Program Details

A degree program offered through Virginia Western Community College at the NOVA Medical Education Campus

Virginia Western Community College offers its Radiation Oncology program through Northern Virginia Community College. This joint venture opportunity is designed to prepare selected students to qualify as radiation therapists, contributing members of the allied health care team who provide a variety of therapeutic services through the use of ionizing radiation.

The degree program in Radiation Oncology is a full-time, five-semester sequential curriculum leading to an Associate in Applied Science Degree and eligibility to sit for the National Certification Examination in Radiation Therapy sponsored by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT).

The program is accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT).

• Application Requirements

  Application Period: October 1 to March 15

  Admission Policy: Competitive

  Program Size: 10 students

  Program Length: 5 full-time semesters

  Program Starts: Every August

  Prerequisites

  Requirements must be completed by the end of the Spring semester prior to the start of the program.

  • Review 2022 Online Information Session.
  • Complete or transfer two SDV credits or equivalent; C or better grade.
    • If you hold an associate or bachelor's degree, you do not need to take SDV courses. You will receive transfer credit upon transcript review.
    • There are two ways to satisfy this prerequisite if you do not hold a degree:
      • At NOVA: Take SDV 100 College Success Skills (1 credit) and SDV 101 Orientation to Healthcare Professions (1 credit).
      • At VWCC: Take SDV 101 Orientation to Healthcare Professions (2 credits).
  • Complete or transfer HLT 141 Introduction to Medical Terminology; C or better grade.
  • Complete or transfer BIO 141 Human Anatomy and Physiology; must be within 5 years and C or better grade.
  • Complete or transfer MTH 161 Pre-Calculus; must be within 5 years and C or better grade.
    • This must be college-level and the course may have pre/co-requisites.
  • Cumulative GPA 2.5 or higher at the end of fall semester prior to application deadline.
  • One unit of high school or college biology, chemistry, or physics lab science.
• Program Information
  • VWCC Admissions Policy
  • NOVA Admissions Policy
  • VWCC Transfer Credit Policy and Additional VWCC Transfer Information

  Program Mission Statement

  The mission of the Radiation Oncology degree program is to provide the communities and diverse populations we serve with radiation therapists dedicated to excellence and integrity who are prepared to meet the challenges of an evolving healthcare environment.

  • Estimated Cost (Tuition, Fees)
  • VWCC Graduation Requirements
  • Program Curriculum for the Associate of Applied Science in Radiation Oncology Degree
  • Program Course Grading System
  • Clinical Requirements
  • Essential Functions of a Radiation Therapist/Radiation Therapy Student
  • Program Goals and Student Learning Outcomes

  • Articulation Agreement with Old Dominion University to earn a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences after Graduation
  • Academic Calendar (all radiation oncology courses follow the VWCC academic calendar)
  • VWCC Grievance Policy and/or Procedures and NOVA Grievance Policy and/or Procedures
  • Program Effectiveness Data
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Radiation Therapy at NOVA
• Application Process and Related Documents
  1. Thoroughly review the NOVA information session on this webpage.
  2. Apply to both NOVA and VWCC.
     1. Apply to VWCC here. At VWCC, select 'Career Studies Certificate: Introduction to Radiation Oncology' for your plan of study.
     2. Apply to NOVA here. At NOVA, you may select any course of study and do not need to apply again if you're already a NOVA student.
  3. Complete steps 2-5 found here. Indicate NOVA as your campus location preference on the radiation oncology application form in step two.
  4. Complete the program application checklist as early as possible. Note the application deadline. Mailing application items all together, in one envelope, is preferred. Mail application items to: 
     
     Pam Woody, VWCC - Health Professions Advising and Applications Office
     3091 Colonial Ave.
     Roanoke, VA 24015

  Questions about transfer credits or radiation oncology program advising?

  Email: healthprofessions@virginiawestern.edu 

  Helpful Application Process Document Links

  • Radiation Oncology Application Instructions
  • Transcript Request Form
  • Program Application Checklist (same as referenced above)
• JRCERT Accredited Details

  The program is accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT) and is operated in compliance with their standards for accredited programs.

  JRCERT
  20 N. Wacker Dr., Suite 2850
  Chicago, IL 60606-3182
  mail@jrcert.org 
  312.704.5300
  http://www.jrcert.org

  VWCC Radiation Oncology Program Accreditation Status Details, Fully and Actively Accredited