Bachelor of Health ScienceRadiation Therapy

Student and teacher working on VERT

Radiation Therapy

Application is Closed

The Radiation Therapy Program is no longer accepting new students

Radiation Therapy Program Overview

Bellarmine's Bachelor of Health Science (BHS) in Radiation Therapy develops entry-level radiation therapists who promote intellectual, moral and ethical decision-making in completing professional competencies with a patient-centered approach. The program encourages professional growth and development to improve outcomes, advance radiation therapy practice and create safe working environments. Bellarmine offers the traditional BHS degree as well as a second-degree option for those with a bachelor's degree.

Program Highlights

With a 4:1 Student-to-Faculty ratio and 1:1 Student-to-Clinician ration, Bellarmine's BHS in Radiation Therapy offers guided medical experiences and hands-on experience. The program includes coursework in radiation therapy physics, medical dosimetry, radiation biology, oncology pathology, patient care and clinical radiation oncology. Clinical rotations are performed at a variety of centers giving the student a full range of clinical procedures.

VERT: A Real World Experience

Student learning how to use VERT controls

Virtual Environment Radiotherapy Trainer (VERT) is a state-of-the-art 3D linear accelerator and patient data set which creates a real-world experience for students in a safe, laboratory setting on campus. The VERT allows students to master psychomotor skills before clinical placement creating a better learning experience with clinicians. VERT bridges the gap between academic learning and clinical practice.

Read more about VERT here.

“I cannot say enough good things about Bellarmine and how it shaped me into the person I am today. I highly recommend anyone considering the university to take the leap of coming to Bellarmine. I am a very proud graduate. Bellarmine also is a great way to meet people who are in your career path. During my radiation therapy clinicals, I was able to be in the exact hospital that I work at today and I am so thankful I had that opportunity to be seen while I was student. Opportunities like this give students a 'leg up' on the competition when finding jobs.”

Brooke Sauer

About Respiratory Therapy

Radiation Therapists are highly trained medical professionals who collaborate with the Radiation Oncologist to deliver ionizing radiation to patients for the eradication of pathology, primarily cancer.

Radiation Therapy practice includes treatment delivery, treatment simulation, medical dosimetry and patient care. These activities require a solid background in anatomy and physiology, physics, chemistry and mathematics to work in this highly specialized and rapidly advancing field.

Besides the Radiation Therapist, the radiation oncology treatment team includes a physician, who specializes in radiation oncology, medical physicist, medical dosimetrist, oncology nurse and other health care professionals such as social workers and nutritionists. These individuals work together to treat patients, with treatments lasting from several days to several weeks.

Second-Degree Option

Program Length

The Second Degree Option for Bachelor of Health Science program requires a minimum of 62 credit hours for completion, which usually takes five semesters of full-time study after the programmatic prerequisites are completed. Students are admitted into the program prior to the start of the fall semester. Students must be enrolled full-time and complete each semester successfully in order to proceed to the next semester.

Program Design

Students are typically in the classroom two days per week and in a clinical environment three days per week. Students will be involved with class or clinic approximately 40 hours per week. Both classroom and laboratory sessions will utilize the VERT (Virtual Environment Radiotherapy Trainer).

Programmatic Prerequisites

Any undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited institution. Human Anatomy and Physiology I and II, Chemistry for the Health Sciences, College Physics I and II (algebra or trigonometry based), Precalculus, and Medical Terminology. All programmatic pre-requisites must have a grade of “C-” or better and an overall program prerequisite GPA of 2.5 or higher.

Program Design
Prerequisite Expiration

Prerequisite and co-requisite courses do not expire; however, students must be familiar with the material contained in these courses to be successful in the program.

Successful Applicants

The Radiation Therapy Program seeks technologically adept individuals who have excellent interpersonal skills. The successful applicant will be highly motivated and dedicated to working with cancer patients.

How long is the program and is there a summer term?

The program is 5 continuous semesters and you must attend one summer session in between the first and second year.

When will I be involved with classes and clinicals?

The first semester is just didactic classes with some clinical observations after fall break. You can expect to be in class on Mondays and Wednesdays all day, with some clinicals, 3-4 days maximum, on Tuesdays, Thursdays or Fridays. In the second semester, class will be on Mondays and Wednesdays with clinicals on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The last 3 semesters, class will be on Tuesdays and Thursdays, with clinicals on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

If I am a radiographer, do I still need to take medical imaging and radiobiology?

These courses tackle specific topics and issues that pertain solely to Radiation Oncology which were not covered in your radiography education.

Are there additional expenses besides tuition?

Yes. The following costs are approximate, but you are also are responsible for your books ($600.00/all 5 semesters) and classroom supplies (pens, pencils, calculator, notebooks, binders, etc., $100.00), scrubs ($60.00 for 2 pairs), background check and drug screening ($78.00), CPR ($45.00) and transportation to clinical sites ($100.00/semester). Laboratory/classroom fees are $2,500.00 for all 5 semesters)

Where are our clinical sites located?

Our clinical sites are in Louisville, KY, Jeffersonville, IN, Elizabethtown, KY., and Frankfort, KY

Is the program accredited?

The program has programmatic accreditation through the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology, the only programmatic accreditor for Radiation Therapy Programs.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the program and is there a summer term?

The program is 5 continuous semesters and you must attend one summer session in between the first and second year.

When will I be involved with classes and clinicals?

