Radiation Therapy Program - Bachelor of Science Degree in Radiation Therapy

At GMercyU, one of the top radiation therapy schools in PA, you will be prepared to deliver competent and compassionate patient-centered care. In keeping with our Mercy tradition, our curriculum is career-oriented but also helps you build a strong foundation in liberal arts and ethics, so you are prepared to treat the whole person with respect and dignity. You can build on your educational foundation in radiation therapy and take your career in different directions including administration, dosimetry, research, education, and direct patient care.

Program highlights include:

• A minimum of three clinical placements through affiliation agreements with 30+ cancer management centers in the area (see list under "Clinical Opportunities")
• Our state-of-the-art teaching tool, the VERT (Virtual Environment of a Radiotherapy Treatment room), offers a safe, simulated radiotherapy treatment room complete with 3D views and life-size visualizations.
• Individualized attention through our low 13:1 classroom student-to-faculty and 1:1 student-to-clinical instructor ratios
• All radiation therapy major courses taught by experienced faculty, no teaching assistants

Mission Statement

The mission of the Radiation Therapy Program is consistent with the mission of the University in that it offers a career-oriented program that prepares competent entry-level radiation therapists who provide empathetic patient-centered care.
 

Philosophy

Consistent with the Mission of Gwynedd Mercy University, it is the goal of the Radiation Therapy Program to offer a career-oriented program that provides moral, social, intellectual, cultural, and spiritual development of the individual. We believe that it is necessary that our graduates not only view patients as whole persons requiring medical assistance, but who will also support them with regard for the dignity of the individual. In order to fulfill this belief and philosophy, we offer a fully integrated curriculum that encourages interest in the humanities as well as theory and clinical experience in the current technology of radiation therapy. Theory within the concentration is strengthened throughout the program with everyday practical experience that permits the individual to enter the job market immediately following graduation.

Program Goals

1. Graduates will be competent entry-level radiation therapists.
2. Students will demonstrate critical thinking.
3. Students will demonstrate effective communication skills.
4. The students/graduates will model professionalism.

Program Learning Outcomes

At the completion of the radiation therapy program, the graduates will demonstrate:  

• Empathic patient-centered care
• Application of appropriate radiation safety principles
• Accuracy in performing radiation therapy procedures
• Effective oral and written communication skills
• Appropriate response to events in clinical and lab situations
• Appropriate professional behaviors

The five-year average job employment rate for our radiation therapy school graduates was 89% within 12 months of graduation (PDF). 

You can also check out the average first-time pass rate on the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certifying exam over the past five years by viewing GMercyU's Program Effectiveness document (PDF).

In addition to general education requirements, you will complete the following courses:

Radiation Therapy Courses - 69 Credits

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Additional Courses – 9 Credits

Credit Requirement
A minimum of 131 credits is required for the bachelor of science in radiation therapy degree. See the undergraduate catalog for more information and course descriptions.

In addition to general education requirements, a student will need to successfully complete the Radiation Therapy (RTS) core courses, with a grade of C or higher, and a grade of B or higher in clinical education requirements. A student must have a cumulative grade point average of a least a 3.0 in all the RTS core courses in order to graduate from the program.

In addition, a student must complete all required competencies as part of the clinical education courses, and complete all rotations in the clinical education setting.

Upon successful complete of radiation therapy program curriculum, a student is eligible to take the American Registry Of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) credentialing examination.

The formal University graduation ceremony is regularly held in May. It is a privilege for the student to attend the graduation ceremony; however, it is not compulsory for students to attend. Students who choose not to attend graduation are requested to notify the office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs of this decision. Students electing not to attend graduation ceremonies are responsible for payment of the graduation fee as posted in the University Catalog. The degree will be conferred at the graduation ceremony immediately following the completion of all stated essentials for this approved program and the payment of all required fees.

