Bachelor of Health Science in Radiation Therapy (BHS Program)

At GMercyU, a top radiation therapy school in PA, you will prepare 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.

Program highlights include:

• A minimum of three clinical placements through affiliation agreements with 30+ cancer management centers around Pennsylvania and Delaware.
• 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 courses taught by experienced faculty
• The lasting value of a four-year degree from a program accredited by The Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT) for the past eight years

Through GMercyU's radiation therapy programs, 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.

The five-year average job employment rate for our radiation therapy school graduates was 97% 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).

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.

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.

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

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

Radiation Therapy Courses - 62 Credits

​

Additional Courses – 9 Credits

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.

Rose Troutman, MS, RT, (T)
Position: Assistant Professor and Program Director, Radiation Therapy
Did You Know? Professor Troutman has worked in the field of radiation therapy for 30+ years and is an experienced educator with more than 20 years of teaching experience.
Read bio

 

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

 

David Romanofski, Med., RT(R)(CT)(T), ARRT
Position: Adjunct Professor, Radiation Therapy
Did You Know? Professor Romanofski has worked in the diagnostic profession for 30+ years and has been published numerous times in RT peer-reviewed journals.
Read bio

Sophomore Education Schedule (PDF)

Junior Education Schedule (PDF)

Senior Education Schedule (PDF)

View the University's academic calendar here.

Radiation Therapy Program Student Handbook (PDF)

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

Complete your required clinicals at one of the many organizations affiliated with GMercyU’s Radiation Therapy program: 

• 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
• Pottstown Memorial Hospital
• St. Luke's Health Care Network
  • Allentown Cancer Center
  • Anderson Cancer Center
  • Bethlehem
• St. Mary Regional Cancer Center
• Temple University Cancer Center
• Thomas Jefferson University Hospitals Asplundh Cancer Pavilion
• The Milton S. Hershey Medical Center
• Tower Health System Reading Hospital
• Wellspan Ephrata Cancer Center
• Wellspan Health - York Cancer Center
•  

Earning your Bachelor of Health Science in Radiation Therapy can expand your career possibilities and earning potential. As a qualified 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 median annual salary for radiation therapists in 2021 was $82,790, with the top 10% earning more than $128,550.

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.

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

Have questions about GMercyU's admissions requirements or transferring eligible credits? Contact us! Our Admissions staff is ready to walk you through the process of applying to GMercyU’s BHS in Radiation Therapy degree.

Email: admissions@gmercyu.edu
Phone: 215-641-5510

Apply now

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 National Conference of State Legislatures 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.

At GMercyU, we strive to make a quality education accessible to all through financial aid, scholarships, and grants. As a military-friendly university, we welcome service members and participate in all VA educational benefits programs. 

• Tuition & Fees (for Radiation Therapy majors, other fees may apply to you, including textbook fees, transportation to and from clinical sites, and uniforms for clinicals)
• Financial Aid 
• Scholarships and Grants
• Military-Friendly
• Net-Price Calculator 

Complete the training you need to become a radiation therapist. Start your journey at GMercyU today!

Apply now