Curriculum

Below are examples of how a student may complete the program curriculum in 24 months. These schedules are subject to change. Curriculum plan last revised 5/1/2024.

Junior Summer - B Term
RDTT 305 Medical Terminology 3 credits
RDTT 310 Introduction to Radiation Therapy I 3 credits
Junior Fall
RDTT 303 Practical Radiation Therapy 0.5 credit
RDTT 309 Clinic/Junior Year 4 credits
RDTT 311 Introduction to Radiation Therapy II 3 credits
RDTT 320 Basic Patient Care Skills in Radiation Therapy 3 credits
RDTT 332 Pathophysiological Processes I 3 credits
IPE 401 Foundations of Patient Safety and Interprofessional Practice 0.25 credit
Junior Winter
ANAT 444 Anatomy for Radiation Therapists 3 credits
RDTT 309 Clinic/Junior Year 4 credits
RDTT 313* Radiographic Technique 3 credits
RDTT 321 Patient Care in Radiation Oncology 3 credits
RDTT 333 Pathophysiological Processes II 3 credits
IPE 401 Foundations of Patient Safety and Interprofessional Practice 0.25 credit
Junior Spring
RDTT 303 Practical Radiation Therapy 0.5 credit
RDTT 309 Clinic/Junior Year 4 credits
RDTT 314 Simulation 3 credits
RDTT 316 Sectional Anatomy and Imaging Modalities 2 credits
RDTT 400 Introduction to Medical Research Methods 2 credits
RDTT 340 Radiobiology 3 credits
IPE 401 Foundations of Patient Safety and Interprofessional Practice 0.5 credit
Junior / Senior Summer - A Term / B Term
RDTT 309 Clinic/Junior Year 7 credits
RDTT 328 Quality Improvement and Change Management 2 credits
CONJ 311 Diverse Patient Populations 2 credits
CONJ 412 Medical Law 2 credits

Senior Fall
RDTT 403 Practical Radiation Therapy 0.5 credit
RDTT 405A Radiation Oncology I 3 credits
RDTT 409 Clinic/Senior Year 6 credits
RDTT 411 Dosimetry I 2 credits
RDTT 430 Radiation Therapy Physics II 4 credits
RDTT 450 Independent Research, Patient Education I 1 credit
Senior Winter
RDTT 405B Radiation Oncology II 3 credits
RDTT 409 Clinic/Senior Year 6 credits
RDTT 412 Dosimetry II 2 credits
RDTT 431 Radiation Therapy Physics III 4 credits
RDTT 451 Independent Research, Patient Education II 1 credit
Senior Spring
RDTT 403 Practical Radiation Therapy 0.5 credit
RDTT 405C Radiation Oncology III 3 credits
RDTT 409 Clinic/Senior Year 6 credits
RDTT 413 Dosimetry III 2 credits
RDTT 432 Radiation Therapy Physics IV 4 credits
RDTT 452 Independent Research, Patient Education III 1 credit
Senior Summer - A Term
RDTT 407* Radiation Therapy Registry Review 3 credits
RDTT 409 Clinic/Senior Year 4 credits
RDTT 453 Patient Education Capstone 2 credits

ANAT 444: Anatomy for Radiation Therapists – 3 credits

CONJ 311: Diverse Patient Populations – 2 credits

Basic geriatric foundation needed for clinical practice with older adults including: sensory changes, mental health, health promotion and disease prevention, functional assessment, social supports, common health problems/disease, interdisciplinary team approach.

CONJ 412: Medical Law – 2 credits

Fundamental elements of Medical Law and its implications in the radiologic sciences along with discussion of the legal ramifications of the "Scope of Practice" for radiation therapists. A broad overview of the sources of law, the litigation process and the legal concept of standard of care are covered as they relate to radiation therapy.

IPE 401: Foundations of Patient Safety and Interprofessional Practice - 1 credit

RDTT 303: Practical Radiation Therapy – 1 credit

RDTT 305: Medical Terminology – 3 credits

Basic structure of medical words including prefixes, suffixes, roots, and combining forms are used to establish a foundation in the language of health care. Correct spelling, pronunciation, and meaning of terms are stressed.

