Radiation Therapy Schools 12 Month Certificate Program in Virginia

Radiation therapy is a rewarding field that allows you to help others feel better and go about their daily lives with less pain. The training for this career takes you through a classroom lecture and lab component over the course of 10 months, with the final two months spent in clinical rotations working alongside seasoned practitioners. In this certificate program, you will learn radiation therapy techniques from experienced technicians and educators, while also applying classroom knowledge in hands-on learning environments that include public and private hospitals and medical centers. By the end of this program, you will be fully qualified to administer radiation therapy treatments on patients with everything from abdominal and pelvic cancers.

On the internet, there is a lot of incorrect information regarding colleges; however, this article provides information about the radiation therapy schools in Virginia. 

A number of colleges are mentioned throughout the article, including radiology programs in Virginia, bachelors degree in radiation therapy, VCU radiation therapy, radiation therapy schools in TN and how to become a radiation therapist. You will also find related articles on radiation therapy schools in Virginia on Collegelearners.

Radiation Therapy Schools in Virginia

There are two Radiation Therapy Schools In 12 Month Certificate Program In Virginia that stand out from the rest. The Virginia School of Health Sciences and The Institute of Radiologic Technology In Virginia that allow you to get your certificate in a lot shorter time frame. Since the economy has been good, many people have found themselves working in professions that they did not go to school for. When people get a taste for a new career, it can be a real struggle breaking into a new field. There is a solution to the problem. There are 12 month certificate programs available in lots of different fields.

For those who are fascinated with the inner workings of the human body, there are a variety of career options in healthcare and research to consider. One of the better-paying paths may be a two- or four-year degree from a top radiation therapy school. With an average (mean) salary of $86,730 per year, radiation therapy is a relatively lucrative profession in the U.S., and the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS 2019) projects that jobs in this field will grow by nine percent between 2018 and 2028 — faster than the five percent national average projected for all occupations.

Although it is a potentially lucrative and captivating field, the educational and certification requirements are significant. Students who complete a program that qualifies them for certification through the American Registry of Radiology Technologists (ARRT) must have completed at minimum an associate’s degree in any field and an educational program in radiation therapy.

Radiation Therapy Schools 12 Month Certificate Program In Virginia

PROGRAM

Associate of Applied Science Degree

CREDIT HOURS

72

Required Courses

• SDV 100: College Success Skills – 1 credits
• ENG 111: College Composition I – 3 credits
• ENG 112: College Composition II – 3 credits
• BIO 141: Anatomy and Physiology I – 4 credits
• BIO 142: Human Anatomy and Physiology II – 4 credits
• PSY 200: Principles of Psychology or PSY 230: Developmental Psychology – 3 credits
• PHI 220: Ethics or PHI 227: Bio-Medical Ethics – 3 credits

1st Semester (Fall)

• RAD 100: Introduction to Radiology & Protection – 2 credits
• RAD 121: Radiographic Procedures – 4 credits
• RAD 125: Patient Care Procedures – 2 credits
• RAD 190: Clinical Internship – 2 credits

2nd Semester (Spring)

• RAD 111: Radiologic Science I – 4 credits
• RAD 221: Radiographic Procedures II – 4 credits
• RAD 131: Elementary Clinical Procedures I – 3 credits

3rd Semester (Summer)

• RAD 112: Radiologic Science II – 4 credits
• RAD 231: Advanced Clinical Procedures I – 4 credits
• RAD 246: Special Procedures – 2 credits

4th Semester (Fall)

• RAD 232: Advanced Clinical Procedures II – 5 credits
• RAD 256: Radiographic Film Evaluation – 3 credits
• RAD 270: Digital Image Acquisition & Display – 2 credits

5th Semester (Spring)

• RAD 205: Radiation Protection & Radiobiology – 3 credits
• RAD 240: Radiographic Pathology – 3 credits
• RAD 280: Terminal Competencies in Radiography – 1 credits
• RAD 290: Coordinated Internship – 3 credits

Admissions Requirements

In addition to admission to the College, there are specific admission requirements for this program. These requirements may change on an annual basis so students should confirm the most up-to-date information in the RAD Information booklet (see link below). Hard copies of this booklet may be found in the Admissions and Advising Center and in the Health and Life Sciences Division office. 

accelerated radiation therapy programs

The Saint Barnabas Educational Program in Radiation Therapy Technology is a 12-month, hospital-based certificate program of both didactic and clinical instruction. The curriculum closely follows the Standards for an Accredited Educational Program in Radiologic Sciences, established by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology in collaboration with the American Society of Radiologic Technologists. The program is accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology and the New Jersey Radiologic Technology Board of Examiners.

