Molecular Imaging and Therapeutics, M.S.
Saint Louis University's Master of Science in molecular imaging and therapeutics program is for students with a background in imaging or radiologic science who want to pursue a new and different area of study for educational and research purposes.
This degree is a 12 to 15-month, three-semester program with a rigorous curriculum. This degree option combines a collaborative research component with individual areas of imaging and therapeutic sciences.
Students in SLU's molecular imaging and therapeutics master’s program choose from three concentration options: magnetic resonance imaging, nuclear medicine technology and radiation therapy. Students will:
- Possess the expertise and knowledge to assist in the advancement of molecular imaging science.
- Have expertise in multiple areas of imaging and/or radiation therapy and be ready to contribute to the growth and development of molecular imaging and therapeutics.
- Gain applicable comprehension of multiple molecular imaging modalities and therapies.
Curriculum Overview
Students choose to study one of the following (which is different from their original modality): magnetic resonance imaging, nuclear medicine technology or radiation therapy. The program includes a required master’s seminar course each semester along with didactic specific courses and clinicals. The master’s seminar courses build from the fundamentals of research and include clinical research design and research history with an advanced scholarly component designed to enhance the content of other courses in their chosen area of study.
The professional graduate student will be expected to integrate the knowledge of both chosen medical imaging majors into their project and possibly produce ground-breaking research not previously explored or published.
Fieldwork and Research Opportunities
SLU's molecular imaging and therapeutics program includes a required leadership and advanced scholarly component. Students will present material in each course that combines both areas of specialty. Students will be involved in an ongoing research project(s) or process(s) with a scholarly mentor to provide guidance in planning, coordinating, conducting and presenting the research. Completed under the direction of the mentor, students will complete a project suitable for publication in a peer-reviewed journal or scholarly equivalent.
Careers
Graduates of this program are extremely valuable to imaging/radiation oncology departments and medical corporations because current and developing technology require increasing knowledge of magnetic resonance imaging, nuclear medicine, radiation therapy and other radiologic and imaging disciplines in the diagnosis and treatment of patients.
Upon completion of the MIT master’s program, students will be able to sit for the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists national certification exam in the chosen discipline. Students will also have significant technical and clinical expertise in multiple modality specialties.
Admission Requirements
Current Saint Louis University students must:
- Complete their Bachelor of Science degree in magnetic resonance imaging, nuclear medicine technology or radiation therapy, preferably with coursework equivalent to the pre-physician assistant or pre-medicine curricular tracks, before beginning the graduate molecular imaging and therapeutics program.
- Have a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or above on a 4.00 scale.
- Earn a minimum grade of B in all discipline-specific courses.
- Pass the American Registry of Radiologic Technologist or Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board registry exams in magnetic resonance imaging, nuclear medicine technology or radiation therapy for your initial Bachelor of Science degree within six months of undergraduate graduation. Confirmation of certification and/or registration will be required for students to be able to progress in the graduate program.
General applicants must:
- Be board certified by the American Registry of Radiologic Technology in another imaging/radiologic science discipline or be registered within six months of your undergraduate program completion. Confirmation of certification and/or registration will be required.
- Possess a Bachelor of Science degree in an imaging/radiologic science discipline different from the concentration in which the student is applying.
- Have taken the necessary pre-requisites (or appropriate equivalent) for the Master of Science degree in molecular imaging and therapeutics.
- Take the Graduate Records Examination (GRE).
It is recommended that students have taken a statistics course in the last five years.
Application Requirements
- Application form and fee
- Transcript(s)
- Three letters of recommendation
- GRE scores
- Résumé
- Interview
- Professional licensure or certification (if applicable)
- Professional goal statement
Requirements for International Students
All admission policies and requirements for domestic students apply to international students along with the following:
- Demonstrate English Language Proficiency
- Proof of financial support must include:
- A letter of financial support from the person(s) or sponsoring agency funding the time at Saint Louis University
- A letter from the sponsor's bank verifying that the funds are available and will be so for the duration of study at the University
- Academic records, in English translation, of students who have undertaken postsecondary studies outside the United States must include the courses taken and/or lectures attended, practical laboratory work, the maximum and minimum grades attainable, the grades earned or the results of all end-of-term examinations, and any honors or degrees received. WES and ECE transcripts are accepted.
Application Deadline
Students should apply for the fall semester by Dec. 1, although if space permits, applications will be considered until July 1.
Review Process
Applications are reviewed by a committee of molecular imaging and therapeutics faculty members.
Scholarships and Financial Aid
For more information, visit the student financial services office online at http://finaid.slu.edu.
- Graduates will be able to demonstrate ethical behaviors in the professional environment.
- Graduates will exhibit appropriate professional communication.
- Graduates will demonstrate problem solving skills.
- Graduates will demonstrate effective research techniques.
- Graduates will recognize professional practices in the health care setting.