RDTT 309: Clinic/Junior Year – total 16 credits

Clinical education in an affiliated radiation therapy department under the supervision of a registered radiation therapist. Includes application of equipment manipulation and operation, patient care, patient positioning, and radiation protection. Requires clinical objectives, evaluations, patient logs, clinic/didactic journal and attendance. 

RDTT 310: Introduction to Radiation Therapy I – 3 credits

Introduction to the profession of radiation therapy, the radiation oncology team, basic treatment skills and team/patient communication concepts. Clinical safety training includes; environmental, infection control, radiation safety, MRI safety and BLS certification. This pre-clinical course incorporates lectures, virtual simulation and clinical experiences to prepare students for clinical placements.

RDTT 311: Introduction to Radiation Therapy II – 3 credits

Introduces the health care team and various aspects of the radiation therapy field. Includes concepts of surgical, radiation, and medical oncology along with immunotherapy, credentialing, accreditation, professional organizations, hospital organization, and billing and insurance information. Class also includes clinical education in an affiliated radiation therapy department under the supervision of a registered radiation therapist.  

*RDTT 313: Radiographic Technique – 3 credits 

Introduces theory and practical application of film/screen composition, care and use, sensitometry, latent image formation and development, automatic film processing, subtractive/duplication of radiologic image and quality assurance. *RDTT 313 is waived for students with a prior degree in a relevant radiologic science. Students who qualify for the waiver will be notified at the time of matriculation and will not be required to register for the course.

RDTT 314: Simulation – 3 credits 

Course is designed to provide knowledge base for assessing, comparing, and recommending the type of radiation therapy equipment, procedure and technique, patient positioning and immobilization for appropriate tumor localization and treatment delivery. The responsibilities of the radiation therapist with regards to the treatment prescription, documentation of treatment parameters and delivery, and patient condition and education will be examined. Class activity includes laboratory experience using a treatment simulator.

RDTT 316: Sectional Anatomy and Imaging Modalities - 2 credits 

Sectional anatomy content introduces students to medical imaging methods currently used in the field of radiation therapy. Students will identify normal anatomical structures via a variety of imaging formats. Basic anatomical relationships will be compared using topographical and cross sectional images. The course will present the principles diagnostic imaging procedures and the physical principles of image formation in each modality.

RDTT 320: Basic Patient Care Skills in Radiation Therapy – 3 credits

Introduction to the basic principles of infection control, asepsis, proper body mechanics, and the application of vital signs. Issues discussed include how ethics are applicable to practice, concept of health promotion, and communication within the context of health care.

RDTT 321: Patient Care in Radiation Oncology – 3 credits 

Concepts of oncologic patient care, procedures, related toxicity's, and patient management as they relate in the radiation therapy setting. Evaluation of the multi-disciplinary treatment approach to care for the radiation therapy patient. Skills in venipuncture technique and equipment are taught.

RDTT 328: Quality Improvement and Change Management - 2 credits

RDTT 332: Pathophysiological Processes I – 3 credits 

This course introduces pathophysiological processes that contribute to many different disease states across the lifespan and human responses to those processes. It includes the foundational concepts of cellular adaptation, injury and death; inflammation and tissue healing; fluid and electrolyte imbalances; and physiologic response to stressors and pain, as well as additional pathophysiological processes. Students will learn to make selective clinical decisions in the context of nursing regarding using current, reliable sources of pathophysiology information, selecting and interpreting focused nursing assessments based on knowledge of pathophysiological processes, teaching persons from diverse populations regarding pathophysiological processes and communicating with other health professionals regarding pathophysiological processes.

RDTT 333: Pathophysiological Processes II – 3 credits 

This sequel to Pathophysiological Processes I continues to explore pathophysiological processes that contribute to disease states across the lifespan and human responses to those processes. Students will learn to make selected clinical decisions in the context of nursing regarding using current, reliable sources of pathophysiology information, selecting and interpreting focused nursing assessments based on knowledge of pathophysiological processes, teaching persons from diverse populations regarding pathophysiological processes and communicating with other health professionals regarding pathophysiological processes. The course addresses additional pathophysiological processes not contained in Pathophysiological Processes I.

