Radiation Therapy Major
Radiation therapy is the careful administration of highly focused forms of radiation to treat cancer and other diseases. Through observation and hands-on experience, you'll become part of a team of radiation therapists as you complete more than 1,300 hours of clinical rotations.
Real-World Experience
You'll learn from leaders in the field while gaining clinical experience at some of the finest oncology facilities in the country. 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)
At these hospitals, you'll participate in the daily responsibilities of radiation therapists, as well as patient care and the operation of treatment machines.
Note: You must be at least a sophomore to apply to this program. The Radiation Therapy Committee will review your application and decide whether you can enroll. If accepted into this program, you'll be eligible to apply to take the ARRT certification exam and can begin working upon graduation.
Additional Information
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: 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
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 (AART) 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 - 2015 | 5 of 6 - 83.3% |
| Year 2 - 2016 | 4 of 5 - 80% |
| Year 3 - 2017 | 2 of 4 - 50% |
| Year 4 - 2018 | 5 of 5 - 100% |
| Year 5 - 2019 | 3 of 3 - 100% |
| Program 5-Year Average | 19 of 23 - 83% |
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 - 2015 | 4 of 5 - 80% |
| Year 2 - 2016 | 4 of 7 - 57% |
| Year 3 - 2017 | 4 of 4 - 100% |
| Year 4 - 2018 | 5 of 5 - 100% |
| Year 5 - 2019 | 3 of 3 - 100% |
| Program 5-Year Average | 20 of 24 - 83% |
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 - 2019 | 3 of 4 |
| Annual Completion Rate | 75% |
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. |
|
| Know principles that demonstrate clinical competence. |
|
| Understand how to communicate in a clinical setting. |
|
| Understand the importance of professionalism, growth, and development. |
|
Radiation Therapy Mission Statement
Clinical Information
Clinical Schedule
Classes of 2021 & 2022: Clinical rotations begin in the spring semester of the first year of the program.
Class of 2023 & beyond: Clinical rotations begin in the fall semester of the first year of the program. Students are advised that there are a total of four required evening sessions held during the first two weeks of fall semester in year one.
The clinical schedule is as follows:
Year 1 (Classes of 2021 & 2022)
Spring: Tues and Thurs — 7:00 am - 3:30 pm
Summer: Mon-Fri — 7:00 am - 3:30 pm
Year 2 (Classes of 2021 & 2022)
Fall & Spring: Mon, Wed, and Fri — 7:00 am - 3:30 pm
Year 1 (Class of 2023 & beyond)
Fall & Spring: Tues and Thurs — 7:00 am - 3:30 pm
Year 2 (Class of 2023 & beyond)
Fall & Spring: Mon, Wed, and Fri — 7:00 am - 3:30 pm
Background Checks and Immunizations
All students are required to comply with various requirements of our clinical affiliates in order 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 a flu shot and a TB/PPD test at their own expense based on the schedule determined by their clinical site.
Transportation
Students are required to provide 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.
Professional Liability
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 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, Tennessee, and Wisconsin. 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.