Radiation Therapy Technology

Program Overview

Radiation therapy is a commonly used medical specialty employed in hospitals to help cure cancer in some patients or ease the pain of cancer in others. High technology equipment delivers radiation to destroy cancer cells.

A radiation therapist works with radiation oncologists, physicists, dosimetrists and others, as part of a medical team delivering the appropriate radiation (X-rays, gamma rays, electron beams, brachytherapy, etc.) to cancer patients. Their duties include:

• preparing the patient and equipment for the delivery of the radiation;
• keeping accurate records of the treatment of each patient;
• observing radiation safety and protection procedures;
• involvement with treatment planning, which includes the exact location of the tumor and the optimal technique for treatment;
• and assisting in the computer planning of the specific treatment plan.

Patient support is an integral aspect of a radiation therapy technologist's duties. The technologist may help alleviate the patient's fears, anxieties and distress about their cancer and treatment, and they often work closely with nurses and social workers to minimize the emotional impact. Since many treatments are required over a period of four to six weeks, the technologist is able to develop a close rapport with the patient.

Hospital and Medical Center Affiliations

The Radiation Therapy program at Manhattan College is affiliated with 14 hospitals and private radiation oncology services in the New York City metropolitan area. These are among the best and most cutting-edge hospitals, medical centers and private radiation oncology services in the country. 

• Advanced Radiation Oncology Services of Rockland
• Bensonhurst Radiation Oncology Services
• Beth Israel Medical Center
• Beth Israel Comprehensive Cancer Center
• East Side Radiation Oncology
• Farber Center for Radiation Oncology
• Flushing Radiation Oncology Services
• Good Samaritan Hospital, Suffern
• Montefiore Medical Center
• Mount Sinai Medical Center
• New York Presbyterian-Columbia Medical Center
• Queens Hospital Center
• Tribeca Radiation Oncology Services
• Westchester Medical Center

Students enrolled in the program take 16 credits of clinical internship courses, amounting to about 275 days in a radiation therapy department at one of these hospitals. It is during the internship courses that the student receives hands-on experience and achieves competency as a radiation therapist.

Bachelor of Science Degree

The bachelor of science degree includes a 21-credit health care administration concentration. This concentration has been designed to expand the role and provide a career ladder for radiation therapy technologists into radiological department administration, sales or technical representation. The bachelor of science degree also provides graduates with the potential to enter graduate programs in hospital administration, public administration or business administration.

See the degree requirements.

Certificate Program

The certificate program is for students who already have a bachelor's degree and are looking to transition into the field of radiation therapy technology. Students must have completed the prerequisite courses as outlined in the certificate program requirements page. The certificate program takes approximately 27 months to complete. A full-time internship is required during the summer session. Tuition for the full certificate program is approximately $35,640. 

See the program requirements.