Health Science major's clinical programs: Admission Information and Technical Standards

During the fall semester, Health Science students begin working on their applications for the clinical non-credit, non-degree certificate programs. Preference is given to applicants with completed prerequisite coursework prior to advancement to the Health Science program senior year curriculum.   Each application consists of two letters of recommendation, a personal essay, and college transcripts.

We strongly advise students to make an appointment with the program director of the clinical non-credit, non-degree certificate program that interests them well in advance of submitting an application to ensure that they meet the minimum qualifications before applying.

The clinical non-credit, non-degree certificate program’s admissions committee carefully reviews all applications. Qualified applicants are invited for personal interviews. Each candidate is evaluated based on a variety of factors including, but not limited to, academic achievement, references, overall and science grade point average, motivation, quality of past health care experience and the average of the first few exams in HAN 395. Students are notified of their acceptance or non-acceptance into the clinical non-credit, non-degree certificate program before the end of the fall semester in order to appropriately register for spring concentration courses.

The enrollment capacity for each clinical concentration varies each year. Meeting minimum qualifications does not guarantee admission into the clinical non-credit, non-degree certificate program, nor does it guarantee an interview.

Clinical Concentrations Maximum Class Size
   
Medical Dosimetry 5 students
Radiation Therapy 7 students
Radiologic Technology 20 students
 

Program Admission Requirements

Medical Dosimetry

Medical Dosimetry Clinical Non-credit, Non-degree Certificate Program Admission Requirements: Admission to the program is competitive. To submit an application students are required to be registered in the Health Science major's senior year fall semester core coursework plus HAN 395 (19 credits fall semester). Preference is given to students who document coursework in human anatomy and physiology; complete the following math and physics sequence: Physics 131/132 or Physics 125/126/127; Calculus MAT 125 or MAT 131, with a grade of C+ or better; grade of C+ or better in HAN 251; and can document health care experience (paid or volunteer), shadowing of a dosimetrist, and/or community service. Note: the average of the first three exam scores in HAN 395 will be factored into admissions decisions.

The Medical Dosimetry program does not require students to shadow to submit an application, however it is recommended. In lieu of shadowing a Medical Dosimetrist, students are encouraged to research the field and understand radiation oncology and the treatment planning process in one or more of the following ways.

·Instagram pages that include education from the Center for Radiation Sciences Education and the Department of Radiation Oncology at Mount Sinai. These can be found searching the handles @MountSinaiRTTedu and @MountSinaiRadOnc

·YouTube pages that educate patients (and potential applicants) on the simulation and treatment process. Simply search "Mount Sinai Rad Onc" via YouTube or use the following links:

Breast: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVN0zKzSWPc   

Prostate:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l_z3tTI_aOc&t=2s

Head and Neck:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xzKsDEr9fDc&t=42s

Palliative care:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQ6rFzvhkKU&t=4s

Mindfulness:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gfps96WaFzM

·Explore this resources that includes videos describing the careers in radiation therapy, radiologic technology and medical dosimetry:  https://www.asrt.org/main/career-center/careers-in-radiologic-technology

·The American Association of Medical Dosimetrists (AAMD) is the professional association for medical dosimetrists. Explore the “resources” tab for additional information: https://www.medicaldosimetry.org/resources/student-resources/

All offers of admissions into the Medical Dosimetry clinical non-credit, non-degree certificate program are conditional. Requirements for admission into the clinical non-credit, non-degree certificate program are as follows: maintain an overall senior year G.P.A. of 2.5; successfully complete all fall semester course work; receive a grade of C+ or higher in HAN 395; successfully complete both of the following courses with a minimum grade of C and an overall spring semester G.P.A. of 2.5. Student must also successfully complete the following courses with a minimum grade of C+ (HAN 401: Radiobiology and Health Physics, HAN 402: Radiographic Anatomy and Pathology, HAN 482: Introduction to Pathology, HAN 487: Introduction to Treatment Planning, and HAN 492: Radiation Oncology Physics II).

