Medical Dosimetry Certificate Program (JRCERT Accredited)

History of the Program & Accreditation

The University of Maryland Medical Center Dosimetry Program is accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology  

20 North Wacker Drive
Suite 2850
Chicago, IL 60606-3182
312-704-5300
Email: mail@jrcert.org

The program’s current award is eight years. General program accreditation information and the current accreditation award letter can be found here.

Accreditation of our program has been effective since May 10, 2007. In 2018, our program was re-accredited by the JRCERT for a total of eight years, until the second quarter of 2026. The program successfully completed its interim review in 2022. 

The Department of Radiation Oncology, under the auspices of the University of Maryland Medical Center, opened the School of Medical Dosimetry in 2001. As of 2023, the University of Maryland program has celebrated 49 dosimetry graduates, and is one of only 15 accredited programs in the United States. Students of this program are University of Maryland Medical Center dosimetry trainees, not students of the University of Maryland. Our one-year program combines an extensive curriculum with hands-on training to prepare our students for a career in medical dosimetry.

Mission Statement

“To provide world-class education and training in medical dosimetry and produce competent dosimetrists who serve the needs of the community through the treatment of patients with radiation”

Objectives

1. Provide education and expertise in medical dosimetry through didactic and clinical instruction
2. Foster critical thinking, analytical skills, and problem solving in the rapidly changing world of science and technology
3. Promote a commitment to patient care and professional development

Goals and Outcomes

Goal 1: Students will graduate as clinically competent dosimetrists.

Student Learning Outcome:

1. Students will be able to design usable plans for external beam radiotherapy including 3D conformal radiotherapy and intensity modulated radiotherapy
2. Students will be able to demonstrate an understanding of image-guided radiation therapy as it applies to planning and treatment

Goal 2: Students will demonstrate the critical thinking skills required for medical dosimetry.

Student Learning Outcome:

1. Students will demonstrate an understanding of the physics and radiobiology of radiation therapy
2. Students will be able to sufficiently respond to questions from staff dosimetrists, physicists, and physicians regarding their treatment plans

Goal 3: Students will effectively communicate within an interdisciplinary radiation oncology team.

Student Learning Outcome:

1. Students will effectively communicate with doctors, physicists, and dosimetrists
2. Students will display effective oral communication skills
3. Students will display effective written communication skills

Goal 4: Students will conduct themselves in a professional manner and practice the ideals of professional growth and lifelong learning.

Student Learning Outcome:

1. Graduates will demonstrate lifelong learning
2. Students will conduct themselves in a professional manner

Goal 5: Students will graduate as entry-level dosimetrists.      

Student Learning Outcome:

1. Students will obtain a job in the field of medical dosimetry
2. Students will take the Certified Medical Dosimetrist (CMD) board examination within one year of graduation
3. Students will feel prepared to enter the workforce as entry-level dosimetrists
4. Students will complete the program within 12 months
5. Students will pass their CMD board exams within two years of graduation
6. Employers will be satisfied with the performance of graduates

Curriculum

Information on our curriculum is provided in our Dosimetry Program Handbook. Our program provides each graduate who completes all courses a certificate of completion. We are not a degree-granting program. Therefore, the Dosimetry Program is not presently recognized as a degree-granting higher education organization, or branch of such, by student loan managing agencies.

Course credits from our Medical Dosimetry Program cannot be counted towards a higher education degree from a higher education organization, nor can credits from other programs be counted by our program. However, to demonstrate our commitment to educational excellence, the University of Maryland Medical Center's School of Medical Dosimetry was previously recognized by the Medical Dosimetry Certification Board (MDCB), and is presently accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT).

JRCERT accreditation is part of the eligibility requirements by the MDCB and our program fulfills this requirement. However, the applicant, student or graduate is urged to contact the MDCB with questions of eligibility at any time.

Applying to the Program

The application deadline is December 1, for a start date of July 1 the following year. Individuals interested in applying to our program may download our required Application Form and Reference Form, and submit in-full with a statement of interest and transcripts before the deadline to be considered for admission. Prospective applicants may also find extensive information about our program in the Student Handbook. The Department of Radiation Oncology, under the auspices of the University of Maryland Medical Center, offers a one-year JRCERT-accredited certificate program in Medical Dosimetry.

Program Effectiveness Data

Access the most recent dosimetry Program Effectiveness Data

For more information regarding program effectiveness data visit the JRCERT website.

Information for Prospective Applicants and Current Students

Admission Policies

Our admission policy is designed to find the best match of student interest, achievement, and ability with our own program's objectives, goals, and plan of assessment and development. We do not favor one group of applicants, race, color, ethnic origin, national origin, age, gender or sex. Similarly, we do not discriminate based on race, color, ethnic origin, national origin, age, gender or sex, or economic status. We only favor the applicants that are best suited to enter the program based on their academic excellence, interest in our program, and professional commitment and achievement. Such metrics are evaluated from the applications submitted, the recommendation letters, and the applicants' performance during an onsite interview.

Equal Opportunity

The University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC) is actively committed to providing equal educational and employment opportunity in all of its programs. It is the goal of the university to assure that women and minorities are equitably represented among the faculty, staff, and administration of the university, so that its work force reflects the diversity of Maryland's population.

All employment policies and activities of UMMC shall be consistent with federal and state laws, regulations and executive orders on nondiscrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, age, ancestry or national origin, sex, sexual orientation, handicap, marital status, and veteran status. Sexual harassment, as a form of sex discrimination, is prohibited among the work force of the university.

Credit Transfer

The UMMC Medical Dosimetry Program is not a degree-granting higher education organization. Hence, we do accept transfer of credits or provide credits that can be transferred to higher education organizations for degrees granted by those institutions.

Appeal Process

Students are expected to be in good standing in the program to continue employment and complete the one-year program. Good standing includes non-complaint of behavioral or professional misconduct. Complaints are resolved through an appeal process. The appeal process is only available to full-time employees of UMMC after an initial six-week probationary period, which starts on the first day of employment. The guidelines and regulations of the appeal process are set by the policies governing employees of UMMC. The appeal process is part of a due-process procedure. Due-process procedures provide students with an unbiased avenue to pursue complaints or grievances and the opportunity to be heard in a timely manner. The appeal process is available to students after their initial probationary period as hospital employees.

Information for non-U.S. nationals and non-permanent-US residents

Student visas, working visas or work permits are not sponsored by our program on behalf of applicants who are not permanent residents or citizens of the U.S.

Additional Resources for Current Students of the School of Medical Dosimetry

You may learn about policies for timely resolution of complaints by accessing the employee handbook within our hospital system intranet (accessible only to employees and students of our program). This webpage is essentially your portal to hospital employee services.

Allegations of non-compliance with educational standards can be forwarded to the director of the program, or to hospital administration. Questions about our curriculum; admission policies, transfer of credits, tuition and fees, refund policies, academic calendars, academic policies, graduation requirements, student services not answered in this webpage, or in our handbook can be obtained by contacting the program director.