The American Association of Medical Dosimetrists defines medical dosimetry as a specialization of radiation oncology that designs and delivers radiation treatment according to the radiation oncologist's prescription. According to the AAMD, by 2017 the Medical Dosimetrist Certification Board will require all candidates for national certification to hold a Bachelor of Science degree and graduate from an accredited medical dosimetry program. Medical dosimetry programs are accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology. As of 2014, JRCERT listed 17 schools in 13 states that offered an accredited medical dosimetry program, ranging from a certificate to a master's degree.
Northeastern Schools
Suffolk University of Boston offers a 21-month post-baccalaureate certificate program in medical dosimetry. Students combine coursework and clinical experience under the supervision of board certified medical dosimetrists and medical physicists. The Roswell Park Cancer Institute of Buffalo, New York, offers an intensive one-year post-baccalaureate program that is open to a maximum of six students per year. SUNY at Stony Brook, New York, offers medical dosimetry as a major within its bachelor's program in health science, but students must complete one year of post-baccalaureate study in clinical coursework. Students at Thomas Jefferson University of Philadelphia study medical dosimetry full-time for 12 months as a modality within the bachelor's degree program. The University of Maryland Medical Center at Baltimore annually admits two students into its one-year post-baccalaureate program, which also includes six months of additional clinical experience.
Moving South
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine offers a post-baccalaureate medical dosimetry certificate program -- including research opportunities -- for students who have completed training in radiation therapy.
Pitt Community College of Greenville, North Carolina, offers an online, three-semester diploma program, with on-site clinical practice rotations.
The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences of Little Rock offers a medical dosimetry program as part of a first or second bachelor's degree, including classroom instruction, laboratory experience, and 12 months of clinical rotations.
In the Midwest
The Cleveland Clinic of Cleveland, Ohio, offers a hospital-based post-baccalaureate certificate for students who are registered radiation therapists.
The Indiana University School of Medicine of Indianapolis offers a 12-month post-baccalaureate certificate.
Southern Illinois University at Carbondale offers a master's degree in medical dosimetry for students trained as radiation therapists.
The University of Wisconsin at LaCrosse offers a master's degree in medical dosimetry and an on-the-job training option, with clinical internships and online coursework for both options.
Southwestern Colleges
The University of Texas Health Science Center School of Medical Dosimetry at San Antonio offers a one-year post-baccalaureate certificate program.
The M.D. Anderson Cancer Center at the University of Texas in Houston offers a bachelor's degree program in medical dosimetry, providing training opportunities in a department that annually treats thousands of cancer patients.
The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center of Oklahoma City offers a master's degree in medical dosimetry for students who are registered radiation therapists.
Western States
Loma Linda University of California offers a 15-month post-baccalaureate certificate program in medical dosimetry, admitting just two students per year. Bellevue College of Washington provides bachelor's degree or certificate programs to students who hold national certification in radiation therapy.
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References
- Suffolk University: Certificate in Medical Dosimetry
- Stony Brook University School of Health Technology and Management: Clinical Concentrations
- Thomas Jefferson University Jefferson School of Health Professions: Medical Dosimetry
- University of Maryland School of Medicine: JRCERT Accredited Program in Medical Dosimetry
- University of North Carolina School of Medicine: Department of Radiation Oncology: Education
- Pitt Community College: Medical Dosimetry
- University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences College of Health Professions: About the Program
Writer Bio
John Huddle is an Army veteran with enlisted service as general hospital staff and hospital chaplain's assistant. His career also included stints as a teacher, adjunct faculty, administrator and school psychologist. Twice, Dr. Huddle was a major party nominee for state office. He also served as a director on several nonprofit boards. Today he enjoys consulting and lobbying for underdog causes.