The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that the demand for radiation therapists will increase by 27 percent between 2008 and 2018. This growth should result in the creation of 4,100 new jobs in the field for those with the right training.
Types of Degrees
Radiation therapists can choose to earn an associate degree from a vocational-technical school or community college or a bachelor's degree in radiation therapy from a traditional college or university.
Time Frame
Most associate programs require two years of full-time study, while bachelor's programs tend to last four years.
Accreditation
The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) grants accreditation to radiation therapy programs. As of 2009, ARRT had accredited 102 associate and bachelor's programs in the U.S., according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Features
Radiation therapist training programs typically cover radiation safety, as well as physics, anatomy, physiology, medical terminology, biology, mathematics and computer science. Additionally, students receive hands-on training in laboratory settings as well as in clinics and hospitals working with real patients.
Alternative Training
Some radiation therapists choose to earn an associate or bachelor's degree in radiography and then spend an additional year receiving a certificate in radiation therapy. While these students do not get as in-depth an education in administering radiation, they receive additional training in perform diagnostic tests like X-rays, magnetic resonance imaging (MRIs) and computed tomography (CT) scans.
Tags: radiation therapy, associate bachelor, bachelor degree, bachelor programs, Bureau Labor, Bureau Labor Statistics