Radiation Therapy (AS)

A Radiation Therapy associate degree program enables graduates to work as radiation therapists.  Radiation therapy uses high energy X-rays to treat diseases, primarily cancer. Using highly specialized computerized equipment, the radiation is targeted to abnormal cells while minimizing the side effects.  The Radiation Therapist is a vital member of the heath care team in the Radiation Oncology Department.  This individual is responsible for administering, monitoring, and documenting the prescribed course of treatment for the radiation oncologist.  The Radiation Therapist is involved in assessing the physical and emotional needs of the patient and making the appropriate referrals.  This unique profession combines technical and interpersonal skills and offers many career possibilities available to trained radiation therapists, including management, dosimetry, education, applications specialist, sales, and technology-related fields.

The Radiation Therapy Program is based on 20 month of full time study. This curriculum prepares students for employment as entry-level Radiation Therapist in hospitals and cancer centers. Upon successful completion of the program, students are eligible to take the American Registry of Radiologic Technologies (ARRT) board examination (Radiation Therapy).

Federal Regulation, 34 CFR 668.43-Institutional Information for Disclosure for Licensure Program requires the institution to disclose whether completion of a covered licensure program would be sufficient to meet licensure requirements in a State for that occupation. An institution can make the one or more of the following determinations:

The Radiation Therapy program at Gateway campus is accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT), 20 N.Wacker Drive, Suite 2850, Chicago, IL, 60606 and meets the state education requirements for “a recognized course of study in radiologic technology” in the state of Connecticut. In addition, an applicant for Radiographer licensure in the state of Connecticut must successfully complete the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists examination.

The Radiation Therapy program at Gateway campus has not determined if the associate degree program in Radiation Therapy meets the state education requirements in any other state, any U.S. Territory, or the District of Columbia. Program applicants should investigate each state licensure requirements prior to accepting an offer of admission to the Radiation Therapy program at Gateway campus.

The licensure boards in each state are responsible for establishing the requirements for licensure/certification for their state. Students who intend to seek licensure in any state other than Connecticut need to consult with the state professional licensing board. The state professional licensing boards make the decision on whether an individual is eligible for licensure based on the rules and regulations in place at the time the individual submits their application for licensure.

Information on the State of Connecticut Radiographer licensure requirements can be found at this link: Radiology Personnel and Equipment (ct.gov)

Admissions process for applying 2023-2024

CT State application

Program Curriculum:

The Radiation Therapy Program students meet on campus for most classes. The following program classes are offered either in a hybrid format or online: RADT 1001,1002, 2020, 2222, 2001, 2021, 2032, 2002, 2090 and RST 2000.

The structure of the curriculum is such that courses are offered in sequence and progress in complexity. It offers appropriate didactic content and ample supervised clinical education to assure sufficient opportunity to achieve all didactic and clinical requirements established by the ARRT. Clinical education takes place in hospitals and cancer centers. Students will rotate through all clinical settings during the length of the Program. The following clinical sites are: 

• Yale-New Haven Hospital-Smilow Cancer Hospital, New Haven, CT
• McGivney Center for Cancer Care at Yale-New Haven Hospital Hamden Campus, Hamden, CT
• Yale-New Haven Hospital Shoreline Medical Center Guilford, Guilford, CT
• Danbury Hospital, Danbury, CT
• Bridgeport Hospital-Norma F. Pfriem Cancer Institute Park Avenue, Trumbull, CT
• Lawrence and Memorial Hospital, Waterford, CT
• Greenwich Hospital, Greenwich, CT
• Stamford Hospital, Stamford CT

Transportation and parking are the student’s responsibility. 

The following pre-requisites must be completed with a grade of C or higher prior to the application deadline date.

1. Attendance at one program specific information session.
   2. Students must have a 2.7 GPA
   3. Complete the following prerequisite courses 
   ENG 1010 (ENG *101) – Composition (C or higher) 
   BIO 2111 (BIO*211) – Anatomy & Physiology I (C or higher taken within past five years of program start date) 
   BIO 2112 (BIO* 212) – Anatomy & Physiology II (C or higher taken within past five years of program start date, course can be in progress in the spring) 
   MAT 1610 (MAT* 186)- Precalculus (C or higher taken within past five years of program start date)

Upon acceptance into the Radiation Therapy Program, students are required to attend a mandatory course during the summer, Introduction to Patient Care for Radiologic Sciences as well as several hospital orientations; all of which are scheduled between June and July and must be completed prior to beginning the Program in the fall semester. In order to continue in the Radiation Therapy Program, the student is required to successfully complete Introduction to Patient Care for Radiologic Sciences with an overall course average of 75 or higher.

The Program is accredited by the Board of Governors for Higher Education and the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRECRT), 20 N. Wacker Drive, Suite 2850, Chicago, IL 60606-3182, (312)704-5300, www.jrcert.org; . The current award status of 8 years and the next review is in 2030.

Radiation Therapy Program Mission Statement:

The mission of the Radiation Therapy Programs is to provide a learner centered Joint Review Committee on Education on Radiologic Technology (JRCERT) accredited educational program that will render qualified and compassionate radiation therapists for the community.

Student Program Fees:

The student is responsible for all fees associated with the following Program requirements: Textbooks - $1500

• Uniforms - $200
• Toxicology Screening - $73
• Background Check - $78
• Dosimeters-$55 freshman year and $55 senior year
• Castle Branch online health management system - $35
• ASRT Membership-variable
• Transportation and associated costs – variable
• Health care immunizations and titers – variable
• BLS or CPR/AED – variable

*These fees are approximate and subject to change. If a student takes a leave of absence from the program, they will need to cover additional program fees as needed.

Radiation Therapy Program Goals and Student Learning Outcomes: 

Goal 1. Students will demonstrate effective communication.

Student Learning Outcomes

• Students will evaluate and assess daily the physiological and psychological responsiveness of each patient prior to treatment delivery utilizing effective oral communication.
• Students will evaluate and assess daily the physiological and psychological responsiveness of each patient prior to treatment delivery utilizing effective written communication. 

Goal 2. Students will demonstrate critical thinking.

Student Learning Outcomes

• Students will demonstrate the ability to evaluate and assess treatment delivery components to perform proper treatment procedures.
• Students will demonstrate the ability to assess disease specific information and outcomes of the specific cancer.

Goal 3. Students will exhibit ethical and professional behaviors appropriate for a health care professional.

Student Learning Outcomes

• Evaluate and assess treatment delivery components within a healthcare team. 
• Maintain values congruent with the professional code of ethics and scope of practice while adhering to national, institutional and/or departmental standards, policies and procedures regarding treatment delivery and patient care.

Goal 4. Students will demonstrate specific skills necessary to be competent entry level Radiation Therapy professionals.

Student Learning Outcomes

• Students will apply the principles and practices of radiation protection.
• Students will demonstrate basic simulation skills.