The first semester is just didactic classes with some clinical observations after fall break. You can expect to be in class on Mondays and Wednesdays all day, with some clinicals, 3-4 days maximum, on Tuesdays, Thursdays or Fridays. In the second semester, class will be on Mondays and Wednesdays with clinicals on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The last 3 semesters, class will be on Tuesdays and Thursdays, with clinicals on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

If I am a radiographer, do I still need to take medical imaging and radiobiology?

These courses tackle specific topics and issues that pertain solely to Radiation Oncology which were not covered in your radiography education.

Are there additional expenses besides tuition?

Yes. The following costs are approximate, but you are also are responsible for your books ($600.00/all 5 semesters) and classroom supplies (pens, pencils, calculator, notebooks, binders, etc., $100.00), scrubs ($60.00 for 2 pairs), background check and drug screening ($78.00), CPR ($45.00) and transportation to clinical sites ($100.00/semester). Laboratory/classroom fees are $2,500.00 for all 5 semesters)

Where are our clinical sites located?

Our clinical sites are in Louisville, KY, Jeffersonville, IN, Elizabethtown, KY., and Frankfort, KY

Is the program accredited?

The program has programmatic accreditation through the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology, the only programmatic accreditor for Radiation Therapy Programs.

Learning Outcomes

Goal # 1: Students will develop critical thinking skills.
  • Students will synthesize didactic and clinical information in clinical case studies.
  • Students will complete a research project in radiation therapy.
  • Students will perform treatment calculations.
Goal # 2: Students will communicate effectively with patients and the oncology health care team.
  • Students will communicate effectively with their patients.
  • Students will communicate effectively with the health care team.
  • Students will demonstrate written communication skills.
  • Students will demonstrate oral presentation skills.
Goal # 3: Students will demonstrate professionalism during the program.
  • Students will develop and maintain professional behavior.
  • Students will demonstrate ethical behavior in clinical situations.
  • Students will demonstrate ethical decision making about social issues in oncology.
Goal #4: Students will perform as competent, entry level radiation therapists.
  • Students will perform Treatment Delivery.
  • Students will perform Simulation.
  • Students will perform General Patient Care Skills.
  • Students will demonstrate consistency and efficiency while working in the clinic.
Goal # 5: The program will demonstrate programmatic effectiveness.
  • Graduates will function as a competent entry level radiation therapist.
  • Graduates will be satisfied with their education.
  • Students enrolled in the program will complete the program.
  • Students will pass the ARRT exam in Radiation Therapy.
  • Graduates will gain employment.

Faculty

Carol Scherbak, M.S.R.S., R.T.(T)

Carol Scherbak, M.S.R.S., R.T.(T) previously taught at the University of Kentucky Department of Radiation Medicine (Lexington, KY), University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center School of Health Professions (Dallas, TX), Northern Kentucky University (Highland Heights, KY) and St. Catharine College (St. Catharine, KY) before arriving at Bellarmine University. She received a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology from the University of Texas at Austin (Austin, TX), a Bachelor of Science from the University of Central Florida (Orlando, FL) and a Masters of Science in Radiologic Sciences from Midwestern State University (Wichita Falls, TX). Her research interests include Student Therapist interactions and Virtual Environment Radiotherapy Trainer.

Ms. Scherbak has presented at international, national, state and local conferences on Improving Clinical Performance, IMRT, Qualitative Research in Radiologic Science Education, Integrating Treatment Planning and VERT, Curriculum Upheaval or How to Stress an Educator, Gaming with VERT and Active Learning Education.

Macy McFall headshot

Macy McFall, B.H.S., R.T.(T) comes to Bellarmine after several years working as a Radiation Therapist. Ms. McFall is the Clinical Coordinator for the program and her interests include creating tools for clinicians working with students and using her clinical experience to expand the program's usage of the VERT (Virtual Environment Radiotherapy Trainer) a state of the art 3D Linear Accelerator.

Dr. Ken Weeks

Kenneth Weeks, Ph.D. Radiation Physicist specializing in Radiation Oncology. Undergraduate B.S. Physics at Cooper Union, N.Y.,N.Y.; Ph.D. in theoretical Nuclear Physics at University of Texas at Austin. Trained in Medical Physics at Yale University, faculty at Univ. of Michigan Medical Center and Duke University Medical Center. Worked as independent contractor at numerous hospitals in North Carolina area. Retired. Four children and three grandchildren. Plays golf four times a week or more depending on weather.

Jaime Warren

Jaime Warren, Ed.D. is the Director of Non-Invasive Cardiovascular Services at Norton Healthcare. Her educational background includes a Bachelors of Health Science in Nuclear Medicine, Master of Business Administration, and Doctor of Education in Leadership/Learning with a specialization in Healthcare Administration and Leadership.

Jaime has presented at national, state, and local conferences on topics concerning healthcare administration, organization, radiation safety, policies and procedures for diagnostic procedures and clinical applications.

Accreditation

In October 2019, the Radiation Therapy Program was awarded an 8 year accreditation from the JRCERT:

Joint Review Committee on Radiologic Technology (JRCERT)
20 N. Wacker Drive, Suite 2850
Chicago, IL 60606-3182
Phone: 312.704.5300
Fax: 312.704.5304
mail@jrcert.org
www.jrcert.org

Disclosure for Students who Reside Outside of Kentucky

Bellarmine University cannot confirm whether its courses or programs meet requirements for professional licensure in states other than Kentucky. Prior to enrolling in a Bellarmine program, a student who does not reside in Kentucky should contact applicable licensing board(s) in the student’s home state to determine whether the program meets requirements for licensure in the state where the student resides.

Radiation Therapy licensure contacts: https://www.asrt.org/main/standards-and-regulations/legislation-regulations-and-advocacy/individual-state-licensure

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