The department offers a Bachelor of Science in Clinical Radiation Sciences with the following areas of concentration: diagnostic medical sonography, nuclear medicine technology, radiation therapy and radiography. Upon meeting prerequisites and gaining admission to the program, students complete a three-year, full-time program that includes general education and professional course work. Graduates of the program are eligible for national certification examinations in their respective area of concentration.

Upon completion of one of the concentrations, the graduate is eligible for the relevant national certification examination administered by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists. Graduates of the nuclear medicine technology concentration also are eligible for the certification examination administered by the Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board. Graduates of the diagnostic medical sonography concentration are also eligible for the certification examination administered by the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography.

Student learning outcomes

Upon completing this program, students will know and know how to do the following:

Program core learning outcomes

  • Demonstrate proficiency in performing imaging/therapy procedures
  • Demonstrate proper patient care skills
  • Practice appropriate methods of patient safety (to include radiation safety as appropriate)
  • Demonstrate effective verbal and written communication
  • Demonstrate the ability to critically think and problem solve
  • Demonstrate professional and ethical behavior

Radiation therapy concentration-specific outcomes

  • Demonstrate proficiency in delivering radiation therapy treatments
  • Demonstrate proficiency at conduction simulation skills
 

Special requirements

Students may see prerequisite course work for admission to this program on the pre-health major in clinical radiation sciences page elsewhere in this Bulletin.

English proficiency

All non-native applicants must meet VCU’s minimum TOEFL score requirements prior to admission.

Enrolled students must earn a minimum grade of C in the following CLRS courses:

Course Title Hours
Foundations of Patient Care
Radiation Safety
Orientation to Radiation Therapy
Oncologic Patient Care
Pathology and Treatment Principles I
Radiation Therapy, Techniques and Applications
Radiation Physics
Physics for Radiation Therapy
Clinical Education I
Clinical Education II
Clinical Education III
Pathology and Treatment Principles II
Radiobiology
Quality Management in Radiation Therapy
Senior Seminar
Clinical Education IV
Clinical Education V

Degree requirements for Clinical Radiation Sciences, Bachelor of Science (B.S.) with a concentration in radiation therapy

Course Title Hours
General education
Select 30 credits of general education courses in consultation with an adviser. 130
Major requirements
• Major core requirements
CLRS 206Cross-sectional Anatomy2
CLRS 398Introduction to Research1
CLRS 498Senior Project2
• Additional major requirements
ALHP 430Overview of Research in the Health Professions3
CLRS 203Pathophysiology I3
CLRS 204Pathophysiology II3
CLRS 205Exploring Radiologic Sciences1
CLRS 208Foundations of Patient Care4
CLRS 232Radiation Safety2
CLRS 305Orientation to Radiation Therapy2
CLRS 309Oncologic Patient Care2
CLRS 314Pathology and Treatment Principles I4
CLRS 323Radiation Therapy, Techniques and Applications4
CLRS 341Radiation Physics2
CLRS 342Physics for Radiation Therapy3
CLRS 393Clinical Education I 22
CLRS 394Clinical Education II 22
CLRS 395Clinical Education III 23
CLRS 408Introduction to Computed Tomography (CT)2
CLRS 412Radiation Therapy Treatment Planning3
CLRS 415Pathology and Treatment Principles II4
CLRS 430Radiobiology2
CLRS 455Quality Management in Radiation Therapy2
CLRS 488Senior Seminar3
CLRS 493Clinical Education IV 23
CLRS 494Clinical Education V 23
Ancillary requirements
Additional subjects and credits required for admission 329
HCMG 300Health Care Organization and Services3
HPEX 250Medical Terminology1
STAT 210Basic Practice of Statistics3
Open electives
Select any course.7
Total Hours120
1

Some course work completed toward admission will also fulfill general education requirements. Admission to the program requires 29 credits. 

2

These courses have variable credits. The credits indicated are the most commonly used in the entry-level curriculum.

3

See program page for pre-health major in clinical radiation sciences for a complete list of prerequisite requirements. 

The minimum number of credit hours required for this degree is 120.

What follows is a sample plan that meets the prescribed requirements within a four-year course of study at VCU. Please contact your adviser before beginning course work toward a degree.

Freshman year
Fall semesterHours
Courses taken toward admission to program 15
 Term Hours: 15
Spring semester
Courses taken toward admission to program 14
 Term Hours: 14
Sophomore year
Fall semester
CLRS 203 Pathophysiology I 3
CLRS 205 Exploring Radiologic Sciences 1
CLRS 208 Foundations of Patient Care 4
HPEX 250 Medical Terminology 1
STAT 210 Basic Practice of Statistics 3
HCMG 300 Health Care Organization and Services 3
 Term Hours: 15
Spring semester
CLRS 204 Pathophysiology II 3
CLRS 206 Cross-sectional Anatomy 2
CLRS 232 Radiation Safety 2
UNIV 200 Advanced Focused Inquiry: Literacies, Research and Communication (satisfies general education UNIV foundations) 3
General education course 3
Open elective 2
 Term Hours: 15
Summer semester
CLRS 305 Orientation to Radiation Therapy 2
 Term Hours: 2
Junior year
Fall semester
ALHP 430 Overview of Research in the Health Professions 3
CLRS 309 Oncologic Patient Care 2
CLRS 323 Radiation Therapy, Techniques and Applications 4
CLRS 341 Radiation Physics 2
CLRS 393 Clinical Education I 2
Open elective 2
 Term Hours: 15
Spring semester
CLRS 314 Pathology and Treatment Principles I 4
CLRS 342 Physics for Radiation Therapy 3
CLRS 394 Clinical Education II 2
CLRS 398 Introduction to Research 1
General education course 4
 Term Hours: 14
Summer semester
CLRS 395 Clinical Education III 3
 Term Hours: 3
Senior year
Fall semester
CLRS 408 Introduction to Computed Tomography (CT) 2
CLRS 415 Pathology and Treatment Principles II 4
CLRS 455 Quality Management in Radiation Therapy 2
CLRS 493 Clinical Education IV 3
CLRS 498 Senior Project 2
 Term Hours: 13
Spring semester
CLRS 412 Radiation Therapy Treatment Planning 3
CLRS 430 Radiobiology 2
CLRS 488 Senior Seminar 3
CLRS 494 Clinical Education V 3
Open elective 3
 Term Hours: 14
 Total Hours: 120

The minimum number of credit hours required for this degree is 120.