Help Physicians Treat Cancer
Radiation therapists administer high-energy, concentrated radiation to primarily treat cancer. With the U.S. population aging and the incidence of cancer rising with age, demand for radiation therapists is expected to remain strong.
Radiation therapists provide safe, quality patient care while ensuring that treatment parameters are accurate. They operate machines such as linear accelerators in hospitals and outpatient centers.
UM-Flint’s Radiation Therapy program prepares you to take the Radiation Therapy Certification Examination given by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists.
Why Choose UM-Flint’s Radiation Therapy Program?
Train With State-of-the-Art Technology
You’ll learn from experts, including UM-Flint faculty members and clinicians. In your classes, you’ll combine evidence-based practices by using the Virtual Environment Radiotherapy Trainer (VERT). This cutting-edge tool creates a 3-D virtual radiation treatment room where you can see inside a patient’s body and practice your skills.
Get Hands-On Experience With Extensive Clinicals
Our program includes extensive clinical experiences at partners that include Michigan Medicine, various hospitals operated by Beaumont Health System and Ascension St. John Providence, Genesys Hurley Cancer Institute, and Brighton Center for Specialty Care.
Get Personalized Attention
By keeping our class sizes small, we ensure you receive lots of one-on-one instruction and mentoring.
Participate in Research as an Undergraduate Student
You’ll have the option to conduct research through the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program or the Summer Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program. In a paid or volunteer role, you can develop your research skills while working side-by-side with faculty on state-of-the-art research.
Bachelor’s in Radiation Therapy Curriculum
In your first two years at UM-Flint, you’ll take prerequisite courses in subjects like human anatomy and physiology, health care ethics, medical terminology, pre-calculus mathematics, and physics. The professional program begins the summer before your junior year and runs for 22 consecutive months until April of your senior year. You’ll gain extensive clinical experience and learn in specialized courses that explore topics like epidemiology, patient care, and management, sectional anatomy in radiation therapy, technical radiation oncology, and radiation physics.
Review the detailed Bachelor of Science in Radiation Therapy curriculum.
I researched many potential occupations. After reaching out to the Radiation Therapy program director at UM-Flint, I knew it was the right choice for me. I enjoyed the togetherness of the program and the program director always made us feel seen and heard. I very much enjoyed gaining not only the knowledge but the people that came with it. I not only learned radiation therapy but also much needed communication skills that would help me succeed in the work environment. I received multiple job offers right after graduating and felt very prepared for the care I would deliver.”
Jasmine Amador
Radiation Therapy, 2022
Admission Requirements
The admissions process differs depending on whether you’re a high school student or a current college student.
In their first two years, students will take general education courses and pre-professional courses. The Radiation Therapy program is a cohort program that starts with two 3-credit courses in the summer semester of the junior year and then full-time for the remainder of the junior and senior years.
Admissions Process for High School Students
If you’re a high school student, you can apply for the Radiation Therapy Direct Admission Program.
To qualify for direct admission, you must:
- Be in your senior year of high school for fall admission to UM-Flint.
- Have a minimum grade point average of 3.0.
To apply for direct admission, you must:
- Apply to UM-Flint as a pre-Radiation Therapy major by May 1.
- Submit the Supplemental Radiation Therapy program application by May 1. Email program director Julie Hollenbeck at [email protected] to request the application.
If you meet the requirements, we’ll invite you to attend Direct Admission day, which is always the second Friday of May. On Direct Admission day, you’ll be interviewed and complete a writing sample.
Before Direct Admission day, we recommend that you increase your knowledge of the radiation therapy profession to prepare for your interview.
If we offer you direct admission, your seat in the Radiation Therapy program is reserved but not guaranteed. To secure your seat you must:
- Complete all your college courses at UM-Flint. An exception is granted if you dual enroll while in high school.
- Earn a minimum 2.70 GPA each semester and a 3.0 cumulative GPA at UM-Flint.
- Achieve a minimum 3.0 GPA in BIO 167, BIO 168, PHY 143, and PHY 145.
- Complete two, eight-hour observations in a Radiation Oncology Department.
- The seat is held for three years; most students will complete prerequisite courses in two years.
Admissions Process for College Students
You must complete general education and pre-professional courses with no grade lower than a C by the start of the summer semester in the year you intend to begin the program.
When you are ready to apply, you must complete the following by the Feb. 1 application deadline:
- Fill out the application for general admission with Radiation Therapy as the field of study if you’re not already a UM-Flint student.
- Submit the Supplemental Radiation Therapy program application. Email program director Julie Hollenbeck at [email protected] to request the application.
- Submit three references.
- Submit documentation of 16 observation hours in an approved Radiation Therapy Department. Email Julie Hollenbeck at [email protected] to arrange observation.
