Overview
careers
Radiation Therapist
The Radiation Therapy program utilizes didactic, laboratory, and clinical education to prepare students to work as Radiation Therapists in cancer treatment centers and hospitals. Radiation Therapists work under the direction of a radiation oncologist to treat patients with malignant diseases using ionizing radiation. Radiation therapists practice appropriate patient care, apply problem-solving and critical thinking skills, administer treatment protocols, and maintain patient records. The program uses a combination of technical and general education courses to emphasize decision-making and critical thinking skills based upon a solid clinical foundation. Students will spend two semesters in a radiation therapy facility completing their clinical experience. This requires students to relocate at their own expense to the community where the assigned facility is located. Students will also complete online courses during their clinical semesters.
The program consists of three consecutive semesters (46.5 credit hours); the first semester is completed at the Mitchell Tech campus and the second and third semesters are completed at clinical sites. Students are also required to meet Mitchell Tech’s general education requirements, as well as prerequisite courses such as physiology, anatomy, physics, and college algebra.
In addition to the prerequisite courses, the only students accepted into the program must be ARRT registered or registry-eligible radiographers. Mitchell Tech’s registrar works with the admissions counselor and the program director to evaluate transcripts to ensure that enrolling students meet the prerequisite requirements. Qualified applicants who meet the admission requirements will be accepted into the program on a first come, first served basis.
Check out the Program Student Handbook HERE.
Curriculum
Award: AAS Degree
First Semester
Second Semester
Third Semester
Requirements
Admission Requirements
Applicants to the program must be an ARRT registered Radiologic Technologist or registry eligible. Contact the Admissions Office for information about the annual application deadline.
- For more information on applying for the Radiation Therapy program, click here.
- All qualified applicants who meet admissions criteria will be accepted to the program on a first come, first serve basis.
- See the Program Director or Registrar for a transcript evaluation.
Academic Requirements
Students must complete all technical courses with a minimum grade of C (2.0) in order to become registry-eligible. Students who do not achieve a C (2.0) grade will be prevented from enrolling in the subsequent semester due to prerequisite requirements.
Drug/Alcohol Screening & Immunization Requirements
Some additional requirements (including, but not limited to, drug screening and immunizations) may have to be met before entrance to certain clinical sites.
Graduation Requirements
The student must complete all technical courses with a minimum grade of “C” in order to graduate and be Registry eligible. Students who do not complete a course with a “C” minimum will be prevented from enrolling in the subsequent semester due to pre-requisite requirements. Students must meet all of MTC’s general education requirements in order to receive an AAS degree.
Computer Requirements
This program allows you to bring your own laptop as long as it meets these minimum specifications:
Processor – Intel Core i Series (i3, i5, i7) or AMD Ryzen
Operating System – Windows 10
Webcam Recommended
Memory – 4 GB or more
Internal Storage – 64 GB or more
Microsoft Office is available at no charge as long as enrolled at Mitchell Tech
NO APPLE/MAC COMPUTERS
Next Steps For Accepted Students
Once you have been formally accepted into the Radiation Therapy program, you will be required to perform several tasks:
- Submission of your immunization record with documentation of all required immunizations (at your expense)
- Complete a criminal background check (at your expense)
- Undergo a student physical (at your expense)
- Complete required documents provided to you by program director
Licensure Disclosure
Upon completion of the program, graduates will be eligible to apply for the ARRT certification and registration in Radiation Therapy (T). This ARRT certification is recognized in 49 states and will allow graduates to pursue state licensure if required in their state.
Licensure is not required in the following states: Alabama, District of Columbia, Missouri, Nevada, North Carolina, South Dakota.
Mitchell Technical College has determined that our program’s curriculum meets the educational requirements for licensure in the following states: Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming.
Mitchell Technical College has made no determination that our program’s curriculum meets the educational requirements for licensure in the following states: American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands.
Mitchell Technical College encourages prospective students to visit the ARRT website (https://www.arrt.org/about-the-profession/state-licensing) for further information regarding state licensure. You may also contact the Vice-President for Enrollment Services, Clayton Deuter, at 605.995.7132 for questions regarding licensure.
Outcomes
Goals & Student Learning Outcomes
Goal 1: Students will demonstrate competency in the clinical setting.
- Students demonstrate competency in simulation.
- Students demonstrate competency in treatment delivery.
- Students demonstrate principles of radiation protection.
Goal 2: Students will think critically.
- Students demonstrate good judgment and decision-making.
- Students recognize discrepancies and develop solutions to clinical situations.
Goal 3: Students will communicate effectively.
- Students demonstrate effective written communication skills.
- Students demonstrate effective oral communication skills
Goal 4: Students will demonstrate professional attitudes, behaviors, growth and ethics.
- Students conduct themselves in an ethical and professional manner.
- Students work effectively with supervisory personnel.
Goal 5: The graduates will become registered radiation therapists employed in their field.
- Graduates will pass the ARRT exam.
- Graduates will perform as entry level therapists.
- Graduates seeking employment will find employment within 12 months of graduation.
- Students will complete the program.
Mission
The mission of Mitchell Technical College is to provide skills for success in technical careers. It is the mission of the Mitchell Tech Radiation Therapy program to develop and educate competent, compassionate, and professional entry-level radiation therapists through a strong commitment to didactic, clinical and professional education.
Check out our most recent Program Effectiveness Data and Annual Program Review.
Assessment Plan
Program faculty annually assess student achievement data to assure student learning goals are met and to guide program improvements.
Accreditation
The Mitchell Tech Radiation Therapy program, offered for the AAS degree, is accredited by:
The Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology
20 North Wacker Drive, Suite 2850
Chicago, IL 60606-3182
(312) 704-5300
[email protected]
Current length of accreditation: 8 years
Next scheduled review: 2031
General program accreditation information and the current accreditation award letter can be found here: Status of Accreditation
Cost
Other Required Costs
Books / Tools (estimated) $589
Scholarships
Mitchell Tech offers a variety of scholarships to qualified applicants. The application period runs from October 1 through November 1 for current students and January 1 through March 31 for incoming students.
Other Related Programs
If you’re interested in Radiation Therapy, you might also be interested in these other health science programs at Mitchell Tech.
Social Services
Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN)
Medical Assistant
Medical Laboratory Technology
Medical Office Professional
Radiologic Technology
Registered Nursing (LPN to RN)
