Pair this certificate with your existing technical and clinical knowledge to prepare yourself to become a data management expert who reports cancer statistics for various healthcare agencies. Perfect for healthcare professionals looking to move into a cancer registrar role. 

Program Overview

The Cancer Registry Management Program prepares students to sit for the National Cancer Registrar Associations Oncology Data Specialist (formerly CTR) exam.

Program Requirements

 

(Required by NCRA)

Course Number Description Credits
HIT 106 Medical Terminology 3
BIO 110 Anatomy & Physiology I Lecture     3
BIO 114 Anatomy & Physiology II Lecture     3

HIT 224

Health Information Systems

3

 

  TOTAL: 12
Program Courses
Course Number Description Credits
MCR 102 Introduction to Cancer Registry 3
MCR 111 Cancer Disease Coding and Staging 3
MCR 114 Oncology Treatment and Coding ​ 3
MCR 201 Abstracting Methods 3
MCR 204 Follow up, Data Quality & Utilization​ 3
MCR 211 ​Solid Tumor Rules and Hematopoietics 3
MCR 220 Cancer Registry Practicum 2
     
  TOTAL: 20
Frequently Asked Questions

Should I complete general education courses before I apply to any of the Health Information Management programs?
The Cancer Registry Management Certificate program has rolling admission therefore; you can apply anytime throughout the year. The MCR program starts in the fall semester. Introductory courses are only offered once a year. If you are accepted in the spring or summer semesters, you can take general education courses until the fall. Full-time students should apply prior to or soon after starting general education courses.

Is a credential required to work in the healthcare industry?
Most employers are looking for individuals who hold a national credential. However, some employers will hire recent graduates and give them a timeframe (typically 1-year) to earn a national credential.

What does the abbreviation ODS mean?
Oncology Data Specialist (ODS)

National Cancer Registrars Association
Click here for additional information 

How much does it cost to attend RCBC?
Tuition & fees are based on many factors including in-county, out-of-county, out-of-state and program type.  For details, click here 

Note:  any course that has a prefix of HIT or MCR, refer to the Health Science Tuition and Fees.

Are challenge exams available?
Yes, challenge exams are available for some HIM and MCR courses. The cost to challenge a course for credit is $25 per credit. Arrangements must be coordinated through the HIM Department. Rates are subject to change without notice.

If I completed courses at another school where do I send my transcript(s)?
“Official” transcripts should be mailed or dropped off to:

Office of the Registrar
Rowan College at Burlington County
900 College Circle
Mount Laurel, NJ 08054

Important note: A transcript is required from the school that you earned the letter grade. Therefore, if you attended multiple schools, an “official” transcript is required from every school that you earned a grade of “C” or higher that you would like evaluated for possible credit.

How do I register for a credential exam?

If you plan to take the Oncology Data Specialist (ODS) exam, click here for additional details.

What books are required to take a credential exam?
See - How do I register for a credential exam?

Will you accept a recent background check from another employer?
At this time, background checks required for the Cancer Registry Management Degree MUST be completed through Adam Safeguard.

Applying to the Program

Most programs in the Health Information Management (HIM) department apply selective admission standards. Therefore, admission to the college does not guarantee admission to a program.

Applicants must be admitted to RCBC and must also qualify for admission to their selected HIM program based on the following standards:

  • Graduation from high school, or attainment of a GED, with successful completion (C grade or better) of high school level algebra and biology, or equivalent college course work.
  • Successful completion of all required developmental courses as determined by the results of the College Assessment of reading, writing, and math skills.
  • Successful completion (C+ grade or better) of all courses that include the prefix HIT, HIM or MCR, as required within the HIM degree/certificate curriculum.
  • Complete an RCBC Admission Application online.
  • Achievement of an RCBC cumulative grade point average of 2.77 or greater at the time of admission.
  • Submit all previous college transcripts to the RCBC Admissions Department for evaluation. Any HIM courses on transcripts will be referred to the HIM program director for evaluation. The HIM program will not evaluate transcripts for students who have not applied to the college/ program.

Program Specific Requirements

  • Submission of a completed Health Information Management program application.
  • Must have an Associate degree or higher.
  • The following 4 prerequisite courses can be completed as co-requisites: (All courses with a prefix of HIT must be passed with a “2.77” or better).
  • HIT106    Medical Terminology            
  • BIO110    Anatomy & Physiology I Lecture            
  • BIO114    Anatomy & Physiology II Lecture            
  • HIT224    Health Information Systems
  • Grade point average (GPA) of 2.77 or higher.
  • clear criminal history background check is required prior to Practicum (details will follow with the acceptance letter).
Program Outcomes
  • The Certified Tumor Registrar (CTR) Exam pass rates for the RCBC Cancer Registry Management programs for 2016 was 100%; 2017 was 100.%; for 2018 was 33.3%; for 2019 was 67% (First time test takers only).
  • Exam pass rates from program inception (2015) to present is 68.75%. 
  • There have been 20 graduates of the program. 16 students have taken the CTR exam.
     
Accreditation

The Cancer Registry Management Associate of Applied Science degree is accredited by the National Cancer Registry Association Formal Education Review Committee (NCRA-FERC).  They can be reached at:  1330 Braddock Place, Suite 520, Alexandria, VA  22314.

National Cancer Registry Association Logo

Program Contact

Susan P. Scully, MS, RHIA, CCS, CCS-P, FAHIMA
Director of HIM Programs
(856) 222-9311, ext. 1257
sscully@rcbc.edu

HIM Information Sessions

Interested in cancer registry management? Join us for an information session to learn more about getting started in this program.

Filter Events