Bachelor of Science in Radiation Therapy
Radiation Therapy Program
University of Michigan - Flint
2102 W. S. White Building
303 East Kearsley Street
Flint, MI 48502-1950
Phone: 810-237-6502
Fax: 810-762-3003
Director: Kelly Brown, MPA, RT(T), ARRT
Secretaries: Karen Curtis, Angie Spade
The Bachelor of Science in Radiation Therapy is a 4-year, 127-credit, baccalaureate degree program. Upon successful completion of the program requirements, the graduate is eligible to take the Radiation Therapy Certification Examination given by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT).
The profession of radiation therapy involves the use of high-energy radiation in the treatment of disease, primarily cancer. Radiation therapy may be used alone or in combination with surgery and chemotherapy. As a team member, the radiation therapist administers radiation to the exact area of the patient's body as prescribed by a physician. Because most patients are treated 5 days a week for several weeks, the therapist is able to develop a consistent care-giving relationship with the patient. In addition, radiation therapists monitor the patient's progress while they are receiving radiation therapy, observe for signs of complications, and determine when treatment should be withheld until a physician is consulted. The radiation therapist is also a significant source of emotional support for most patients.
The structure of the Radiation Therapy Program includes 2 years of general education requirements and pre-professional courses. The professional program begins in the summer of the junior year and continues for 22 consecutive months through April of the senior year. The didactic classes in the junior year are taught on the University of Michigan-Flint campus. Didactic classes taught in the senior year are held at the University of Michigan Health System in Ann Arbor. The clinical practicum begins September of the junior year. Juniors attend clinic on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Seniors attend Monday-Friday from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in the Spring and Summer semesters, and in the Fall and Winter semesters on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Students will never exceed 40 hours of combined classroom and clinical time per week.
Admission: Entering UM Flint
Whether you are a new freshman or a transfer student, you must submit an application to the Office of Admissions. They can assist you with gaining acceptance into the University, transferring classes, and familiarizing you with the campus.
Admission to the Radiation Therapy Program
Once admitted into the University of Michigan-Flint, students must apply to the Radiation Therapy Program. Applications are available in the Public Health and Health Sciences Office, 2102 W.S. White Building. The Radiation Therapy Program Director must receive application materials by May 1 of the calendar year of the intended Summer Semester enrollment. Students will be admitted in the Summer term only. In order to be admitted to the program all general education courses must be successfully completed.
Students applying to the program who are not UM-Flint students at the time of application must also submit a completed UM-Flint application including any transfer transcripts, indicating "Radiation Therapy" as the proposed field of study. Forms to apply for admission to the University are available from the Office of Admissions. The Radiation Therapy Program application is available online (Radiation Therapy Program application for admission) and from the Program Director.
The Radiation Therapy Program at UM-Flint is fully accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT), 20 North Wacker Dr., Suite 900, Chicago, IL 60606-2901. Phone: 312-704-5300.
Program Mission
The mission of the Radiation Therapy program is to provide high-quality, professional radiation therapy education to undergraduate students by: preparing graduates in radiation therapy to meet the needs of society through theory-based radiation therapy practice; preparing graduates who have the ability to communicate and collaborate effectively with respect for cultural and human diversity; maintaining a radiation therapy curriculum that reflects the interactive aspects of radiation therapy with the psychosocial behavioral, physical, and natural sciences; collaborating with local and regional institutions/organizations to provide access to professional radiation therapy education; promoting service and scholarly endeavors relating to health care needs of the community of Flint and Southeastern Michigan; promoting lifelong learning for graduates in Radiation Therapy.
Program Goals
- To provide quality radiation therapy education in preparation of radiation therapists for entry-level positions in radiation therapy according to the standards identified by the Joint Review Committee.
- To prepare students to meet professional specifications established for national registration by the ARRT in radiation therapy.
- To build upon general education by preparing students to communicate well, think analytically, be intellectually adaptive, integrate knowledge and experience from different disciplines, apply ethical standards and values to the practice of radiation therapy and appreciate social and cultural diversity.
- To develop the student’s ability to function as an active member of the health care team.
- To encourage the advancement of knowledge through research.
- To foster lifelong learning and service among students, graduates and faculty.
