Program Information
Education
Students receive didactic, laboratory, and clinical experiences in both existing and emerging radiation therapy practices and procedures. This may include treatment planning, simulation, quality assurance, brachytherapy, external beam therapy, stereotactic radiosurgery, intraoperative radiation therapy, intensity modulated radiation therapy, image guided radiation therapy, and total body irradiation. Students will rotate through a minimum of three clinical facilities to ensure exposure to emerging technologies.
Program costs include Tuition, Health Compliance (estimated at $115), Travel (variable based on clinical site distance), Professional Conference (estimated at $200 including hotel and registration), and Scrubs & Lab coat (estimated $100 / variable based on brand).
Professional Course Sequence
Radiation Therapy program requires 66 professional course credit hours.
Job Shadow / Clinical Observation
How to arrange a job shadow...
- Take advantage of any connections you might have, such as family members, family friends, neighbors, or acquaintances who are members of the profession or who know someone who is in the profession.
- After each time you job shadow a healthcare professional ask if he/she can refer you to someone else in the profession.
- Internet: Visit GVSU website of clinics and hospitals in your area that offer this experience
Career Options
Radiation therapists are in demand and find employment in a variety of settings, including clinics and physician offices, research institutions, and hospitals. To find radiation-specific positions, search the following resources:
- The American Society of Radiologic Technologists: Job Bank
- Department of Labor Occupational Outlook Handbook: Radiation Therapy
National Board Exam
Students who receive a B.S. degree in Radiologic and Imaging Sciences with an emphasis in radiation therapy from Grand Valley are eligible for The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) national credentialing examination in radiation therapy. The ARRT has recognized the program and established eligibility for students who complete the full degree program.
Individuals who have been involved in a criminal proceeding or charged with or convicted of a crime may not be eligible for national certification by the ARRT. Because this certification is available to graduates of the radiation therapy program as part of preparation for clinical practice, students to whom this may apply are strongly advised to work with the ARRT for pre-application review of eligibility for certification from their website at www.arrt.org (Ethics, Pre-Application Process). The ARRT may be contacted by phone at 651-687-0048 or at www.arrt.org for more information.