 Radiologic Technology

Radiologic Technology Clinical Non-credit, Non-degree Certificate Program Admission Requirements: Admission to the program is competitive. To submit an application students are required to be registered in the Health Science major's senior year fall semester core coursework plus HAN 395 (19 credits fall semester). Preference is given to students who document an overall G.P.A. of 2.5 in college level coursework; a strong science and math background (minimum “C” grade in each course and an overall natural science G.P.A. of 2.5 in recommended coursework). Recommended coursework to include: calculus, general physics, human anatomy, physiology, and medical terminology. Preference is also given to students who can document health care experience (paid or volunteer) and/or community service. Note: the average of the first three exam scores in HAN 395 will be factored into admissions decisions.

All offers of admissions into the Radiologic Technology clinical non-credit, non-degree certificate program are conditional. Requirements for admission into the clinical non-credit, non-degree certificate program are as follows:  maintain an overall senior year G.P.A. of 2.5; successfully complete all fall semester coursework; receive a grade of C or higher in either HAN 395; successfully complete each of the following courses with a minimum grade of C and an overall spring semester G.P.A. of 2.5 (HAN 401: Radiobiology and Health Physics, HAN 402: Radiographic Anatomy and Pathology, HAN 404: Radiology Instrumentation, HAN 405: Radiographic Technique, and HAN 406: Radiographic Procedures and Positioning I). 

 Radiation Therapy

Radiation Therapy Clinical Non-credit, Non-degree Certificate Program Admission Requirements: Admission to the program is competitive. To submit an application students are required to be registered in the Health Science major's senior year fall semester core coursework plus HAN 395 (19 credits fall semester). Preference is given to students who document an overall GPA of 2.5 in college level coursework; a strong science and math background (minimum "C" grade in each course and an overall natural science GPA of 2.5 in recommended coursework). Recommended coursework to include: calculus, two courses in general physics, human anatomy, physiology (HAN 200 and HAN 202), medical terminology (HAN 312), research methods in health science (HAN 251) and HAN 395. Preference is also given to students who can document health care experience (paid or volunteer), shadowing a radiation therapist, and/or community service. Note: the average of the first three exam scores in HAN 395 will be factored into admissions decisions.

The RTT program does not require students to shadow to submit an application, however it is recommended. In lieu of shadowing a RTT, students are encouraged to research the field and understand the profession and daily role of a radiation therapist in one or more of the following ways.

·Instagram pages that include education from the Center for Radiation Sciences Education and the Department of Radiation Oncology at Mount Sinai. These can be found searching the handles @MountSinaiRTTedu and @MountSinaiRadOnc

·YouTube pages that educate patients (and potential applicants) on the simulation and treatment process. Simply search "Mount Sinai Rad Onc" via YouTube or use the following links:

Breast: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVN0zKzSWPc   

Prostate:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l_z3tTI_aOc&t=2s

Head and Neck:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xzKsDEr9fDc&t=42s

Palliative care:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQ6rFzvhkKU&t=4s

Mindfulness:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gfps96WaFzM

·The American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT) is the professional association for all technologists. Here is a link that includes videos describing the careers in radiation therapy, radiologic technology and dosimetry:  https://www.asrt.org/main/career-center/careers-in-radiologic-technology

·Also, due to COVID-19, the ASRT has published a series of "clinical refreshers" for radiation therapy and radiologic technology. The videos are intended to refresh students that have recently been in clinic, however, they may also provide you with additional information about specific treatment setups: https://www.asrt.org/more/covid19

All offers of admissions into the Radiation Therapy clinical non-credit, non-degree certificate program are conditional. Requirements for admission into the clinical non-credit, non-degree certificate program are as follows:   maintain an overall senior year GPA of 2.5; successfully complete all fall semester coursework; receive a grade of C+ or higher in fall semester HAN 395; successfully complete each of the following courses with a minimum grade of C+ and an overall spring semester GPA of 2.5 (HAN 401: Radiobiology and Health Physics, HAN 402: Radiographic Anatomy and Pathology, HAN 482: Introduction to Pathology, HAN 486: Principles and Practice of Radiation Therapy, and HAN 492: Radiation Oncology/Medical Physics).

 

Technical Standards for Clinical Concentrations