Program Description
The Department of Medical Imaging & Radiation Sciences offers a four-year baccalaureate degree with programs in Radiography, Nuclear Medicine, Radiation Therapy, and Sonography. Students may apply to the professional phase of the program, which is offered at the University of Oklahoma Health Campus in Oklahoma City, after completing 64 hours of general education, inclusive of the prerequisite courses.
Each of the four professional programs begins in the summer of every year and consists of 68 semester hours of sequenced and integrated didactic and clinical courses. Students will complete clinical assignments in selected hospital and clinic facilities located throughout the Oklahoma City metropolitan area. Program faculty determine student assignments to clinical rotation sites based upon each student’s abilities and clinical education needs.
Why should you choose a bachelor's degree program? Click here to learn more. The four-year program culminates in the baccalaureate degree in Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences (B.S.M.I.R.S.) in the specific discipline of study. Upon successfully completing the chosen educational program, the student is eligible to apply to the appropriate credentialing agency to sit for the certification examination in the respective profession.
In 1970, the department established a baccalaureate degree program in Radiography. Baccalaureate programs in Nuclear Medicine and Radiation Therapy were instituted in 1975. In 1978, the fourth program in Sonography was approved. The offering of baccalaureate degrees in all four disciplines within one academic department is unique in the country.
None of the four professions is a prerequisite to one another or subordinate to another. Each degree program can be entered directly after completing prerequisite courses and selection by the Admissions Committee through a competitive application process.
Program Defined
Radiation Therapy is the profession in which radiations are directed at diseased tissues in strictly controlled circumstances to cure or palliate the disease. The radiation therapist is in daily contact with the cancer patient, positioning them for treatment, performing mathematical calculations of radiation dosage, and operating a variety of equipment that produces ionizing radiation. Therapists may also specialize in treatment planning, which includes the design and construction of various treatment devices, manual and computerized dose computations, and dose measurement procedures. The radiation therapist has considerable responsibility in patient care and must be knowledgeable regarding the psychology of dealing with terminally ill patients and their families.
Cost
Students may expect additional costs that include, but are not limited to, a personal computer, textbooks, lab fees, insurance, and supplies. Students are required to assume financial responsibilities for expenses associated with clinical requirements. For financial aid information, contact the Financial Aid Office at (405) 271-2118.
It is the student’s responsibility to ensure they are enrolled in the prescribed courses and to pay tuition and fees at the time designated by the Bursar's Office. Details regarding tuition/fee charges and collection are available from the Bursar's Office.
Admission Requirements
To be eligible for admission to the Radiation Therapy program, applicants must have met the following requirements:
- Have successfully completed, or be in the process of completing, a minimum of 61-64 semester credit hours of coursework prior to the beginning of the program, including all prerequisite requirements with a ‘C’ or higher
- Maintain a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA in previous coursework. Note that the university does not recognize academic forgiveness nor reprieve policies. All attempts of a course are included in the calculation of GPAs
If after reviewing the qualifications for the program you are unsure of whether you meet them, please contact ahinfo@ouhsc.edu. We are here to help and support you as you pursue a career in the health sciences.
Application Procedure
- Complete the online OU Health application;
- Submit official, sealed transcripts from all colleges and/or universities attended directly to OU Health;
- If previous coursework is from colleges or universities outside of the US, please review information for Foreign Credential Evaluations;
- Complete the Kira Talent online asynchronous interview. A link is provided to applicants shortly after submitting their OU Health application;
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis beginning in October for applicants who have completed the above steps, with initial decisions anticipated to be communicated within 60 days of completing the application. Initial decisions may include admitted, waitlisted, or denied. We do not publish our waitlist and will continue to admit students until the class is filled.
