Radiation Therapy Post-Baccalaureate Certificate

Looking to learn from leaders in the field of radiation therapy while earning your clinical experience at some of the country's finest oncology facilities? If you already have your bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and want to make a career change, Suffolk University's JRCERT-accredited Post-Baccalaureate Radiation Therapy Program could be perfect for you.

Through observation and hands-on experience, you will become part of a team of radiation therapists as you complete 1,200 hours of clinical rotations. At the hospitals, you'll participate in the daily responsibilities of radiation therapists, as well as patient care and the operation of treatment machines. When you complete this program, you'll be eligible to apply to take the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) Exam and can begin working immediately after you graduate.

Students in our radiation therapy program will:

  • Accurately treat cancer patients with radiation, using a linear accelerator or proton therapy
  • Learn to problem-solve and collaborate with colleagues onsite when clinical issues arise
  • Cultivate an inclusive mindset and recognize diverse backgrounds, cultures, identities, and abilities of both patients and colleagues
  • Utilize anatomy and physiology, patient care, infection control, physics, and technology skills—all at the same time
  • Develop clear and compassionate communication skills when addressing patients

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Students studying radiation therapy are trained in real-world cancer treatment facilities during their clinical rotations at top hospitals in the greater Boston area.
Students studying radiation therapy are trained in real-world cancer treatment facilities during their clinical rotations at top hospitals in the greater Boston area.

Radiation Therapy Program Overview

Accreditation

Our program is accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT), the national governing body for radiation education programs. The program has an 8-year accreditation status, which is the maximum length of accreditation award.

20 North Wacker Drive, Suite 2850
Chicago, IL 60606-3182
Phone: 312-704-5300
Email: [email protected]

Program Mission Statement

The mission of the Radiation Therapy program is to provide a rigorous, comprehensive, and inclusive education to students interested in pursuing careers in radiation therapy. Students will receive instruction and hands-on training from faculty with expertise in diverse clinical and didactic settings while using the most advanced technologies to develop exceptional clinical skills that will prepare them for entry level positions. Graduates of our program will think critically, communicate effectively, and appreciate the importance of continued education in maintaining their competence.
View the Radiation Therapy Certificate Curriculum

Data provided through Class of 2022. Data updated one year after graduation for prior graduating class, once data is available.

This data can also be found on the JRCERT website.

JRCERT
20 N. Wacker Drive, Suite 2850
Chicago, IL 60606-3182
Phone: (312) 704-5300
Fax: (312) 704-5304

Institution Name: Suffolk University
Program Type: Radiation Therapy
Degree Type: Bachelor's Degree and Post-Baccalaureate Certificate

Program Effectiveness Data

The following is the most current program effectiveness data. Our programmatic accreditation agency, the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT), defines and publishes this information. The information can be found directly on the JRCERT webpage.

Credentialing Examination

The number of students who pass, on the first attempt, the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification exam, or an unrestricted state licensing examination, compared with the number of graduates who take the examination within six months of graduation. The five-year average benchmark established by the JRCERT is 75%.

Credentialing Examination Rate number passed on 1st attempt divided by number attempted within 6 months of graduation
Year Results
Year 1 - 2018 5 of 5 - 100%
Year 2 - 2019 3 of 3 - 100%
Year 3 - 2020 4 of 8 - 50%
Year 4 - 2021 6 of 6 - 100%
Year 5 - 2022 4 of 5 - 80%
Program 5-Year Average 22 of 27 - 81%
Job Placement

The number of graduates employed in the radiologic sciences compared to the number of graduates actively seeking employment in the radiologic sciences within twelve months of graduating.  The five-year average benchmark established by the JRCERT is 75%.

Job Placement Rate number employed divided by number actively seeking employment within 12 months of graduation
Year Results
Year 1 - 2018 5 of 5 - 100%
Year 2 - 2019 3 of 3 - 100%
Year 3 - 2020 4 of 4 - 100%
Year 4 - 2021 6 of 6 - 100%
Year 5 - 2022 5 of 5 - 100%
Program 5-Year Average 23 of 23 - 100%
Program Completion

The number of students who complete the program within the stated program length. The annual benchmark established by the program is 80%.

Program Completion Rate number graduated divided by number started the program
Year Results
Year 1 - 2022 5 of 7
Annual Completion Rate 71%

Learning goals and objectives reflect the educational outcomes achieved by students through the completion of this program. These transferable skills prepare Suffolk students for success in the workplace, in graduate school, and in their local and global communities.

