1. health and fitness
2. therapy

DOISY COLLEGE OF HEALTH SCIENCES
RADIATION THERAPY
Radiation therapy is a field in which the radiation therapist
prepares and treats already diagnosed cancer patients with
high energy radiation using highly specialized equipment.
A radiation therapist helps 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 wellbeing 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 high technology
equipment and sophisticated scientific techniques. Radiation
therapists work as part of a multi-disciplinary 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.
DEGREES OFFERED
•• Bachelor of Science in Radiation Therapy
EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS
Radiation therapists are required to earn a bachelor’s
degree from an accredited program and pass a certification
examination from a national certifying agency. Radiation
therapy students must have an interest in scientific and
technical skills, possess strong math skills, communicate
effectively, and be able to interact compassionately and
effectively with individuals ranging from healthy to
terminally ill.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
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. Once admitted to the program, students must
maintain a cumulative grade point average of 2.70 to remain
in good standing.
STUDENT ACTIVITY
Students are encouraged to participate in all of the activities
that Saint Louis University offers. This includes all of the
organizations, facilities, and events that encompass student
life. Radiation therapy students are encouraged to join and
participate in the functions of the American Society of
Radiologic Technologists, in addition to local professional
organizations.
WHY CHOOSE SLU
•• Opportunities to participate in professional conferences
with SLU faculty and fellow students
•• Interprofessional focus of core curriculum to build 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
•• Flexible curriculum that allows diverse areas of
concentration
•• Pre-Med and Pre-Physician Assistant curriculum options
•• Minimum cumulative GPA is 2.7/4.0 scale.
•• Minimum ACT scores are 22 composite, with no
subsection lower than a 20. Equivalent SAT scores are
acceptable.
www.beabilliken.com
(MORE INFORMATION ON REVERSE)
DOISY COLLEGE OF HEALTH SCIENCES
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
There are many opportunities for radiation therapists in
various locations. Graduates can work as radiation therapists
in hospitals and clinics. They also may seek positions in
treatment planning, information technology, health care
administration, equipment sales and training, teaching, and
other related fields. Some graduates further their education to
pursue careers in dosimetry, medical physics and education.
Radiation therapy provides an excellent pre-med curriculum.
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 length of stay and location varying.
Career advancement opportunities from the position of staff
technologist may lead to areas of administration, education,
sales, or research.
MAJOR FOCUS AREAS
Major focus areas are for radiation therapists:
•• Primary care of patients
•• Delivery of treatments using linear accelerators or similar
equipment
•• Treatment planning
www.beabilliken.com
EARNINGS POTENTIAL
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.
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS
Membership in professional organizations offer the radiation
therapist the opportunity to attend conferences, workshops
and classes in all areas of radiation therapy.
For more information on the American Society of Radiologic
Technologists, please visit www.asrt.org
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Please contact: Brion Abel, Recruitment Specialist
Phone: 314-977-2570
Email: dchs@slu.edu
Website: MIRT.SLU.EDU
CONNECT
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DOISY COLLEGE OF HEALTH SCIENCES
STANDARD CURRICULUM OPTION
RADIATION THERAPY
SAINT LOUIS UNIVERSITY
DOISY COLLEGE OF HEALTH SCIENCES
B.S. IN RADIATION THERAPY - STANDARD OPTION
FRESHMAN YEAR
SPRING Semester
CURRICULUM AND COURSE SCHEDULE
The curriculum and schedule are subject to change at the Department’s discretion.
FALL Semester
ENGL 190
MATH 120
CHEM 153
HIST 111
PHIL 105
IPE 110
ADV RHET & RES
COLLEGE ALGEBRA
PRIN OF CHEMISTRY I
ORIGINS OF MOD WORLD
INTRO TO PHILOSOPHY
INTRO HEALTH CARE
3
3
4
3
3
1
17
ENGL XXX
MATH 141
CHEM 154
MATH 130
PSY 101
ENGLISH LITERATURE
PRE-CALCULUS
PRIN OF CHEMISTRY II
ELEM STATISTICS
GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY
3
3
4
3
3
16
SOPHOMORE YEAR
FALL Semester
ITM 200
HIM 270
BIOL 104
THEO 100
IPE 350
SPRING Semester
INFO TECH M
MEDICAL TERMINOLOGY
PRIN OF BIOLOGY I
THEOLOG FOUNDATIONS
HEALTH CARE SYSTEMS
JUNIOR YEAR
3
3
4
3
3
16
FALL Semester
HSCI 330
PHYS 122
IPE 460
HIM 310
SOC 110
DIET 208
BIOL 106
PHIL 205
ART 100
INTRO TO SOCIOLOGY
FOUNDATIONS IN NUTR
PRIN OF BIOLOGY II
ETHICS
FINE ARTS
3
2
4
3
3
15
SPRING Semester
ANATOMY/PHYSIOLOGY I
GENERAL PHYSICS I
EVID. BASED HEALTH CARE
HUMANITIES ELECTIVE
MEDICO-LEGAL ASPECTS
4
4
2
3
3
16
RADIATION PHYSICS
RAD THERAPY PRACTICE I
TREATMENT TECHNIQUES
TREATMENT PLANNING
EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES
RAD ONC PAT. CARE & Q.M.
