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Pre-Radiation Therapy

Alyse Mikolas '14 shadows her mother, Sandra, a nurse practitioner, at Aurora Health Center in Kenosha. A new program designed by Sandra ...

The pre-radiation therapy program prepares students for careers as radiation therapists. These healthcare professionals specialize in administering radiation treatments to patients with cancer and other diseases. They are an integral part of the oncology team, working closely with radiation oncologists, medical physicists, and nurses to deliver precise and effective radiation therapy.

Carthage has numerous faculty/staff members to support your journey to professional school. Make sure you are working closely with your assigned faculty advisor to address any questions relating to your major or minor requirements. For questions regarding radiation therapy certificate requirements and preparation, please contact a pre-health coordinator.

See the Pre-Radiation Therapy timeline

To enter the 3 + 1 agreement with Northwestern Medicine, students must complete the following prerequisites by the end of their junior year:

  • BIO 2010 Anatomy and Physiology for the Healthcare Professional I
  • BIO 2020 Anatomy and Physiology for the Healthcare Professional II
  • MTH Pre-Calculus or higher
  • PHY 2100 Physics I
  • PHY 2200 Physics II
  • AHS 4469 Evidence-Based Practice in Healthcare
  • CSC 1100 Introduction to Computing
  • Verbal Communication course

The 3 + 1 radiation therapy program with Northwestern Medicine is for students who major in allied health science at Carthage. Learn more about the 3 + 1 program

School Applications
This is not a direct-entry program; students apply to the radiation therapy program through our clinical partner, Northwestern Medicine. Below is the list of application materials:

  • Shadowing hours
  • Personal statement
  • Resume/ CV
  • Three or more references
  • Transcripts (official copy)

Shadowing/Volunteering
All students are encouraged to shadow a radiation therapist. No specific amount of hours is required for RT school, but students should have enough experience to understand the profession thoroughly.

Required Entrance Exams
There are no required entrance exams.

Personal Statement
You may need to submit a personal statement with your application. To help craft your personal statement, attend our Personal Statement Workshop, typically held in the fall semester.

Letters of Recommendation
You will need three references for the Northwestern Medicine application. These individuals are then contacted to complete an evaluation of you. Students need to give at least three-four weeks of notice. This way, references have adequate time to reflect upon their experience and write the best possible letter. If you are participating in an experiential role, it is suggested that you ask for a reference a month or two before the end of that experience.

Please note that different professions require different degrees and levels of education.

Cancer Registrar
 Cancer registrars collect, organize, and analyze data related to cancer treatments and outcomes. These professionals are crucial for tracking patient progress and ensuring that radiation therapy and other treatments are being administered properly.

Brachytherapy Specialist
Brachytherapy specialists delivers internal radiation therapy directly to a tumor site using radioactive implants, often for prostate, cervical, or breast cancer.

Radiation Oncologist
 Radiation oncologists are responsible for diagnosing patients, creating treatment plans, and overseeing the overall treatment process.

Radiation Therapist (Radiation Oncology Technologist)
The primary role of radiation therapists are to administer radiation treatments to patients with cancer, using high-energy radiation beams to target tumors while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissues.

Radiation Therapy Physicist (Medical Physicist)
Radiation therapy physicists ensure that the radiation equipment is functioning correctly and safely. They work with radiation therapists to ensure that radiation doses are accurately delivered according to treatment plans.