RADIATION THERAPY (RT)
College of Science and Health
Department of Health Professions
Program Director:
Melissa Weege
4031 Health Science Center,
608.785.8470
e-mail: rtprogram@uwlax.edu
Radiation therapists are health care professionals skilled in
the art and science of medical radiation treatment delivery. The
majority of patients receiving radiation therapy have cancer.
Along with surgery and chemotherapy, radiation therapy offers
these patients the best chance to succeed in the fight against
their disease. The major focus areas of the profession are the
care and assessment of patients, simulation, planning and
delivery of treatments utilizing linear accelerator produced
radiation and radio-isotopes. Aims of care include cure, relief
of symptoms, and improvement of patients’ quality of life. High
technology equipment and innovative treatment methods are
utilized to maximize treatment effectiveness. Radiation
therapists must have excellent technical skills, but must also
be empathetic and effective communicators. Much satisfaction is
gained from close patient interaction and the specialty’s team
approach with radiation oncologists, physicists, nurses and
other medical specialists. Radiation therapy is “technology with
a human touch.”
The major in radiation therapy provides students with an
educational foundation in the sciences and humanities as well as
clinical experience in a radiation therapy department. The
curriculum requires six semesters on campus in pre-professional
and professional core courses prior to the senior clinical
internship. The clinical internship begins in July of the senior
year, extends for 13 months and is spent at an affiliated
clinical internship site. When students have met all
requirements of the major and the university, they are eligible
for graduation and to apply to take the national certification
exam.
UW-L, in cooperation with its clinical internship sites,
currently provides the only training and baccalaureate degree
program in radiation therapy in the State of Wisconsin. The
radiation therapy program at UW-L is designed to offer a high
quality radiation therapy curriculum rich in academic and
clinical experiences. During the clinical internship, students
will work directly with registered radiation therapists in
direct patient care in busy and highly regarded radiation
oncology departments. The program also seeks to foster, in its
students, the professional development, problem solving and
leadership skills needed for current and future health care
environments.
Radiation Therapy Program Mission
The mission of the radiation therapy program at UW-L is to
educate and train radiation therapists who are knowledgeable,
technically competent and dedicated to their profession and
their patients, while meeting the educational and personal needs
of its students by emphasizing excellence in education and
offering a broad based curriculum in liberal studies,
professional courses and clinical internship. This program
additionally seeks to promote research and provide a base for
further professional development of graduates.
Radiation Therapy Major
(Science and Health) — 118 total credits including internship
I. Pre-professional requirements (44 credits): BIO 105*, 312 and 313; CHM 103*, 104; CS 101*; MTH
151**; PHY 125* or PHY 103* and 104; MTH 145*; PSY 100* or SOC
110* or SOC 120*; ECO 110* or 120*.
II. Professional core requirements (30 credits): BIO 306, 432, 433; CST 354; HP 250; PHY 386; RT 310, 320,
320, 325, 350, 390. (Satisfies SAH core requirements.)
III. Clinical internship requirements (44 credits): RT 401, 411, 412, 421, 431, 435, 437, 471, 472, 473, 474,
481.
IV.
Recommended electives: HP 106; MGT 398; PHL
339; SOC 420, 422; RT 499.
Note: Retention of good standing in the program requires that
students maintain a grade of “C” or higher in all required
courses.
*This course will also fulfill General Education
requirements. May substitute BIO 103 for BIO 105.
**Students whose math placement exam places them in MTH 207
(Calculus I) are not required to take MTH 151, but are required
to take MTH 145.
Student Admission and Application
Admission to the program is on a competitive basis. The
number of students admitted to the major is dependent on the
number of clinical internship sites and their student capacity.
Class sizes are approximately 20. Admission to the major is on a
competitive basis. Applications are available at the health
professions department office or on the program’s Web site;
www.uwlax.edu/rt.
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Students are advised to apply for admission to the professional program early in the spring prior to desired admission, after having taken or registered for the pre-professional requirements. (Deadline February 1)
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Applicants are advised to have their General Education requirements met or have registered for them by the time of application as well.
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Applicants are required to have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale and a grade of “C” or higher in all required courses.
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Applicants are required to successfully complete 40 hours of observation in a radiation therapy department. Students are encouraged to plan to visit during summer, semester and spring break times. Some sites may require that the student have had a set of immunizations prior to the visit to comply with hospital policy.
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Applicants are considered without regard to sex, race, color, creed, religion, national origin, disability, ancestry, age, sexual orientation, pregnancy, marital or parental status.
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Students for whom English is a second language must earn a minimum score of 600 (paper-based), 250 (computer-based), or 100 (Internet-based) on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or a score of 6.5 on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) exam within two years prior to application to the program.
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Applications must be submitted in full by February 1 deadline to the health professions office.
Selection process
A selection committee will be appointed to review all
completed applications, interview all qualified candidates and
make selection decisions. The committee carefully considers each
applicant, looking at academic performance, personal
characteristics and experiences that predict success in the
field.