The curriculum includes:

• Orientation to Radiation Therapy
• Radiation Therapy Physics
• Mathematics
• Oncologic Pathology
• Radiobiology
• Human Structure and Function
• Clinical Radiation Oncology
• Basic Dosimetry and Treatment Planning
• Oncologic Nursing and Patient Care
• Radiation Safety and Protection
• Medical Ethics and Law
• Technical Radiation Oncology
• Quality Assurance

Program Goals & Student Learning Outcomes

Goal 1: Graduates of the program will have the knowledge and skills of a competent entry-level radiation therapist.

Student Learning Outcomes:

• Students will be able to evaluate the accuracy of the radiation therapy record.
• Students will skillfully maneuver and operate the radiation therapy equipment to precisely perform patient set-ups.
• Students will analyze and verify a radiation therapy treatment plan for completeness and accuracy

Goal 2: Graduates will possess effective communication skills in the practice of radiation therapy.

Student Learning Outcomes:

• Students’ will demonstrate effective interpersonal communication skills in the practice of radiation therapy.
• Students will exhibit proficient oral professional presentation skills in the practice of radiation therapy.

Goal 3: Graduates will use critical thinking skills and problem solving skills in the clinical setting.

Student Learning Outcomes:

• Students’ will develop a written proper course of action outlining a solution to a problem in radiation therapy delivery.
• Students will display critical thinking and problem solving skills in the clinical setting.

Goal 4: Graduates will have the appropriate professional attitudes, behaviors and ethical values of an entry level radiation therapists.

Student Learning Outcomes:

• Students will recall & summarize the appropriate attitudes and ethical values of a professional Radiation Therapist.
• Students will demonstrate compassion and empathy in their patient interactions.
• Students will exemplify the personal attributes & behaviors of a professional radiation therapist in the clinical setting.

Graduation Requirements

Students must pass all didactic courses with

• Minimum grade of 75 percent
• Clinical GPA of 3.0
• Completion of all required clinical competency examinations.

radiation therapist associate degree online Tuition

Course tuition is $7,000 payable upon acceptance. If the student withdraws before class begins, tuition will be refunded. If withdrawal is filed after classes begin, no refund will be made. The cost of textbooks is included in the tuition.

In order to become a radiation therapist, students must complete a program at an accredited school. While certificate programs were common in the past, effective January 1, 2015, the ARRT, the primary licensing body for radiation therapists, requires that candidates have completed at least an associate degree to qualify for licensure. In addition to associate of applied science (AAS) degrees, students can pursue bachelor’s of science (BS) or post-baccalaureate specializations in radiation therapy.

Following is a sampling of esteemed, accredited programs in radiation therapy:

• Virginia Western Community College (VWCC) : At VWCC, located in Roanoke, Virginia, the radiation oncology AAS degree prepares students to perform the tasks of a radiation therapist and has an impressive ARRT certification pass rate of 97 percent. In addition, VWCC reports that over 87 percent of their graduates are employed within six months of completing the two-year program. The curriculum at VWCC is considered intense and students are therefore discouraged from working while attending..
• University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill (UNC) – Named recently as one of the top 30 national universities by the U.S. News and World Report (2018), UNC, in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, has a long-established tradition of excellence in healthcare education. In order to be eligible for the UNC program, applicants must have already earned (or be in the process of earning) a minimum of an associate’s degree and must be certified in radiography prior to entering the program. The 12-month, post-baccalaureate certificate program qualifies students to sit for the ARRT’s national board certification exam in radiation therapy. This program also has an impressive post-graduation employment rate of 100 percent.
• University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) – The U.S. News and World Report named UNMC, located in Omaha, Nebraska, as one of the top 20 primary care graduate schools in the nation (2018). Students who complete the 12-month radiation therapy program can choose to earn either a BS in radiation science technology or a post-baccalaureate certificate, both of which qualify them to sit for the ARRT exam.
• University of Vermont (UV) – UV, located in Burlington, Vermont, is one of the most cost-effective radiation therapy programs at less than $16,000 annually (in-state tuition). The university’s BS degree program provides the perfect career springboard, as their average job-placement rate for the last five years sits at 100 percent. As an investment, this is one of the lowest-cost, highest-yield options when it comes to radiation therapy programs.
• Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU) – Located in one of the most beautiful parts of the country (with campuses throughout Oregon and Washington state), OHSU offers a BS in radiation therapy that boasts a 97 percent degree completion rate, a 95 percent exam pass rate, and an 87 percent job placement rate.

