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Radiation Therapy, B.S.
Radiation therapy is a health care discipline that utilizes ionizing radiation for the treatment of mostly malignant diseases. Radiation therapists are health care professionals skilled in the art and science of radiation treatment delivery. The radiation therapy program is designed to prepare students for the technical, theoretical, and psychological aspects of this career.
Program Overview
Radiation therapy students spend the equivalent of two years completing general education and prerequisite courses. Students wishing to apply for this degree should apply by February 1, prior to the fall semester entry. Applications available at gvsu.edu/rt/.
After admission to the secondary competitive program, students complete an additional two years of full-time professional coursework.
Why Study Radiation Therapy at Grand Valley?
- Our well-established program provides a strong curriculum and knowledgeable faculty along with clinical site placements to prepare students for the national certification exam.
- Small class sizes, cohort educational experiences, and clinical rotations offered at a wide variety of different hospital affiliates, including large teaching facilities as well as small community hospitals.
- Located in the state-of-the-art Cook DeVos Center for Health Sciences building in the heart of the medical community of downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan.
- The radiation therapy program is accredited through the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (jrcert.org).
Location & Format
All undergraduate students begin their academic career on the Allendale Campus. Students in this major continue their upper division studies on the GVSU Health Campus, near the Grand Rapids Medical Mile.
Formats:Coursework
Students study a variety of topics that include:
- Human sectional anatomy
- Intro to medical dosimetry
- Radiation biology
- Radiation protection
- Radiation therapy physics
- Image guidance in radiation therapy
Career Options
Radiation therapists are employed in a variety of health care settings, including:
- Radiation oncology centers and hospitals
- Private and government laboratories
- Public health institutions
- Vendor sales and technical support
Combined Degree Programs
This undergraduate degree can be combined with a master's degree to save you time and money, and get you into the workforce sooner. On average, students save $8,500 in our combined degree programs and take up to four fewer classes than if earning the degrees separately.
You can even build your own combined degree from programs in different disciplines to further personalize your education and meet specific career goals.
Helpful Links
College of Health Professions
Department of Diagnostic and Treatment Sciences
Radiation Therapy Program
gvsu.edu/rt
301 Michigan St, NE,
Suite 200
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
(616) 331-5600
“The professors were supportive and dedicated to my success in the classroom, lab, and beyond. The wide variety of clinical rotations provided a well-rounded clinical experience to fully prepare me to enter the profession of radiation therapy.”
KATHERINE VANDERLAAN
RADIATION THERAPY ALUMNA
RADIATION THERAPY ALUMNA