Radiation Therapy Program, AS

Program Description

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

Learning Outcomes

1. Graduates will pass the American Registry of Radiologic Technology (ARRT) exam on the first attempt and score at or above the national average.
2. Graduates will obtain employment in radiation therapy.
3. The program will provide competent graduates for the community.
4. Students will be satisfied with didactic course instruction.
5. Students will be satisfied with clinical instruction.
6. Students will demonstrate critical thinking.
7. Students will demonstrate effective communication skills.
8. Students will exhibit ethical and professional behaviors appropriate for a health care professional.
9. Students will demonstrate specific skills necessary to be competent entry level Radiation Therapy Professionals.

The 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 health care team in the Radiation Oncology Department. This individual is responsible for administering, monitoring, and documenting the prescribed course of treatment from the radiation oncologist.

The Radiation Therapist is involved in assessing the physical and emotional needs of the patients 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 at CT State Gateway is accredited through the:

Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT)
20 North Wacker Drive, Suite 2850
Chicago, IL 60606-3182
Phone: (312) 704-5300
Fax: (312) 704-5304
Website: https://www.jrcert.org/
Email: mail@jcert.org
Program Website: ctstate.edu/programs/radiation-therapy

Graduation Criteria

All program students must complete the following to receive an associate degree from the program. See the student handbook for complete details.

• Complete all didactic curricula with a final grade of C or better.
• Complete all clinical curricula with a final grade of C or better.
• Complete all competency exams with a final grade of 100%.
• Maintain all hospital and program standards as outlined in the program handbook.

Graduates of the program are eligible to take the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) national certification examination.

Clinical Curriculum

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.

Gateway Campus Clinical instruction will take place at the following sites:

• Yale-New Haven Hospital Smilow Cancer Hospital, New Haven, CT
• McGivney 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, Trumbull, CT
• Lawrence and Memorial Hospital, Waterford, CT
• Greenwich Hospital, Greenwich, CT
• Stamford Hospital, Stamford, CT

Note: Students are responsible for their own transportation to and from class and clinical assignments.

Due to standards from The Joint Commission, students are advised that the healthcare facilities to which they are assigned for clinical rotations may require that they submit a criminal background check, required immunization records and other documentation needed to meet the standards. CT State Community College cannot be responsible for finding an alternate clinical placement for a student who fails to meet the required hospital requirements. A student who is unable to complete the required clinical experience will be unable to complete the requirements for the associate degree in Radiation Therapy but may be able to apply some or all of the credits completed to an associate degree in General Studies. Students are advised to meet with a Counselor to discuss degree completion requirements.

Admission Requirements

The Radiation Therapy programs at the CT State Community College are selective admission programs.

Admissions Procedure:

1. All students must first apply to CT State Community College.
2. Unless waived, all applicants must take placement tests in reading, English, and mathematics.
3. Attendance at one program specific information session.
4. Students must have a 2.7 GPA
5. Complete the following prerequisite courses
   • ENG 1010 Composition (C or higher)
   • BIO 2111 Anatomy and Physiology I (C or higher taken within past five years of program start date) 
     Note that enrollment in BIO 2111 Anatomy and Physiology I may require completion of pre-requisite science courses
   • BIO 2112 Anatomy and Physiology II (C or higher taken within past five years of program start date)
   • MATH 1610 Precalculus (C or higher taken within past five years of program start date)
6. Submit official copies of all transcripts.
7. Participate in an interview.

Detailed information regarding selective admission events and deadlines is available on the CT State Selective Admissions Webpage.

Accepted Gateway Campus Radiation Therapy students must successfully complete RST 1000 Introduction to Patient Care for Radiologic Sciences and RST 1000L Introduction to Patient Care for Radiologic Sciences Lab during the summer of their acceptance year. Additional information will be provided during Accepted Student Orientation.

Students in this program are responsible for expenses including but not limited to uniforms, physical examinations and blood work, travel to clinical sites, parking, meals, CPR training, background check and toxicology screening, dosimeters, textbooks, liability insurance, Trajecsys and Castle Branch. Specific information about these costs is available on the Radiation Therapy webpage and in the Radiation Therapy Program Student Handbook. Financial aid information is available through the College Financial Aid office.

Degree Requirements

Total Program Credits: 76 (Pre-program Credits: 11)