Curriculum
Plan of Study Grid
| Year 1 |
|---|
| First Summer |
|---|
| AHS 3415 |
Clinical Anatomy |
5 |
| MIRS 3111 |
Medical/Professional Orientation |
1 |
| | Hours | 6 |
| Fall Semester |
|---|
| AHS 3451 |
Medical Ethics |
1 |
| AHS 4433 |
Pathology |
3 |
| MIRS 3152 |
Patient Care and Management |
2 |
| MIRS 3193 |
Radiologic Physics and Radiation Protection |
3 |
| MIRS 3660 |
Clinical Radiation Therapy |
2 |
| MIRS 4173 |
Principles of Computed Tomography |
3 |
| | Hours | 14 |
| Spring Semester |
|---|
| AHS 4571 |
Introduction to Research Methodology in Allied Health |
1 |
| MIRS 3660 |
Clinical Radiation Therapy |
3 |
| MIRS 4152 |
Sectional Anatomy & Pathology |
2 |
| MIRS 4332 |
Radiobiology |
2 |
| MIRS 4603 |
Principles and Practice of Radiation Therapy I |
3 |
| MIRS 4632 |
Patient Care in Radiation Therapy |
2 |
| AHS 3003 |
Interdisciplinary Leadership in Healthcare () |
0-3 |
| | Hours | 13-16 |
| Year 2 |
|---|
| First Summer |
|---|
| MIRS 3511 |
Patient Support Groups |
1 |
| MIRS 4660 |
Advanced Clinical Radiation Therapy & Capstone |
2 |
| MIRS 4703 |
Principles and Practice of Radiation Therapy II |
3 |
| | Hours | 6 |
| Fall Semester |
|---|
| MIRS 3112 |
Pharmacology |
2 |
| MIRS 4143 |
Principles of Magnetic Resonance Imaging |
3 |
| MIRS 4660 |
Advanced Clinical Radiation Therapy & Capstone |
4 |
| MIRS 4614 |
Physics of Radiation Therapy |
4 |
| MIRS 4723 |
Principles and Practice of Radiation Therapy III |
3 |
| | Hours | 16 |
| Spring Semester |
|---|
| AHS 4452 |
Healthcare Management & Law |
2 |
| MIRS 4660 |
Advanced Clinical Radiation Therapy & Capstone |
5 |
| MIRS 4773 |
Radiation Dosimetry and Instrumentation |
3 |
| MIRS 4623 |
Quality Management & Clinical Operations in Radiation Oncology |
3 |
| | Hours | 13 |
| | Total Hours | 68-71 |
Last reviewed: November 2022
Prerequisites for Applicants with No Degree, AAS, or AA/AS from Non-Oklahoma School
Applicants are required to complete 61-64 credit hours of coursework prior to the beginning of the program. The total credit hours should include all coursework listed below and any additional elective courses needed to reach the credit hour requirement.
Note: Applicants who have taken an OU First Year Experience course will need to complete 64 credit hours prior to beginning the program. Those who have not completed this course will take it during the program and will need to complete 61 credit hours prior to beginning the program.
Please note: varies = there are multiple courses that are equivalent for these prerequisites. If you are attending OU in Norman for these courses, click here for equivalent courses; if attending another institution, please check the Transfer Equivalency Database.
Remedial courses do not count towards the credit hours.
If you are planning to attend the University of Oklahoma Norman campus to fulfill your Western Culture, World Culture (or Non-Western Culture), Art Forms, and/or Upper Level General Education prerequisite, please click here to review acceptable courses offered in these categories on the University of Oklahoma Norman campus.
Prerequisites for Applicants with AA/AS from Oklahoma School
Applicants are required to complete 64 credit hours of coursework prior to the beginning of the program. The total credit hours should include all coursework listed below and any additional elective courses needed to reach the credit hour requirement.
Prerequisites for Applicants with Bachelor's Degree
Program Goals
The goals for the Radiation Therapy program in the Department of Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences are:
- Students will be clinically competent.
- Students integrate didactic and clinical experiences while caring for patients.
- Students will demonstrate clinical skills proficiency.
- Students will develop and apply skills in effective communication.
- Students demonstrate effective communication skills with staff, physicians, and patients.
- Graduates demonstrate effective communication skills.
- Students demonstrate effective written communication skills.
- Students demonstrate effective oral communication skills.
- Students will exhibit effective critical thinking skills.
- Students demonstrate effective critical thinking skills in the clinical setting.
- Graduates demonstrate effective critical thinking skills in the clinical setting.
- Students will synthesize didactic and clinical information in clinical case studies.
- Students will develop a useable 3D treatment plan.
- Students will develop and exhibit professional practices.
- Students will demonstrate ethical decision-making principles.
- Students will demonstrate professional behaviors.
- Students will attend/participate in state and national and/or professional meetings.
- Students will be engaged in student governance, service to the University, the community, and profession.
- Students participate in student governance groups.
- Students participate in professional and community activities.
