Radiation Therapy, B.S.

If you choose to major in radiation therapy at Saint Louis University, you will learn to treat cancer patients with high-energy radiation using highly specialized equipment. You will focus on helping plan and administer prescribed doses of radiation to affected areas as directed by a radiation oncologist.

A radiation therapist is a health care professional skilled in the art and science of medical radiation treatment. Therapists are primarily concerned with the design and administration of radiation therapy treatment, in addition to issues of daily well-being for patients with cancer. A therapist is responsible for administering the prescribed treatment dose of radiation using high-energy linear accelerators. These treatments are provided to cure the patient or to control the disease, thereby improving the patient’s quality of life. Therapists also monitor patient’s reactions for radiation side effects and keep highly accurate records of planning, treatment and equipment use.

This profession combines the great satisfaction of helping others during a difficult time in their life with sophisticated technological equipment and scientific techniques. Radiation therapists work as part of a multidisciplinary health care team with radiation oncologists, medical physicists, dosimetrists, nurses and other medical specialists to provide the best treatment and support available to their patients.

The Bachelor of Science in radiation therapy prepares a graduate for an entry-level position as a radiation therapist. The program includes all basic sciences as well as a 12-month intensive XRT curriculum that includes 1200 hours of clinical practicum. The radiation therapy program offers several curriculum tracks including pre-physician assistant and pre-Medicine. Upon successful completion of the program, the graduate is eligible for national certification to become a Registered Radiation Therapist (ARRT).

Radiation therapy students are encouraged to join and participate in the functions of the Saint Louis University Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapeutics Club, in addition to professional organizations in the St. Louis area.

Curriculum Overview

Advantages to earning your B.S. in radiation therapy include:

• Opportunities to participate in professional conferences with faculty and fellow students
• A curriculum with an interprofessional focus that emphasizes a team approach to health care
• Instruction by professionally credentialed faculty
• Undergraduate opportunities to conduct research and produce projects/papers acceptable for publication and presentation at professional conferences
• Pre-med and pre-physician assistant curriculum options
• The radiation therapy program has a strong science-based curriculum, which prepares students interested in postgraduate professional programs or immediate job placement.
• The professional component of the radiation therapy program has small class sizes and low student-faculty ratios, providing more individualized attention to the students.

Fieldwork and Research Opportunities

Radiation therapy students participate in a clinical practicum at multiple health care settings in the St. Louis area. This variety of clinical sites allows students to appreciate a variety of departmental structures, ranging from high-end research facilities to community hospitals.

Students also are encouraged to join and participate in the functions of the Saint Louis University Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapeutics Club, in addition to professional organizations in the St. Louis area.

Careers

There are many opportunities for radiation therapists in various locations. Graduates can work as radiation therapists in hospitals and clinics and may seek positions in areas such as information technology, health care administration, equipment sales and training, and teaching. 

Some graduates further their education to pursue careers in dosimetry, medical physics, and molecular imaging and therapeutics. Radiation therapy provides excellent pre-professional curricula in pre-medicine and pre-physician assistant. Many students attend graduate school part-time with assistance from their place of employment. 

Some jobs are classified as traveling jobs where the employee provides temporary help to departments that are short-staffed for a short period of time. These therapists travel regularly, with the length of stay and the location varying.

Major focus areas for radiation therapists are:

• Assessment and primary care of patients
• Delivery of treatments using linear accelerators or similar equipment

The general salary range depends on geographic location, years of experience and education. The median annual wage for radiation therapists is $72,910 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Admission Requirements

Factors considered for admission include academic performance, class rank, college admission test scores, and high school profile.

Admission criteria include:

• ACT composite score of at least 22, with no subsection lower than 20, or equivalent SAT scores
• Minimum GPA of 2.70 on a 4.00 scale

Professional coursework in the radiation therapy program is concentrated in the fourth year of the curriculum. Students may enter as a freshman or as a transfer, depending on availability.

Scholarships and Financial Aid

There are two principal ways to help finance a Saint Louis University education:

• Scholarships: awarded based on academic achievement, service, leadership and financial need. In addition to University scholarships, the Doisy College of Health Sciences offers a scholarship to sophomores, juniors and seniors.
• Financial Aid: provided in the form of grants and loans, some of which require repayment.

For priority consideration for merit-based scholarships, applicants should apply for admission by Dec. 1 and complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by March 1.

For more information, visit the student financial services office online at http://finaid.slu.edu.

Accreditation

Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiological Technology (JRCERT)
20 N. Wacker Drive, Suite 2850
Chicago, Illinois 60606-3182
(312) 704-5300
http://www.jrcert.org

Additional Accreditation Information 

1. Graduates will be able to demonstrate ethical behaviors in clinical practice.
2. Graduates will be able to evidence written communication appropriate for the profession.
3. Graduates will be able to demonstrate complex radiation therapy treatment procedures.
4. Graduates will be able to present a complex radiation therapy treatment procedure to an audience.
5. Graduates will be able to demonstrate professional behaviors.

Standard Track

Pre-Medicine Track

Pre-Physician Assistant and PA Scholar Track

2+2 Option for Students with Associate Degree in Radiography

Total semester credits vary based on applicable courses complete in undergraduate program) Specific course plan is individually designed for each applicant.

Second Degree Option for students with a Bachelor's Degree

Total semester credits vary based on applicable courses completed in an undergraduate program. The specific course plan is individually designed for each applicant.

Continuation Standards

Students must maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.70 to remain in good standing.

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.

Standard Track

Pre-Medicine Track

Program Notes

Curriculum is designed to address SLU’s Medical School requirements and is subject to change. If applying to a Medical School at another institution, please consult their website for specific requirements.

Pre-Physician Assistant Track

Program Notes

Curriculum is designed to address SLU’s PA Program requirements and is subject to change. If applying to a PA Program at another institution, please consult their website for specific requirements.

Physician Assistants Scholars Track

Program Notes

Upon completion of the bachelor’s degree, students will proceed directly into SLU’s graduate-level PA program.

2+2 Track

Program Notes

Selection for student admission is on a space available basis, and final acceptance decision is made by the Radiation Therapy selection committee.

Second Baccalaureate Degree Track

Courses to Be Taken at Saint Louis University

Program Notes

This 12-month program is identical to the senior year of the degree option. Successful completion leads to a second baccalaureate degree in Radiation Therapy. This option is designed as an alternative for the student who already possesses a bachelor’s degree and is motivated to become a practicing Radiation Therapist in 12 months. It is also for the non-traditional student who may be working in another field, perhaps related to health care, who wishes to change careers.

To be considered for the second baccalaureate degree, the applicant must have satisfactorily completed a baccalaureate degree, with a minimum GPA of 2.7 (on a 4.0 scale), including the prerequisite courses listed above.

The application must show evidence of shadowing, observation or documented work experience in the field of Radiation Therapy. The applicant must complete the application for the professional year and submit official transcripts of prior college work through the SLU admission website at http://www.slu.edu. Application deadline is August 1^st.

The applicant must show satisfactory evidence of good character and physical ability to perform functions of the Radiation Therapist’s role. All applicants must meet the professional performance and technical standards required by the profession. Students must also successfully complete a drug screen and criminal background check prior to the start of the professional year.

Application to the 12-month option is via a competitive application process with admission granted on a space-available basis. The selection process includes a personal interview for qualified applicants.