Radiation Therapy (B.S.)
Radiation Therapy is an allied health profession which employs radiation in the treatment of disease, especially cancer. The radiation therapist works closely with the radiation oncologist and physicist in planning the course of treatment for each cancer patient. This professional is responsible for implementing the daily administration of prescribed doses of radiation for treatment as well as performing treatment calculations for the correct patient dosages. The radiation therapist develops a close rapport with the patient, and must be able to provide support and understanding to the cancer patient and family.
The Bachelor of Science in Radiation Therapy is a “2+2” program. The student first completes two years of liberal and pre-professional education courses at the University of St. Francis, then applies for admission to the USF Radiation Therapy program accredited by the JRCERT (Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology). The clinical phase of the program includes lecture, laboratory, and clinical education.
Admission to the professional education component is controlled by the Radiation Therapy program faculty in consultation with an advisory board. (Note: Completion of the required pre-professional course work will satisfy the admission requirements of the professional programs, but will not guarantee admission. Final acceptance is made by the Radiation Therapy program. A minimum overall grade point average of 2.7, with special emphasis on academic performance in math and science courses, is generally required for acceptance. Successful completion of the program completes the professional education component of the degree and makes the graduate eligible to take the national certification examination of the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT).
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| BIOL 124 & BIOL 125 | Principles of Biology I and Principles of Biology I Lab | 4 |
| BIOL 221 | Human Anatomy | 4 |
| BIOL 252 | Human Physiology | 4 |
| CHEM 120 | Foundations of Chemistry | 5 |
| COMP 101 | Computer Concepts and Applications | 3 |
| MATH 105 | Introduction to Statistics | 3 |
| MATH 125 | Pre-Calculus | 5 |
| PSYC 111 | General Psychology | 3 |
| PSYC 240 | Life-Span Development | 3 |
| or SWRK 242 | Human Behavior in Social Environment II | |
| RADT 101 | Introduction to Radiologic Sciences | 1 |
| RADT 102 | Medical Terminology | 1 |
| Total Hours | 36 | |
The curriculum of the professional phase of the program is determined by the USF Radiation Therapy program and may require additional tuition and fees beyond those charged to non-allied health majors.
Current Professional phase coursework is outlined below (subject to change).
Major Program (65 credit hours)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Professional Semester I | ||
| RADT 305 | Radiation Therapy Clinical Experience I | 3 |
| RADT 310 | Introduction to Clinic Radiologic Science | 2 |
| RADT 330 | Methods of Patient Care | 3 |
| RADT 350 | Radiation Physics I | 2 |
| RADT 370 | Radiographic Imaging I | 3 |
| RADT 380 | Radiologic Procedures I | 3 |
| Professional Semester II | ||
| RADT 306 | Radiation Therapy Clinical Experience II | 4 |
| RADT 312 | Principles and Practices of Radiation Therapy | 1 |
| RADT 335 | Ethics and Law in Radiologic Science | 2 |
| RADT 341 | Oncology I | 2 |
| RADT 356 | Treatment Planning I | 2 |
| RADT 357 | Radiation Therapy Physics I | 2 |
| RADT 360 | Radiobiology/Radiation Protection | 2 |
| RADT 381 | Simulator Procedures I | 1 |
| Professional Semester III | ||
| RADT 405 | Radiation Therapy Clinical Experience III | 4 |
| RADT 412 | Principles and Practice of Radiation Therapy II | 2 |
| RADT 420 | Sectional Anatomy | 3 |
| RADT 441 | Oncology II | 2 |
| RADT 456 | Treatment Planning II | 2 |
| RADT 457 | Radiation Therapy Physics II | 2 |
| RADT 461 | Introduction To Health Service Administration | 1 |
| RADT 470 | Computer Tomography and Digital Imaging | 2 |
| RADT 481 | Simulator Procedures II | 1 |
| Professional Semester IV | ||
| RADT 406 | Radiation Therapy Clinical Experience IV | 4 |
| RADT 416 | Radiation Therapy Senior Seminar | 1 |
| RADT 442 | Oncology III | 2 |
| RADT 450 | Quality Management | 2 |
| RADT 462 | Intro to Health Serv Admin II | 1 |
| RADT 482 | Simulator Procedures III | 1 |
| RADT 490 | Radiation Therapy Registry Review | 3 |
| Total Hours | 65 | |
Students work with their advisors in selecting additional elective credits to fulfill the 120 credit hours required for graduation.