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Radiation Therapy Frequently Asked Questions
Radiation Therapy General Information
Thank you for your inquiry and interest in Delgado Community College and the Radiation Therapy Technology Program. The Radiation Therapy Program is a 16-month, full-time, Post-Associate* Certificate program. (SEE DEFINITION BELOW). *An associate degree is required to be eligible to apply for ARRT certification and registration.
Acceptance of applications for the Radiation Therapy program is based on the deadline set for each 16-month cohort. The program is four semesters in length and does not start at the same time each year. When one group graduates, another is admitted. Our application deadline varies because of this schedule.
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Applications Accepted from |
Deadline |
Month/Semester |
Cohort |
|
Feb 1, 2024 – October 1, 2024 |
October 1, 2024 |
Spring 2025 |
Class of 2025-26 |
If the academic requirements are met, the student will be considered for possible
entrance into the Radiation Therapy Program. Delgado Community College is an open
admissions college; however, acceptance into the Radiation Therapy Program is by selection
only. Selection is based upon the applicant’s academic records, professional recommendations,
professional observation, and a personal interview.
Delgado Community College assures equal opportunity for all qualified persons without regard to race, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status or veteran’s status in the admission to, participation in, or employment in the programs and activities of the college. The number of students selected each year for admission to this program is dependent upon the number of openings available at the program’s local affiliate hospitals. This number is limited; therefore, competition for acceptance into this program is very strong.
Post-Associate Certificate (P.A.C.)
An academic or technical offering that is earned after a student has already completed a recognized associate's degree, usually for additional professional or technical certification.
What is Radiation Therapy?
Radiation therapy is a specialty within the scope of the radiologic technology and the field of oncology that utilizes targeted doses of radiation to the patient’s body to treat cancer or other diseases. Radiation therapists are responsible for providing cancer patients with appropriate treatment and patient care throughout all stages of their illness.
What is a Radiation Therapist?
The radiation therapist is a member of the radiologic technology profession who delivers a prescribed dose of radiation to patients with cancer or other life-threatening illnesses. Applicants must be dependable, responsible, reliable, and able to abide by rules, regulations and schedules. Applicants must also be sympathetic, congenial, cordial, versatile, ambitious, and willing to work with sick and disabled persons.
Radiation therapists are highly skilled medical specialists educated in physics, radiation safety, patient anatomy and patient care. They typically see each of their patients three to five days a week throughout a four- to seven-week treatment plan. Radiographic imaging, Computed Tomography (CT), Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), and Sonography (Ultrasound) are all utilized in planning radiation therapy treatments. Accuracy and attention to detail are required.
Radiation therapy applicants are encouraged to explore the various radiologic and imaging technologies described at the American Society of Radiologic Technologists website.
What is the program like at Delgado?
The Delgado Radiation Therapy Technology Post-Associate Program provides students with formal and practical education in both the classroom and clinical settings. Students attend classes either at the Delgado City Park Campus or at one of our clinical affiliate sites. Students rotate to several clinical sites for their clinical practice courses; this provides the student with broad exposure to various types of equipment in unique practice settings. Once a student is accepted into the program, it is a 16-month full-time commitment of daytime clinical and didactic education. Drive times from each clinical site to City Park campus range from 10-50 minutes.
Academic instruction will be provided by the Delgado Community College faculty, clinical site staff and guest lecturers. The student will have access to all the college facilities such as the library, audio tutorial lab, and counseling services. The Virtual Environment Radiotherapy Training (VERT) classroom offers reference books for radiation therapy student use. Students are also encouraged to participate in all student activities and service learning projects.
During non-classroom hours, a clinical competency based program has been established for the students enrolled in the Radiation Therapy Technology program. Students will participate in VERT “labs” where clinical procedures will be demonstrated, practiced, and evaluated. The student’s proficiency and accuracy will be developed through individual instruction and be evaluated by clinical instructors. Clinical competency is documented by the clinical coordinator and/or program director.
What are the career opportunities for a Radiation Therapist?
The Radiation Therapy Technology Program prepares graduates to work in the field of Radiation Oncology. The radiation therapy profession offers opportunities to practice in a variety of settings such as hospitals, private clinics, and cancer centers. With additional education/training and certification, radiation therapists can work as Certified Medical Dosimetrists (CMD), Medical Managers/Administrators (MBA/MHA) or Medical Physicists (PhD). Opportunities also exist in the field of training and sales for major vendors of radiation therapy equipment. If you have an interest in medical dosimetry, you can go to http://www.medicaldosimetry.org/ and www.mdcb.org for more information.
