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    Florida State College at Jacksonville
   
 
  May 30, 2023
 
2022-2023 Catalog [Aug. 2022-Aug. 2023] 
  
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2022-2023 Catalog [Aug. 2022-Aug. 2023]

Radiation Therapy (2163) (A.S.)


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Associate in Science

This is a Limited Access program.

Mission/Purpose

The mission for the Associate in Science in Radiation Therapy degree is to offer high quality education and to train students to deliver prescribed doses of radiation to individuals with malignant or benign disease in an affordable method. This limited access program is based on the recommended core curriculum established by the American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT) and enhances the educational experience and employment potential for students in the hospital or free standing clinic. The program emphasizes the art and science of treatment delivery to individuals to restore, improve, and enhance performance; diminish or eradicate pathology; and promote and maintain health.

For information about the ASRT, visit asrt.org.

The Program

This program is designed for individuals who wish to become certified in radiation therapy. Students are strongly advised to complete as many of the general education courses as possible before applying for the program.

A minimum grade of C or higher must be achieved in all professional coursework in order to continue in the program.

Embedded Certificate(s)

An advanced technical certificate, Radiation Therapy Specialist (4105) (A.T.C.) , is included as an option within this degree program Students may pursue the A.S. degree and earn the advanced technical certificate while completing the requirements for the degree, or pursue the certificate to develop or upgrade their skills. Contact an advisor to determine the career education path that is best for you.

Please note that by being enrolled in this degree program you may automatically meet the requirements for the aforementioned advanced technical certificate. If you meet the requirements for the advanced technical certificate, as a result of being enrolled in this degree program, you may automatically be awarded the advanced technical certificate upon meeting its requirements as well. If you choose to opt out of this automatic awarding of an advanced technical certificate, please contact an advisor to do so. 

The Career 

The radiation therapist assists in the treatment of cancer patients. Working as part of a health care team, supervised by a radiation oncologist, the radiation therapist positions the patient for treatment, performs the necessary mathematical calculations to determine the radiation dosage, and delivers the radiation treatments utilizing highly sophisticated equipment.

The demand for skilled, registered radiation therapists is nationwide and expected to increase in the future. With advanced training/education, radiation therapists also have opportunities to pursue careers in dosimetry, medical physics, teaching, and administration.

Certification/Licensing

Upon completion of this two-year degree program, graduates are eligible to sit for the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) board examination in Radiation Therapy. Graduates of the program are prepared to function as entry-level practitioners.

Eligibility requirements for the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification in Radiography, Nuclear Medicine Technology and Radiation Therapy and for the primary pathway to MRI and Sonography will - effective January 1, 2015 - call for candidates to have earned an associate (or more advanced) degree from an accrediting agency recognized by ARRT.

ARRT believes that general education courses required for an academic degree will provide a firm foundation to support the evolving role of the technologist and the lifelong learning necessitated by the increasing rate of technological change. Quantitative and communication skills and understanding of human behavior that are acquired through general education are believed by ARRT to have value in continuing to shape professionalism and advancement of a Registered Technologist’s role in healthcare. 

The degree will not need to be in radiologic sciences, and it can be earned before entering the educational program or after graduation from the program. The degree requirement will apply to graduates on or after January 1, 2015. It must be granted by an institution accredited by a mechanism recognized by ARRT. A list of accrediting agencies currently recognized is available on the ARRT website, arrt.org. Individuals who complete a recognized non-degree granting program prior to that date will not be subject to the degree requirement.

Year Graduation Rate Examination Pass Rate Employment Rate
2018 100% 80% 70%

Application Procedure

To meet the minimum requirements for consideration for acceptance to the Radiation Therapy program, students must:

  1. Submit a Florida State College at Jacksonville application.
  2. Submit a completed Radiation Therapy program application.
  3. Have completed the prerequisite courses with a C or higher.
  4. Submit official high school and college transcripts.

Note: Admissions preference is given to fully qualified candidates who have met all entrance criteria, including the satisfaction of prerequisite courses. Should seats remain available in the program cohort, applicants who fulfill admissions criteria prior to the start of the program will be considered next, followed by those with the highest number of completed prerequisite courses. Qualified applicants with pending prerequisite course requirements will receive a conditional acceptance letter outlining the remaining criteria for full program admission.

Application Deadline(s)

The application deadline is May 15 alternate/even years (e.g. 2020, 2022, etc.) with classes starting in fall term.

Need More Information? Contact:

Jane Wiggins-King, (904) 766-6643 or jane.a.wigginsking@fscj.edu

Curriculum


General Education Coursework

Credit Hours: 20

Professional Coursework

Credit Hours: 57

A minimum grade of C or higher is required in all Professional coursework.

