Schools & Divisions
The educational program in radiation therapy accepts students every other year (odd years).
Program Goals and Learning Outcomes
The radiation therapy program has set forth the following goals and learning outcomes:
Goal 1: Students will demonstrate clinical competence.
Student Learning Outcomes:
- Students will be competent in positioning patients.
- Students will practice radiation protection.
Goal 2: Students will demonstrate effective communication skills.
Student Learning Outcomes:
- Students will demonstrate oral communication skills.
- Students will demonstrate written communication skills.
Goal 3: Students will demonstrate critical thinking and problem solving 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.
Goal 4: Students will demonstrate professional values.
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.
Goal 5: Students will be involved in professional continuing education activities to instill a desire for lifelong learning.
Student Learning Outcomes:
- Students will participate in professional continuing education activities.
- Students will be members of professional societies.
Goal 6: The program will provide the medical community with individuals qualified to perform radiation therapy procedures.
Program Effectiveness Measures:
- Graduates will pass the ARRT exam on first attempt.
- Graduate 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.
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 successfully passed this exam, certificate holders are classified as registered radiation therapists, R.T.(T) (ARRT).State certification is required to operate radiation therapy equipment. The state accepts the ARRT Registry for certification.
Length of the Program
The radiation therapy program is a four-year baccalaureate degree program composed of 51 credit hours of prerequisite and general education requirements and a professional core in the junior and senior years of 69 credit hours.
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 experienecs are integrated throughout the program.
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.
Location of Clinicals
Clinical experiences have been planned in local hospitals, including the Community Hospital in Munster; Franciscan St. James Health in Olympia Fields, IL; Franciscan Health Munster in Munster, IN; Ingalls Memorial Hospital in Harvey, Illinois; Methodist Hospital of Gary, Inc., Southlake campus in Merrillville; Michiana Hematology Oncology, PC, in Westville; Franciscan Health Woodland Cancer Care Center in Michigan City, IN; Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood, IL; St. Mary Medical Center in Hobart, IN.
Accreditation
The Radiation Therapy Program is approved by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT), 20 N. Wacker Drive, Suite 2850, Chicago, IL 60606-3182; phone (312) 704-5300; www.jrcert.org.
