Suffolk University Certificate in Medical Dosimetry Program

Overview

This postbaccalaureate program in Medical Dosimetry is designed for candidates who hold a minimum of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. It is collaborative effort between Suffolk University and Mass General Brigham Hospital’s Radiation Oncology departments, including Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), Brigham and Women’s Hospital, MGH North Shore, Mass General Cancer Center at Newton-Wellesley, and MGH Emerson.

The program received accreditation from the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT) accreditation in October of 2012.

From the American Association of Medical Dosimetrists (AAMD):

The Medical Dosimetrist is a member of the radiation oncology team who has knowledge of the overall characteristics and clinical relevance of radiation oncology treatment machines and equipment, is cognizant of procedures commonly used in brachytherapy and has the education and expertise necessary to generate radiation dose distributions and dose calculations in collaboration with the medical physicist and radiation oncologist.

Enrolled students will undertake a combination of classroom work and hands-on clinical experience at clinical affiliates in the metro Boston area over a 21-month period.

Clinical experiences are completed under the supervision of board-certified medical dosimetrists and medical physicists and include such advanced treatment techniques as proton therapy and RapidArc.

Upon successful completion of the certificate program, students will be immediately eligible to sit for the Medical Dosimetry Certification Board (MDCB) exam while possessing appropriate entry-level employment skills for the Medical Dosimetry field.

For additional information about medical dosimetry in general and the certification exam, please see the following websites:

• American Association of Medical Dosimetrists
• Medical Dosimetry Certification Board

Requirements

Candidates seeking admission will possess a minimum of bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better. In addition, candidates will demonstrate B equivalent or better in the following pre-required coursework:

• Calculus I & II
• Biology w/Lab or General Chemistry I &II
• Anatomy & Physiology I &II with Labs
• Physics I & II with Labs (Calculus based)

Candidates will also undergo a formal interview with admissions committee comprised of Suffolk University faculty & Mass General Brigham Hospital personnel.

For more information on the admissions process, please see the Suffolk University website

Curriculum

Fall Semester – Year 1 (16 credits)
MS 315/L315 Radiation Therapy Physics I with lab
MS 420 Oncology and Pathology
MS 200 Introduction to Medical Sciences
MS 422 Radiology for Radiation Therapy

Spring Semester – Year 1 (16 credits)
MS 301 Clinical Radiation I (3 credits)
MS L311 Clinical Dosimetry Rotation I (1 credit)
MS 317 Radiation Physics II
MS 415/L415 Clinical Dosimetry
PHIL 119, 123, or 127 Ethics Electives
Clinic Hours, 16 per week, 224 hours

Summer Session I and II (1 credit)
MS L314 Clinical Practicum for Dosimetry (1 credit)
Clinic Hours, 40 per week for 12 weeks, 480 hours

Fall Semester – Year 2 (16 credits)
MS 302 Clinical Radiation II (3 credits)
MS L312 Clinical Dosimetry Rotation II (1 credit)
MS 417 Clinical Dosimetry II
MS 435 Brachytherapy
Biostatistics Option
Clinic Hours, 24 per week, 336 hours

Spring Semester – Year 2 (13 credits)
MS L313 Clinical Dosimetry Rotation III (1 credit)
MS 510 Directed Study
MS 450 Dosimetry Systems and Networking
MS 416 Radiation Biology
Clinic Hours, 24 per week, 336 hours

How to Apply

For information on the admissions process, please see the Suffolk University website.

For additional information on the admissions process, you can also contact:

Jacky Nyamwanda, MS, CMD
Medical Dosimetry Education Coordinator
20 Somerset Street, Room 625
Boston, MA 02108
Email: jnyamwanda@suffolk.edu
Phone: 617-725-4109