Postgraduate Programmes in Radiation Therapy
Postgraduate Certificate in Health Sciences (PGCertHealSc) endorsed in Radiation Therapy Advanced Practice
Overview
The Postgraduate Certificate in Health Sciences (PGCertHealSc) is designed to enable health professionals to specialise in specific areas of practice at a postgraduate level, studying on a part time basis. The Certificate may lead into the Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences (PGDipHealSc) or Master of Health Sciences (MHealSc) degree.
Information for applicants
This programme consists of two papers:
- RADX401 Radiation Therapy Advanced Practice I
And either : - RADX402 Radiation Therapy Advanced Practice II
or - RADX403 Brachytherapy Principles and Practice
What you need to know
- The programme is delivered at an advanced level for Radiation Therapy (RT) graduates and is designed for distance part-time study.
- Applicants must be registered Radiation Therapists with at least two years graduate clinical experience.
- RADX401 and RADX402 cover the scientific basis for radiation therapy treatment, evidence based treatment, site specific techniques, toxicity and symptom management, psychological issues and reflection on clinical practice.
Applicants can take either a technical focus or patient focus and there is a two day residential workshop. Applicants require a nominated advisor in the clinical setting and this will be a condition of enrolment. - RADX403 covers the principles and practice of brachytherapy.
Programme requirements
See Information for applicants above
Regulations for the Postgraduate Certificate in Health Sciences (PGCertHealSc)
1 Admission to the Programme
(a) Admission to the programme shall be subject to the approval of the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Health Sciences).
(b) Every applicant shall
(i) be a graduate or possess an appropriate health professional qualification requiring at least three years' full-time tertiary study;
(ii) have experience of or be currently working in the relevant field of health care;
(iii) present evidence of ability for advanced level academic study.
2 Structure of the Programme
The programme of study shall consist of approved papers, from the schedule of endorsed options, to the value of 60 points.
3 Duration of the Programme
(a) A candidate for the certificate shall normally follow a programme of study for one semester of full-time study, or the equivalent in part-time study.
(b) A candidate shall complete the requirements for the certificate within two years of admission to the programme.
4 Variations
The Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Health Sciences) may in exceptional circumstances approve a course of study which does not comply with these regulations.
Contact details
Programme Convenor: Karen Coleman
email: karen.coleman@otago.ac.nz
Bachelor of Radiation Therapy with Honours (BRT(Hons))
Overview
A Bachelor of Radiation Therapy with Honours (BRT(Hons)) programme is available to Radiation Therapy students who have completed the requirements for the Bachelor of Radiation Therapy (BRT) degree.
Information for applicants
The Bachelor of Radiation Therapy (Honours) is a one year full time or two year part time post graduate research degree worth 120 points. The honours degree consists of a 30 point research methods paper (HASX 417) and a 90 point thesis, based on original research (RADX4F/P).
HASX 417 is delivered over a full year by distance and introduces the student to a variety of health science research methodologies.
RADX4F/P is the original research component of the degree and can be done full time in one year or part time over two years. Honours research projects are supervised by an academic supervisor and a clinical supervisor.
Prerequisites. Students will have successfully completed the Bachelor of Radiation Therapy (BRT) (previously the Bachelor of Health Sciences (endorsed in Medical Radiation Therapy) normally with a B+ average for graded papers. For those with alternate or overseas qualifications these may be considered on a case by case basis.
Regulations for the Degree of Bachelor of Radiation Therapy with Honours (BRT(Hons))
1 Admission to the Programme
(a) Admission to the programme shall be determined by the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Health Sciences) on the advice of the Radiation Therapy Board of Studies and Examinations which must be satisfied that the applicant has the ability and experience to proceed.
(b) Every applicant must have completed the requirements of the degree of Bachelor Radiation Therapy, or an equivalent qualification, and be eligible for registration as a medical radiation technologist.
(c) Candidates must have passed all third year papers for the qualifying degree at a satisfactory level (normally with a B+ average for graded papers).
(d) Candidates will enter into the Honours programme normally within two years of qualifying, but others will be considered by the Radiation Therapy Board of Studies and Examinations on a case-by-case basis.
(e) Entry for diagnostic Medical Radiation Technologists may be considered by the Radiation Therapy Board of Studies and Examinations on a case-by-case basis.
(f) Entry for overseas Medical Radiation Technologists may be considered by the Radiation Therapy Board of Studies and Examinations on a case-by-case basis.
2 Structure of the Programme
(a) The programme shall consist of a research methods paper or papers to the value of 30 points and the preparation and submission of a satisfactory thesis embodying the results of a supervised investigation to the value of 90 points.
(b) The topic of the research thesis will be approved by the Radiation Therapy Board of Studies and Examinations.
(c) Two supervisors will be appointed by the Radiation Therapy Board of Studies and Examinations on the recommendation of the Head of the Department of Radiation Therapy, one of whom may be external to the University.
(d) The programme will be delivered by distance learning (except for any block courses that may be part of the research methods paper), with regular supervision meetings; these meetings may be face-to-face or held via tele- or video-conference.
(e) No candidate may enrol in any paper additional to the programme without the approval of the Radiation Therapy Board of Studies and Examinations.
3 Duration of the Programme
(a) A full-time candidate shall normally complete the requirements for the degree within one academic year of commencing the programme.
(b) A part-time candidate shall normally complete the requirements for the degree within two academic years of commencing the programme.
4 Examination
(a) At least two examiners for the thesis will be appointed by the Radiation Therapy Board of Studies and Examinations, at least one of whom shall be external to the University.
(b) The candidate’s supervisors shall not be examiners, but they may make a report on the work of the candidate for the examiners to consider.
5 Standard of Award of the Degree
The degree may be achieved with First Class Honours, with Second Class Honours (Division I), with Second Class Honours (Division II) or with Third Class Honours.
6 Variations
The Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Health Sciences) may in exceptional circumstances approve admission criteria or courses of study, acceptable to the Radiation Therapy Board of Studies and Examinations, which do not comply with the degree regulations.
Contact details
Contact the Programme Convenor: Dr Patries Herst (patries.herst@otago.ac.nz)
Honours projects for the Bachelor of Radiation Therapy with Honours (BRT(Hons))