College for Adults | Henrietta Schmoll School of Health
Are you interested in preparing for a high-demand health career and fulfilling a crucial role in cancer patients’ recovery? Consider St. Kate's radiation therapy program — you can become a credentialed radiation therapist in the growing field of radiation oncology.
Program Details
Classes meet: Online on Mondays and Wednesdays, with clinical experiences at Twin Cities-area hospitals and clinics (beginning Fall Semester 2022).
Time to completion: 12 months
Credits for major: 40
Cost per credit (2023–2024): $525
Start: Fall, spring, or summer to begin non-major courses
Cohort Size: 14
JRCERT Accreditation Status: Scheduled review in March 2023
Choose from Two Tracks to Prepare for a Radiation Therapy Career
In only one year, you can complete a radiation therapy degree in St. Kate’s College for Adults.
Two tracks are available:
- an abbreviated degree-completion pathway for people who have previously earned certification as radiologic technologists at the associate or bachelor’s degree level
- a pathway for students who have previously completed bachelor’s degrees in any other field
In both pathways, you’ll meet requirements to become a credentialed radiation therapist.
You will first enroll in St. Kate’s College for Adults to complete any remaining liberal arts and supporting courses outside of the major that you have not yet completed. You may take these courses, which are offered in an evening/weekend/online format, on a part-time basis. Then, in September, you’ll begin a 12-month series of radiation therapy major courses.
You’ll also complete 1,180 hours of hands-on clinical training. Clinical sites include Hennepin County Medical Center, Minneapolis Veterans Medical Center, Park-Nicollet Frauenshuh Cancer Center, and other Twin Cities-area hospitals and clinics.
After completing your bachelor's in radiation therapy, progress into St. Kate's healthcare-focused Master in Business Administration, Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership, or Master of Public Health program.
Demand for radiation therapists is growing, with median annual earnings in 2019 of $85,560, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Radiation therapists are responsible for the administration of ionizing radiation for treating diseases, primarily cancer. They work as part of interdisciplinary cancer treatment teams, including oncologists, radiation therapists, physicists and nurses, throughout the course of treatment.
Program Accreditation
St. Kate's radiation therapy program is accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiology Technology, 20 N. Wacker Drive, Suite 2850, Chicago, IL 60606, (312) 704-5300. JRCERT.org
Accreditation details and status
Program Mission
To provide radiation therapy students with the didactic and clinical education necessary to graduate as an entry-level radiation therapist, who can work successfully in the radiation oncology setting.
| GOAL | LEARNING OUTCOMES |
|---|---|
| 1. Students will be clinically competent. | Students will: (1.1) Employ proper treatment techniques (1.2) Accurately perform dose calculations |
| 2. Students will communicate effectively. | Students will: (2.1) Practice written communication skills (2.2) Demonstrate effective oral communication skills |
| 3. Students will demonstrate critical thinking and problem solving skills. | Students will: (3.1) Assess equipment malfunctions or problems (3.2) Evaluate and adjust treatment parameters for non-routine situations |
| 4. Students will demonstrate professionalism. | Students will: (4.1) Practice professional behaviors (4.2) Analyze their professional growth and goals |
Note: the St. Catherine Radiation Therapy Program transferred from the University of Minnesota Medical Center in September 2017. St Catherine University graduated its first class in August 2018.
The following is the most current program effectiveness data. Our programmatic accreditation agency, the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT), defines and publishes this information. The information can be found directly on the JRCERT web page.
Credentialing Examination
The number of students who pass, on the first attempt, the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification examination, or an unrestricted state licensing examination, compared with the number of graduates who take the examination within six months of graduation. The five-year average benchmark established by the JRCERT is 75%.
| Credentialing Examination Rate | Number passed on 1st attempt divided by number attempted within 6 months of graduation |
|---|---|
| YEAR | RESULTS |
| Year 1 — 2018 | 5 of 6 — 83% |
| Year 2 — 2019 | 9 of 10 — 90% |
| Year 3 — 2020 | 10 of 11 — 91% |
| Year 4 — 2021 | 8 of 9 — 89% |
| Year 5 | |
| Program 5-Year Average | 32 of 36 — 89% |
Job Placement
The number of graduates employed in the radiologic sciences compared to the number of graduates actively seeking employment in the radiologic sciences within twelve months of graduating. The five-year average benchmark established by the JRCERT is 75%.
| Job Placement Rate | Number employed evenly divided by number actively seeking employment within 12 months of graduation |
|---|---|
| YEAR | RESULTS |
| Year 1 — 2018 | 5 of 6 — 83% |
| Year 2 — 2019 | 9 of 10 — 90% |
| Year 3 — 2020 | 10 of 10 — 100% |
| Year 4 — 2021 | 9 of 9 — 100% |
| Year 5 | |
| Program 5-Year Average | 33 of 34 — 97% |
Program Completion:
The number of students who complete the program within the stated program length. The annual benchmark established by the program is 80%.
| Program Completion Rate | Number graduated divided by number started the program |
|---|---|
| YEAR | RESULTS |
| Year 1 — 2018 | 6 of 6 — 100% |
| Year 2 — 2019 | 11 of 12 — 92% |
| Year 3 — 2020 | 11 of 13 — 85% |
| Year 4 — 2021 | 9 of 10 — 90% |
| Program 5-Year Average | 37 of 41 — 90% |
The Radiation Therapy program accepts students who are highly qualified for the radiation therapy program. To be considered for this program you should exhibit strong qualifications for the radiation therapy profession. Applicants to the program must possess the following general qualities:
- Physical and mental stamina
- Flexibility and adaptability, good sound judgment
- Excellent critical thinking skills
- Emotional stability
- High level of professionalism and maturity
- Personal responsibility
- Ability to communicate, in English, effectively and appropriately, orally and in writing with patients, staff and others.
In addition, radiation therapy students must be able to perform the following as part of the regular duties:
- Use computers and keyboards to input data
- Push, pull, bend, stoop and squat routinely
- Move quickly throughout the clinical site
- Lift 30 pounds over head
- Assist in lifting transferring and moving patients and equipment
- Perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
- Stand on their feet for more than 80 percent of the time
- Distinguish colors and shades of gray
- Visually align patients and equipment while in dim lighting
- Hear and identify various background sounds
- Monitor patients during treatment visually and via audio monitors
- Demonstrate retention and utilization of clinical information and skills