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.

About Radiation Therapists

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 patients' 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 lives 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.

Program Highlights

Advantages to earning your B.S. in radiation therapy at SLU 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
• A strong science-based curriculum, which prepares students interested in postgraduate professional programs or immediate job placement
• Small class sizes and low student-faculty ratios in the professional component of the radiation therapy program, providing more individualized attention to the students

Curriculum Overview

SLU's Bachelor of Science in Radiation Therapy prepares graduates for entry-level positions as radiation therapists. The program includes all basic sciences as well as a 12-month intensive XRT curriculum that includes 1,200 hours of clinical practicum.

SLU's radiation therapy program offers several curriculum tracks including pre-physician assistant and pre-medicine. Upon successful completion of the program, graduates are eligible for national certification to become a Registered Radiation Therapist through the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT).

Clinical 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 career opportunities for radiation therapists. Graduates can work as radiation therapists in hospitals and clinics and may seek positions in areas such as treatment planning, health care administration, equipment sales and training and teaching. 

Some graduates further their education to pursue careers in dosimetry, medical physics and advanced practice. 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 using ionizing radiation

The general salary range depends on geographic location, years of experience and education. The median annual wage for radiation therapists is $82,330 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Admission Requirements

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

Admission criteria include:

• Preference is given to students with an ACT composite score of 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 student, depending on program 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

The Radiation Therapy program is accredited by the 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

For more information about the Saint Louis University radiation therapy program goals, program outcomes, credentialing exam pass rates, job placement rates, technical standards, clinical site and program-specific requirements and fees, please see Additional Program Information and Fees.

Additional Program Information and Fees

Doisy College of Health Sciences Learning Outcomes

1. Graduates will be able to articulate ethical behaviors in clinical practice.
2. Graduates will be able to evidence appropriate written communication appropriate for the profession of radiation therapy.
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 in the clinical setting.

Radiation Therapy Programmatic Mission

The Radiation Therapy program at Saint Louis University, Doisy College of Health Sciences, is dedicated to preparing liberally educated, competent, caring and socially responsible radiation therapists, committed to clinical and scholarly excellence.

Radiation Therapy Program Learning Outcomes and Goals

Goal A: Students will be clinically competent

1. The radiation therapy student will position patients as directed in treatment record.
2. The radiation therapy student will set treatment machine as indicated in patient treatment record.
3. The radiation therapy student will practice patient confidentiality.
4. The radiation therapy student will practice proper radiation protection and safety.

 Goal B: Students will demonstrate problem-solving and critical thinking skills.

1. The radiation therapy student will demonstrate complex radiation therapy procedures.
2. The radiation therapy student will present a complex radiation therapy treatment procedure to an audience.
3. The radiation therapy student will demonstrate appropriate problem-solving skills for the practice of radiation therapy when provided with a case for analysis.

Goal C: Students will demonstrate effective communication skills.

1. The radiation therapy student will appropriately communicate with patients.
2. The radiation therapy student will show evidence of appropriate written communication for the profession of radiation therapy.
3. The radiation therapy student will demonstrate proper presentation skills.

Goal D: Students will demonstrate professional growth and development.

1. The radiation therapy student will demonstrate professional behavior.
2. The radiation therapy student will be able to articulate ethical behaviors in clinical practice.
3. The radiation therapy student will have knowledge of professional organizations.
4. The radiation therapy student will demonstrate the concepts of compassionate care.

The program annually tracks student learning outcomes as they relate to the above student goals.

Program Outcomes 2014-18

The data presented here are the mandatory qualitative program outcomes that are required by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiology Technology in the Standards for an Accredited Program in Radiologic Sciences - Radiation Therapy Program. These standards can be found on the JRCERT website here.

Current program effectiveness data reported to the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology can be found at jrcert.org.

Enrollments, Graduates and Program Completion Rate

Enrollments are defined as the number of new students who began the program during the reporting period indicated.

Graduates are defined as the total number of students who graduated from the radiation therapy program during the reporting period indicated.

Program Completion Rate is calculated by dividing the number of students who complete the program within the cohort by the number who enrolled in the cohort initially and subsequently. Any student who leaves the program for any reason (medical leave, personal reasons, or course failure) is counted as not completing the program. The radiation therapy program identifies a program completion rate benchmark of 80% and is in compliance with this benchmark for the past five years reported, 2014-2018.

Credentialing Examination Pass Rate

Credentialing Examination Pass Rate is defined as the number of graduates who pass the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) credentialing exam compared with the number of graduates who take the exam. Consistent with JRCERT Standards, programs must document a five-year credentialing examination pass rate average of not less than 75%, at first attempt, within six months of graduation.

Job Placement Rate

Job placement rate is defined as the number of graduates employed in the radiologic sciences compared to the number of graduates actively seeking employment in the radiologic sciences. Graduates “not actively seeking” employment is defined as graduates not communicating with the program regarding employment status, unwilling to seek employment due to relocation requirements, not accepting employment due to hours or salary, in active military duty or continuing education. Consistent with JRCERT Standards, programs must document a five-year average job placement rate of not less than 75% within 12 months of graduation. Radiation therapy students graduate in August.

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 completed 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 School of Medicine 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 Option for Students with Associate's Degree in Radiography

Program Notes

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

Course List

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.

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 include 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. The application deadline is August 1.

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.

Apply for Admission

For additional admission questions please contact:
Julie Miller
Recruitment Specialist
314-977-2570
dchs@health.slu.edu