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Radiation Therapy
Has your life or the life of a friend or family member been affected by cancer? Here is your chance to make a difference in the lives of those fighting this disease. Radiation therapists are trained to administer therapeutic doses of radiation to cancer patients. Through coursework, hands-on labs, and clinical experience, students learn to use gamma rays, x-rays, electrons, and protons to slow and stop the growth of cancer.
Our carefully-designed program is recognized by the American Registry of Radiologic Technicians (ARRT) and covers the science of radiation, treatment methods and patterns, disease progression and statistics, and nursing care for cancer patients. If you’ve felt helpless against this disease, this is your opportunity to help fight it. In year three of this JRCERT-accredited program, students are awarded an Associate of Applied Science in Radiography and sit for the radiography ARRT exam.
Degree Requirements
The Radiation Therapy degree specialization can be earned by fulfilling the requirements for the Bachelor of Science degree.
- Total Degree Requirements: 120 credit hours
- University Core Curriculum: 39 credit hours
- Other Core Requirements: 2 credit hours
- Radiation Therapy Technology Core Requirements: 48 credit hours
- Radiation Therapy Technology: 31 credit hours
Check out the undergraduate Curricular Guide (PDF), which helps outline what courses you would want to take each semester for all four years. View all related undergraduate courses.
See also: Radiation Therapy Clinic Handbook | Master Syllabus
Continue Your Education with a Master’s Degree
Radiologic Sciences (M.S.)
For those interested in furthering their education and advancing their career, we offer a Master of Science in Radiologic Sciences. This degree program can be completed completely online. Earn your bachelor’s, begin your career, and work toward your master’s at your convenience.
Medical Dosimetry (M.S.)
We also offer a Master of Science in Medical Dosimetry. Students can build on their knowledge and learn to calculate and prescribe radiation doses, and design distribution schedules and plans of care. Graduates work with radiation oncologists and medical physicists, and are an integral part of the oncology team.
Accreditation
The Radiation Therapy program at SIU is accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT).
The Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology 
20 North Wacker Drive, Suite 2850
Chicago, Illinois 60606-3182
312-704-5300
mail@jrcert.org
www.jrcert.org
Program Starting Points
After you apply, your educational background will be reviewed, which determines the program's entry point. Below is a summary of the starting points and the qualifications considered for each.
Note: You may have a University standing of a freshman, sophomore, etc. classification, but your entry point is what the Radiography program classifies you as in this program.
Freshman (Year 1): The freshman spots are for those applicants that have no or very few college credits. Those applicants are ranked according to their high school GPAs. (Up to 15 slots available.)
Sophomore (Year 2): To be considered for a Year 2 slot, applicants must have completed or be currently in progress of the following courses:
- Anatomy
- Physics or Chemistry
- Math
During selection, points are given for the grades in the required courses. Points are given as follows: A=2; B=1; C=0; enrolled in course during spring term=0.5. The point total is added to the overall GPA. Total points are calculated and then ranked.
(The total amount of slots available are dependent on how many of the previous year's freshmen continue in the program; 20 max.)
Transfer Spot (Year 4): To be considered for a Year 4 spot, a student must have completed a Radiography program at another institution and be credentialed with the ARRT. Courses that will be reviewed for admission to the Radiation Therapy modality are:
- Radiography Physics
- Anatomy (If your Radiography program did not require anatomy and physiology, we will utilize your Radiography anatomy)
- Math
(The total amount of slots available is dependent on how many of the previous year’s radiography students are on the Radiation Therapy track and pass their ARRT examination; 20 max.)
Program Mission
The mission of the Radiation Therapy Program offered by Southern Illinois University is to provide a quality program integrating education, research and service in order to meet the needs of the profession and improve health care of the people and communities we serve.
Website Compliance Checklist (PDF)
JRCERT Award Letter (PDF)
Radiation Assessment Plan(PDF)
Program Effectives Data (PDF)
Program Goals and Student Learning Outcomes
- Goal 1
- Goal 2
- Goal 3
Admissions & Deadlines
The RADS program is a fall-only competitive admissions program.
Applications are accepted from July 15th to February 1st.
To be considered for full admission, students should apply for general admission to SIU Carbondale.
Contact Information
Richard McKinnies,
Program Director
ASA Room 213A
1365 Douglas Dr.
Carbondale, IL 62901
Phone: 618-453-7260
rmck@siu.edu
Naishon Patterson,
Academic Advisor
ASA Room C15D
1365 Douglas Dr.
Carbondale, IL 62901
Phone: 618-453-1346