Master of Radiation Therapy

About the Program

UT Southwestern’s Master of Radiation Therapy Program provides world-class training that prepares students for a career in high-tech cancer treatment through classroom instruction and clinical rotations.

The Master of Radiation Therapy Program is a full-time program that includes six semesters of intensive study on the campus of UT Southwestern.

After completing the program successfully, graduates have the skills and experience to:

• Simulate patients for treatment
• Administer treatment to adult and pediatric patients
• Provide high-quality patient care
• Perform dosimetry calculations
• Fabricate beam modification devices
• Manage treatment records electronically
• Observe brachytherapy procedures
• Perform total body irradiation with electrons and photons
• Use various image-guided modalities

You’ll also gain experience with key treatment technologies, including:

• Stereotactic treatment with the Gamma Knife, CyberKnife, Varian Trilogy, ElektaSynergy, and BrainLAB Vero
• Active breathing coordinator
• 4D CT with bellows

At the end of 24 months, successful students are qualified to apply to sit for the national registry examination in radiation therapy, administered by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists.

UT Southwestern Difference

As you review potential radiation therapy programs, keep these UT Southwestern advantages in mind:

• Our program combines academic and clinical experiences for a comprehensive, well-rounded education.
• Our location on a large medical center campus offers outstanding opportunities within world-class facilities.
• Our rich clinical environment exposes you to the latest treatment techniques and technologies.
• The small size of our classes gives each student a high level of individualized attention.
• Our faculty is committed to excellence in the classroom and in the clinical environment.
• Our tuition and fee rates are among the most reasonable in the country.
• We’re located near the heart of Dallas, a thriving center for health care, business, education, and the arts.
• As a radiation therapy professional, you’ll harness one of the most powerful forces in nature in the fight against cancer. The opportunities in this exciting and rewarding field are exceptional. As a UT Southwestern graduate, you’ll have the knowledge, skill, and experience to build a rewarding long-term career.

Program Objectives

The Master of Radiation Therapy Program offers a didactic and clinical education to prepare graduates for a career in radiation therapy. Enrolled students gain experience in all major areas of radiation therapy practice, including treatment delivery, medical dosimetry, simulation, and patient care.

Our Mission

The mission of the Radiation Therapy Program is to provide the highest quality of education to radiation therapy students through formal didactic, simulated laboratories, and meaningful clinical experiences that prepare students to deliver evidence-based patient care and treatments in all aspects of radiation therapy. The program will also encourage professional growth and research to advance radiation therapy practice.

Goals and Learning Outcomes

The program’s goals ensure that students will be clinically competent, critical thinkers, effective communicators, and demonstrate professionalism.

• Goal: Students will perform as competent, entry level radiation therapists.

  Learning Outcome – Students will:

  • Demonstrate accuracy, consistency, and efficiency while performing patient setups
  • Examine a range of patient information
  • Design individualized care for patients
• Goal: Students will develop critical thinking skills.

  Learning Outcome – Students will:

  • Synthesize didactic and clinical information in clinical case studies
  • Recognize discrepancies in treatment
  • Develop effective solutions that can be applied to clinical situations
• Goal: Students will communicate effectively with patients and the oncology health care team.

  Learning Outcome – Students will:

  • Communicate consistently with patients
  • Demonstrate written communication skills
  • Demonstrate oral presentation skills
• Goal: Students will demonstrate professionalism during the program.

  Learning Outcome – Students will:

  • Model professional behaviors
  • Assume responsibility for their actions
  • Maintain HIPAA standards

Program Effectiveness Data

Accreditation

To ensure that graduates are eligible for national certification, the Master of Radiation Therapy has earned accreditation from the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology. If you have a question about accreditation, please contact the JRCERT directly.

Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology
20 North Wacker Drive, Suite 2850
Chicago, Illinois 60606-3182
Phone: 312-704-5300
Fax: 312-704-5304

Graduates of our program are eligible to apply to take the national registry examination in radiation therapy administered by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists. Many states require radiation therapists to be licensed, and most employers require initial certification and annual registration.