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Program Description

The Program in Radiation Therapy is sponsored by M. D. Anderson's School of Health Professions and is supported by the Division of Radiation Oncology.

Students are educated in our state-of-the-art radiation oncology center, where more than 4,000 new patients are treated each year.

Mission
To provide the highest quality of education to radiation therapy students through formal didactic and state-of-the-art clinical experiences that prepare the student to deliver superior patient care and treatment in all aspects of radiation therapy. We shall provide the radiation oncology community with graduates who are patient care focused, critical thinkers and engaged in lifelong learning.

Vision
We shall be the premier educational program in radiation therapy by providing innovative curricular, clinical and continuing education services to The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, the state of Texas and the world.

Goals
Fulfillment of the program’s mission is assessed by the degree to which the program's students achieve the following goals:

  1. Accurate patient positioning and treatment skills
  2. Accurate patient assessment
  3. Effective communication in a variety of settings
  4. Critical thinking skill in the clinical and academic environments
  5. Professional development and growth throughout their educational program

 

Curriculum
Didactic classes include:

  • Issues in Health Care Ethics
  • Anatomy in Diagnostic and Therapeutic Radiology
  • Introduction to Computed Tomography
  • Diversity and Cultural Competence
  • Radiation Therapy Physics
  • Dosimetry and Treatment Planning
  • Clinical Radiation Oncology
  • Patient Care in Radiation Oncology
  • Human Pathology
  • Research
  • Quality Management in Radiation Therapy
  • Simulation Techniques
  • Radiation Biology
  • Registry Review
  • Radiation Safety and Protection
  • Technical Radiation Oncology
  • Clinical Radiation Oncology
  • Practical Radiation Oncology
  • Medical Law
  • Special Applications in Radiation Oncology
  • Digital Imaging
  • Adaptive and Proton Therapy
  • Computed Tomography

Students also attend many of the numerous medical conferences offered at M. D. Anderson.
Courses are offered via audio-video conference systems.

Please see the Health Professions Student Catalog for a review of the objectives of the Program in Radiation Therapy. In addition, the Catalog contains more information about curriculum and course descriptions.

Clinical Experience
The Program in Radiation Therapy provides clinical education at the following campuses:

  • The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center and its Community Radiation Oncology facilities
  • Presbyterian Cancer Center - Dallas TOPA, Dallas, TX via distance learning (real time audiovideo conferencing)

The well-balanced clinical experience, planned for each student, includes:

  • Therapeutic treatment
  • Treatment planning and dosimetry
  • Patient care and management
  • Simulation
  • Quality assurance

 


© 2009 The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center