Radiation Therapy Post-Baccalaureate Certificate
Our JRCERT-accredited program is a collaboration between the Suffolk University Biology Department and our world-class clinical sites:
- Massachusetts General Hospital (Boston)
- Brigham and Women's Hospital (Boston)
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (Boston)
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (Boston)
- Emerson Hospital (Concord, Massachusetts)
- Newton-Wellesley Hospital (Newton, Massachusetts)
- North Shore Cancer Center (Danvers, Massachusetts)
Through observation and hands-on experience, you will become part of a team of radiation therapists as you complete more than 1,300 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.
Accreditation
Our program is accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT), the national governing body for radiation education programs:
20 North Wacker Drive, Suite 2850
Chicago, IL 60606-3182
Phone: 312-704-5300
Email: mail@jrcert.org
Radiation Therapy Program Effectiveness Data
Data provided through Class of 2019. 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
Program Effectiveness Measure | Result |
Current 5-Year Average Credentialing Examination Pass Rate (1st Attempt Within 6 months of Matriculation, Class of 2015-2019) (%) | 83% (of 23 students) 19 students passed the exam out of the 23 students who took the exam within 6 months of matriculation |
Current 5-Year Average Job Placement Rate (Within 1 Year of Matriculation, Class of 2015-2019) (%) | 83% (of 24 Students) 1 student continued on to further schooling following matriculation, thus is not included in percentage |
Current Program Completion Rate (2019) (%) | 75% (3 of 4 students) |
Radiation Therapy Goals and Objectives
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. |
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Know principles that demonstrate clinical competence. |
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Understand how to communicate in a clinical setting. |
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Understand the importance of professionalism, growth, and development. |
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Radiation Therapy Mission Statement
Applying to the Radiation Therapy Post-Baccalaureate Certificate at Suffolk
Cost of Graduate Study at Suffolk
Tuition (2020-2021) Full-time, per year |
$27,438 |
Cost Per Credit (2020-2021) For part-time students |
$807 |
Application Deadlines
September 1 (Fall Round 1)
January 15 (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).
Admission Requirements
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, however it is recommended that applicants complete a shadow in advance 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. Or, if an in person shadow is not possible due to COVID-19, we can provide you with a virtual shadow experience closer to the time of your interview.
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
Please be advised that as of 3/11/2020, our clinical partners have advised us that we are not able to set up on-site shadow experiences until further notice. If you are interested in Radiation Therapy, and are unable to secure a shadow at a site near you, we can provide a virtual shadow in the form of a video for you to view to meet shadow requirements purposes. Find out more and request a virtual shadow.
Additional Information
State Licensure
Suffolk University’s Radiation Therapy Post-Baccalaureate certificate 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, Wisconsin, 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 Radiation Therapy Post-Baccalaureate certificate 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 2021, 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, and Tennessee. Each employer is entitled to make individual decisions regarding minimal standards for employment in radiation therapy.
Courses & Requirements
Learn more about the classes, requirements, and different options available to complete the program.