aRRT accredited radiation therapy programs online

There are a handful of online and hybrid radiation therapy programs that are well-respected in the healthcare community. In fact, the Joint Review Committee in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT) has a comprehensive list of these programs that can be sorted by type of degree.

While there are no accredited programs that can be completed 100 percent online due to the essentially clinical nature of radiation therapy, there are a number of required general education and radiology courses that can be completed online.

Following is a sampling of accredited, hybrid, radiation therapy programs recommended by JRCERT: 

• Gateway Community College (GCC)  – At just over $10,000 per year in out-of-state tuition costs, this is one of the most inexpensive radiation therapy AS programs available. GCC is well-known for its flexible and extensive online course options. Their radiation technician program is only 13 months long and offers a clinical radiation therapy course (RTT150) which can be completed partially online. Not only is it inexpensive and flexible, but the learning outcomes are stellar. A full 90 percent of graduates pass the national certification exam on the first try, and they have a 100 percent job placement rate upon graduation. It’s important to note that this program is only open to students who are already certified through the ARRT as medical radiographers. 
• University of Texas – At the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, radiation therapy students take a two-year BS program either in person or via distance learning. The distance learning option includes synchronous interaction between students and faculty, clinical rotations at affiliated facilities, and a brief session on campus in Houston.
• Armstrong State University – Armstrong State University of Georgia offers both a B.S. and post-baccalaureate certificate option for registered radiology technicians. In this flexible program, students’ attendance in the brick-and-mortar facilities is necessary during the first semester of didactic instruction. For the remainder of the program, students can complete much of the coursework online and set up clinical rotations at a facility near their home at their convenience.

SCHOOL	CITY	STATE	WEBSITE	GRADS (2018)
Southern Illinois University-Carbondale	Carbondale	Illinois	www.siu.edu	124
Morehead State University	Morehead	Kentucky	www.moreheadstate.edu	82
Georgia Southern University	Statesboro	Georgia	www.georgiasouthern.edu	75
Greenville Technical College	Greenville	South Carolina	www.gvltec.edu	54
University of Wisconsin-La Crosse	La Crosse	Wisconsin	www.uwlax.edu	47
Chattanooga State Community College	Chattanooga	Tennessee	www.chattanoogastate.edu	44
Clarkson College	Omaha	Nebraska	www.clarksoncollege.edu	42
Indiana University-Purdue University-Indianapolis	Indianapolis	Indiana	www.iupui.edu	38
Washburn University	Topeka	Kansas	www.washburn.edu	36
University of Oklahoma-Health Sciences Center	Oklahoma City	Oklahoma	ouhsc.edu	31
Santa Fe College	Gainesville	Florida	www.sfcollege.edu	29
University of Cincinnati-Blue Ash College	Blue Ash	Ohio	www.ucblueash.edu	25
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center	Houston	Texas	www.mdanderson.org	24
University of New Mexico-Main Campus	Albuquerque	New Mexico	www.unm.edu	20
La Roche College	Pittsburgh	Pennsylvania	www.laroche.edu	17
Southwest Tennessee Community College	Memphis	Tennessee	www.southwest.tn.edu	16
Pitt Community College	Winterville	North Carolina	www.pittcc.edu	15
Indiana University-South Bend	South Bend	Indiana	www.iusb.edu	8
Indiana University-Northwest	Gary	Indiana	www.iun.edu	7
National Park College	Hot Springs	Arkansas	www.np.edu	7
Northcentral Technical College	Wausau	Wisconsin	www.ntc.edu	2
Rutgers University-New Brunswick	New Brunswick	New Jersey	newbrunswick.rutgers.edu	2