Acceptance is effective at the beginning of the junior year
conditional upon successful completion of courses in progress at
the time of notification of acceptance. Selection is also
conditional upon students’ compliance with state laws for
caregivers including submission to a criminal background check.
Students take the professional core courses in La Crosse.
Students who successfully meet program requirements in the
professional core courses will interview with the clinical
internship sites and upon selection by one of the sites will be
placed for the clinical internship. While student preferences in
internship site are taken into account, students cannot be
guaranteed that they will be assigned in accordance with their
choices of clinical site.
Radiation Therapy Affiliated Clinical Internship Sites
— University of Wisconsin Hospital
Madison, WI
— University of Chicago Hospital
Chicago, IL
— Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital
Milwaukee, WI
— Gundersen-Lutheran Medical Center
La Crosse, WI
— Advocate Lutheran Hospital
Park Ridge, IL
The radiation therapy program incorporates a significant
amount of writing through the required courses instead of
identifying particular courses as writing emphasis courses.
Students who complete the RT major will fulfill the university
writing emphasis requirement.
RT/HP 310
Cr. 3
Pathophysiology
This course focuses on the pathophysiologic disorders that
affect healthy systems across the life span. Theories of disease
causation are introduced. Areas of emphasis include cellular and
systemic responses, clinical manifestations and the response of
tissue to radiation damage. Acquired, immune, infectious,
carcinogenic and genetic alterations in body systems are
included. Prerequisite: Students must be accepted into the
Radiation Therapy program prior to registration for course.
(Cross-listed with HP; may only earn credits in RT or HP).
Offered Fall.
RT/HED
320 Cr. 3
The U.S. Health Care System
This course provides an overview and a developmental summary
of the U.S. health care system and its driving forces and offers
comparisons to other national health systems. Content includes
major elements of the health care system and a consideration of
today’s major health policy issues in a historical, economic,
and political context. The course also will explore current
issues confronting the health care system, raise important
concerns and questions related to the different approaches to
health care delivery, and identify key ethical issues.
Prerequisite: HED 205 or RT 325, or concurrent enrollment.
(Cross-listed with HED; may only earn credit in RT or HED.)
Offered Spring.
RT 325
Cr. 2
Radiation Therapy Readings, Writing, and Research
This course introduces radiation therapy students to the
language of radiation therapy and professional issues in the
field by the use of selected readings. The Radiation Therapy
Writing in the Major program will be introduced along with the
types of writing practiced in the field. Students will learn
basic research techniques and begin to apply them to their
professional education. This course is designed to be taken
concurrently with RT 310. Prerequisites: acceptance into
Radiation Therapy programs; ENG 110 or 112, MTH 145. Offered
Fall.
RT 350
Cr. 3
Patient Care Issues
This course, taught in modules, will prepare students to work
directly with patients in a health care setting. It will cover
such topics as: basic concepts of patient care, assessment,
examination and monitoring of patients, body mechanics and
patient handling skills, infection control, management of
medical emergencies and CPR, nutritional counseling, patient
education, pharmacology and legal aspects of health care.
Prerequisites: BIO 312 and 313; RT 310 and 325. While designed
for radiation therapy majors, other allied health students may
benefit from the course. Offered Spring.
RT 390
Cr. 3
Medical Imaging
This course will serve as a “lab” for the Radiation Physics
Course (PHY 386) taught in the previous semester. After learning
about the production and measurement of x-rays for diagnosis and
treatment, students will focus on imaging aspects. Study of the
equipment used to produce x-rays will lead to discussion of
machine settings and technical factors involved in producing
good quality radiographs. Students will learn about film types,
characteristics and development as well as other related
equipment. Lab time will be provided in which students will
learn by discovery and develop competency through practice.
Lect. 2, Lab. 2. Prerequisites: PHY 386 and admission to
radiation therapy major. Offered Spring.
RT 401
Cr. 3
Introduction to Radiation Therapy
This course, the first in the clinical internship, will
provide the student with an overview of the profession of
radiation therapy and its role in health care delivery and
cancer management. Students will be oriented to the academic and
administrative format of the internship site as well as safety
practices of the hospital and radiation therapy department. The
radiation therapy process will be identified and discussed along
with critical steps in treatment procedures. Students will be
prepared for working with patients by learning about charting
and documentation as well as appropriate patient/therapist
interactions. Prerequisites: RT 310 and 350; acceptance in the
major; assignment to a clinical internship site. Offered Summer.
RT 411
Cr. 4
Principles and Practice of Radiation Therapy I
This course, taught during the clinical internship year,
addresses the concepts of cancer treatment, focusing primarily
on radiation therapy. Methods of improving therapeutic advantage
are investigated. Students learn safe and effective use of
equipment and accessories along with the rationale for their
clinical application. Technical aspects of treatment simulation
and delivery are developed. Treatment related side effects and
their management and special patient situations are addressed.
