Radiation Therapy Program Information

The Radiation Therapy program is administered through the School of Applied Studies, Department of Allied Health.  The program curriculum at Washburn is an accredited, one calendar year certificate of completion program.  Upon successful completion of the program, graduates are registry eligible with the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT). Classes begin in August and finish the following July.  The program consists of 35 credit hours of required related courses and clinical education.

The tuition rate is the same for in-state and out-of-state students. The rate can be found at http://www.washburn.edu/current-students/business-office/tuition-fees.html. The approximate cost of books and materials is $1,200. The Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) link on the radiation therapy website addresses a series of other commonly asked questions. 

Students will complete the online course work and the clinical portion of the program with a Washburn affiliated radiation therapy center. Clinical consists of unpaid experience. In the fall and spring semester clinical hours are Tuesday-Friday, 8 hours per day. Winter intersession consists of approximately three weeks in December and January in which student’s complete clinical hours Monday-Friday, 8 hours per day. In the summer semester, clinical is scheduled Monday-Friday, 8 hours per day.

Radiation Therapy is an allied health profession dedicated to treating malignant disease (usually cancer) with ionizing radiation. Other conditions such as benign disease may also be treated. 

What is a Radiation Therapist?

A radiation therapist performs therapeutic radiation treatments and lends emotional support to cancer patients.  This is done under the direction of a radiation oncologist and a medical physicist.  A radiation therapist may also be involved with the simulation, treatment planning and dosimetry of a course of radiation.  For more information see the resources below:

• http://www.asrt.org/docs/practice-standards/GR11_RT_PS.pdf
• http://www.asrt.org/docs/practice-standards/rtcodeofethics.pdf
• http://www.asrtfoundation.org/media/pdf/HCIAC/ASRT12_WhitePaper.pdf

To be successful as a radiation therapist, the student must possess independent judgment and the ability to provide the best possible care to patients and their families.  The treatment of a cancer patient uses a multi-disciplinary approach.  Therefore, the radiation therapist must be able to interact and communicate positively with other health care professionals.

Why Major in Radiation Therapy at Washburn University?

• Dedicated to excellence in teaching, Washburn University today is recognized as an outstanding public, urban learning environment.
• Washburn University began in 1865 as Lincoln College, a school established by the Congregational Church. Lincoln College became Washburn College in 1868 in recognition of the financial support of New England philanthropist, Deacon Ichabod Washburn. In 1941, the citizens of Topeka voted to make Washburn a municipal university.
• Our educational objectives are to prepare individuals for careers and further study in a variety of disciplines for a lifetime of continuous learning.
• Washburn has a reputation as a "teaching" university rather than a "research" institution. More than 90% of our faculty holds doctoral degrees or the highest degree available in their discipline.
• Washburn has an enrollment of approximately 7,300 students.

What Careers are Available in Radiation Therapy?

Radiation Therapy is an exciting and dynamic field.  Advancements in technology are dramatically impacting the manner in which radiation therapy is delivered.  Radiation therapists typically enter the workforce as a staff radiation therapist.  Other career opportunities available to radiation therapists that may require additional education and experience include chief/lead therapist, medical dosimetry, medical physics, education, sales, application specialist, healthcare administrator, and locum tenens.

Program Mission

The Radiation Therapy Program is focused on the development of qualified radiation therapists who provide optimum patient care through technical competency and professional conduct. 

Program Goals & Outcomes

Goal 1:  TO ENROLL QUALIFIED INDIVIDUALS WHO WILL BENEFIT FROM THE COURSE-OF-STUDY.
Outcome 1: Enrolled students will meet the criteria for admission as stated in published materials.
Outcome 2: Enrolled students will complete the certificate of completion requirements.
Outcome 3: Graduates will pass the ARRT examination.
Outcome 4: Graduates will find employment in radiation therapy or related field.

