Radiation Therapy

Career Information & Outlook

The radiation therapist functions as a member of the team of physician (Radiation Oncologist), physicist, dosimetrist, and nurse to provide treatment using ionizing radiation sources for patients with malignant and some benign diseases.  The radiation therapist is responsible for the daily delivery of the prescribed treatment according to the treatment plan prepared by the physician in consultation with the medical physicist.  The therapist works with the oncology nurse in the daily assessment of the patient's status and needs during their course of therapy.

Radiation therapists are employed in radiation therapy facilities located in hospitals and freestanding centers.  Individuals who have the necessary qualifications may be employed in educational programs sponsored by hospitals, colleges, or other qualified centers.  Therapists can function as dosimetrists with additional education or experience.  A limited number of positions for certified therapist are available in research facilities of various types.

Visit the U.S. Department of Labor's O*NET (29-1124.00 - Radiation Therapists) for additional career information.

2010 - 2011 Bureau of Labor Statistics Outlook

The Bureau of Labor Statistics occupational outlook for radiation therapists is expected to increase by 27 percent from 2008 to 2018, faster than the average for all occupations. The growing elderly population is expected to cause an increase in the number of people needing treatment. In addition, as radiation therapy becomes safer and more effective it will be prescribed more often, leading to an increased demand for radiation therapists.

For statistics on salary expectations and additional information on a career in Radiation Therapy visit the Bureau of Labor and Statistics website (http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos299.htm).

2011 - 2012 Tuition, Fees, and Expenses

• Students offered admission into the program must pay a non-refundable Radiation Therapy Program acceptance fee ($250).  If the student was not already enrolled at the University of Iowa, he or she must also pay the University of Iowa’s standard application fee ($40) and the University of Iowa’s acceptance fee ($250) which will be assessed via U-bill.
• Students applying program hours towards a baccalaureate degree must pay full University of Iowa undergraduate tuition (For Fall 2011/Spring & Summer 2012:  $8,131.12/yr. for residents; $30,072.91/yr. for nonresidents).
• Students receiving only a certificate of completion and zero hours of credit pay a reduced tuition established specifically for the Radiation Therapy program (For Fall 2011/Spring & Summer 2012: $4500/yr.).  The full-year certificate tuition is due, in the form of at cashier’s check, on the first day of program.
• All students are required to pay mandatory students fees which include a computer fee ($374/yr.), a student activity fee ($84/yr.), a student services fee ($89/yr.), a student union fee ($146/yr.), a building fee ($148/yr.), an arts and cultural events fee ($30/yr.), and a recreational services fee ($296/yr.).  Students in a degree program must also pay a Career Services fee ($26.50/yr.) and a student health fee ($294.50/yr.).  Students in the certificate program must also pay a miscellaneous non-degree certificate program fee ($1,032/yr.).  The mandatory student fees are assessed via University U-bill for all Radiation Therapy students.
• *Room & Board - $11,670 (Annually; based on double room with full board - 20 meals/week).
• All health science students who experience significant clinical exposure as part of their education are required to maintain health insurance sufficient to satisfy minimum standards of coverage throughout each year of attendance at The University of Iowa. There is coverage offered by the University at a cost of $120 per month. A student may obtain health insurance through another provider, but will then be required to provide proof of coverage to the University before the first day of classes.
• Medical History and Health Screening, TB & TB Respirator-fitting Tests, & Immunizations

  All Radiation Therapy students are required to complete a medical history and a health screening form, complete a TB skin and mask-fitting test annually and show proof of immunizations. The TB tests and any needed immunizations may be obtained at UI Student Health Services or from your personal physician. Cost varies.

• Textbooks and calculator ($400-500) - all books needed for the whole year are bought at the start of the program.

• Uniforms ($70-100) - two white waist-length long-sleeved lab jackets are required.
• National Certification Examination Fees
  • American Registry of Radiologic Technologists, "ARRT" ($200)
    - applications can be sent in two months before the projected graduation date.
• *Personal - $4,844 (Annual; includes phone charges, clothes, entertainment, laundry, mandatory student health insurance, and other costs. Although your actual expenses may vary, these are estimates to help with budgeting.)
• *Transportation - $1,190 (Annual)

*These figures are developed and provided by the UI Office of Student Financial Aid annually.

Commitment to the Pursuit of Quality

The Radiation Therapy Program takes great care in its pursuit to select and educate top quality technologists. The items below provide verification of our commitment to this pursuit.

Certification Examination Rates

Program graduates sit for the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) examination. Since 2006, the program has maintained a 100% first attempt pass rate on the ARRT.  Below are the average scores of the graduates from the past 5 years.  A scaled score of 75 is the minimum passing scores for both exams.

ARRT Certification Rates:

Program Placement Rate

*Placement rate is calculated using the Joint Review Committee on Education Programs in Radiation Therapy Technology (www.jrcnmt.org) methodology.

Program On-Time Completion Rate & Median Student Debt Load Information

Program on-time completion rate and median student debt load information are not listed for the Radiation Therapy Program because of federal privacy issues that state when less than 10 people start or graduate from the program this data cannot be listed.  If you have questions or concerns about these topics, please contact Mindi Ten Napel, Program Director (319) 356-8286.