Radiation Therapist Schools
Search For Schools
For those who are fascinated with the inner workings of the human body, there are a variety of career options in healthcare and research to consider. One of the better-paying paths may be a two- or four-year degree from a top radiation therapy school. With an average (mean) salary of $86,730 per year, radiation therapy is a relatively lucrative profession in the U.S., and the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS 2019) projects that jobs in this field will grow by nine percent between 2018 and 2028 — faster than the five percent national average projected for all occupations.
Although it is a potentially lucrative and captivating field, the educational and certification requirements are significant. Students who complete a program that qualifies them for certification through the American Registry of Radiology Technologists (ARRT) must have completed at minimum an associate’s degree in any field and an educational program in radiation therapy.
Fortunately, there are several high-quality, low-tuition schools that provide flexible ways to complete these requirements so that every student should be able to find a school to fit their needs and budget.
Radiation Therapist fast facts | |
---|---|
Projected Jobs Created | 1,600 |
Projected Job Growth | 9% |
Average Salary | $82,330 |
Low Salary | $56,360 |
High Salary | $124,320 |
Entry-Level EDU | Associate's Degree |
Sourced from BLS, June 2018 |
Accredited Radiation Therapy Programs
University of Cincinnati Online
Cleveland University Kansas City
In order to become a radiation therapist, students must complete a program at an accredited school. While certificate programs were common in the past, effective January 1, 2015, the ARRT, the primary licensing body for radiation therapists, requires that candidates have completed at least an associate degree to qualify for licensure. In addition to associate of applied science (AAS) degrees, students can pursue bachelor’s of science (BS) or post-baccalaureate specializations in radiation therapy.
Following is a sampling of esteemed, accredited programs in radiation therapy:
-
Virginia Western Community College (VWCC) : At VWCC, located in Roanoke, Virginia, the radiation oncology AAS degree prepares students to perform the tasks of a radiation therapist and has an impressive ARRT certification pass rate of 97 percent. In addition, VWCC reports that over 87 percent of their graduates are employed within six months of completing the two-year program. The curriculum at VWCC is considered intense and students are therefore discouranged from working while attending..
-
University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill (UNC) – Named recently as one of the top 30 national universities by the U.S. News and World Report (2018), UNC, in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, has a long-established tradition of excellence in healthcare education. In order to be eligible for the UNC program, applicants must have already earned (or be in the process of earning) a minimum of an associate’s degree and must be certified in radiography prior to entering the program. The 12-month, post-baccalaureate certificate program qualifies students to sit for the ARRT’s national board certification exam in radiation therapy. This program also has an impressive post-graduation employment rate of 100 percent.
-
University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) – The U.S. News and World Report named UNMC, located in Omaha, Nebraska, as one of the top 20 primary care graduate schools in the nation (2018). Students who complete the 12-month radiation therapy program can choose to earn either a BS in radiation science technology or a post-baccalaureate certificate, both of which qualify them to sit for the ARRT exam.
-
University of Vermont (UV) – UV, located in Burlington, Vermont, is one of the most cost-effective radiation therapy programs at less than $16,000 annually (in-state tuition). The university’s BS degree program provides the perfect career springboard, as their average job-placement rate for the last five years sits at 100 percent. As an investment, this is one of the lowest-cost, highest-yield options when it comes to radiation therapy programs.
-
Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU) – Besides being placed in one of the most beautiful parts of the country (with campuses throughout Oregon and Washington state) OHSU school was ranked by the U.S. News and World Report as being the fifth best Primary Care Medical School in the Nation (2018). The OHSU BS in radiation therapy from OHSU boasts a 97 percent degree completion rate, a 95 percent exam pass rate, and an 87 percent job placement rate.
List of Radiation Therapist Schools
School | City | State | Website | grads (2018) |
---|---|---|---|---|
Keiser University-Ft Lauderdale | Fort Lauderdale | Florida | www.keiseruniversity.edu | 339 |
West Coast Ultrasound Institute | Beverly Hills | California | wcui.edu | 127 |
Southern Illinois University-Carbondale | Carbondale | Illinois | www.siu.edu | 124 |
Valencia College | Orlando | Florida | valenciacollege.edu | 103 |
Cuyahoga Community College District | Cleveland | Ohio | www.tri-c.edu | 92 |
CUNY New York City College of Technology | Brooklyn | New York | www.citytech.cuny.edu | 83 |
Morehead State University | Morehead | Kentucky | www.moreheadstate.edu | 82 |
College of DuPage | Glen Ellyn | Illinois | www.cod.edu | 78 |
Baker College | Flint | Michigan | www.baker.edu | 66 |
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences | Little Rock | Arkansas | www.uams.edu | 58 |
Niagara County Community College | Sanborn | New York | www.niagaracc.suny.edu | 55 |
Greenville Technical College | Greenville | South Carolina | www.gvltec.edu | 54 |
Lone Star College System | The Woodlands | Texas | www.lonestar.edu | 52 |
Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania | Bloomsburg | Pennsylvania | www.bloomu.edu | 50 |
Kent State University at Salem | Salem | Ohio | www.kent.edu/columbiana | 49 |
University of Wisconsin-La Crosse | La Crosse | Wisconsin | www.uwlax.edu | 47 |
Bunker Hill Community College | Boston | Massachusetts | www.bhcc.mass.edu | 46 |
Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Aguadilla | Aguadilla | Puerto Rico | aguadilla.inter.edu | 46 |
Chattanooga State Community College | Chattanooga | Tennessee | www.chattanoogastate.edu | 44 |
Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Barranquitas | Barranquitas | Puerto Rico | www.br.inter.edu | 43 |
University of Hartford | West Hartford | Connecticut | www.hartford.edu | 43 |
Clarkson College | Omaha | Nebraska | www.clarksoncollege.edu | 42 |
Hillsborough Community College | Tampa | Florida | www.hccfl.edu | 42 |
Universidad Ana G. Mendez-Carolina Campus | Carolina | Puerto Rico | une.suagm.edu | 42 |
University of Nevada-Las Vegas | Las Vegas | Nevada | www.unlv.edu | 42 |
Florida State College at Jacksonville | Jacksonville | Florida | www.fscj.edu | 41 |
Ohio State University-Main Campus | Columbus | Ohio | www.osu.edu | 40 |
Ferris State University | Big Rapids | Michigan | www.ferris.edu | 39 |
Broward College | Fort Lauderdale | Florida | www.broward.edu | 38 |
Indiana University-Purdue University-Indianapolis | Indianapolis | Indiana | www.iupui.edu | 38 |
Nassau Community College | Garden City | New York | www.ncc.edu | 38 |
Miami Dade College | Miami | Florida | www.mdc.edu | 37 |
CUNY Bronx Community College | Bronx | New York | www.bcc.cuny.edu | 36 |
Fort Hays State University | Hays | Kansas | www.fhsu.edu | 36 |
Palm Beach State College | Lake Worth | Florida | www.palmbeachstate.edu | 36 |
Loma Linda University | Loma Linda | California | home.llu.edu | 35 |
Clarion University of Pennsylvania | Clarion | Pennsylvania | www.clarion.edu | 34 |
Community College of Baltimore County | Baltimore | Maryland | www.ccbcmd.edu | 34 |
Roane State Community College | Harriman | Tennessee | www.roanestate.edu | 33 |
Bellevue College | Bellevue | Washington | bellevuecollege.edu | 32 |
Monroe Community College | Rochester | New York | www.monroecc.edu | 32 |
College of Lake County | Grayslake | Illinois | www.clcillinois.edu | 31 |
University of Oklahoma-Health Sciences Center | Oklahoma City | Oklahoma | ouhsc.edu | 31 |
Bergen Community College | Paramus | New Jersey | www.bergen.edu | 30 |
Central California School of Continuing Education | San Luis Obispo | California | ccsce.org | 29 |
University of Akron Main Campus | Akron | Ohio | www.uakron.edu | 29 |
Carrington College-Spokane | Spokane | Washington | carrington.edu | 28 |
Owens Community College | Perrysburg | Ohio | www.owens.edu | 28 |
Cambridge College of Healthcare & Technology | Delray Beach | Florida | www.cambridgehealth.edu | 27 |
CUNY LaGuardia Community College | Long Island City | New York | www.lagcc.cuny.edu | 26 |
Hagerstown Community College | Hagerstown | Maryland | www.hagerstowncc.edu | 26 |
Portland Community College | Portland | Oregon | www.pcc.edu | 26 |
St Catherine University | Saint Paul | Minnesota | www.stkate.edu | 26 |
Middlesex County College | Edison | New Jersey | www.middlesexcc.edu | 25 |
Quinnipiac University | Hamden | Connecticut | www.qu.edu | 25 |
SUNY Westchester Community College | Valhalla | New York | www.sunywcc.edu | 25 |
University of Cincinnati-Blue Ash College | Blue Ash | Ohio | www.ucblueash.edu | 25 |
Columbus State Community College | Columbus | Ohio | www.cscc.edu | 24 |
CUNY Hostos Community College | Bronx | New York | www.hostos.cuny.edu | 24 |
Emory University | Atlanta | Georgia | www.emory.edu | 24 |
Volunteer State Community College | Gallatin | Tennessee | www.volstate.edu | 24 |
Avila University | Kansas City | Missouri | www.avila.edu | 23 |
Brookdale Community College | Lincroft | New Jersey | www.brookdalecc.edu | 23 |
Florida SouthWestern State College | Fort Myers | Florida | www.fsw.edu | 23 |
Long Island University | Brookville | New York | liu.edu/cwpost | 23 |
Massasoit Community College | Brockton | Massachusetts | www.massasoit.edu | 23 |
Misericordia University | Dallas | Pennsylvania | www.misericordia.edu | 23 |
Prince George's Community College | Largo | Maryland | www.pgcc.edu | 23 |
Southeast Community College Area | Lincoln | Nebraska | www.southeast.edu | 23 |
Weber State University | Ogden | Utah | www.weber.edu | 23 |
Arkansas State University-Main Campus | Jonesboro | Arkansas | www.astate.edu | 22 |
Washtenaw Community College | Ann Arbor | Michigan | www.wccnet.edu | 22 |
York Technical College | Rock Hill | South Carolina | www.yorktech.edu | 22 |
Columbia State Community College | Columbia | Tennessee | www.columbiastate.edu | 21 |
Hudson Valley Community College | Troy | New York | www.hvcc.edu | 21 |
Naugatuck Valley Community College | Waterbury | Connecticut | www.nv.edu | 21 |
SUNY Broome Community College | Binghamton | New York | www.sunybroome.edu | 21 |
Trident Technical College | Charleston | South Carolina | www.tridenttech.edu | 21 |
Bellingham Technical College | Bellingham | Washington | www.btc.edu | 20 |
Idaho State University | Pocatello | Idaho | www.isu.edu | 20 |
Madison Area Technical College | Madison | Wisconsin | madisoncollege.edu | 20 |
Mercer County Community College | West Windsor | New Jersey | www.mccc.edu | 20 |
Metropolitan Community College-Kansas City | Kansas City | Missouri | www.mcckc.edu | 20 |
Midlands Technical College | West Columbia | South Carolina | www.midlandstech.edu | 20 |
Mohawk Valley Community College | Utica | New York | www.mvcc.edu | 20 |
New Mexico State University-Dona Ana | Las Cruces | New Mexico | dacc.nmsu.edu | 20 |
Polk State College | Winter Haven | Florida | www.polk.edu | 20 |
Regis College | Weston | Massachusetts | www.regiscollege.edu | 20 |
SUNY Downstate Medical Center | Brooklyn | New York | www.downstate.edu | 20 |
Wayne State University | Detroit | Michigan | www.wayne.edu | 20 |
Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Ponce | Mercedita | Puerto Rico | ponce.inter.edu | 19 |
Montgomery College | Rockville | Maryland | www.montgomerycollege.edu | 19 |
Western Oklahoma State College | Altus | Oklahoma | www.wosc.edu | 19 |
Anne Arundel Community College | Arnold | Maryland | www.aacc.edu | 18 |
Howard Community College | Columbia | Maryland | www.howardcc.edu | 18 |
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Schuylkill | Schuylkill Haven | Pennsylvania | schuylkill.psu.edu | 18 |
Rowan College at Burlington County | Mount Laurel | New Jersey | www.rcbc.edu | 18 |
Shawnee State University | Portsmouth | Ohio | www.shawnee.edu | 18 |
University of Central Arkansas | Conway | Arkansas | www.uca.edu | 18 |
Virginia Western Community College | Roanoke | Virginia | virginiawestern.edu | 18 |
Aiken Technical College | Graniteville | South Carolina | www.atc.edu | 17 |
Atenas College | Manati | Puerto Rico | www.atenascollege.edu | 17 |
Dunwoody College of Technology | Minneapolis | Minnesota | www.dunwoody.edu | 17 |
Jackson State Community College | Jackson | Tennessee | www.jscc.edu | 17 |
La Roche College | Pittsburgh | Pennsylvania | www.laroche.edu | 17 |
Lorain County Community College | Elyria | Ohio | www.lorainccc.edu | 17 |
Marion Technical College | Marion | Ohio | www.mtc.edu | 17 |
National University | La Jolla | California | www.nu.edu | 17 |
Newman University | Wichita | Kansas | www.newmanu.edu | 17 |
Northern Essex Community College | Haverhill | Massachusetts | www.necc.mass.edu | 17 |
Truckee Meadows Community College | Reno | Nevada | www.tmcc.edu | 17 |
Orange County Community College | Middletown | New York | sunyorange.edu | 16 |
Gulf Coast State College | Panama City | Florida | www.gulfcoast.edu | 16 |
Community College of Allegheny County | Pittsburgh | Pennsylvania | www.ccac.edu | 16 |
Rowan College of South Jersey | Vineland | New Jersey | www.rcsj.edu | 16 |
Eastern Florida State College | Cocoa | Florida | www.easternflorida.edu | 16 |
Fulton-Montgomery Community College | Johnstown | New York | www.fmcc.edu | 16 |
Georgia State University-Perimeter College | Atlanta | Georgia | www.gsu.edu | 16 |
Indiana University-Kokomo | Kokomo | Indiana | www.iuk.edu | 16 |
Kapiolani Community College | Honolulu | Hawaii | www.kapiolani.hawaii.edu | 16 |
Lakeland Community College | Kirtland | Ohio | www.lakelandcc.edu | 16 |
Manchester Community College | Manchester | Connecticut | www.manchestercc.edu | 16 |
Mid Michigan College | Harrison | Michigan | www.midmich.edu | 16 |
Middlesex Community College | Middletown | Connecticut | www.mxcc.edu | 16 |
Southside Regional Medical Center Professional Schools | Colonial Heights | Virginia | www.srmconline.com | 16 |
St Petersburg College | Clearwater | Florida | www.spcollege.edu | 16 |
University of Charleston | Charleston | West Virginia | www.ucwv.edu | 16 |
West Virginia Northern Community College | Wheeling | West Virginia | www.wvncc.edu | 16 |
Middlesex Community College | Bedford | Massachusetts | www.middlesex.mass.edu | 15 |
Pasco-Hernando State College | New Port Richey | Florida | www.phsc.edu | 15 |
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State New Kensington | New Kensington | Pennsylvania | newkensington.psu.edu | 15 |
Saint Johns River State College | Palatka | Florida | www.sjrstate.edu | 15 |
University of Vermont | Burlington | Vermont | www.uvm.edu | 15 |
Ball State University | Muncie | Indiana | www.bsu.edu | 14 |
Horry-Georgetown Technical College | Conway | South Carolina | www.hgtc.edu | 14 |
Inter American University of Puerto Rico-San German | San German | Puerto Rico | www.sg.inter.edu | 14 |
Marion Technical College | Ocala | Florida | www.mariontc.edu | 14 |
Northwest Florida State College | Niceville | Florida | www.nwfsc.edu | 14 |
Piedmont Technical College | Greenwood | South Carolina | www.ptc.edu | 14 |
Rolla Technical Institute/Center | Rolla | Missouri | rolla.k12.mo.us | 14 |
Tacoma Community College | Tacoma | Washington | www.tacomacc.edu | 14 |
Community College of Beaver County | Monaca | Pennsylvania | www.ccbc.edu | 13 |
Elizabethtown Community and Technical College | Elizabethtown | Kentucky | elizabethtown.kctcs.edu | 13 |
Florence-Darlington Technical College | Florence | South Carolina | www.fdtc.edu | 13 |
Hillyard Technical Center | Saint Joseph | Missouri | www.hillyardtech.com | 13 |
Kent State University at Ashtabula | Ashtabula | Ohio | www.kent.edu/ashtabula | 13 |
Rend Lake College | Ina | Illinois | www.rlc.edu | 13 |
Saint Louis University | Saint Louis | Missouri | www.slu.edu | 13 |
Southwestern Oklahoma State University | Weatherford | Oklahoma | www.swosu.edu | 13 |
St Francis College | Brooklyn Heights | New York | www.sfc.edu | 13 |
Technical College of the Lowcountry | Beaufort | South Carolina | www.tcl.edu | 13 |
Allegany College of Maryland | Cumberland | Maryland | www.allegany.edu | 13 |
American Institute of Medical Sciences & Education | Piscataway | New Jersey | www.aimseducation.edu | 12 |
Center for Allied Health Education | Brooklyn | New York | www.cahe.edu | 12 |
Erie Community College | Buffalo | New York | www.ecc.edu | 12 |
Mohave Community College | Kingman | Arizona | www.mohave.edu | 12 |
North Arkansas College | Harrison | Arkansas | www.northark.edu | 12 |
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College | Green Bay | Wisconsin | www.nwtc.edu | 12 |
Passaic County Community College | Paterson | New Jersey | www.pccc.edu | 12 |
Rose State College | Midwest City | Oklahoma | www.rose.edu | 12 |
Texas State University | San Marcos | Texas | www.txstate.edu | 12 |
University of Sioux Falls | Sioux Falls | South Dakota | www.usiouxfalls.edu | 12 |
University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh | Oshkosh | Wisconsin | www.uwosh.edu | 12 |
Zane State College | Zanesville | Ohio | www.zanestate.edu | 12 |
Bluefield State College | Bluefield | West Virginia | www.bluefieldstate.edu | 11 |
Grand Valley State University | Allendale | Michigan | www.gvsu.edu | 11 |
MCPHS University | Boston | Massachusetts | www.mcphs.edu | 11 |
South Florida State College | Avon Park | Florida | www.southflorida.edu | 11 |
Spartanburg Community College | Spartanburg | South Carolina | www.sccsc.edu | 11 |
State College of Florida-Manatee-Sarasota | Bradenton | Florida | www.scf.edu | 11 |
Tallahassee Community College | Tallahassee | Florida | www.tcc.fl.edu | 11 |
Amarillo College | Amarillo | Texas | www.actx.edu | 10 |
Bowling Green State University-Firelands | Huron | Ohio | www.firelands.bgsu.edu | 10 |
Capital Community College | Hartford | Connecticut | www.ccc.commnet.edu | 10 |
Chesapeake College | Wye Mills | Maryland | www.chesapeake.edu | 10 |
Davis Technical College | Kaysville | Utah | www.davistech.edu | 10 |
East Central College | Union | Missouri | www.eastcentral.edu | 10 |
Indian River State College | Fort Pierce | Florida | www.irsc.edu | 10 |
Mansfield University of Pennsylvania | Mansfield | Pennsylvania | www.mansfield.edu | 10 |
Missouri Southern State University | Joplin | Missouri | www.mssu.edu | 10 |
North Country Community College | Saranac Lake | New York | www.nccc.edu | 10 |
Notre Dame of Maryland University | Baltimore | Maryland | www.ndm.edu | 10 |
Pensacola State College | Pensacola | Florida | www.pensacolastate.edu | 10 |
South Arkansas Community College | El Dorado | Arkansas | www.southark.edu | 10 |
Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College | Mount Gay | West Virginia | www.southernwv.edu | 10 |
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill | Chapel Hill | North Carolina | www.unc.edu | 10 |
Upstate Medical University | Syracuse | New York | www.upstate.edu | 10 |
Daytona State College | Daytona Beach | Florida | www.daytonastate.edu | 9 |
Essex County College | Newark | New Jersey | www.essex.edu | 9 |
Grady Health System Professional Schools | Atlanta | Georgia | www.gradyhealth.org | 9 |
North Idaho College | Coeur d'Alene | Idaho | www.nic.edu | 9 |
Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College | Orangeburg | South Carolina | www.octech.edu | 9 |
Western Wyoming Community College | Rock Springs | Wyoming | www.westernwyoming.edu | 9 |
Wor-Wic Community College | Salisbury | Maryland | www.worwic.edu | 9 |
UnityPoint Health-Des Moines School of Radiologic Technology | Des Moines | Iowa | www.unitypoint.org/desmoines/radtech.aspx | 8 |
Blessing Hospital School of Radiologic Technology | Quincy | Illinois | www.blessinghealthsystem.org | 8 |
Delta College | University Center | Michigan | www.delta.edu | 8 |
Forsyth Technical Community College | Winston-Salem | North Carolina | www.forsythtech.edu | 8 |
Gwynedd Mercy University | Gwynedd Valley | Pennsylvania | www.gmercyu.edu | 8 |
University of Michigan-Flint | Flint | Michigan | www.umflint.edu | 8 |
Augusta University | Augusta | Georgia | www.augusta.edu | 7 |
Bacone College | Muskogee | Oklahoma | www.bacone.edu | 7 |
Briar Cliff University | Sioux City | Iowa | www.briarcliff.edu | 7 |
Ivy Tech Community College | Indianapolis | Indiana | www.ivytech.edu | 7 |
Manhattan College | Riverdale | New York | www.manhattan.edu | 7 |
Mott Community College | Flint | Michigan | www.mcc.edu | 7 |
Oakland Community College | Bloomfield Hills | Michigan | www.oaklandcc.edu | 7 |
Oregon Health & Science University | Portland | Oregon | www.ohsu.edu | 7 |
University of Nebraska Medical Center | Omaha | Nebraska | www.unmc.edu | 7 |
University of St Francis | Joliet | Illinois | www.stfrancis.edu | 7 |
Vincennes University | Vincennes | Indiana | www.vinu.edu | 7 |
Memorial Hospital School of Radiation Therapy Technology | New York | New York | www.mskcc.org/hcp-education-training/school-radiation-therapy | 6 |
Carolinas College of Health Sciences | Charlotte | North Carolina | www.carolinascollege.edu | 6 |
College of Southern Nevada | Las Vegas | Nevada | www.csn.edu | 6 |
College of St Joseph | Rutland | Vermont | www.csj.edu | 6 |
Concordia University-Wisconsin | Mequon | Wisconsin | www.cuw.edu | 6 |
Galveston College | Galveston | Texas | www.gc.edu | 6 |
Georgetown University | Washington | District of Columbia | www.georgetown.edu | 6 |
North Central Missouri College | Trenton | Missouri | www.ncmissouri.edu | 6 |
Southeast Arkansas College | Pine Bluff | Arkansas | www.seark.edu | 6 |
Laboure College | Milton | Massachusetts | www.laboure.edu | 5 |
Gateway Community College | New Haven | Connecticut | www.gatewayct.edu | 5 |
Holyoke Community College | Holyoke | Massachusetts | www.hcc.edu | 5 |
Howard University | Washington | District of Columbia | www.howard.edu | 5 |
Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science | Rochester | Minnesota | college.mayo.edu | 5 |
Mitchell Technical Institute | Mitchell | South Dakota | www.mitchelltech.edu | 5 |
Mountwest Community and Technical College | Huntington | West Virginia | www.mctc.edu | 5 |
Baptist Memorial College of Health Sciences | Memphis | Tennessee | www.bchs.edu | 4 |
Bellarmine University | Louisville | Kentucky | www.bellarmine.edu | 4 |
Community College of Denver | Denver | Colorado | www.ccd.edu | 4 |
Minot State University | Minot | North Dakota | www.minotstateu.edu | 4 |
NHTI-Concord's Community College | Concord | New Hampshire | www.nhti.edu | 4 |
Northeast Community College | Norfolk | Nebraska | www.northeast.edu | 4 |
Saint Cloud State University | Saint Cloud | Minnesota | www.stcloudstate.edu | 4 |
West Virginia University Hospital Departments of Rad Tech and Nutrition | Morgantown | West Virginia | www.wvuhradtech.com | 4 |
East Arkansas Community College | Forrest City | Arkansas | www.eacc.edu | 3 |
Suffolk University | Boston | Massachusetts | www.suffolk.edu | 3 |
Widener University | Chester | Pennsylvania | www.widener.edu | 3 |
Drury University-College of Continuing Professional Studies | Springfield | Missouri | www.drury.edu/evening-and-online | 2 |
Universidad Central Del Caribe | Bayamon | Puerto Rico | www.uccaribe.edu | 2 |
Averett University | Danville | Virginia | www.averett.edu | 2 |
North Central College | Naperville | Illinois | northcentralcollege.edu | 2 |
Northcentral Technical College | Wausau | Wisconsin | www.ntc.edu | 2 |
Rutgers University-New Brunswick | New Brunswick | New Jersey | newbrunswick.rutgers.edu | 2 |
University of Jamestown | Jamestown | North Dakota | www.uj.edu | 2 |
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center | Dallas | Texas | www.utsouthwestern.edu | 2 |
Western Nebraska Community College | Scottsbluff | Nebraska | www.wncc.edu | 2 |
William Rainey Harper College | Palatine | Illinois | www.harpercollege.edu | 2 |
Alderson Broaddus University | Philippi | West Virginia | ab.edu | 1 |
Alpena Community College | Alpena | Michigan | www.alpenacc.edu | 1 |
Kaskaskia College | Centralia | Illinois | www.kaskaskia.edu | 1 |
New York Chiropractic College | Seneca Falls | New York | www.nycc.edu | 1 |
San Diego State University | San Diego | California | www.sdsu.edu | 1 |
University of Kentucky | Lexington | Kentucky | www.uky.edu | 1 |
Washington Adventist University | Takoma Park | Maryland | www.wau.edu | 1 |
Online Radiation Therapy Schools
There are a handful of online and hybrid radiation therapy programs that are well-respected in the healthcare community. In fact, the Joint Review Committee in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT) has a comprehensive list of these programs that can be sorted by type of degree.
While there are no accredited programs that can be completed 100 percent online due to the essentially clinical nature of radiation therapy, there are a number of required general education and radiology courses that can be completed online.
Following is a sampling of accredited, hybrid, radiation therapy programs recommended by JRCERT:
-
Gateway Community College (GCC) – At just over $10,000 per year in out-of-state tuition costs, this is one of the most inexpensive radiation therapy AS programs available. GCC is well-known for its flexible and extensive online course options. Their radiation technician program is only 13 months long and offers a clinical radiation therapy course (RTT150) which can be completed partially online. Not only is it inexpensive and flexible, but the learning outcomes are stellar. A full 90 percent of graduates pass the national certification exam on the first try, and they have a 100 percent job placement rate upon graduation. It’s important to note that this program is only open to students who are already certified through the ARRT as medical radiographers.
-
University of Texas – At the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, radiation therapy students take a two-year BS program either in person or via distance learning. The distance learning option includes synchronous interaction between students and faculty, clinical rotations at affiliated facilities, and a brief session on campus in Houston.
-
Armstrong State University – Armstrong State University of Georgia offers both a B.S. and post-baccalaureate certificate option for registered radiology technicians. In this flexible program, students’ attendance in the brick-and-mortar facilities is necessary during the first semester of didactic instruction. For the remainder of the program, students can complete much of the coursework online and set up clinical rotations at a facility near their home at their convenience.
School | City | State | Website | grads (2018) |
---|---|---|---|---|
Southern Illinois University-Carbondale | Carbondale | Illinois | www.siu.edu | 124 |
Morehead State University | Morehead | Kentucky | www.moreheadstate.edu | 82 |
Georgia Southern University | Statesboro | Georgia | www.georgiasouthern.edu | 75 |
Greenville Technical College | Greenville | South Carolina | www.gvltec.edu | 54 |
University of Wisconsin-La Crosse | La Crosse | Wisconsin | www.uwlax.edu | 47 |
Chattanooga State Community College | Chattanooga | Tennessee | www.chattanoogastate.edu | 44 |
Clarkson College | Omaha | Nebraska | www.clarksoncollege.edu | 42 |
Indiana University-Purdue University-Indianapolis | Indianapolis | Indiana | www.iupui.edu | 38 |
Washburn University | Topeka | Kansas | www.washburn.edu | 36 |
University of Oklahoma-Health Sciences Center | Oklahoma City | Oklahoma | ouhsc.edu | 31 |
Santa Fe College | Gainesville | Florida | www.sfcollege.edu | 29 |
University of Cincinnati-Blue Ash College | Blue Ash | Ohio | www.ucblueash.edu | 25 |
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center | Houston | Texas | www.mdanderson.org | 24 |
University of New Mexico-Main Campus | Albuquerque | New Mexico | www.unm.edu | 20 |
La Roche College | Pittsburgh | Pennsylvania | www.laroche.edu | 17 |
Southwest Tennessee Community College | Memphis | Tennessee | www.southwest.tn.edu | 16 |
Pitt Community College | Winterville | North Carolina | www.pittcc.edu | 15 |
Indiana University-South Bend | South Bend | Indiana | www.iusb.edu | 8 |
Indiana University-Northwest | Gary | Indiana | www.iun.edu | 7 |
National Park College | Hot Springs | Arkansas | www.np.edu | 7 |
Northcentral Technical College | Wausau | Wisconsin | www.ntc.edu | 2 |
Rutgers University-New Brunswick | New Brunswick | New Jersey | newbrunswick.rutgers.edu | 2 |
Core & Elective Courses
Radiation therapists undergo similar training to other radiological professionals (e.g. dosimetrists, radiologic technologists). Still, there are several courses that are unique to radiation therapy programs. Some of the most common include:
- Principles of oncology – In this course, students learn how cancer affects a patient’s physical, mental, and emotional health. It also discusses typical cancer treatments and how to identify aberrations in cancer-related screenings.
- Radiation pathology – Students study various types of illnesses, disease, and physical impairments. Although this is a common course for many types of healthcare workers, this course focuses specifically on cancer-related pathologies, such as carcinoma, melanoma, neoplasms, and tumors.
- Medical imaging – This course teaches the different types of medical images and how to use various medical imaging equipment (e.g., computerized tomography [CT], magnetic resonance imaging [MRI]).
- Sectional anatomy – In this course, students are introduced to advanced anatomy focusing on interpreting results in transverse and sagittal orientations. Students examine typical scans taken from these orientations, including spinal, abdominal, chest, and pelvic exams.
- Practicum – This clinical component of allows students to apply their didactic knowledge to real-life situations. Comprising around 200 hours each, this series of clinical rotations must include the use of CT and MRI systems, analysis of radiological imaging results, standard radiological treatment procedures, and other key practical experiences.
Accreditation
There are two ways in which institutions of higher learning are accredited: programmatic and institutional. A program's accreditation status affects graduates' ability to apply for professional credentials, such as certification through the the ARRT.
Institutional Accreditation
Institutional accreditation involves the evaluation and approval of an institution as a whole, include all of its programs. The AART accepts institutional accreditation from a number of different agencies for the radiation therapy associate's degree prerequisite. In order to be considered valid, programs must be recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) or the United States Department of Education (USDE) as an legitimate accrediting agency.
Some of the reputable national and regional accrediting agencies recognized and accepted by the AART include:
- Middle States Commission on Higher Education
- New England Association of Schools and Colleges
- Higher Learning Commission
- Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
- Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
- Accrediting Commission for Schools Western Association of Schools and Colleges
In order to be accredited, schools must meet certain program requirements, including a thorough self-qualifying study to ensure that their program is meeting national standards. This study is typically followed by a site visit, wherein a team of radiation professionals evaluates the curriculum, technology, and course outcomes of the program. Finally, the evaluation team creates a findings report and the agency may choose to grant the program accreditation.
Programmatic Accreditation
Programmatic accreditation involves a similar process to institutional accreditation but applies specifically to the radiation therapy program. The Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT) is the only group that specifically accredits radiation therapy programs.
In order to be eligible for AART certification, a program need not be accredited by JRCERT, but it must appear on the AART list of approved programs, which is available on that organization's website.
Career Outlook
While the high-paying field of radiation therapy is expected to grow faster (nine percent from 2018 to 2028) than the national average of five percent, relatively few jobs are expected to be created in this field in an absolute sense. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS, December, 2019) suggests that around 1,600 new radiation therapy jobs will become available through 2028.
The growth is due partially to the rising number of aging Baby Boomers that are projected to need screenings and treatment for cancer. In addition, it is probable that there will be an increase in the number of younger people who will seek out early cancer detection options as affordable screening options become available.
Currently, 91 percent of radiation therapists work in general hospitals, private practices, and outpatient care centers, with a an average (mean) wage of $86,730 and a median wage of $82,330 (BLS 2019). However, the most highly-paid radiation therapists make an average wage of over $120,000 per year and usually work in specialty hospitals. The highest wages paid to radiation therapists are in California, New Jersey, Oregon, Connecticut, and Washington – averaging between $101,000 and $114,000 per year (BLS 2019).
Radiation therapists who complete an associate or bachelor’s degree in radiation therapy are most likely to get the highest-paid positions in this field. Board certification may also qualify students for more prestigious jobs. In addition, students who want to further their career in this field may continue their education to gain certification as a Medical Dosimetrist, which pays between $90,000 and $136,000 per year in California (2019).
Career Facts | Radiation Therapist |
---|---|
Related Careers | MRI Technologist, Neurodiagnostic Technologist, Radiologic Technologist |
Common Job Titles | Radiation Therapist, Computed Tomography Simulation Therapist, Dosimetrist |
Technology & Equipment | Radiation Therapy Collimeters, Radiological Positioning Aids, X-Ray Intensifying Screens |
Sourced from BLS, June 2018 |
Licensing & Certification
In order to be licensed as a therapist in most states, you must complete a clinical period of study (usually two years), in addition to passing the national exam administered by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT). A complete list of the state licensure requirements for radiation therapists is housed by the American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT).
As of 2015, students wishing to sit for the national exam administered by the ARRT must complete a minimum of an associate degree from an accredited college. This doesn’t have to be a Radiological AS degree, however. As long as the associate degree is completed at a college accredited by a body that is recognized by the ARRT, students may sit for the exam.
Although experience in a clinical setting is not necessary to take the exam, it is vital to becoming a licensed radiation therapist. Most states require at least 200 hours of clinical training in order to become licensed. In addition, those hours must be corroborated by a currently licensed and registered therapist to allow qualification for the licensure.