RADIATION THERAPY PROGRAM

About the Program

Program Description

The UC San Diego Health Radiation Therapy Program is a full-time, 12-month hospital-based certificate program designed to prepare ARRT-certified radiographers for entry-level practice as radiation therapists. The curriculum combines didactic instruction, laboratory learning, progressive clinical education, interdisciplinary oncology instruction, and professional development. Students learn within an academic health system and are exposed to contemporary radiation oncology practice, including treatment delivery, simulation, image guidance, treatment planning concepts, radiation protection, quality assurance, patient care, and advanced treatment techniques.

The professional curriculum is organized through 10 controlling course-family syllabi, with several course sequences extending across multiple quarters. Clinical education is longitudinal across all four quarters, and the curriculum is structured to integrate classroom learning with progressively increasing supervised clinical responsibility. The Program is designed around a small cohort to support close faculty oversight, consistent clinical supervision, and individualized advisement.

Formal tutoring services are not available through the Radiation Therapy Program. However, faculty will provide academic assistance to students on an as-needed basis. Students who are experiencing academic difficulty or who would benefit from additional clarification, review, or instructional support are encouraged to contact the Program Director or appropriate faculty member so that individualized academic assistance can be arranged.

Program Philosophy

The UC San Diego Health Radiation Therapy Program integrates rigorous didactic education with progressive clinical learning in an academic health-system environment. The educational approach emphasizes safe and accurate treatment delivery, critical thinking, communication, professionalism, compassionate patient-centered care, interdisciplinary collaboration, and development of the judgment expected of an entry-level radiation therapist.

Mission, Goals & Student Learning Outcomes

Program Mission

The mission of the UC San Diego Health Radiation Therapy Program is to prepare competent, ethical, compassionate, and clinically proficient entry-level radiation therapists through evidence-based didactic instruction, progressive clinical education, and interdisciplinary oncology training.

Program Goals & Outcomes

The UC San Diego Health Radiation Therapy Program has established the following goals and Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs) to support its mission and prepare graduates for competent, safe, and professional entry-level practice.

Program Goal

Student Learning Outcomes

Goal 1 — Clinical Competence

1.1 Students will demonstrate accurate patient setup and safe treatment delivery.
1.2 Students will apply radiation protection and safety principles.

Goal 2 — Communication

2.1 Students will demonstrate clear and professional communication with patients and families.
2.2 Students will demonstrate accurate and appropriate patient-care documentation.

Goal 3 — Critical Thinking

3.1 Students will identify and appropriately respond to treatment discrepancies.
3.2 Students will demonstrate evidence-based decision-making.

Goal 4 — Professionalism

4.1 Students will demonstrate ethical conduct and accountability.
4.2 Students will demonstrate respect for diversity and cultural humility.

Goal 5 — Lifelong Learning

5.1 Students will demonstrate engagement in continuing education and professional development.
5.2 Students will identify and use credible professional resources for evidence-based practice and continued learning.