- Take ATI TEAS test prior to Feb. 1 application deadline. It is recommended that the ATI TEAS test be taken after completing BIO 167 and BIO 168. Click here for more information on the test and how to register.
- Ensure you meet the physical and technical standards set by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT).
All application materials, including transcripts from other colleges and universities, must be received by Feb. 1 of the year you intend to begin the program. This deadline may be extended providing the class has not reached its enrollment limit.
The following criteria are used for admission:
- Overall GPA.
- GPAs for BIO 167 and PHY 143.
- Completion of all general education and pre-professional courses with no grade lower than a C by the start of the first summer semester: ENG 112 (COMP), BIO 167, BIO 168, MTH 120, PHY 143, PHY 145, HCR 212, HCR 304, HCR 362, PSY 100, SOC 100, MTP 320, PHL 168 or 162 and one course in Fine Arts.
- Completion of observation hours and submission of references.
- Demonstration of professionalism during advising sessions and required observations.
- Score of ATI TEAS admission exam.
- Interview score.
- Writing and problem solving scores.
All qualified applicants will be contacted for an interview and writing and problem solving test with the Admissions Committee in February.
The interviews, which are conducted by a Radiation Therapy Review Committee, last approximately 40 minutes. At the interview, you’ll be asked 15 to 20 questions about your:
- Background and qualifications
- Interest in radiation therapy
- Work and life experiences
- Radiation oncology observations
Interview scores are based on your communication skills, ability to deal with stressful situations, awareness of the duties of a radiation therapist, and overall characteristics that would be useful in the program.
If you’re interviewed, you’ll be notified of admission acceptance or denial within two weeks in an email and formal letter from the Radiation Therapy Department.
Career Opportunities in Radiation Therapy
Radiation Therapy is a unique mix of technology and bedside care. Radiation therapists may work in hospitals and outpatient centers with patients of all ages. They operate machines such as linear accelerators for treating cancer but also build relationships with their patients through long periods of treatments.
Radiation Therapy is a great choice for a high-paying health care career that doesn’t require graduate level education.
Demand for radiation therapists is projected to grow by about 6 percent through 2031, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. That’s about the average rate for all occupations. The median salary for radiation therapists is $82,790 annually.
More information about careers in radiation therapy is available from the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Scholarships for Radiation Therapy Students
Besides being eligible for financial assistance through UM-Flint’s Office of Financial Aid, you can apply for UM-Flint scholarships that are specifically for College of Health Sciences students.
Numerous scholarships are available to CHS students, each with its own requirements. They’re made possible through generous donations to the College of Health Sciences
Accreditation
The University of Michigan-Flint’s Radiation Therapy program is fully accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology.
Following a full eight years of accreditation, the program has recently submitted a self-study in February 2022 and is waiting for a site visit. Information about program effectiveness is available from JRCERT.
Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT)
20 N. Wacker Drive, Suite 2850
Chicago, IL 60606-3182
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (312) 704-5300
Fax: (312) 705-5304
Radiation Therapy Handbook
Radiation Therapy Program Effectiveness Data
Program Mission, Goals and Student Learning Outcomes
Mission
The Radiation Therapy program offers a relevant and respected education, providing high-quality clinical and didactic experiences. Building from a foundation of collaboration and an evidence-based curriculum, students appreciate social and cultural diversity and the importance of lifelong learning and service. This rewarding radiation therapy education is a cornerstone to advancing quality, compassionate cancer care.
Program Goals and Student Learning Outcomes
- Students will be clinically competent.
- Students associate patient positioning with accurate treatment delivery.
- Students can comprehend treatment plans and delineate areas of treatment.
- Students will communicate effectively.
- Students will use effective oral communication skills.
- Students will use effective written communication skills.
- Students will use critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
- Student determines that the patient’s treatment may need to be withheld and needs evaluation by a physician.
- Students are able to accurately complete treatment-related calculations.
- Students will develop a set of characteristics that support appropriate analysis of diversity and equity in health care practice.
- Students will develop an understanding of social and cultural diversity.
- Students will be able to apply knowledge of diversity and equity into appropriate health care practice.
- Students will evaluate the importance of professional lifelong learning and service.
- Students will demonstrate the importance of professional development.
- Students will demonstrate ethical behaviors in clinical settings.
Academic Advising for Radiation Therapy Majors
To help you succeed, our expert advisors are available to answer your questions about everything from course selection to career opportunities. Jennifer O’Roark is the dedicated academic advisor for this major. You can contact her at [email protected] or 810-762-3288. You also can make an appointment with her online.
Get Started on Your Radiation Therapy Career Today
If you want to help physicians treat cancer and ease disease symptoms for patients, apply to the University of Michigan-Flint today and then fill out the Supplemental Radiation Therapy program application.
If you have questions, you can contact Jennifer O’Roark, the program’s academic advisor, at [email protected] or 810-762-3288. You also can make an appointment with her online.