Students in Saint Louis University's molecular imaging and therapeutics master's program take the following courses.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging Concentration
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MIT 5110 | Physical Principles | 3 |
| MIT 5120 | Cross Sectional Anatomy and Pathology | 3 |
| MIT 5130 | Instrumentation and Quality Analysis | 3 |
| MIT 5140 | Clinical MRI and Image Production | 5 |
| MIT 5150 | Patient Care and MRI Safety | 3 |
| MIT 5210 | Clinical MRI Practicum | 9 |
| MIT 5220 | Advanced/Emerging Technologies | 3 |
| MIT 5890 | Clinical MRI Practicum II | 0 |
| MIT 6000 | Masters Seminar I | 1 |
| MIT 6100 | Masters Seminar II | 2 |
| MIT 6200 | Masters Seminar III | 3 |
| ORES 5300 | Foundations of Outcomes Research I | 3 |
| Total Credits | 38 | |
Nuclear Medicine Technology Concentration
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MIT 5510 | NMT Radiation Physics and Radiation Protection | 4 |
| MIT 5520 | Radiochemistry | 3 |
| MIT 5530 | Nuclear Medicine Instrumentation | 2 |
| MIT 5540 | NMT Clinical Nuclear Medicine | 5 |
| MIT 5550 | Nuclear Medicine Information Systems | 3 |
| MIT 5610 | Imaging Practicum | 7 |
| MIT 5620 | Radiochemistry Practicum | 3 |
| MIT 5630 | Emerging Technologies | 3 |
| MIT 5880 | NMT Clinical Practicum | 0 |
| MIT 6000 | Masters Seminar I | 1 |
| MIT 6100 | Masters Seminar II | 2 |
| MIT 6200 | Masters Seminar III | 3 |
| ORES 5300 | Foundations of Outcomes Research I | 3 |
| Total Credits | 39 | |
Radiation Therapy Concentration
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MIT 5310 | Radiation Physics | 2 |
| MIT 5320 | XRT Radiation Therapy Practice I | 3 |
| MIT 5330 | Treatment Technique | 3 |
| MIT 5340 | Treatment Planning | 2 |
| MIT 5350 | XRT Clinical Practicum I | 6 |
| MIT 5360 | Emerging Technologies | 2 |
| MIT 5400 | Radiation Oncology Patient Care and Quality Management | 3 |
| MIT 5410 | Radiobiology and Radiation Protection | 2 |
| MIT 5420 | XRT Radiation Therapy Practice II | 3 |
| MIT 5430 | XRT Capstone | 1 |
| MIT 5440 | XRT Clinical Dosimetry | 3 |
| MIT 5450 | Clinical Practicum II | 0 |
| MIT 6000 | Masters Seminar I | 1 |
| MIT 6100 | Masters Seminar II | 2 |
| MIT 6200 | Masters Seminar III | 3 |
| ORES 5300 | Foundations of Outcomes Research I | 3 |
| Total Credits | 39 | |
Continuation Standards
Students must maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 in all graduate/professional courses.
Roadmaps are recommended semester-by-semester plans of study for programs and assume full-time enrollment unless otherwise noted.
Courses and milestones designated as critical (marked with !) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation. Transfer credit may change the roadmap.
This roadmap should not be used in the place of regular academic advising appointments. All students are encouraged to meet with their advisor/mentor each semester. Requirements, course availability and sequencing are subject to change.
| Year One | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| MIT 5310 | Radiation Physics | 2 |
| MIT 5320 | XRT Radiation Therapy Practice I | 3 |
| MIT 5330 | Treatment Technique | 3 |
| MIT 5340 | Treatment Planning | 2 |
| MIT 5360 | Emerging Technologies | 2 |
| MIT 5400 | Radiation Oncology Patient Care and Quality Management | 3 |
| MIT 5410 | Radiobiology and Radiation Protection | 2 |
| MIT 6000 | Masters Seminar I | 1 |
| Credits | 18 | |
| Spring | ||
| MIT 5350 | XRT Clinical Practicum I | 6 |
| MIT 5420 | XRT Radiation Therapy Practice II | 3 |
| MIT 5430 | XRT Capstone | 1 |
| MIT 5440 | XRT Clinical Dosimetry | 3 |
| MIT 6100 | Masters Seminar II | 2 |
| ORES 5980 | Graduate Readings in Outcomes Research | 3 |
| Credits | 18 | |
| Summer | ||
| MIT 5450 | Clinical Practicum II | 0 |
| MIT 6200 | Masters Seminar III | 3 |
| Credits | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 39 | |
Program Notes
All 5000-6000 level graduate courses with the MIT course number, regardless of the MIRT professional track chosen, includes a required scholarly and leadership component with student presentation of the material meant to enhance each course. In each course, including the Masters Seminars, the project topics chosen must bridge both areas of specialty studied by the student.
For additional admission questions please contact,
Katie Smialek
Recruitment Specialist
(314) 977-2570
dchs@health.slu.edu