Radiation Therapy (RTT)

3124 William S. White Building
Phone: (810) 762-3172
Fax: (810) 762-3003
Program Director: Julie Hollenbeck, M.Ed., R.T.(T) (ARRT)
Email: PHHS-info@umich.edu

The Bachelor of Science in Radiation Therapy is a four-year, 124-129 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 the radiation to an exact area as prescribed by a physician. In order to effectively treat patients, various types of equipment are utilized, such as high-energy linear accelerators. In addition, radiation therapists monitor the patient’s progress while they are receiving radiation therapy, observe for signs of any complications, and determine when treatment should be withheld until a physician is consulted. A radiation therapist also offers a great deal of emotional support to the cancer patient during their treatment course.

The structure of the Radiation Therapy program includes two years of general education requirements and pre-professional courses. The professional program begins in the summer semester of the junior year and continues for 22 consecutive months through the winter semester of the senior year. Didactic classes are taught on the University of Michigan-Flint campus and online. The clinical experience begins spring semester of the senior year. Seniors attend clinic on Monday-Friday from 7:00 am to 3:30 pm in the spring and summer semesters. In the fall and winter semesters, seniors attend clinic four days a week from 7:00 am to 3:30 pm. The student is required to complete one week on the early shift to learn quality assurance procedures in their clinical experience courses (RTT 400, 403, 404, 405). The student will never exceed forty hours of combined classroom and clinical time per week.

Admission to the Radiation Therapy program

University of Michigan-Flint students applying to the program can obtain application instructions on the website. The Radiation Therapy Program Director must receive completed applications, including all references by Feb 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 prerequisite courses must be successfully completed or approved by the program director. 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. Forms to apply for admission to the University are available from the Office of Undergraduate Admissions, and also online.

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, 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.

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 2850, Chicago, IL 60606-3182; telephone (312) 704-5300.

Program Mission and Assessment

The mission of the Radiation Therapy Program is to offer a relevant and respected education providing high quality clinical and didactic experiences. Building from a foundation of collaboration and evidence-based curriculum, students appreciate social and cultural diversity as well as the importance of lifelong learning and service. This rewarding radiation therapy education is a cornerstone to advancing quality compassionate cancer care. The program participates in the University-wide efforts to assess its academic programs. Information on assessment plans, including goals, methods, and outcomes is available at http://www.umflint.edu/about/assessment/.

Programs:

Radiation Therapy Program (BS)

Radiation Therapy (BS/MPH)