Radiation Therapy Program
Become a Radiation Therapist
Radiation Therapy students are technologically curious yet driven by compassion. As a Radiation Therapy student, you will learn to utilize radiation to treat various forms of human disease, with an emphasis on cancer. You will become a vital member of the radiation oncology team and develop the skills needed to accurately deliver a prescribed course of treatment. This high-tech, high-touch profession provides an opportunity to deliver quality patient care while working with technologically sophisticated equipment. Your radiation therapy education will help you build upon the knowledge gained from your medical imaging education and train alongside some of the best oncologists, physicists and treatment professionals in the field of radiation therapy.
Incoming students must be graduates of an accredited radiologic technology or nuclear medicine program.
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Why Choose the Radiation Therapy Certificate Program at Carolinas College?
The Carolinas College Radiation Therapy program is a well-respected program that draws students from across both the region and the country. Students have access to Atrium Health facilities in Charlotte and across the region where they get an unprecedented hands-on education in a world-class healthcare setting. They learn from highly experienced faculty in classes with low student to instructor ratios.
Plus, our Radiation Therapy program is accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT).
Students will come to the Charlotte campus for some of their radiation therapy education but can choose from a variety of regional clinical sites to perform their hands-on learning, including facilities here in Charlotte, or across the region in cities like Spartanburg or Asheville.
Students have a history of 100% pass rate their first time taking the certification exam. It’s a testament to our rigorous academic program that prepares students to hit the ground running. The vast majority of graduates step into jobs right after finishing the program, often with Atrium Health.
Other program highlights of the Radiation Therapy program:
- Three semesters for completion.
- Focused on students who are graduates of an accredited radiologic technology or nuclear medicine program.
- Students will get clinical experience within the large, integrated cancer network of Atrium Health and other regional treatment facilities.
- Students will rotate through multiple clinical training facilities, observing a range of care techniques and patient populations.
- Atrium Health Loan Forgiveness program is available to help with the tuition.
Visit the FAQ page for more info.
Radiation Therapy at Carolinas College of Health Sciences
Atrium Health Breaks Ground on New Facility
Atrium Health is working to bring a new facility to the area in 2023, providing new innovative radiation treatments to the area. Our Radiation Therapy students will have access to this facility for their clinical rotations, providing them unique hands-on training. Read more.
Curriculum
All didactic courses in the Radiation Therapy program are taught at Carolinas College in Charlotte, NC and the clinical education component is completed within several major cancer research facilities and freestanding clinics in North and South Carolina, including Levine Cancer Institute (the flagship cancer care facility of Atrium Health). 46 total credits are required for completion.
Radiation Therapy Courses
Total Radiation Therapy Applied Courses: (46 credits)
First Semester, Fall (credits)
- Introduction to Radiation Therapy Procedures (3)
- Oncology Nursing & Patient Care (3)
- Oncology I (3)
- Radiation Therapy Physics (4)
- Radiation Therapy Practicum I (4)
Second Semester, Spring (credits)
- Quality Management (2)
- Oncology II (3)
- Dosimetry (4)
- Radiation Biology & Health Physics (3)
- Radiation Therapy Practicum II (4)
Third Semester, Summer (credits)
- Oncology Decisions (3)
- Treatment Planning (3)
- Research (1)
- Radiation Therapy Seminar (3)
- Radiation Therapy Practicum III (3)
Tuition and Fees
Tuition: $10,456
Clinical Facilities
The following are the major clinical facilities for the radiation therapy program:
- Levine Cancer Institute (LCI) Carolinas Medical Center, Charlotte, NC
- LCI Pineville, Charlotte, NC
- LCI University, Charlotte, NC
- LCI Cleveland, Shelby, NC
- LCI Concord, Concord, NC
- Rock Hill Radiation Therapy Center
- CaroMont Regional Medical Center
- Mission Health, Asheville, NC
- Gibbs Cancer Center, Spartanburg & Pelham, SC)
- AnMed Radiation Oncology, Anderson, SC
Other facilities will be added as appropriate.
Financial Aid
Federal student aid and scholarships are available to help with tuition. Visit our Financial Aid page for more information.
Loan ForgivenessAtrium Health offers a loan agreement available to finance up to $5,000 for students enrolled in the Radiation Therapy program. This loan defers payment on principal and interest, and if the graduate becomes employed full time by an eligible Atrium Health facility, a work forgiveness option is available. Questions? Contact FinancialAid@CCHSmail.org or 704-355-5486.
Application Requirements
- Submit your completed program application by the deadline.
- A minimum 2.5 cumulative college GPA and completion of an associate degree or higher is required.
- Successful completion of college-level algebra.
- Proof of enrollment in a qualified medical imaging program. Individuals entering the Radiation Therapy program must be graduates of a qualified radiologic technology or nuclear medicine program and must hold certification in one of these fields.
- Three completed reference forms. Download the form here.
- Completion of radiation therapy observation (8 hours) prior to interview. Download the form here.
Deadlines
| Term | Deadlines | Decision Notification |
|---|---|---|
| Fall 2023 | December 1, 2022 | March 2023 |
Student Checklist
- Return signed admission confirmation form and non-refundable $200 deposit.
- Complete a health assessment and baseline drug screen through Atrium Health (students who are Atrium Health teammates are exempt from this requirement). The health assessment includes submission of immunization records to Atrium Health indicating current and complete compliance with NC Administrative Code (10A NCAC 41A.0401) as amended in 1994.
- Complete the online criminal background authorization form (students who are Atrium Health teammates are exempt from this requirement).
- Submit official transcripts demonstrating completion of required pre-requisite courses with a “C” or better. Grades in AP, IB or honors courses will be considered individually. College-level algebra or equivalent is required for the Radiation Therapy program.
- Receipt of official transcripts for final grades in any “in progress” coursework noted on the application and/or graduation from programs in progress at the time of application.
- Submit verification of current ARRT certification (ARRT database or certificate copy).
- Submit documentation of current Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers certification from an approved American Heart Association course with an expiration date on or after one year of study.
- Receipt of verification of eligibility for clinical placement.
- Verify compliance with all essential functions of the program.
- Complete the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS).
- Complete the Smarter Measure Learning Readiness Indicator.
- Complete Mental Health First Aid Training.
- Be at least 18 years of age.
Madeline Phillips, Radiation Therapy alumna
Madeline enrolled in Radiation Therapy after meeting alumni who raved about the program. As a student, Madeline fell in love with the combination of classroom education and hands-on experience, "We were given the building blocks and then sent to clinic." she says. "The community the college has created between the professors and the therapists who work with students is built for you to strive, achieve and be the best therapist you can be."
Information on Accreditation
Radiation Therapy program graduates are awarded a certificate and are eligible to take the National Registry Exam given by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT). Additional information regarding program effectiveness can be found in the section below.
The Radiation Therapy program is accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT).
Accreditation Award - 8 years
Next Scheduled Review 5/01/2024
JRCERT
20 N. Wacker Drive
Suite 2850
Chicago, IL 60606-3182
Telephone Number: 312-704-5300
Email: mail@jrcert.org
Additional accreditation information can be found at www.jrcert.org.