Thursday 3 May 2012

Online College Degrees in Medical Dosimetry: Program Overviews


Medical dosimetry involves calculating & measuring radioactive treatments for cancer patients that meet the physician's requirements & ensure that radiation levels remain acceptable. While online degree programs in medical dosimetry are rare, there are a few master's degree options for students with experience in related fields as well as for certified medical dosimetrists.

Online Master of Science in Medical Dosimetry Overview

Due to the need for clinical practice settings set forth by the Joint Review Board on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT), accredited dosimetry programs cannot exist entirely online. However, there are programs that offer students the opportunity to complete online coursework for their master's degree while fulfilling on-site clinical requirements. Practicing medical dosimetrists can pursue a master's degree completion program, while those with related experience can complete a full master's degree. Students in the online Master of Science in Medical Dosimetry program develop deeper theoretical & practical knowledge of radioactive medicine.

Program Information & Requirements

Entry into either a full or completion dosimetry master's program online requires students to have an existing bachelor's degree in a related field, such as radiologic technology, radiation therapy or physics. For the completion program, students must be certified medical dosimetrists, while the full master's program is open to radiation therapists. The master's completion program can be completed in under two years; the full master's takes between 2-3 years. Both programs emphasize advanced coursework & research, clinical experiences & completion of a professional portfolio.
Courses are delivered online synchronously - at a designated time - through a classroom management system that offers class discussion forums & other interactive learning methods. Streaming video may also be used to deliver lectures. Because of this, students need a computer with high-speed Internet access.

List of Common Dosimetry Courses

The courses may vary depending on whether the student is in the full degree program or the degree completion program, but some courses are included in both. The curriculum combines online coursework with on-site fieldwork. Students may be able to complete the fieldwork at their workplace or at a site designated by the college.

Professional Issues in Medical Dosimetry Course

Students are introduced to the field of medical dosimetry. Topics include practice standards as well as ethical & legal issues. This course is offered in both the full degree program & the completion program.

Dosimetry Research Methods Course

This course is for students in either program to learn the standards & principles for conducting research in the health sciences field. Students develop a research topic & prepare an original document for professional review.

Anatomy in Medical Dosimetry Course

This class examines how the patient's course of treatment is determined by anatomical function & structure. Students learn to identify parts of anatomy on CT scans, MRI images & radiographs. This course can be taken in either the completion or full degree program.

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