RADIOBIOLOGY/PROT
2
3
3
3
2
3
2
18
HIM 415
PHYS 124
HSCI 340
HSR 231
IPE 420
IPE 490
QUALITY IMPROVEMENT
GENERAL PHYSICS II
ANATOMY/PHYSIOL II
INTRO TO CLINICAL MED
APP. DECISION-MAKING
INT. INTERPROF. PRACTICUM
SENIOR YEAR
FALL Semester
XRT 431
XRT 432
XRT 433
XRT 434
XRT 436
XRT 450
XRT 451
SUMMER Semester
XRT 445
CLINICAL PRACTICUM II
Total Hours for Graduation:
SPRING Semester
XRT 435
XRT 442
XRT 444
XRT 498
CLINICAL PRACTICUM I
RAD THERAPY PRACTICE II
CLINICAL DOSIMETRY
CAPSTONE IN RAD THERAPY
6
3
4
1
14
0
130
Additional curricular tracks include: Pre-Medicine, Pre-Physician Assistant
Please go to mirt.slu.edu to view all tracks.
www.beabilliken.com
3
4
3
3
3
2
18
Rev 03/13
DOISY COLLEGE OF HEALTH SCIENCES
TWO PLUS TWO OPTION FOR STUDENTS WITH AN ASSOCIATE IN RADIOGRAPHY
RADIATION THERAPY
Saint Louis University offers a two-plus-two opportunity
that is designed to assist students from community colleges
in choosing courses that will fulfill the core requirement for a
bachelor’s degree in radiation therapy.
ASSOCIATE OF APPLIED SCIENCE IN RADIOGRAPHY (AAS)
For those students who currently have, or are working towards
an AAS degree, Saint Louis University allows for a maximum
of 64 credit hours (to include a 30 credit hour block for AAS
Radiography Program Professional Portion and 34 credit
hours that are general) earned at the community college can be
applied towards the bachelor’s degree in radiation therapy.
FROM COMMUNITY COLLEGECredit Hrs.
AAS Radiography Program Professional Portion
30
COMMUNITY COLLEGE REQUIREMENTS
Transfer credits to be completed at the community college.
College Algebra
3
Biology I
4
Anatomy and Physiology I
3
Anatomy and Physiology II
3
Composition and Rhetoric I
3
Composition and Rhetoric II
3
General Psychology
3
Professional Communication
3
American History or Origins of Modern World
3
Medical Terminology
3
Sociology
3
GENERAL EDUCATION COURSES FOR SLU BSRT
Classes to be taken and completed at Saint Louis University.
Pre-Calculus I
3
General Chemistry I
4
General Chemistry II
4
Nutrition
2
Statistics
3
IPE 350 HC Systems
3
IPE 420 Applied Decision-Making
3
IPE 460 Evidence Based Health Care
2
Intro to Clinical Medicine
3
Theology
3
Philosophy
3
www.beabilliken.com
Credit Hrs.
Radiation Therapy Curriculum
32
Total Credit Hours for the Bachelor of Science Radiation Therapy
130
Selection of student for admission is on a space available
basis, and final acceptance decision is made by the Radiation
Therapy Program Director
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Minimum admission criteria include:
•• AAS degree in Radiography awarded
•• Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.7 on a 4.0 scale
•• Successful completion of the ARRT registry exam in
Radiography, and meets the Radiation Therapy Program’s
technical standards
Two years at a
community college
plus two years at SLU
equals you earning a
bachelor of science in
radiation therapy.
DOISY COLLEGE OF HEALTH SCIENCES
CAREERS IN THE FIELD
RADIATION THERAPY
WHAT IS RADIATION THERAPY?
Radiation therapy is the use of high energy x-rays, gamma
rays or fast particles such as electrons for the treatment
of malignant disease (usually cancer). Radiation therapy
treatment procedures are provided to cure the patient, or to
relieve the painful symptoms of the disease (called palliation).
While not all patients are curable, radiation treatment offers
control of the disease, thereby improving patients’ quality
of life. Radiation therapy, in combination with surgery and
chemotherapy, gives cancer patients the best chance of success
in overcoming their disease.
WHAT IS A RADIATION THERAPIST?
A radiation therapist is an allied health professional skilled
in the art and science of medical radiation treatment delivery.
Therapists are primarily concerned with the design and
administration of radiation therapy treatment, and issues of
daily well-being, for patients with cancer. A radiation therapist
is responsible for the daily delivery of the prescribed treatment
dose according to a treatment plan prepared by the physician,
in consultation with the medical physicist and dosimetrist.
Major focus areas are:
•• Primary care of patients
•• Simulations
•• Treatment planning
•• Delivery of treatments using linear accelerators or similar
equipment.
Radiation therapists work as part of a multi-disciplinary
health care team with radiation oncologists, medical physicists,
dosimetrists, nurses, social workers, dieticians and other
medical specialists to provide the best treatment and support
available to their patients.
EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS
Radiation therapists are required to earn a bachelor’s
degree from an accredited program and pass a certification
examination from a national certifying agency. Radiation
therapy students must have an interest in scientific and
technical skills, possess strong math skills, communicate
effectively, and be able to interact compassionately and
effectively with individuals ranging from healthy to
terminally ill. EARNINGS POTENTIAL
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.
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
There are many opportunities for radiation therapists in
various locations. Jobs can be found in the following settings:
•• Radiation treatment facilities located in hospitals
•• Freestanding clinics
•• Treatment centers
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 length of stay and location varying.
Career advancement opportunities from the position of staff
technologist may lead to areas of administration, education,
sales, or research.
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS
Membership in professional organizations offer the nuclear
medicine technologist the opportunity to attend conferences,
workshops and classes in all areas of radiation therapy.
For more information on the American Society of Radiologic
Technologists, please visit www.asrt.org
www.beabilliken.com