How do you apply for admission to the program?
Delgado Community College is an open admissions college; however, acceptance into the Program is by selection.
An application checklist and instructions, including technical standards, can be found on the admissions page.
For transcript evaluation and advising, please contact Mrs. Bianca Davis, Building 4, Room 308, (504) 671-6203 or email bdavis@dcc.edu. For general application packet information, please contact Ms. Bree Coleman, Building 4, Room 307 at 504-671-6201 or email bcolem@dcc.edu.
The current application deadline is October 1, 2024.
Program information sessions are held routinely and registration details are published on the college events page.
Current Delgado Students
If you are a currently enrolled Delgado student, the Allied Health Admissions Office will obtain a Delgado transcript, which will become part of your application.
Applicants Who Are Not Current Delgado Students
If you are currently enrolled in college courses at a college of university other than Delgado Community College, you MUST list the courses you are currently enrolled in and have an official copy of your final grades sent to the admissions office as soon as possible. You must also complete a Delgado Community College Application.
Delgado has a policy which addresses Academic Renewal. Academic Renewal is the act of declaring void all prior credits attempted and earned. If you are interested in information regarding Academic Renewal and the procedure to initiate this process you must contact the Delgado Admissions Office at (504) 671-5000.
References
Professional references must be from individuals who have worked with, supervised, or taught the applicant, not friends or family members.
When should you apply for admission to the program?
Acceptance of applications for the Radiation Therapy program is based on the deadline set for each 16-month cohort. The program is four semesters in length and does not start at the same time each year. When one group graduates, another is admitted. Our application deadline varies because of this schedule.
To be eligible to apply for admission to the Radiation Therapy program candidates must:
- Document observation hours in radiation therapy. (minimum 40 hours recommended) If you are not a radiologic technologist, observation in radiography is also suggested.
- Be an associate degree graduate of an accredited allied health occupation program such as radiologic technology, respiratory care, etc. OR
- Have at least 60 credit hours of previous college coursework.
- All applicants must have completed the following prerequisite courses:
Prerequisite Courses (60 hours which must include the following)
- ENGL 101 English Composition I or ENGL 110 (3 credits)
- ENGL 102 English Composition II (3 credits)
- MATH 128 Applied Algebra or Higher (3 credits)and
- MATH 120 Contemporary Math or Higher (3 credits)
- BIOL 251 Human Anatomy and Physiology I (3 credits)
- BIOL 253 Human Anatomy and Physiology Lab I (1 credit)
- BIOL 252 Human Anatomy and Physiology II (3 credits)
- BIOL 254 Human Anatomy and Physiology Lab II (1 credit)
- PHYS 101 Elementary Physics (3 credits)
- PSYC 127 General Psychology (3 credits)
- HESC 111 Medical Terminology (3 credits)
- Humanities Elective (3 credits)
Applicants must possess a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0 in all college courses
What are the program costs?
Radiation Therapy students pay the same tuition and fees each term as other credit students enrolled in the college.
**Louisiana Resident Tuition and Fees (12 credits) $ 2039.52 /semester
** Non-Resident Tuition and Fees $ 4183.92 /semester
** Subject to change
The following items are approximate expenses associated with the program and an approximate time line for the expenses.
|
Uniform/shoes |
$250 |
Students must have full uniform by Orientation. Uniforms require monogramming, so please allow enough time for ordering. Estimate is for 3 uniform sets, lab coat, and shoes |
|
Textbooks |
$971 |
Semester 1 – Textbooks are approximately $547.00 Semester 2 – Textbooks are approximately $334.00 Semester 4 – Textbooks are approximately $ 90.00 |
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American Heart Association |
$40 |
Basic Life Support
|
|
Clinical Site Requirement Tracking and Clinical Documentation |
$265 |
Prior to orientation, students must complete a physical exam, drug screen, and document required immunizations for clinical rotations. Cost of health exam and titers varies. Clinical attendance and documentation is required.
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ARRT Exam Fees |
$225
|
ARRT Application for Certification in Radiation Therapy |
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LSRTBE License |
$110 |
Louisiana State Radiologic Technology Board of Examiners. Includes $10.00 temporary permit fee.
Individual State Licensure Information - varies by state:
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LSRT Membership |
$20 |
Louisiana Society of Radiologic Technologists 1 year membership
|
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ASRT Membership
|
$35 |
Student Member - American Society of Radiologic Technologists |