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Bachelor of Science in Radiation Therapy, Accelerated

Location: Boston
Start Term: Fall

As a radiation therapist, you will help your patients fight cancer or non-malignant diseases with your powers of precision, consistency and compassion. In this program, you’ll learn how to accurately deliver radiation to expertly carry out radiation treatment plans. All while supporting your patients and their families and serving as a vital member of the patient care team.

During the accelerated time frame of 32 consecutive months, you’ll have the opportunity to work alongside professional experts through clinical experiences in prestigious Boston area medical facilities. The year-round program gives you the benefit of an immersive education and prepares you for your career faster. When you graduate, you’ll be eligible to sit for certification by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists. And you’ll be fully prepared to become a leader in healthcare.

Is accelerated right for me? Learn the difference between our accelerated and fast track bachelor degree programs.

Freshman applicants can find their admission requirements on the Undergraduate Applicants page. 

Students with 12 or more college credits may transfer in to the first or second year of the program. Courses must have been completed at a regionally accredited college or university with a grade of C or better for transfer. Math and science courses taken more than ten years prior to the anticipated date of matriculation to MCPHS will not be accepted.

While there are no specific required courses for entry into the first year of our program, the admission committee will look for success in any math and science courses you have already taken. If you complete any of the courses listed below, you may receive transfer credit and your first year course load may be lighter. However, due to the block registration nature of MCPHS programs, entering the first year of the program with transfer credits will not change the total length of your program. Courses, other than elective courses, may not be moved forward in your schedule.

Required Courses For Entry to Year II:

  • Anatomy and Physiology I & II with lab(8 credits)
  • Basic Chemistry I with lab (4 credits)
  • Introduction to Psychology (3 credits)
  • Algebra and Trigonometry (3 credits) (Acceptable substitution: Precalculus or Calculus)
  • Computer Applications (3 credits)
  • Physics I with lab (Algebra-based) (4 credits)
  • Expository Writing I & II (6 credits)

Additional Courses Accepted for Transfer Credit:

  • American Culture, Identity, and Public Life (3 credits) (Acceptable substitutions include American History, U.S. History, U.S. Government, Western Civilization)
  • Statistics (3 credits) (Acceptable substitutions include Basic Statistics, Biostatistics, Psychological Statistics, Economic Statistics)
  • Humanities elective (3 credits) (Acceptable courses include Literature, Creative Writing, Philosophy, Ethics, Religious Studies, Select Fine Arts, Advanced Level Languages)
  • Social Science elective (3 credits) (Acceptable courses include History, Political Science/Government, Anthropology, Upper-level Sociology, American Studies, Women Studies, Ethnic Studies, Geography, Economics)
  • Healthcare Ethics (3 credits)
  • Interpersonal Communications for Health Professionals (3 credits)

Please Note: Due to the widespread geographical locations of the radiation therapy clinical settings, it is strongly recommended that students have a driver’s license and own reliable transportation.  The radiation therapy clinical locations are not all accessible via public transportation.  

COURSE TITLE SEMESTER HOURS

Year I-Fall
BIO 110/L Anatomy and Physiology I w/ Lab 4
CHE 110/L Basic Chemistry I w/ Lab 4
FYS 101 First Year Seminar 1
LIB 111 Expository Writing I 3
MAT 141 Algebra and Trigonometry 3
TOTAL
15
 

Year I-Spring

BIO 210/L Anatomy and Physiology II w/ Lab 4
LIB 112 Expository Writing II 3
LIB 120 Introduction to Psychology 3
PHY 181 General Physics 4
TOTAL
14
 

Year I-Summer

LIB 133 American Culture 3
RSC 250 Patient Care and Medical Terminology 3
RSC 325 Clinical Pathophysiology 4
RTT 110 Introduction to Radiation Therapy 3
RTT 530 Directed Study (Optional*) 1
TOTAL
13/14
*Optional Directed Study suggested for students required to take 12 credits in Summer.
 

