BS Radiation Therapy

If you choose to major in radiation therapy at Saint Louis University, you will learn to treat cancer patients with high-energy radiation using highly specialized equipment. You will focus on helping plan and administer prescribed doses of radiation to affected areas as directed by a radiation oncologist.A radiation therapist is a health care professional skilled in the art and science of medical radiation treatment. Therapists are primarily concerned with the design and administration of radiation therapy treatment, in addition to issues of daily well-being for patients with cancer. A therapist is responsible for administering the prescribed treatment dose of radiation using high-energy linear accelerators. These treatments are provided to cure the patient or to control the disease, thereby improving the patients' quality of life. Therapists also monitor patients’ reactions for radiation side effects and keep highly accurate records of planning, treatment and equipment use.This profession combines the great satisfaction of helping others during a difficult time in their lives with sophisticated technological equipment and scientific techniques. Radiation therapists work as part of a multidisciplinary health care team with radiation oncologists, medical physicists, dosimetrists, nurses and other medical specialists to provide the best treatment and support available to their patients.Advantages to earning your B.S. in radiation therapy at SLU include:Program Effectiveness Data