Lorraine Quarles, MS, RT (T)
Position: Assistant Professor and Program Coordinator, Radiation Therapy
Did You Know? Professor Quarles previously worked as a dosimetrist at the American College of Radiology.
Read bio

Emily Quinn BS R.T. (R)(T)
Position: Instructor and Clinical Coordinator, Radiation Therapy
Did You Know? Quinn has 10 years of experience as a radiation therapist in both inpatient and outpatient settings.
Read bio

Judith McDonald BA, RT (R) (M) (T)
Position: Instructor (Part-Time), Radiation Therapy
Did You Know? McDonald continues to work as a radiation therapist at Grand View Hospital, a career she loves, while making time to meaningfully contribute to the education of our students.
Read bio

2024-2025 Sophomore Education Schedule (PDF)

2024-2025 Junior Education Schedule (PDF)

2024-2025 Senior Education Schedule (PDF)

View the University's academic calendar here.

• Background Check Information (PDF)
• PA State Child Abuse Form (PDF)
• Radiation Therapy Health Form (PDF)

GMercyU’s Radiation Therapy programs are affiliated with the following organizations, where you could complete your required clinicals:

• Christiana Care Health Systems
  • Concord Health Center
• Helen Graham Center
• Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center
• Einstein Medical Center Montgomery
• Einstein Medical Center Philadelphia
• Fox Chase Cancer Center
  • Buckingham / Community Hospital
  • East Norriton
  • Main Campus
• Penn Medicine Health Care Network
  • Hospital of University of PA Perelman Center
  • Penn Medicine Chester County Hospital
  • Penn Medicine Doylestown Hospital
  • Penn at Lancaster General Hospital, Ann B. Barshinger Cancer Institute
    • Penn Medicine Pennsylvania Hospital
• Penn Medicine at Valley Forge
• Jefferson Health Torresdale
• Lehigh Valley Hospital
  • Cedar Crest
  • Muhlenberg
• Main Line Hospital Inc.
  • Bryn Mawr Hospital
  • Lankenau Campus
  • Newtown Square
  • Paoli Cancer Center
  • Riddle Memorial Hospital
• MD Anderson at Cooper at Redeemer Health
• St. Luke's Health Care Network
  • Allentown Cancer Center
  • Anderson Cancer Center
• St. Mary Regional Cancer Center
• Temple University Cancer Center
• Thomas Jefferson University Hospitals Asplundh Cancer Pavilion
• Tower Health System Reading Hospital
• Wellspan Ephrata Cancer Center
• Wellspan Health - York Cancer Center

As a radiation therapist, you will work directly with patients, radiation oncologists, and radiation physicists using advanced equipment to administer high energy x-rays, radioactive materials, and other sources of ionizing radiation to treat cancer.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the national average annual salary for radiation therapists in 2023 was $98,300, with the top 10% earning more than $136,910.

In Philadelphia, the average wage for radiation therapists was $110,870, per the BLS. 

More possible careers for radiation therapy majors include:

• Application Specialist
• Biomedical Engineer
• Health Administrator
• Health Professions Educator
• Medical Dosimetrist
• Medical Equipment Sales
• Medical Physicist
• Radiologist
• Radiation Oncologist

*Additional education may be required for some of these positions.

A shadow experience with a Radiation Therapy department at a hospital or cancer center local to you and a written report on your observation are required for applying to this program. It's a great way to see if it's the right fit for you! A virtual shadow experience is available if you need it.

Please contact admissions@gmercyu.edu to get started. 

To learn more about the specific Admissions Criteria for GMercyU's Radiation Therapy programs, click here.

Please note: Students enrolling in this program must have the ability to obtain a U.S. background check and other clearances for placement in a U.S. clinical/school setting. U.S. citizenship or permanent residency is also a requirement for licensure within certain academic programs. International students and students who are under DACA status or are undocumented should carefully review the licensure requirements in their state before enrolling in a degree program that leads to licensure. Additional information can be found on the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's website.

Licensure: This program was designed to meet the licensure requirements of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. If you reside in a different state, you should carefully review your home state’s licensure requirements prior to enrolling in this program. For more information, please visit our Program Licensure Requirement page.