Radiation Therapy Major

Get practical, hands-on experience in a hospital setting while you earn your degree in Radiation Therapy at Suffolk University. Students enjoy clinical training at Boston's world-famous healthcare facilities in conjunction with their classroom studies. 100% of our Class of 2018 graduates were employed within one month of graduation and passed the ARRT board exam on their first try.

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:

20 North Wacker Drive, Suite 2850
Chicago, IL 60606-3182
Phone: 312-704-5300
Email: mail@jrcert.org

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)

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

The mission of the Radiation Therapy program is to provide a rigorous and comprehensive education to students interested in pursuing careers in radiation therapy. Students will receive instruction from a multifaceted faculty in diverse clinical 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.

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.

As a radiation therapist you interact with patients all day long and having a background in psychology can help you work effectively with a diverse range of people. Being able to take classes in Suffolk’s Business School also provided me with a unique perspective on the inner workings of businesses and the people who run them.
Monica Caggiano, '16, Radiation Therapy Major Radiation Therapist, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center