Prerequisites: RT 310, 350, 401 and 471; acceptance in the
major; placement in clinical internship site. Offered Fall.
RT 412
Cr. 4
Principles and Practice of Radiation Therapy II
This course, taught during the clinical internship, advances
the student’s knowledge of neoplastic disease management.
Cancers and some benign conditions of various body sites are
discussed in relation to natural history, treatment and
prognosis. Technical aspects related to radiation planning and
delivery are closely investigated as well as pertinent
anatomical considerations, combination therapy, treatment
results and the therapist’s role in disease management. Lect. 3,
Lab. 2. Prerequisites: RT 411, 421 and 472; acceptance in the
major; assignment to clinical internship site. Offered Spring.
RT 421
Cr. 3
Cross-Sectional, Topographic and Radiographic Anatomy
This course, taught during the clinical internship, revisits
anatomy specifically from an imaging perspective. Students will
learn to identify structures and pathology on x-rays, CT and MRI
scans and locate topographic landmarks on diagnostic and
simulation films. Prerequisites: BIO 313; RT 390 and 401;
acceptance in the major; assignment to clinical internship site.
Offered Fall.
RT 431
Cr. 3
Radiation Therapy Physics
This course, taught during the clinical internship, expands
the student’s understanding of physics related to radiation
therapy. Topics include the components and operation of linear
accelerators and other treatment machines, brachytherapy,
specification and modification of beam quality and
characteristics, measurement of absorbed dose, treatment machine
calibration, beam geometry and treatment with particles.
Prerequisites: PHY 386; RT 401; acceptance in the major;
assignment to a clinical internship site. Offered Fall.
RT 435
Cr. 3
Dosimetry and Treatment Planning
This course, taught during the clinical internship, focuses
on the characteristics, measurement and manipulation of
radiation dose delivery in treatment. This involves advanced
concepts of methods of altering dose to optimize the
effectiveness of the radiation treatment. Treatment planning for
a variety of tumor sites and situations is discussed.
Prerequisites: RT 411, 421 and 431; acceptance in the major;
assignment to clinical internship site. Offered Spring.
RT 437
Cr. 2
Quality Management in Radiation Therapy
This course, taught during the clinical internship, focuses
on the purpose and techniques of quality management in a
radiation oncology program. The importance of documentation,
consistent application of specified protocols and assessment of
outcomes are addressed. The responsibilities of the radiation
therapist within the radiation oncology team for quality
functions are highlighted. Prerequisites: RT 411 and 431;
acceptance in the major; assignment to clinical internship site.
Offered Spring.
RT 471
Cr. 3
Clinical Practicum I
This course, offered the first summer session of the clinical
internship, will orient students to the clinical operation of
the internship site. Students will observe staff operations in
the radiation therapy clinic, simulation, treatment planning,
and treatment delivery areas. Prerequisites: RT 310, 350 and
390; acceptance in the major; assignment to a clinical
internship site. Offered Summer.
RT 472
Cr. 6
Clinical Practicum II
This course, offered fall semester of the clinical
internship, will progress students’ clinical skills from
observation in simulation, treatment planning and treatment
delivery to the point of participation and development of basic
competencies. Prerequisites: RT 401 and 471; acceptance in the
major; assignment to a clinical internship site. Offered Fall.
RT 473
Cr. 6
Clinical Practicum III
This course, offered spring semester of the clinical
internship, will offer students the opportunity to continue the
process of developing competence and confidence in the areas of
simulation, treatment planning and treatment delivery. They will
demonstrate competence in intermediate and some advanced
procedures. Students will also be given opportunity to work in
dosimetry. Prerequisites: RT 411, 421, 431, and 472; acceptance
in the major; assignment to a clinical internship site. Offered
Spring.
RT 474
Cr. 4
Clinical Practicum IV
This course, offered during the final summer session of the
clinical internship, will complete the students’ clinical
education experience. By the end of this course, students will
have developed proficiency and confidence in areas of
simulation, treatment planning and treatment delivery. They will
complete all required competencies. Opportunities to broaden the
experience and work with different equipment, techniques and
advanced procedures will be offered. Prerequisites: RT 412, 435,
437, and 473; acceptance in the major; assignment to a clinical
internship site. Offered Summer.
RT 481
Cr. 3
Seminar in Radiation Therapy
The course, offered during the clinical internship, is a
capstone course in which students present patient case
information, discuss application of radiation science theory,
review and critique journal articles and prepare for the
national certification exam. Prerequisites: RT 412, 435 and 437;
acceptance in the major; assignment to clinical internship site.
Offered Summer.
RT 499
Cr. 1-3
Independent Study in Radiation Therapy
Independent study in radiation therapy may include individual
readings and writing, projects, or research under the direction
of a radiation therapy instructor. Prerequisites: Admission by
consent of the instructor and the radiation therapy program
director. Repeatable for credit — maximum six. Offered
occasionally.