This guide is going to focus on Radiation Therapy Associate Degree Online. Many professionals now choose to further their career by taking up an online program because of the benefits associated with studying online. Let us briefly consider some of the top benefits associated with studying online, before we talk about Radiation Therapy Associate Degree Online program.
Why Study Online?
There are so many benefits associated with studying online and some of these benefits are summarized below:
Flexibility
Many people may not have the financial means to devote full-time to a graduate degree, while others frequently travel for work. Individuals who need to manage working and going back to school might benefit from the flexibility of an online program, which allows them to learn while continuing to work and advance professionally.
You can study at your own pace if you get your master’s degree online. You’re signing on when it’s convenient for you—at a time that doesn’t conflict with other commitments—rather than leaving the office early or skipping family supper to go to campus. You can better balance employment, life, and graduate school with this flexibility.
Furthermore, students are hesitant to ask lecturers to repeat a point stated in a previous lecture or to go into greater depth on a particular subject. You can go back over old content or pause a lecture to do further research or arrange your notes when you’re learning online. Before moving on to the next phase, you can study through the lesson plan at your own leisure to make sure you truly understand the subject. This extra flexibility allows online students to go at their own pace while still getting the most out of their degree program.
Time Management
It is difficult to balance career, family, and school. Employers are aware of this and applaud the ability to balance all three. Because online degree programs have no established classroom times and students can create their own schedules, it is up to the student to reach out to instructors, finish assignments on time, and plan ahead.
Employers want us to manage our time properly, which is one of the things we know. It’s no longer enough to arrive on time and stay until the end of the day; most of us are expected to complete more projects in less time. Online classes keep you on a consistent schedule of meeting deadlines and managing your time, allowing you to practice time management and staying productive week after week.
Employers frequently value the time management skills required to complete an online degree program and see these abilities in future employees as a desirable asset.
Refined Critical Thinking Skills
The ability to think critically about what you do every day is facilitated by online learning. Employers expect you to think critically in your job at work, just as teachers want you to think differently in the classroom. As a student and as a worker, mastering this skill will set you apart.
Critical thinking is important in all types of education; however, online learning encourages you to exercise critical thinking in ways you might not have had the opportunity to do in a traditional classroom situation. Self-paced and self-motivated learning shows future employers that you can think critically and overcome hurdles.
What Does Radiation Therapy Associate Degree Entail?
The associate degree in radiation therapy is the most common academic route to obtaining the academic and clinical training required to be qualified for ARRT certification and registration as a radiation therapist. A small number of associate degree programs in radiation provide all or part of their general education and/or major-subject curriculum online. All programs need a significant number of clinical hours (about 1,500) to be performed in person at a radiation therapy practice facility, which is frequently in the student’s immediate area.
Radiation treatment associate degrees take two years to complete full-time, including summer sessions, as do other associate degrees. The only exception is Mitchell Tech’s one-year, three-semester curriculum. A high school diploma or equivalent, as well as the completion of a series of preparatory college-level courses, are often required for admission. Some programs also require applicants to hold an ARRT-registered radiologic technologist certification or to have graduated from a radiologic technology school with registry eligibility.
What You Will Learn In Radiation Therapy Associate Degree Online Program
Radiation therapists use sophisticated radiation treatment equipment to provide specified dosages of radiation to cancer patients. That is exactly what your radiation therapy online degree or certificate program will prepare you for. Students learn how to explain treatment procedures to patients, position patients properly for treatment, administer proper radiation dosages, monitor patients for unusual treatment reactions, and keep accurate treatment records through coursework and hands-on training at state-of-the-art treatment facilities.
Every radiation therapist online program establishes its own program goals in a learning outcomes statement that looks something like this:
Critical Thinking
In academic and professional radiation therapy practice environments, demonstrated expertise in critical thinking and problem-solving skills. These skills include the ability to recognize and handle patient treatment difficulties in both routine and nonroutine situations.
Clinical Competence
Clinical competency in all tasks and responsibilities of an entry-level radiation therapist, including adequate clinical procedures, application of suitable radiation protection concepts and practices, and application of appropriate legal and ethical practice standards.
Lifelong Learning & Professional Development
Commitment to professional development during and after the student’s radiation therapy academic program, as well as throughout their professional career. This involves taking part in continuing education programs and professional activities that keep them informed about current and new radiation therapy procedures, practices, and technologies.