Goal 2:  TO PROVIDE QUALITY DIDACTIC INSTRUCTION AND VARIED CLINICAL EXPERIENCE IN RADIATION THERAPY ENABLING STUDENTS TO ACHIEVE ENTRY-LEVEL KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND PROFESSIONAL VALUES.
Outcome 1: Students will pass radiation therapy lecture courses.
Outcome 2: Students will pass clinical education courses.
Outcome 3: Students will display professional values during clinical education.
Outcome 4: Graduates will demonstrate the ability to function as an entry level radiation therapist.

Goal 3:  TO PROVIDE VARIOUS EXPERIENCES ENABLING THE DEVELOPMENT OF STUDENT ABILITIES IN PROBLEM SOLVING AND CRITICAL THINKING.
Outcome 1: Students will show evidence of problem solving and critical thinking.
Outcome 2: Graduates will demonstrate problem solving and critical thinking ability.

Goal 4:  TO PREPARE STUDENTS TO FULFILL ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR THE ARRT EXAMINATION.
Outcome 1: Students completing the certificate program will successfully pass the ARRT examination.

Goal 5:  TO ENCOURAGE PARTICIPATION IN PROFESSIONAL AND LIFE-LONG LEARNING.
Outcome 1: Students participate in continuing education and professional activities.
Outcome 2: Graduates participate in continuing education and professional activities.

Accreditation

The Radiation Therapy Program accreditation falls under the university’s accreditation by the Higher Learning Commission: A Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. This is an acceptable accrediting mechanism according to the ARRT.

Admission Criteria

An applicant must be a graduate of an accredited Radiologic Technology program and possess the professional designation of RT(R).  A registry eligible student may also be considered for admittance. However, acceptance will be conditional on passing the ARRT exam prior to the program’s start date.

Please Note:

• At this time, students from New York State cannot apply to the Washburn University Program.
• Students will be required to attend an on-campus orientation session.  Attendance to this on-campus orientation is mandatory.  All students must attend to participate in this program.
• Out-of-State Admissions Application Disclaimer:  The admission of students into a Washburn University degree or certificate program offered online or at sites outside of Kansas is contingent upon the University's compliance with any applicable regulations or laws enacted by those states in which the students reside.  The University is reviewing the regulations imposed by other states in which our current students reside to determine their applicability and the feasibility of complying with such regulations in the future. 

Acceptance is conditional on the following:

• Confirmation of acceptable clinical placement.
• Completion of a radiologic technology program.
• Professional designation of RTR.
• State authorization: The admission of students into a Washburn University degree or certificate program offered online or at sites outside of Kansas is contingent upon the University's compliance with any applicable regulations or laws enacted by those states in which the students reside. The University is reviewing the regulations imposed by other states in which our current students reside to determine their applicability and the feasibility of complying with such regulations in the future. 
• Successful completion of a criminal background clearance check.
  • A criminal background check will be required of all accepted Radiation Therapy students prior to beginning the fall semester.  Successful completion of the Radiation Therapy program   requires participation in clinical practicum courses.  Students can only be placed in clinical practicum courses after a background check (at their expense) has been completed which discloses they do not present a criminal history of
          a.  convictions of laws regulating controlled substances*;
          b.  convictions, at the felony level of crimes, as defined under Kansas Criminal Code (K.S.A. 21-3101 et seq.) and amendments thereto, which are crimes against persons, crimes against property, or sex offenses;
          c.  conviction of an offense requiring registry as a sex offender under the Kansas Offender Registry Act or any federal, military or other state law requiring registry;
          d. conviction, at the felony level of crimes, involving moral turpitude which include but are not limited to: perjury, bribery, embezzlement, theft, and misuse of public funds.
    
    

                               * Exception: Persons who have been convicted
                                 of a misdemeanor illegal drug offense may be
                                 permitted to participate in the clinical
                                 practicum if they have demonstrated, in the
                                 opinion of the pogram director, that they have
                                 been sufficiently rehabilitated.