Requirements for Admission
New! General Education requirements for students entering the University in the Fall of 2010:
A. Completion of all general education and pre-professional courses with a minimum grade of C. The courses are:
- UNV 100* (3)
- ENG 112 (3)
- BIO 167** (4)
- BIO 168** (4)
- MTH 111 (3)
- MTH 120 (4)
- MTH 121 (4)
- 3 credits in fine arts
- 3 credits in global studies
- PSY 100 (3)
- CIS 128 (3)
- SOC 100 (3)
- PHL 168 (3)
- HCR 300 (3)
- HCR 304 (3)
- HCR 362 (3)
- PHY 143** (4)
- PHY 145** (4)
- MTP 320 (2)
** Minimum grade of a B- is required for these classes
B. Student observation of 16-20 hours in the University of Michigan Health System Radiation Therapy Department. All clinic observation experiences will be arranged through the Program Director.
C. Acceptance to the University of Michigan-Flint and completion of the program application.
D. Three references:
- one from an individual actively involved in the applicant's educational process (i.e., instructor, advisor, mentor)
- one from the current supervisor at the applicant's place of employment and
- one from an individual commenting on the applicant's character
E. Self-reported ability to perform all the following technical standards which, after admission, will be documented by a physician:
- Have sufficient strength to assist patients in transferring from a wheelchair or cart to the treatment couch. This will involve lifting at times.
- Have sufficient strength, coordination and dexterity to lift and position cerrobend blocks, electron cones and wedges up to 45 pounds to a height of 5'5".
- Have sufficient visual acuity to set machine field size, set monitor units on the machines, align treatment fields in dimly lit room, place blocks, review radiographs, view port films and monitor patients on a close-circuit television during treatment.
- Have sufficient auditory capability to hear warning bells in the treatment rooms and hospital fire alarms, as well as to monitor patients during treatment.
- Be capable of effective and concise verbal communication with patients, their families and other health care workers.
- Be physically, intellectually and emotionally able to respond to emergency situations, providing first aid, CPR and patient care until a physician or nurse arrives.
- Be capable of handling stressful situations, making informed decisions and giving emotional support to patients and their families.
- Be capable of understanding and applying clinical instructions given from departmental personnel.
Admissions Process
Depending on the number of annual applicants, the Program reserves the right to interview twice as many applicants as there are clinical seats available. The Program can accommodate up to 10 students, depending upon clinical site availability; therefore the interviews will be limited to 20 applicants.
- Overall GPA
- GPA for MTP 320
- GPA for BIO 167 and BIO 168
- Completion of Observation Hours
- Completion of all prerequisites. Note this criteria awards bonus points only, but does not penalize a student for not completing all required courses by May 1st.
- Submission of all required application materials, including three references. Preference will be given to applicants with Academic, Character and Employment references from unrelated individuals.
Applicants for the Program will be evaluated on the above criteria as well as:
- Interview scores
- Writing sample evaluation by an independent evaluator
The Interview Process For The Radiation Therapy Program:
- Please report 15 minutes before your interview time to the Health Sciences and Administration Department. You may be asked to wait in our sitting area. We may already be with another student and will be with you shortly.
- The interview will last approximately 30 minutes. There will be three to five people on the Radiation Therapy Interview Committee. You will be asked approximately 12 to 16 questions involving information about yourself, your interest in Radiation Therapy, your work and life experiences, your radiation oncology observations, and qualifications.
- Applicants will be reviewed for communication skills and the ability to deal with stressful situations, their awareness of the duties of a radiation therapist, and overall characteristics that would be most beneficial for the applicant to possess.
- The applicants are notified within two weeks of their interview through the Radiation Therapy Department first by email, and then by mail.
Once admitted into the program the student must earn a minimum grade of a B- in all courses.
Prior to beginning the clinical component of the program, the student is required to have a complete physical. The completed Program Physical Form will be kept in the office of the School nurse. Immunizations must be up to date and documented on the physical form. Students must maintain current CPR certification while in the program.
Program Assessment
The University of Michigan - Flint's Radiation Therapy Program continues to be assessed as a high quality program. The Program utilizes Assessment as a means to review and analyze student learning in order to provide students with the best possible Radiation Therapy education. The Clinical Rotation component of the program consistently has the largest impact on student success. Nearly two years of clinical, hands-on experience enable the students to experience patient care while concurrently progressing in their classroom studies. The Radiation Therapy Advisory Committee will continue to assess the program regularly and offer external validation in an effort to improve the Program. Information on assessment plans, including goals, methods and outcomes are available online.
