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image of person in an MRI machine, hands above their head with lights mapping their upper body; radiation therapy

Radiation
Therapy

COLLEGE OF SCIENCE & HEALTH

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medical professional pointing with finger that lines up with graphic overlay; nuclear medicine technology

Radiation therapy uses high energy X-rays, electron beams or radioactive isotopes as cancer-killing agents. These therapies change the direct physical process of individual cells.

The radiation therapist is a highly specialized professional who is an important part of a health care team. Radiation therapy is one of the most effective treatments today for many cancers and an increasing number of other medical conditions. The radiation therapist delivers highly technical skills to patients requiring extreme care, involving a great deal of patient contact. Patients are usually seen 15-40 times during the course of their treatment.

radiation therapy - graeber

Students in the radiation therapy program have the opportunities to:

Balance a strong science curriculum with humanities and social sciences.
Work under supervision as a member of the medical team.
Collaborate with physicians and other members of the health care team, including nurses, dosimetrists, radiation therapists, social workers and administrative staff.
x-ray of human shoulder; radiation therapy program

View Course Information

Radiation Therapy requirements - Lisle Radiation Therapy requirements - Mesa BA Biology requirements - Lisle

How does the program work?

Students in the Radiation Therapy program must complete at least 90 semester hours with a minimum GPA of 2.8 at Benedictine University. Students must apply for admission to Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Benedictine’s clinical education program affiliate hospital, during their junior year. The admissions process is competitive. Your senior year is a 13-month, 33 semester credit-hour clinical education curriculum in an American Medical Association-accredited hospital program affiliated with the University.

radiation therapy
radiation therapy

B.A. in Biology

Upon completion of the program, students are awarded the B.A. in Biology- Allied Health, and are eligible to sit for the national registry examination in Radiation Therapy administered by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists.

Lisle Campus

The 14-month program helped me develop patient care and technical skills by learning in a hospital-based setting at an academic medical center. The program provides you with opportunities to learn from distinguished instructors in the classroom as well as radiation therapists, physicians, dosimetrists, nurses, and others in the clinical setting. The structure of the program provides you with the necessary skills and confidence to work as a crucial member of an oncology team upon completion. Benedictine helped me prepare for the program by offering a strong prerequisite curriculum with classes that are applicable to the medical field. The academic advisors at Benedictine helped me navigate program requirements, kept me on track with classes, and assisted with the admissions process. The 3+1 radiation therapy program was the best decision I ever made!

Kyle Graebner

Kyle Graebner ’22
Radiation Therapy Program 3+1