RDTT 340: Radiobiology – 3 credits

Biological effects of ionizing radiation at the molecular, cellular, and organismal levels with emphasis on vertebrates; both acute and chronic radiation effects are considered.

RDTT 400: Introduction to Medical Research Methods - 2 credits 

This course will provide an opportunity for participants to establish or advance their understanding of research through critical exploration of research language, ethics, and approaches. The course introduces the language of research, ethical principles and challenges, and the elements of the research process within quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods approaches. Participants will use these theoretical underpinnings to begin to critically review literature relevant to their field or interests and determine how research findings are useful in forming their understanding of their work, social, local and global environment.

RDTT 403: Practical Radiation Therapy – 1 credit

RDTT 405: Radiation Oncology I, II, III – total 9 credits 

This course includes the fundamentals of clinical radiation oncology in regards to treatment methods and patient management. Given a specific tumor, an evaluation process will be done that includes: etiology, epidemiology, clinical detection, diagnostic procedures, pathology, anatomy, mechanisms of spread, general treatment methods, radiation oncology treatment plans, side effects/patient care and prognosis of disease.

*RDTT 407: Radiation Therapy Registry Review – 3 credits (*course delivered remotely)

This course provides a review of basic radiation therapy concepts and critical topics, including oncology, radiation protection, radiobiology, patient care, physics concepts, and radiation oncology treatment techniques, as preparation for the national board exams (ARRT). Preparation includes webinars, guest lectures, and board review sessions. The student will demonstrate a working knowledge of radiation therapy principles and readiness through mock examinations, discussions and individual assessments. 

RDTT 409: Clinic/Senior Year – total 22 credits 

Clinical education in an affiliated radiation therapy department under the supervision of a registered radiation therapist. Includes application of equipment manipulation and operation, patient care, patient positioning, and radiation protection. Requires clinical objectives, evaluations, patient logs, clinic/didactic journal and attendance.

RDTT 411: Dosimetry I – 2 credits

Introduction to the basic concepts of clinical dosimetry and treatment planning. Course includes methods of dose calculations and patient contouring, dose definitions, and isodose summations. Treatment planning in the computer lab will accompany lecture material.

RDTT 412: Dosimetry II – 2 credits 

This class builds on the concepts introduced in RDTT 411. The course will examine specific techniques of calculation used in the clinical environment and will develop a rationale for the basic calculation techniques. Treatment planning in the computer lab will accompany lecture material.

RDTT 413: Dosimetry III – 2 credits

Course will cover evaluation and interpretation of treatment planning information. Treatment planning will be covered using specific anatomical sites. Treatment planning in the computer lab will accompany lecture material.

RDTT 430: Radiation Therapy Physics II – 4 credits 

Introduction to basic concepts of radiation therapy physics. Course includes measurement of ionizing radiation, calibration of megavoltage x‑ray and electron beams, dosimetry of radiation fields, manual treatment planning processes.

RDTT 431: Radiation Therapy Physics III – 4 credits

Introduction to basic concepts of radiation therapy physics. Course includes computer treatment planning, computer systems, brachytherapy sources and treatment planning.

RDTT 432: Radiation Therapy Physics IV – 4 credits 

Introduction to basic concepts of radiation therapy physics. Course includes quality assurance for radiation therapy, radiation protection, radiation therapy applications of diagnostic imaging, and special topics.

RDTT 450: Independent Research, Patient Education I – 1 credit

RDTT 451: Independent Research, Patient Education II – 1 credit 

RDTT 452: Independent Research, Patient Education III – 1 credit 

RDTT 453: Patient Education Capstone – 2 credits

Clinical Schedule

Below are sample clinic schedules. Junior students attend clinic two days per week on Mondays and Wednesdays. Senior students attend clinic three days per week, on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. Didactic courses take place on non-clinic weekdays. 

Sample clinic schedule for radiation therapy students

Students may be placed in one of our rural clinical affiliate locations during summer term. Click here for a list of our JRCERT clinical affiliates. 

RT students presenting capstone research