BSc in Radiation Therapy

Why pursue a radiation therapy degree at North Central College?

Radiation therapy is an interdisciplinary field that combines chemistry, physics, biology, radiobiology, radiation safety, anatomy, and patient care to administer targeted doses of ionizing radiation to treat cancer and other diseases. Radiation therapists work for hospitals, clinics, and technology companies within the industry. Advanced career opportunities exist in fields including education, administration, and research.

Daily tasks of radiation therapists include: Reviewing prescription and diagnosis; preparing patients for daily radiation treatments; delivering daily radiation treatments; evaluating and monitoring treatment-delivery equipment; performing radiation dose calculations; assisting in dosimetry procedures and tumor localization; providing high-quality patient care; and, collaborating with physicians and other members of the healthcare team.

North Central College's degree in Radiation Therapy prepares students for a career as a radiation therapists through a 3+1 program with NM School of Radiation Therapy at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. Students spend three years at North Central College, where they complete their liberal arts general education core along with prerequisite science and math courses. This is followed by a 14-month program of study (35 credits) at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. The student then graduates from North Central College with a degree in Radiation Therapy.

Admission to the final year of the program is based upon successful application to the NM School of Radiation Therapy at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in January of junior year. Student applicants are considered and evaluated solely by the faculty/staff at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. Student admission to the program is not guaranteed.

Students intending to major in Radiation Therapy must meet with the Pre-Professional Health Program Coordinator or the Chemistry Department Chair for the most recent information. Prerequisite courses and other requirements are subject to change.

You can also:

• Conduct scientific research and present your findings at local, regional, and national science conferences.
• Build connections with health care employers and radiation therapists near our conveniently located Naperville campus.
• Work with a dedicated pre-health advisor.

As a radiation therapy major with a Bachelor's degree, you'll have a distinct advantage over your peers with only a certification or an associate degree in the field. Your solid foundation in the sciences will support your understanding of this specialized method of treating cancer and other conditions.

Your humanities courses will foster your ability to communicate effectively with other health care providers and patients. You'll spend your first three years on North Central's campus, completing your liberal arts courses and prerequisites in chemistry, biology, physics, and math. During your fourth year after acceptance into the program, you'll take on a clinical-based internship at the School of Radiation Therapy at Chicago's Northwestern Memorial Hospital and earn a degree in radiation therapy from North Central College.

Major Requirements

Required Courses

• CHEM 121 - General Chemistry I
• CHEM 122 - General Chemistry II
• CHEM 251 - Organic Chemistry I
• CHEM 252 - Organic Chemistry II
• BIOL 195 - Investigating Biology
• BIOL 201 - Anatomy and Physiology I
• BIOL 202 - Anatomy and Physiology II
• BIOL 210 - Cells and Systems
• BIOL 230 - Genes and Genomics
• PSYC 250 - Statistics

Advanced Courses at Northwestern Memorial Hospital

Upper-level coursework taken during the 14-month clinical internship at Northwestern Memorial Hospital includes 34 credit hours in courses such as Management and Methods of Patient Care, Radiation Safety and Protection, Medical Imaging, Radiation Therapy Physics, Radiation Biology, Introduction to Computed Tomography, Introduction to Technical Radiation Therapy, Principles and Practice of Radiation Therapy, Quality Management, Technical Radiation Therapy, Operational Issues in Radiation Therapy, and Clinical Practicum.

Additional Requirements for the BSc Degree

• MATH 151 - Calculus I

Physics Sequence

One of the following sequences:

Non-Calculus

• PHYS 131 - Physics I (Non-Calculus)
• PHYS 132 - Physics II (Non-Calculus)

Calculus-Based

• PHYS 161 - Physics I: Mechanics and Heat
• PHYS 162 - Physics II: Electromagnetism, Waves, and Optics

A North Central education integrates career preparation with rich academic study. You'll have the opportunity to shadow clinical experiences in person to gain a thorough understanding of radiologic processes. Our faculty encourages you to refine and apply your knowledge of critical thinking in an interconnected world. Here you'll learn about radiographic procedures, how to think independently, and how to work globally to solve problems and lead.

Internships

• Radiation Therapist, Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Chicago