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Career Information
Radiation Therapists use high energy ionizing radiation to deliver a prescribed course of radiation to treat disease. The Radiation Therapist monitors the patient during treatment and provides emotional support. The Therapist’s responsibilities include accurately interpreting, verifying, administering and recording the treatment prescribed by a Radiation Oncologist.
The Department of Medical Laboratory, Imaging, and Radiologic Sciences offers a bachelor of science in radiologic sciences with a major in radiation therapy. Students must transfer 60 semester hours of liberal arts courses (junior transfer).
Following is information for junior transfer students. For further information, contact the Office of Academic Admissions.
Professional Tasks and Working Environment
The Radiation Therapist is a member of the radiation oncology team who is responsible for delivering a prescribed dose of radiation to treat cancer and some benign diseases. Radiation Therapists have continual contact with patients for the course of their treatment, educating them about treatment, simulation procedures, and potential radiation side effects. Monitoring and observing each patient’s clinical progress and emotional needs are also part of the Therapist’s daily routine. The Therapist, as a member of the healthcare team, refers patients to physicians, nurses or social service professionals when necessary.
Certification
Program graduates may be eligible for the national certification exam in radiation therapy administered by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists. (www.arrt.org).
Skills and Interests Suited to a Career in Radiation Therapy Technology
A person entering this field should have technical and math/science proficiency, computer literacy, self-motivation, empathy, emotional stability, people skills and a strong work ethic. Graduates work directly with patients to obtain information for treatment planning and to deliver the course of treatment prescribed.
Career Opportunities
Career opportunities for Radiation Therapists are diverse. Jobs may be available in all areas of the country. Radiation Therapists can be employed by hospitals, universities, clinics or vendors who market and sell radiation oncology equipment.
Salary Information
The earning potential for Radiation Therapists is excellent. Salaries vary depending on geographic location, education, and experience.
Admission Requirements
- Application Deadline: April 30 - Fall entry
Applications completed after the program deadline will be considered on a space‐available basis only.
- Official transcripts: Official transcripts are required from all colleges ever attended. Transcripts should be mailed to GRU’s Office of Academic Admissions (OAA) directly from the Registrar’s office of the institution. Applicants may also deliver or mail official transcripts to GRU’s OAA if the transcript remains in the original, unopened, sealed and stamped/signed envelope from the Registrar’s office at the institution.
- Transcript/credential evaluation of foreign transcripts: An official, professional course‐by‐course evaluation is required for all foreign educational transcripts and documents from one of the following three credentials evaluation services: Josef Silny & Associates, Inc., World Education Services (WES), Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc. (ECE)
- Two Letters of recommendation with Reference Form: A Reference form along with a letter of recommendation must be submitted from each referee. Referees should be individuals qualified to assess applicants prior academic, work, research and/or clinical experience, as applicable. References should be individuals (usually college professors who have known you for at least 3 months). References from friends, family, classmates, or co-workers in a non-supervisory role will not be accepted.
- Program Supplemental Form
- TOEFL exam scores: Minimum score of 550 paper‐based, 213 computer based or 79 internet based Official Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) test scores are required for applicants whose first language is not English. The institution code for submission of TOEFL scores to GRU is 5406. Please do not select a department code.
- Personal interview: The most qualified applicants will be invited for a personal interview by the Radiation Therapy program. Final admission decisions are made based upon grade point averages (both overall and the math/science GPA), letters of recommendation, TOEFL test scores, quality of the essay and an assessment of the motivation, knowledge of the discipline, and personal qualities needed to successfully complete the program. Interviews are by invitation only. Not every applicant will qualify for an interview. An invitation to interview does not guarantee program acceptance.
Technical Standards
In addition to demonstrating personal characteristics appropriate for a health professions career, students must satisfy general and specific technical standards. Visit http://www.gru.edu/alliedhealth/mlirs/rt/standards.html to review these requirements.
Financial Aid
GRU participates in all federal student aid programs as well as state and private programs. GRU helps students fund their education through grants or scholarships, loans, a service commitment program and/or employment.
Accreditation/Review
Radiation Therapy
Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology
20 N.Wacker Drive, Suite 2850
Chicago, IL 60606-3182
312-704-5300
www.jrcert.org
When to Apply
All application materials should be in GRU’s Office of Academic Admissions by April 30. Applications completed after this date are considered on a space-available basis only. Complete applications include the application, 2 letters of recommendation, and official transcripts. If accepted to the program, documentation of current CPR and First Aid certification is required: http://www.gru.edu/Admissions/CPR-First_Aid.html.
How to Apply
Apply online at www.gru.edu/Admissions, or contact:
Office of Academic Admissions
170 Kelly Building–Administration
Georgia Regents University
Augusta, Georgia 30912
Telephone: 706-721-2725
800-519-3388
E-mail: Admissions@gru.edu
Courses to Take the First Two Years
The courses required to graduate from GRU comprise a core curriculum divided into six categories (A-F). The options for completing these prerequisites for transfer to GRU are listed below:
| A. Essential Skills |
9 semester hours |
| English Composition I |
3 hours |
| English Composition II |
3 hours |
| (literature-based) |
|
| College Algebra, Mathematical Modeling, Trigonometry, Pre-calculus or Calculus |
3 hours |
| |
| B. Institutional Options** |
4-5 semester hours |
|
Introduction to Computers
Critical Thinking
Creative Writing
Ethics
Health and Wellness
Statistics
Economics
Speech
Medical Terminology
Any approved guided elective from Area F
|
| |
| C. Humanities and Fine Arts** |
6 semester hours |
Ethics
Foreign Language
Speech, Oral Communications
Literature
Philosophy
Drama, Art or Music Appreciation
Logic
Electives in Humanities and Fine Arts
Religion |
| |
| D. Science, Mathematics and Technology |
10-11 semester hours |
| One eight-hour laboratory course sequence in chemistry, biology or physics and an additional course in science, mathematics or technology. The recommended 8 hour laboratory sequence course is physics. The recommended additional course is a course in mathematics. |
| E. Social Science** |
12 semester hours |
U.S. History
U.S. Government
Other History
Economics
Psychology
Sociology
Anthropology
Racial and Ethnic Minority Groups
Lower-division electives in Psychology and Sociology |
|
| |
| F. Courses Appropriate to the Major |
18 semester hours |
| Anatomy and Physiology I and II w/labs |
8 hours |
| Physical Science/Physics w/lab* |
4 hours |
| Precalculus* |
3 hours |
| Medical Terminology |
2 hours |
| Guided electives |
3-10 hours |
| Math, Science, Computers, Business Management, Education, Health Professions, Speech, Statistics. |
|
Note: Radiation Therapy requires Precalculus or Calculus in Area A, D, or F.
* If this is taken in another area of the core, the hours would be taken in additional guided electives.
** If a student planning to transfer to GRU from another school in the University System of Georgia has completed this area with courses taken there or at another institution from which GRU accepts transfer credit, GRU will accept the area as satisfied. A student planning to transfer from a school not in the University System of Georgia should choose from the list of courses.
Estimated Full-Time Academic Expenses
For estimated tuition and fees, please see the Financial Information section of this catalog.
