Radiation Therapy FAQs

What is the Radiation Therapy program?

The Radiation Therapy Program at Bellin College prepares students for careers as radiation therapists, healthcare professionals who deliver prescribed radiation treatments to patients with cancer and other non-cancerous conditions. Students study anatomy, radiation physics, treatment planning concepts, patient care, and radiation safety while developing precision, professionalism, and compassion through long-term patient interactions. Hands-on learning begins in the laboratory setting and progresses to supervised clinical rotations in oncology environments.

What does a Radiation Therapist do?

Radiation therapists are healthcare professionals who administer daily radiation therapy treatments using advanced equipment such as linear accelerators. They accurately position patients, operate treatment machinery, monitor patient responses, maintain strict safety standards, and collaborate closely with radiation oncologists, dosimetrists, and medical physicists to ensure precise and compassionate cancer care.

How long does the program take to complete?

The Radiation Therapy Program is a full-time, bachelor level degree program delivered year-round. Students complete didactic coursework and laboratory instruction before progressing to a full-time clinical internship during the final year of the program, where they apply knowledge and skills in supervised oncology settings.

Do students complete clinical rotations?

Students complete full-time clinical rotations during the final year of the Radiation Therapy Program. Clinical education focuses on patient positioning, immobilization, treatment delivery, imaging for localization, and professional oncology practice within hospital-based and cancer center environments.

What physical and technical abilities are required?

Radiation therapy is a physically and cognitively demanding profession. Students must be able to stand for extended periods, assist with patient positioning and transfers, and accurately operate treatment equipment while maintaining strict attention to detail.

Students must also be comfortable using specialized technology, communicating compassionately with patients, and collaborating with an interdisciplinary healthcare team. A list of minimum technical requirements is available on the Bellin College admissions page.

Is the Radiation Therapy program accredited?

Bellin College is institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). The Radiation Therapy Program holds specialized accreditation through the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT), which ensures graduates meet national educational standards and are eligible for professional certification and employment.

What certification can graduates pursue?

Graduates of the Radiation Therapy Program are eligible to sit for the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) Radiation Therapy [ARRT(T)] certification examination upon program completion. ARRT certification is nationally recognized and required for employment as a radiation therapist in most healthcare settings.

What careers do graduates pursue?

Graduates typically pursue careers as radiation therapists in hospitals, cancer centers, outpatient oncology clinics, and academic medical centers. Demand for skilled radiation therapists remains strong due to ongoing advancements in radiation therapy and the continued need for high quality cancer treatment services.