How Much Does a Radiation Therapist Earn?
“Is this a high-demand profession?” and “How much would I earn?” are two critical concerns for any job seekers. The responses to both questions are highly positive for aspiring radiation therapists. For example, the median annual compensation for radiation therapists in the United States is $86,850, which is significantly more than the $41,950 median salary for all occupations combined, according to recent estimates from the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Radiation therapist pay estimates from the BLS range from $60,080 for the lowest 10% to $132,930 for the best 10%.
Radiation therapists’ employment is anticipated to expand by 7% between 2019 and 2029 in the United States. During the same time span, that’s roughly twice the expected growth rate for all occupations combined. That’s not bad for a job that requires only an associate’s degree or a certificate from an undergrad program.
Top Schools Offering Online Radiation Therapy Program
Amarillo College
The Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Radiation Therapy program at Amarillo College in Amarillo, Texas, provides 100% online general education and major curriculum, as well as roughly 1,500 clock hours of clinical training. Clinicals are held throughout the United States on weekdays at radiation therapy centers.
The 77-semester-hour program is completed in two years of full-time study, with the majority of students finishing all degree requirements by the conclusion of their sophomore year’s spring semester. Graduates of the program are able to take the national exam for certification and registration in Radiation Therapy through the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists in addition to receiving their AAS degree (ARRT).
The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges has given Amarillo College regional accreditation. The Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology has recognized Amarillo College’s Radiation Therapy department (JRCERT).
Hillsborough Community College
Hillsborough Community College in Tampa, Florida, provides an Associate of Science (AS) in Radiation Therapy program for high school graduates who want to work as radiation therapists. Over the course of two years, students will complete 77 credit hours of study and clinical training spread out over six semesters (including summer sessions).
On the college’s Dale Mabry campus, the majority of academic courses is held. A variety of necessary and elective courses, as well as the five prerequisite courses (finished prior to entry into the degree program), are available online. Students also spend time in one of the over 30 associated clinical locations around Tampa and the surrounding areas. JRCERT has accredited the program.
Students who complete the AS program are qualified to take the national radiation therapy exam offered by the ARRT. Graduates interested in furthering their study can enroll in the University of Florida’s Bachelor of Science in Applied Science program. Current radiographers interested in becoming certified radiation therapists can enroll in a 43-credit-hour Radiation Therapy Specialist Certificate program at Hillsborough.
The 13-month Radiation Therapy Certificate program at Washburn University is designed to give currently registered radiologic technologists with the coursework and clinical training they need to become ARRT Radiation Therapist certification and registry-eligible.
Students attend online synchronous live classes from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Central Time) every Monday and complete clinical requirements in person at dozens of program-affiliated radiation therapy centers across the United States (usually weekdays Tuesday through Friday). JRCERT has given the software its approval.
An applicant must have completed an accredited radiologic technology program, hold an associate (or higher) degree from a school recognized by an ARRT-approved agency, and currently hold the ARRT’s RT(R) professional certification to be eligible for this program. Washburn University’s online students have access to a variety of academic support services, including tutoring and writing assistance, online library resources, and 24-hour IT help.
Online Radiation Therapy Schools Accreditation
The process of reviewing and confirming that institutions and their degree and certificate programs meet declared academic quality requirements is known as postsecondary accreditation. Accreditation is important because it ensures that the program you select is worthwhile of your time, effort, and money.
Radiation therapist online programs should have both institutional and programmatic certification. Accreditation of colleges and universities is referred to as institutional accreditation. Several Department of Education-recognized independent regional and national accrediting agencies manage institutional accreditation for U.S. postsecondary institutions. Individual degree and certificate programs provided by colleges and universities are evaluated as part of programmatic accreditation. The Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology oversees programmatic accreditation for radiation therapy programs in the United States (JRCERT).
On most program webpages, you may find both institutional and programmatic accreditation information. You can also check the status of an institution’s accreditation by visiting the websites of the several institutional accrediting agencies listed above. This JRCERT Accredited Educational Programs search engine can help you determine programme accreditation.
Conclusion
Hope you enjoyed reading this article on: Best Radiation Therapy Associate Degree Online Program. You can contact any of the schools listed here and make more enquiry about this program and how to register.
