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.

1. Graduates will be able to demonstrate ethical behaviors in the professional environment.
2. Graduates will exhibit appropriate professional communication.
3. Graduates will demonstrate problem solving skills.
4. Graduates will demonstrate effective research techniques.
5. 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

Nuclear Medicine Technology Concentration

Radiation Therapy Concentration

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.

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.