Total Credit Hours: 77

Record of Conviction of a Crime


Effective July 1, 2009, pursuant to Section 456.0635, Florida Statutes, health care review boards shall refuse to renew a license, certificate or registration, issue a license, certificate or registration and shall refuse to admit a candidate for examination if the applicant has been convicted or plead guilty or nolo contendere, regardless of adjudication, to a felony violation of: chapters 409, 817, or 893, Florida Statutes; or 21 U.S.C. ss. 801-970 or 42 U.S.C. ss. 1395-1396, unless the sentence and any probation or pleas ended more than 15 years prior to the application, terminated for cause from Florida Medicaid Program (unless the applicant has been in good standing for the most recent five years) or terminated for cause by any other State Medicaid Program or the Medicare Program (unless the termination was at least 20 years prior to the date of the application and the applicant has been in good standing with the program for the most recent five years). The Florida nursing or allied health licensure or certification application requires disclosure of any criminal history and the disposition of all cases prior to board review. Being convicted of, or having entered a plea of guilty or nolo contendere to, any of the listed felonies in Florida Statute 456.0635 or termination for cause from the statutorily-described Medicaid programs will preclude an applicant from obtaining a nursing or allied health license or certification in the state of Florida. Entry and acceptance into the nursing or allied health program does not guarantee licensure or certification in the state of Florida.

Criminal Background Check and Drug Screen


Most clinical agencies require students to undergo drug screen and criminal background checks prior to placement in the agencies for clinical experiences. Students whose drug screening and criminal background checks are deemed unsatisfactory may be denied access to clinical experiences by the clinical agencies. Failure to qualify for and meet clinical requirements at clinical sites may prevent completion of the program. Withdrawal from the program may be necessary if students cannot be placed for clinical experiences.

Some practice settings may have additional requirements including health insurance, a volunteer application, references, additional fingerprinting and background check (e.g. the Jessica Lunsford Act for school environments), drug testing, flu shot, Covid-19 testing/vaccine and/or an interview prior to the start of the clinical experience. The additional requirements are the responsibility of the student, including expenses.

The cost of the background check(s) and drug screen(s) is borne by the student. Additionally, it is the student’s responsibility to have all paperwork completed by the program’s published deadline.

Students who are unable to complete the clinical requirements after acceptance into Limited Access or Selective Access programs are not eligible for refunds of tuition and fees.

A physical examination will be required upon acceptance to the program.  It is the students’ responsibility to renew their annual physical examination as well as tuberculosis (TB) test.

Graduation Requirements


In order to be awarded the associate in science degree, students must have met the following requirements:

  1. Fulfill all academic requirements for the chosen program of study as outlined in the Florida State College at Jacksonville catalog and curriculum.
  2. Earned a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 (C) at Florida State College at Jacksonville in courses eligible toward the Associate in Science degree programs, excluding developmental education courses (A.S. Florida State College at Jacksonville GPA).
  3. Earned an all-college cumulative grade point average of 2.0 (C) on a 4.0 scale on all courses attempted. This includes Florida State College at Jacksonville college-credit semester hours and transferred credits (excluding developmental education) in lower division courses (All college cumulative).
  4. Complete a minimum of 25 percent of the total hours required for the program in residence at Florida State College at Jacksonville. Credit by examination and credit for prior learning do not count toward this residency requirement.
  5. Complete the required semester hours, as specified by the degree, of which a minimum of 15 semester hours must be General Education requirements.
  6. Demonstrated competency in civic literacy in accordance with s. 1007.25, Florida Statutes (F.S.) at bit.ly/FS-gen-ed-courses and State Board of Education Rule 6A-10.02413, Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.) at bit.ly/FR-civic-lit-comp. Pursuant to guidelines established by Senate Bill 1108, competency is demonstrated by completion of one of two civic literacy courses (either AMH 2020  or POS 2041 ) with a grade of C or higher AND by achievement of the standard score on a state-approved assessment.
  7. Earned a grade of a C or higher in each course used to satisfy the general education requirements and any other area designated with a C or higher requirement.
  8. Fulfill all obligations, financial or otherwise, to the College before graduating.
Note: Students are cautioned to pay particular attention to the following statements.
  • A student’s graduation date will be the date of the end of the College term in which the student has fulfilled all academic requirements. (The removal of an incomplete grade does not affect students’ graduation dates since the grade change is effective at the end of the term in which the incomplete grade was assigned rather than the term in which the incomplete work was made up.)
  • Students who enter under the (2022/2023) catalog will be assigned to the degree or certificate requirements in effect during the 2022/2023 academic year. The student’s assigned catalog year will remain in effect as long as the student maintains continuous enrollment. Changes to requirements as mandated by law or by rule of the District Board of Trustees may supersede this provision.
  • Many courses in this catalog have prerequisite and/or corequisite courses which are listed in the course descriptions. Students are advised to be guided by these requirements.
  • Students who place into developmental education courses are required to complete designated developmental education courses with a grade of C or higher regardless of program of study.
     

Baccalaureate Transfer


The Associate in Science and Associate in Applied Science degree programs are intended primarily for students who desire to complete an Associate in Science degree or an Associate in Applied Science degree and become employed. Students who decide to pursue baccalaureate transfer study must meet certain course and test requirements. For details, visit the Transfer Services page at fscj.edu/transferservices or refer to the Baccalaureate Transfer Guide at fscj.edu/transferguide.

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