{"id":786,"date":"2021-11-28T11:54:00","date_gmt":"2021-11-28T17:54:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/stfrancis100.org\/?page_id=786"},"modified":"2025-10-21T18:25:08","modified_gmt":"2025-10-21T23:25:08","slug":"radiation-therapy","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/stfrancis.edu\/radiation-therapy\/","title":{"rendered":"Radiation Therapy"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Radiation Therapy (B.S.)<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
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Radiation therapy is an allied health profession which employs radiation in the treatment of disease, especially cancer. The Bachelor of Science in Radiation Therapy is a four-year, \u201c2+2\u201d program. Students first complete two years of liberal and pre-professional science education courses at the University of St. Francis, followed by two years of professional coursework and clinical education at an affiliated hospital or cancer center.<\/p>\n

The curriculum is designed to provide for balanced didactic and clinical components in order to produce students with a well-rounded education in radiation therapy. Successful completion of the professional education component of the program, makes the graduate eligible to take the national certification examination of the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (AART).<\/p>\n

The job outlook for radiation therapists continues to be promising. According to the U.S. Department of Labor Statistics, employment in the field is projected to rise 2% from 2024-2034. As the population of our country ages, the need for radiation therapists will likely increase. The median annual wage for radiation therapists was $101,990 in 2024.<\/p>\n

Students are accepted into the professional sequence of courses every spring and begin coursework in the fall semester. Applications into the professional component are due by December 15 yearly.<\/p>\n

Admitted Student Statistics:<\/strong><\/p>\n

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tClick Here to Apply to the USF Radiation Therapy Program Now!<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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<\/i><\/span><\/i><\/span>Mission, Goals & Outcomes<\/span><\/div>

Mission:<\/strong><\/p>\n

The mission of the Radiation Therapy Program is to provide academic, clinical and professional\u00a0<\/span>education of exceptional value to students, and to graduate radiation therapy students with the\u00a0<\/span><\/span>technical abilities, as well as the cognitive, critical and analytical thinking skills desired by employers\u00a0<\/span><\/span>such that graduates are prepared to serve at entry level and advance to leadership positions.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Toward fulfillment of our program mission, there are four main goals with focus toward student learning\u00a0<\/span><\/span>and four main goals focused toward program effectiveness\u2026.<\/span><\/p>\n

Student Learning Goals and Expected Outcomes:<\/strong><\/p>\n

1. Facilitate clinical competence such that students may:<\/p>\n

a. Demonstrate technical knowledge and skills commiserate with level of education
b. Demonstrate cognitive abilities appropriate to level of education
c. Integrate and apply theories and principles to final semester physics assignments<\/p>\n

2. Foster and develop critical, analytical and problem solving skills such that students may:<\/p>\n

a. Show progressive, relative proficiency in describing rationale for therapy planning during simulation by procedure journaling
b. Show progressive, relative proficiency in describing rationale for treatment delivery
c. Show progressive, relative proficiency in describing rationale for therapy planning during simulation by oral examination<\/p>\n

3. Foster and develop oral and written communication skills such that students and\/or graduates may:<\/p>\n

a. Orally present concepts with progressive, relative proficiency in content, organization and delivery
b. Successfully conduct written research on topics related to radiation therapy
c. Demonstrate effective communication skills with patients, peers, and team during internship
d. Demonstrate effective communication skills with patients, peers, and team as program graduate<\/p>\n

4. Instill ideals supportive of professional growth and development such that students and\/or graduates may:<\/p>\n

a. Successfully prepare and display campaign for career promotion and patient advocacy
b. Demonstrate professional characteristics in the workplace as program graduate<\/p>\n

Program Effectiveness Goals and Expected Outcomes:<\/strong><\/p>\n

5. Maintain an optimal teaching and learning environment such that students and\/or graduates may:<\/p>\n

a. Express satisfaction with the overall quality of instruction in online and traditional delivery formats
b. Express satisfaction with overall quality of clinical education
c. Express satisfaction with received advice, mentoring and counseling provided by clinical supervisors
d. Communicate satisfaction with overall quality of education by being willing to recommend by program end<\/p>\n

6. Employ admissions processes with the greatest potential for academic success and program completion such that students may:<\/p>\n

a. Successfully complete all program requirements within 150% of program length
b. Successfully complete all didactic courses above minimum admissions academic standard<\/p>\n

7. Facilitate professional practice preparedness such that students, graduates and\/or employers may:<\/p>\n

a. Demonstrate technical and clinical skills with minimal supervision in final semester
b. Express overall satisfaction with program as perceived post-graduation
c. Describe the benefits of professional organization membership, licensure, certification and scholarly activity
d. Express overall satisfaction with level of preparedness shown by employed graduates<\/p>\n

8. Demonstrate acceptable national registry examination pass rates and favorable job placement by students and\/or graduates who are able to:<\/p>\n

a. Apply all radiation therapy principles for successful performance on comprehensive examinations
b. Successfully pass the national registry examination on the first attempt within six months of program completion
c. Perform above national and state means on the national registry examination
d. Obtain employment within six months of program completion<\/p>\n

A detailed description of goals, outcomes, measurement tools, and measurement frequencies is found in the program\u2019s\u00a03-year Outcomes Assessment Plan.<\/a><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n <\/div>

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<\/i><\/span><\/i><\/span>General Plan for Clinical Education<\/span><\/div>

The clinical education portion of the program is designed to assure that graduates are prepared to successfully complete the ARRT exam in radiation therapy, meet licensure requirements, and assume the duties and responsibilities of an entry level therapist.<\/p>\n

General clinical course requirements are reviewed during program orientation. Clinical course requirements and expectations specific to each semester are reviewed at the start of the semester. Students will be assigned to 2-3 affiliated sites during the program to maximize the potential for exposure to a variety of case types and varying departmental dynamics. The program clinical coordinator will work closely with each student to plan clinical assignments intended to foster a diversified clinical experience.<\/p>\n

Students will spend time in the following areas of the radiation oncology department at each assigned site:<\/p>\n