Learning Goals Learning Objectives
Students will...
 Students will be able to...
Know critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
  • Ask relevant questions
  • Apply theories to clinical situations
Know principles that demonstrate clinical competence.
  • Use/maneuver equipment in a safe manner
  • Apply proper techniques and procedures
  • Utilize proper body mechanics and universal precautions
Understand how to communicate in a clinical setting.
  • Explain procedures to patients accurately
  • Utilize information acquired to problem solve
  • Demonstrate effective written and verbal communication skills
Understand the importance of professionalism, growth, and development.
  • Demonstrate professional behavior
  • Become a member of a professional organization such as American Society of Radiologic Technologists
  • Exhibit personal growth by continuously demonstrating interest to learn

Applying to Suffolk’s Radiation Therapy Certificate

Application Deadlines

  • September 1 (Fall Round 1)
  • December 1 (Fall Round 2)
  • April 1 (Fall Round 3)
  • June 15 (Fall Round 4)

Application Materials

  • Completed application
  • $50 Application Fee (waived for students who visit campus)
  • Resume
  • Two Letters of Recommendation
  • Unofficial transcripts of all post-secondary work. Admitted students enrolling in the program will need to have official transcripts, including proof of degree conferral, on file prior to their first class
  • Shadow feedback (obtained by program from clinical site where shadow occurred)
  • Interview and math assessment by invitation
  • Official TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE-Academic Scores (international students only)
  • Writing sample on the topic of your choice, or from the following suggested topics. The purpose of this writing sample is to further evaluate your writing and communication skills, and need not be more than one typed page.
    • Why have you chosen to pursue a career in Radiation Therapy?
    • When did you first realize that you wanted to become a Radiation Therapist?
    • Describe your clinical shadow experience and what you learned from it If applicable).

Academic Standards

All applicants to the Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Radiation Therapy must meet the following minimum requirements:

  • Bachelor’s degree
  • 3.0 cumulative GPA

Completion of the following six pre-requisite courses with a grade of C or higher:

  • Pre-Calculus or Calculus I
  • Biology with lab
  • Anatomy & Physiology I & II with labs
  • Physics I & II with labs

Shadow Experience

All applicants must complete a clinical shadow experience before the corresponding application deadline. However, it is recommended that applicants complete a shadow as soon as they identify an interest in applying to the program. For in person shadows, before the corresponding application deadline, this will require at least 2 hours of your time and consists of observing a certified radiation therapist at work to assure your suitability for the career you are pursuing.

If feasible and permitted, applicants are encouraged to complete the shadow experience at a nearby medical institution of their choice by contacting the Radiation Oncology Department and requesting a radiation therapy shadow. After the shadow is complete, please send the following information by email even if you have not yet started your application. (The program will obtain feedback directly from the clinic about the shadow).

  • Name of individual(s) with whom you shadowed
  • Institution
  • Phone number
  • Email address
  • Date of shadow
  • Duration of shadow

View current tuition and fees for this program

View estimated cost of attendance

Clinical Sites

Over the course of eight clinical rotations, you'll train alongside certified radiation therapists at top hospitals in the greater Boston area. More than a third of the radiation therapists working in most of our clinical partner hospitals today — including Massachusetts General Hospital and the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute — are graduates of our program. You can complete your clinical rotations at three to five different sites, gaining invaluable exposure to both fast-paced urban hospital settings and smaller community cancer centers.


Clinical Information

Clinical rotations begin in the fall semester of the first year of the program. Students are advised that there is a total of three required evening sessions held during the first two weeks of fall semester in year one. The clinical schedule is as follows:

Year 1

Fall: Tuesday and Thursday — 7 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Spring: Tuesday and Thursday — 7 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Year 2

Fall: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday — 8 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Spring: Tuesday and Thursday — 8 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

All students are required to comply with various requirements of our clinical affiliates to be cleared to start clinical rotations. This includes submitting information required for background checks such as the Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI), Sexual Offender Record Information (SORI), and providing proof of required immunizations.

In addition to immunizations mandated by Suffolk, students are also required to obtain an annual flu shot, a TB/PPD test, and be fully Covid-19 vaccinated at their own expense based on the schedule determined by their clinical site.

Students are required to provide and pay for their own transportation. When assigned to clinical sites that are not easily accessible via public transportation, including MGH North Shore Cancer Center (Danvers, MA), MGH Emerson Hospital (Concord, MA), and MGH Newton-Wellesley Hospital (Newton, MA), students will need to arrange alternative personal transportation.

In addition to transportation costs, students will also be responsible for purchasing scrubs to wear while in the clinic.

A Malpractice Blanket Liability Insurance policy will be provided through Suffolk University. Students must be supervised by a registered radiation therapist at all times when with patients and operating radiation therapy computers and equipment inside as well as outside of the treatment room.

State Licensure

Suffolk University’s undergraduate Radiation Therapy program meets the educational requirements qualifying graduates to apply for state licensure in the following states, subject to satisfactorily meeting all other requirements for licensure in each state: Arizona, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, and Wyoming.

The following states and district do not have state licensure requirements for practicing in radiation therapy, but do have minimum educational requirements, which the undergraduate Radiation Therapy program meets, subject to satisfactorily meeting all other requirements for practice in each state or district: Alaska, Colorado, District of Columbia, Georgia, Minnesota, Nebraska, and Pennsylvania.

As of January 2022, the following states do not have state licensure or minimum educational requirements for practicing in radiation therapy: Alabama, Idaho, Michigan, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, and Wisconsin. Each employer is entitled to make individual decisions regarding minimal standards for employment in radiation therapy.

Additional Information

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Refund Policies
University Grading Scale

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