Radiation Therapist Colleges and Online Schools

Radiation therapy schools and radiation technologist schools typically offer degree and certification programs for students training to become a radiation therapist. These schools offer very specialized training and prepare students to work with various types of advanced equipment and radiation technologies in use today. Specialized courses available at radiation technologist schools range from key concepts in allied health, radiation physics and nuclear medicine instrumentation, to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and nuclear medicine. Some radiation therapy colleges also offer upper-level division courses in areas such as health care administration and financial management for the health industry.



Training Programs at Radiation Therapy Schools

Training programs at radiation therapy schools typically include both classroom training and hands-on training so that students can develop the skills and experience needed to excel in their careers. Students enrolled in these programs use high technology equipment that delivers various levels of radiation into the skin tissues to destroy cancer cells. Radiation therapy colleges train students to work with a medical team of radiation oncologists, physicists and dosimetrists so that they can deliver the appropriate amount of radiation therapy and follow standard protocol.

Many radiation therapy schools are affiliated with hospitals and clinics in their local area and will give students a chance to work onsite with medical professionals to gain necessary work experience. Students attending radiation therapy colleges can typically complete hands-on training through clinical internship courses and receive valuable work experience before they even graduate.

Admission Requirements for Radiation Therapy Colleges

The admission requirements for radiation therapy colleges and radiation therapy schools vary from state to state, and also by educational institution. However, most radiation therapy schools have the following requirements for entry:

  • Applicants must be at least 18 years of age
  • Applicants must have at least a high school diploma or a GED equivalent
  • Certain GPA (may be a "C" average or higher)
  • Meet all prerequisite college-level course requirements in mathematics, anatomy and physiology
  • Have completed a lab section for anatomy and physiology
  • Be U.S. citizens or legal residents
  • Take an entrance examination
  • Provide high school transcripts
  • Complete an official application form
  • Go through an interview process with a program director, clinical instructor, and technical director in the designated department

Attending Radiation Therapy Schools Online

Admission requirements and educational requirements for radiation therapy schools online may vary slightly from brick-and-mortar schools. However, students need to complete clinical and hands-on training offline in order to receive their degree or certification. Radiation therapy requires extensive clinical experience and hands-on training with different types of machines and equipment, and this training cannot be completed over the Web. Some online classes may be available through radiation therapy technologist schools, but these are usually general education requirements and do not include hands-on training. Students enrolled in radiation therapy schools online need to consider how they are going to complete their clinical requirements.

Online courses are designed to include discussion groups, tests and exams conducted over the Web, web-based lectures and tutorials, and provide students with an opportunity to interact with professors and other students in a virtual classroom setting.