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Radiation Therapy Technology

Curriculum Description

The Radiation Therapy Technology curriculum is designed to train students to work in conjunction with nurses, physicists, and physicians in the application of prescribed doses of ionizing radiation for the treatment of disease, primarily cancer.

Course work includes physics, anatomy and physiology, dosimetry, and clinical oncology. The student will be skilled in treatment management, administration of prescribed radiation treatment, and provision of patient support.

Graduates may be eligible to sit for the National Radiation Therapy Exam, given by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists. Employment opportunities can be found in hospitals and freestanding cancer centers.

The following represents one way in which the program of study can be completed. Students who aren’t able to follow this plan should consult their academic advisor to be sure that they take courses in the best order for their success.

Associate in Applied Science

A45680 REVISED
NC CIP: 51.0907
Day
POS Approved: Fall 2012

Fall Semester

Course Course Title Class Hours Lab/Shop Hours Clinical/WBL Hours Credit Hours
RTT 120 Rad Therapy Positioning 2 2 0 3
RTT 150 Rad Therapy Orientation 3 0 0 3
Select one:
Basic Anat & Physiology 4 2 0 5
  OR        
Anatomy and Physiology I (3) (3) (0) (4)
  AND        
Anatomy and Physiology II (3) (3) (0) (4)
  OR        
Anatomy and Physiology I (3) (3) (0) (4)
  AND        
Anatomy and Physiology II (3) (3) (0) (4)
Select one:
Interpersonal Psychology (3) (0) (0) (3)
  OR        
General Psychology 3 0 0 3
  Total: 12 4 0 14

Spring Semester

Course Course Title Class Hours Lab/Shop Hours Clinical/WBL Hours Credit Hours
ENG 111 Expository Writing 3 0 0 3
RTT 151 RTT Clinical Ed I 0 0 15 5
___ ___ Humanities/Fine Arts Elective ** ** 0 3
Select one:
Intro Interpersonal Com (3) (0) (0) (3)
  OR        
Public Speaking (3) (0) (0) (3)
  OR        
Oral Communication 3 0 0 3
  Total: 6 0 15 14

Summer Term

Course Course Title Class Hours Lab/Shop Hours Clinical/WBL Hours Credit Hours
RAD 131 Radiographic Physics I 1 3 0 2
RTT 161 RTT Clinical Ed II 0 0 9 3
Select one:
Survey of Mathematics 3 0 0 3
  OR        
College Algebra (3) (0) (0) (3)
  Total: 4 3 9 8

Fall Semester

Course Course Title Class Hours Lab/Shop Hours Clinical/WBL Hours Credit Hours
RTT 121 Special Imaging 2 0 0 2
RTT 221 Clinical Oncology I REVISED 2012 3 0 0 3
RTT 230 General RAD THRY Physics 3 0 0 3
RTT 238 RTT Clinical Ed III 0 2 15 6
  Total: 8 2 15 14

Spring Semester

Course Course Title Class Hours Lab/Shop Hours Clinical/WBL Hours Credit Hours
RTT 210 Radiobiology REVISED 2012 2 0 0 2
RTT 222 Clinical Oncology II 3 0 0 3
RTT 231 Dosimetry 3 0 0 3
RTT 239 RTT Clinical Ed IV 0 2 18 7
  Total: 8 2 18 15

Summer Term

Course Course Title Class Hours Lab/Shop Hours Clinical/WBL Hours Credit Hours
RTT 232 Rad Therapy Procedures 2 0 0 2
RTT 246 RTT Clinical Ed V 0 0 18 6
  Total: 2 0 18 8

Total Credit Hours: 73

Additional Information

Additional admissions requirements:

  1. Completion of high school or college credits in biology or algebra.
  2. Current cardiopulmonary resuscitation certification at the healthcare-provider level.
  3. Completion of program orientation requirements which may include observational hours prior to acceptance.
  4. Overall grade point average of 2.0 on those courses completed at Forsyth Tech and listed as program course requirements.
  5. Completion of Forsyth Tech Student Medical Form.

Program Information
This program has limited enrollment. Students are chosen by a selective admissions process based on previous placement test scores, previous grades from high school or college courses to include biology, written communication and algebra, and completion of any training such as certified nurse assistant I and II, health care technician, emergency medical technician, paramedic, or any one- two- three-year health technologies or nursing program. The Admissions Office can provide additional information on the selection process.

A grade of F or any withdrawal in any required science course, RAD or RTT course, or prerequisite course while enrolled in the program will result in the dismissal from the program. Readmission may be possible but requires reapplying and approval by the college. *This course is recommended for students transferring to a four-year university.

Humanities/Fine Arts Elective – Select one: ART 111, ENG 131, ENG 231, HUM 110, HUM 115, HUM 120, MUS 110, PHI 215, PHI 240 or REL 110. Consult an academic advisor concerning other possible electives.

Criminal Background Checks/Drug Screening
Clinical agencies require criminal background checks and/or drug screening for students assigned to their facility for clinical education. In addition, national and/or state registry and/or licensure boards may prohibit eligibility for registry or licensure based on criminal background records. Please refer to the Health Technologies section on www.forsythtech.edu.

**Hours will vary depending on course selection.

General Education Courses 

Written Communication:

COM 120, ENG 111, ENG 112, ENG 114

Oral Communication:

COM 231, ENG 115

Behavioral and Social Science:

PSY 118 PSY 150

Humanities and Fine Arts:

ART 111, ENG 131, ENG 231, HUM 110, HUM 115, HUM 120, MUS 110, PHI 215, PHI 240, REL 110

Mathematics:

MAT 140, MAT 161

Sciences:

BIO 163, BIO 168/169

Technology:

RTT 238, RTT 239

A45680 REVISED