of 122 credit hours of academic course work for graduation.

A Suggested Plan of Study

Freshman
Fall
Elementary Composition	3 cr.
Humanities	3 cr.
Algebra and Trigonometry	3 cr.
Basic Life Science Elective	5 cr.
Total 14 cr.
Spring
Speech Communications or Interpersonal Communication.	3 cr.
Algebra and Trigonometry	3 cr.
Beginning Psychology	3 cr.
Human Anatomy	5 cr.
Total 14 cr.
Sophomore
Fall
English Composition II or Professional Writing Skills	3 cr.
General Physics (with lab)	4-5 cr.
Introduction to Computers	2-3 cr.
Elective	3 cr.
Total 12-14 cr.
Spring
Social/Behavioral Science Elective	3 cr.
General Physics	4-5 cr.
Medical Terminology	1 cr.
Electives	5 cr.
Total 13-14 cr.
Professional Program—Non-Radiographer
Summer Session II (Junior)
Patient Care in Radiologic Sciences AHLT R104	2 cr.
Introduction to Clinical Radiography AHLT R103	2 cr.
Seminar: Ethics AHLT R207	1 cr.
Total 5 cr.
Fall (Junior)
Physics Applied to Radiology AHLT R250	3 cr.
Medical Imaging and Processing in Radiation Oncology AHLT J307	2 cr.
Simulation/Treatment Procedures AHLT J300	6 cr.
Clinical Dosimetry I AHLT J305	2 cr.
Clinical Experience: Basic AHLT J350	3 cr.
Total 16 cr.
Spring (Junior)
Radiation Oncology Techniques I AHLT J302	3 cr.
Clinical Dosimetry II AHLT J306	2 cr.
Radiation Oncology Patient Care AHLT J304	2 cr.
Quality Management in Radiation Oncology AHLT J404	3 cr.
Clinical Practicum I AHLT J351	3 cr.
Total 13 cr.
Summer Session I (Junior)
Radiation Oncology Techniques II AHLT J402	3 cr.
Clinical Practicum II AHLT J450	4 cr.
Total 7 cr.
Summer Session II (Senior)
Clinical Practicum III AHLT J451	6 cr.
Total 6 cr.
Fall (Senior)
Physics of Radiation Oncology I AHLT J400	2 cr.
Clinical Oncology I AHLT J303	3 cr.
Senior Project in Radiation Oncology AHLT J409	3 cr.
Clinical Practicum IV AHLT J452	5 cr.
Business or Education Elective	3 cr.
Total 16 cr.
Spring (Senior)
Physics of Radiation Oncology II AHLT J401	2 cr.
Clinical Oncology II AHLT J403	3 cr.
Radiation and Cancer Biology AHLT J406	2 cr.
Clinical Practicum V AHLT J453	5 cr.
Business or Education Elective	3 cr.
Total 15 cr.

ADMISSION—RADIOGRAPHER

Specific Requirements

In addition to the School of Allied Health Sciences admission policies and procedures found at the beginning of this section of the bulletin, the following admission policies apply to the radiation therapy program.

Application Deadline December 1 of the year prior to desired entry into the program.

Minimum Number of Prerequisite Credit Hours Satisfactory completion of general-education and technical specialty requirements.

Minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average 2.50 on a 4.00 scale; this requirement is applied at the time of program application. Grades from remedial courses are not calculated into the grade point average of the prerequisite courses to determine the admission index.

Minimum Specific Grade Point Average Science or math grade point average of 2.30 and a 2.50 grade point average in stated prerequisite courses (on a 4.00 scale); this requirement is applied at the time of program application and must be maintained. Students must attain a cumulative grade point average of 2.30 for all radiography courses. Grades from remedial courses are not calculated into the mathematics and science grade point average to determine the admission index.

Minimum Grade Requirement in a Stated Prerequisite Course C (2.00 on a 4.00 scale).

Interview A personal interview is required. However, if the number of applications to the program far exceeds the number of positions available, the program’s admissions committee reserves the right to limit the number of applicants to be interviewed to two times the number of positions available in the class. Interviews are conducted in January.

Technical Standards See School of Allied Health Sciences policy.

Medical Requirements All required immunizations must be completed before the start of the program. Verification of immunizations and the health form must be submitted during orientation.

Indiana Residents Preference Policy See School of Allied Health Sciences policy.

Volunteer Experience Students must observe in a radiation oncology facility prior to applying to the program.

CURRICULUM—RADIOGRAPHER

Prerequisites

The following prerequisite course of study must be completed for students to be eligible for admission into the professional program. Students should consult with their academic advisors for appropriate courses and semester sequence in order to complete prerequisites. Prerequisites may be taken at any accredited college or university. The code "G" indicates a course that meets the school’s general-education requirements.

Verbal Communication (G)	2-3 cr.
Written Communication (G) (2 courses)	6 cr.
(Second course must focus on research and professional writing skills)
Humanities Elective (G)	3 cr.
Social/Behavioral Science Elective	3 cr.
Introductory Psychology (G)	3 cr.
College Algebra and Trigonometry	5-6 cr.
General Physics (with lab) (G)	4-5 cr.
Human Anatomy (with lab)	4-5 cr.
Basic Life Science Electives	4-5 cr.
Medical Terminology	1 cr.
Introduction to Computers	2-3 cr.

Technology Specialty Applicants must supply evidence of registration in radiography by the ARRT or completion of a radiography program accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology.

The technical specialty area is complete for applicants who have completed an associate or baccalaureate degree in radiography.

Students who received their technical training in noncredit awarding programs and who have full credentials in radiography (ARRT) may be awarded credit for their credentials and experiences and/or petition to test out of technical specialty courses.

Professional Program

Courses in the professional program are sequential and, therefore, must be taken in the order specified by the program faculty.

Fall (Junior)
Orientation to Radiation Oncology AHLT J301	4 cr.
Clinical Dosimetry I AHLT J305	2 cr.
Clinical Experience: Basic AHLT J350	3 cr.
Business or Education Elective	3 cr.
Total 12 cr.
Spring (Junior)
Radiation Oncology Techniques I AHLT J302	3 cr.
Radiation Oncology Patient Care AHLT J304	2 cr.
Quality Management in Radiation Oncology AHLT J404	3 cr.
Clinical Dosimetry II AHLTJ306	2 cr.
Clinical Practicum I AHLT J351	3 cr.
Total 13 cr.
Summer Session I (Senior)
Radiation Oncology Techniques II AHLT J402	3 cr.
Clinical Practicum II AHLT J450	4 cr.
Total 7 cr.
Summer Session II (Senior)
Clinical Practicum III AHLT J451	6 cr.
Total 6 cr.
Fall (Senior)
Physics of Radiation Oncology I AHLT J401	2 cr.
Clinical Oncology I AHLT J303	3 cr.
Clinical Practicum IV AHLT J452	5 cr.
Senior Project in Radiation Oncology AHLT J409	3 cr.
Total 13 cr.
Spring (Senior)
Physics of Radiation Oncology II AHLT J401	2 cr.
Radiation and Cancer Biology AHLT J406	2 cr.
Clinical Oncology II AHLT J403	3 cr.
Clinical Practicum V AHLT J453	5 cr.
Business or Education Elective	3 cr.
Total 15 cr.

Scholarships Some hospitals and employers offer financial assistance for students pursuing radiation therapy.

Graduation Requirements for Baccalaureate Degree To be eligible for graduation with a baccalaureate degree, students must successfully complete the general-education requirements, technical specialty (radiographers), and professional core in radiation therapy. They must also achieve clinical competency in each area identified in the clinical manual requirements.

For further information, contact: