Radiation Therapy
Bachelor of Science | COLLEGE FOR ADULTS
About the program
Are you interested in becoming a credentialed radiation therapist, prepared to assume a new position in the growing field of radiation oncology?
Consider the Radiation Therapy bachelor's program from St. Kate's College for Adults.
What can I do with a degree in Radiation Therapy?
Radiation therapists are responsible for the administration of ionizing radiation for treating diseases, primarily cancer. They work as part of interdisciplinary cancer treatment teams, including oncologists, radiation therapists, physicists and nurses. Radiation therapists administer radiation to patients throughout the course of treatment. Demand for radiation therapists is growing. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projected 13% growth in the field from 2016 to 2026 According to the BLS, median annual pay in 2023 was $98,300.
St. Kate’s program offers two tracks, based on previous education for individuals who:
• have completed a bachelor’s degree in any major, plus specific prerequisite courses.
• have completed or in the process of completing an associate degree in radiography and who pass the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification exam.
What will I study?
Core courses provide a strong foundation, according to standards set forth by the Joint Committee on Education in Radiation Technology (JRCERT), in:
• Principles of Oncology
• Pathology
• Patient care
• Radiation therapy physics
• Sectional anatomy
• Radiobiology
• Dosimetry and treatment planning
You'll learn to become a competent, caring professional. A strong foundation in the liberal arts will build your skills for communication, critical thinking, decision-making, and working in healthcare teams.
Admission requirements
Students who have completed an accredited associate degree in radiography must have a cumulative GPA of 2.7 or higher
Students who have completed a bachelor’s degree with a major other than radiography must complete all prerequisite courses prior to enrolling in the Radiation Therapy program, earn a minimum prerequisite GPA of 3.0, and have a minimum overall GPA of 2.75 to be eligible for admission to the program
In addition, Basic Life Support (BLS) CPR is required prior to beginning the program.
As part of the application process, students must provide documentation of 12 hours of observation/shadowing in a radiation therapy clinic or department. These hours provide an opportunity to observe the patient care environment and ask questions about the daily activities and responsibilities of radiation therapists. The required form for documenting observation hours, as well as evaluation feedback completed by the clinic/department where the hours were completed, will be available upon application to the program.
Class scheduling
The Radiation Therapy course sequence begins in the Fall semester, and can be completed in 12 months.
Courses and clinical training are scheduled weekdays Classes are held online with a mix of synchronous and asynchronous meetings; clinical sites are located across the metro area.
Your program of study
Prerequisite Courses for Students with a Previous Bachelor’s Degree in a Major other than Radiography
• BIOL 2400: General Anatomy and Physiology (4 credits)
• INDI 2220: Medical Terminology (2 credits) or IPE 1030: Healthcare Teams Foundations and Medical Terminology (2 credits)
• PHIL 3400: Biomedical Ethics (or Ethics) (4 credits)
• PSYC 1000: General Psychology (4 credits)
• Select one of the following (4 credits): College Algebra
MATH 1090: Precalculus
MATH 1130: Calculus I
STAT 1090: Statistical Analysis (or other approved statistics course)
12-Month Plan of Study
Major coursework includes 1,180 hours of clinical training. Clinical sites include University of Minnesota Medical Center Department of Radiation Oncology, Maplewood Cancer Center, Hennepin County Medical Center, Abbott Northwestern Hospital and other Twin Cities-area clinical sites.
Fall Semester
• RTT 3010: Introduction to Radiation Therapy (2 credits)
• RTT 3015: Principles of Oncology I (3 credits)
• RTT 3022: Radiation Therapy Physics I (2 credits)
• RTT 3030: Patient Care in Radiation Oncology (2 credits)
• RTT 3035: Clinical Practicum I (3 credits)
• RTT 4030: Sectional Anatomy (2 credits)
Spring Semester
• RTT 3025: Pathology (2 credits)
• RTT 4015W: Principles of Oncology II* (3 credits)
• RTT 4022: Radiation Therapy Physics II (4 credits)
• RTT 4025: Dosimetry and Treatment Planning (2 credits)
• RTT 4035: Radiobiology/Protection (2 credits)
• RTT 4041: Clinical Practicum II (1 credit)
• RTT 4043: Clinical Practicum II (3 credits)
Summer Term
• RTT 4040: Topics in Radiation Therapy (3 credits)
• RTT 4055: Clinical Practicum III (6 credits)
Note: Graduates of St. Kate's associate degree in Radiography will have met most of the liberal arts core and elective requirements for this degree. Ask your admission counselor for a transfer evaluation.
Supporting courses (for students with a radiography associate degree)
Note: Students must complete supporting courses with a grade of C or higher and they must be completed before beginning major courses.
• PHIL 3400: Biomedical Ethics (or other ethics course) (4 credits)
• Select one of the following (4 credits): MATH 1090: Precalculus; MATH 1130: Calculus I; or STAT 1090: Statistical Analysis (or similar course)
Core liberal arts courses
• CORE 1000W: The Reflective Woman: The Reflective Practitioner (4 credits)
• CORE 3990W: Global Search for Justice (4 credits)
• Behavioral and Social Sciences: choose one from communication studies, economics, political science, psychology or sociology (except ECON 1080, 1090, or PSYC 1090)
• Mathematics or Logical Reasoning: choose one from ECON 1080, ECON 1090, HLTH 1090, PSYC 1090, PHIL 2150, STAT 1089, STAT 1090, or any four-credit MATH course numbered 1000 or higher, except MATH 2500 and MATH 2510
• Natural Sciences: choose one course with a laboratory and/or field component in biology, chemistry, or physics
• Arts and Humanities: choose two courses from different disciplines: philosophy (except PHIL 2150), literature, history, foreign language, studio art, art history, creative writing, classics.
• Theology: choose one 1000 or any 2000-level theology course (except 2994 Topics)
Electives
Additional courses, as needed, to accumulate a minimum of 120 semester credits required for your bachelor’s degree. CORE course exemptions
Students seeking a B.A., B.S. or B.S.N. degree who have completed a previous bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution prior to enrollment at St. Catherine University are exempt from the LIFE core curriculum requirement
Students seeking a B.A., B.S. or B.S.N. degree who have completed an A.A. degree from a regionally accredited institution or the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum can satisfy the LIFE core curriculum requirement by taking CORE 3990.
Henrietta Schmoll School of Health
Radiation Therapy is a major in the University’s Henrietta Schmoll School of Health Sciences, offering certificate, associate, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral programs through St. Kate’s College for Adults, College for Women and College of Graduate Studies.
All information is subject to change
The information in this document applies to students entering the College for Adults in Fall 2024 or later. Provisions of this document are subject to change at any time. Consult the St. Catherine University Undergraduate Academic Catalog for official requirements.
stkate.edu/adult 651-690-8700
