Entering the University of Michigan-Flint

Whether you are a new freshman or a transfer student, you must submit an application to the Admissions Office . They can assist you with gaining acceptance into the University, transferring classes, and familiarizing you with the campus.

Entering into 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 Health Sciences and Administration Office, 2102 W.S. White Building. The Radiation Therapy Program Director must receive completed applications, including all references by March 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 . Radiation Therapy program applications are available online ( cover sheet and supplemental application for admission) and from the Program Director.

All qualified applicants will be invited to interview with the Admissions Committee. However, should the number of applications to the program far exceed the number of positions available (a maximum 15 positions each year), the program's Admissions Committee reserves the right to limit the number of interviewed applicants to two times the number of positions available in the class.

Prior to applying to the program the following must be completed:

1. Completion of all general education and the pre-professional courses with no grade lower than a C. Except the physics and biology courses-a minimum of a B is required in these courses. All courses may be taken at UM-Flint, or equivalent courses may be transferred from another accredited institution. In some instances, specific courses may be waived in consultation with the program director.

2. Student observation of 16-20 hours in a Radiation Therapy department. To be eligible for clinic observation, the student must have completed a minimum of 20 pre-professional credits. Note: All clinic observations must be arranged through the program director before submitting program application.

3. Three references, from:

• Instructor, advisor, or mentor who can comment on academic skills and abilities. 
• A supervisor/employer who can comment on work ethics.
• A friend, family member  or acquaintance  who can comment on character.

Letters of reference can be included with application material and sent to:

Radiation Therapy Program
UM-Flint
2102 WSW Bldg.
303 East Kearsley Street
Flint, MI 48502-1950

4. Self-reported ability to perform all of 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 rooms, place blocks, review radiographs, view port films and monitor patients on a closed-circuit television during treatment.
  
• Have sufficient auditory capability to hear warning bells in the treatment rooms and hospital fire alarms, as well as 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 by departmental personnel.
  
• Once admitted, the student must earn a minimum grade of B- in all courses and clinical practicum.

Prior to beginning the clinical component of the program, the student is required to have a complete physical. The completed form will be kept in the office of the University’s nurse. Immunizations must be up to date and documented on the Physical Form by a physician. Students must maintain current CPR certification while in the program.

Junior year
Summer: RTT 300 (3)
Fall: HCR 301 (3), 315 (3), 376 (3); RTT 301 (2), 311 (2) 351 (3)
Winter: HCR 368 (3), 487 (3); RTT 315 (1), 321 (3), 341 (3) 352 (3)
Spring/Summer: RTT 403 (10)

Senior year
Fall: RTT 404 (6), 423 (3), 431 (3)
Winter: RTT 405 (6), 410 (2), 432 (3), 433 (2), 444 (3)
 

See the University Catalog for course descriptions

Graduation Requirements:

1. In order to graduate, the student must:
2. Complete all didactic courses and clinical rotations
3. Complete all clinical objectives
4. Complete all projects and assignments given during the professional core
5. Maintain a B- in each RTT course
6. Have all clinical time made up
7. Have all fees paid
8. Demonstrate all competencies required of a Radiation Therapist, including but not limited to the following:
   • Practice effective oral and written communications
   • Maintain records of treatments administered
   • Perform basic mathematical functions
   • Demonstrate knowledge of anatomy, physiology, pathology
   • Demonstrate knowledge of radiation physics in radiation interactions and radiation protection techniques
   • Provide basic patient care and CPR
   • Deliver a planned course of radiation therapy
   • Verify a physician's prescribed course of radiation therapy and recognize errors in computation
   • Demonstrate awareness of patterns of physical and emotional stress exhibited by patients
   • Produce and utilize immobilization and beam directional devices
   • Demonstrate knowledge of preparation of commonly used brachytherapy sources
   • Demonstrate knowledge of methods of calibration of equipment and quality assurance
   • Prepare isodose summations
   • Detect malfunctioning equipment
   • Demonstrate knowledge of rules and regulations for radiation safety and detect defects that pose a radiation hazard
   • Demonstrate knowledge of functions of equipment and accessories
   • Demonstrate knowledge of methods of patient follow-up
   • Apply wedge and compensating filters
   • Recognize patients' clinical progress, complications, and demonstrate knowledge of when to withhold treatment until a physician can be consulted
   • Interact with patients and families concerning the physical and psychological needs of patients
   • Demonstrate knowledge of record and verify systems

For more information please refer to the Radiation Therapy Student Handbook.

Following Graduation students are eligible to take the ARRT Certification Examination to become registered Radiation therapists.  For more information on the exam go to www.arrt.org/web.

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