Year II-Fall

BEH 254 Death and Dying 3
MAT 261 Statistics 3
RSC 310 Cross-Sectional Anatomy 3
RTT 260 Foundations of Radiation Therapy I 3
RTT 280 Medical Radiation Physics I 3
LIB 220
 Interpersonal Communications
 3
TOTAL
18
 

Year II-Spring

RSC 287 Radiation: Protection and Biology 3
RTT 290 Radiation Therapy Treatment Methods 2
RTT 262 Foundations of Radiation Therapy II 4
RTT 281 Medical Radiation Physics II 3
RTT 283 Physics for Treatment Planning 2
HUM XXX Humanities Elective
 3
TOTAL
17
 

Year II-Summer

PSB 320
 Introduction to Healthcare Delivery 3
RTT 32CC Radiation Therapy Internship I
 7
TOTAL
10
 

Year III-Fall

RTT 350C Radiation Therapy Internship II 10
RTT 370 Radiation Therapy Registry Review I
 1
LIB 512 Healthcare Ethics  3
TOTAL
14
 

Year III-Spring

RTT 371 Radiation Therapy Registry Review II  1
RTT375 Radiation Therapy Internship III 10
RTT 340 Radiation Therapy Quality Assurance and Laboratory 2
RTT 345 Brachytherapy and Hyperthermia
 2
SSC XXX SSC Elective 3
TOTAL
18

Total credits to complete degree requirements: 119/120 s.h

Our students learn from faculty who are leaders in their fields and are committed to the success of each student. Discover our full list of Radiation Therapy faculty. 

Clinical Rotations

The location of MCPHS in the Longwood Medical and Academic Area, as well as its affiliations with premier medical institutions located in the greater Boston area, enable students to learn in healthcare institutions that are among the best in the world.

MCPHS Medical Imaging and Therapeutics students participate in a variety of community-based clinical settings. This opportunity supplements the clinical experience gained in the on-campus program and provides students with a broader insight into the diverse populations they may encounter in future career settings.

Students in the Radiation Therapy major complete internships at hospital affiliates in the metropolitan Boston and New England. Possible internship sites include:

  • Baystate Medical Center
  • Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center - BIDMC (East Campus)
  • BIDMC Cancer Center – Surgical Pavilion
  • Dana Farber Cancer Institute            
  • Brigham and Women’s Hospital
  • BW/DF Cancer Center @ Milford Regional Hospital
  • Charlton Memorial Hospital
  • Dana Farber/Brigham and Women’s Hospital at South Shore Hospital Libby Park
  • Dana Farber/Brigham and Women’s Hospital @ South Shore Hospital
  • Lahey Clinic
  • Lahey Clinic North
  • Massachusetts General / North Shore Center for Outpatient Care
  • MetroWest Medical Center
  • Mount Auburn Hospital
  • North Main Radiation Oncology
  • Rhode Island Hospital
  • St. Vincent Hospital Radiation Oncology Center
  • Dana Farber/Brigham and Women’s Hospital @ Mansfield
  • Winchester Hospital Radiation Oncology Center (WHROC)

Please Note: Due to the widespread geographical locations of the radiation therapy clinical settings, it is strongly recommended that students have a driver’s license and own reliable transportation.  The radiation therapy clinical locations are not all accessible via public transportation.  

First Time Examinees Taking the National Credentialing Examination

Year Number of Students
Class of 2017 13
Class of 2016 8
Class of 2015 15
Class of 2014 7
Class of 2013 15

First Time Registry Pass Rates

Pass rates are based on first-time passing scores of the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists.

Year Success Rate Number of Students
Class of 2017  75% 12 students took the exam, as one opted to not to.
Of the 12, 9 passed on the first attempt. 
Class of 2016 100% All students passed on 1st attempt.
Three students opted not to take the exam.
Class of 2015 80% 12 of 15 students passed on 1st attempt.
One student opted not to take the exam.
Class of 2014 86% 6 of 7 students passed on 1st attempt
Class of 2013 93% 14 of 15 students passed on 1st attempt
5 Year Average for first time examinees 85%

Number of Graduates Actively Seeking Employment

Year Number of Students
Class of 2017 11
Class of 2016 5
Class of 2015 14
Class of 2014 7
Class of 2013 14

Number of Graduates Finding Employment

Year Obtained Employment Number of Students
Class of 2017 100% 9
Class of 2016 100% 5
Class of 2015 93% 13
Class of 2014 86% 6
Class of 2013 91% 13
5 Year average
Job Placement Rates 		95%

Number of Students Initially Enrolled in the Most Recent Graduating Class

Year Number of Students
Class of 2017 19

Number of Students Graduating From Most Recent Class

Year Number of Students
Class of 2017 8
2017 Program Completion Rate  68%