Radiation Therapy

Objectives

Lewis University partners with Northwestern Memorial Hospital in a 3+1 program leading to the Bachelor of Science in Radiation Therapy.  The Bachelor of Science program in Radiation Therapy offers a course of study that will prepare students for careers as Radiation Therapists. Majors will gain a strong background in the concepts of modern biology with a particular concentration in anatomy and physiology, biochemistry, and immunology. This background is further strengthened by courses in chemistry, physics, computer science, and mathematics.  Students choose one of three options according to their academic goals.

Students may elect to follow the paradigm for the four-year program for the B.S. in Radiation Therapy in which the first three years of classes would be at Lewis University and the final semesters of clinical classes would be at Northwestern Memorial Hospital (NMH). Admission to the clinical part of the program is based upon successful application to the program at NMH after the second semester of the junior year. Student applicants are considered and evaluated solely by the faculty/staff at NMH. Student admission to the program at NMH is not guaranteed.

Another option is for students to complete the four-year B.S. in Biology and then apply for admission to NMH for a one-year certificate program in Radiation Therapy. Students must obtain/maintain health insurance and submit to a criminal background check as a requirement of the program.

Students may also double major in Biology and Radiation Therapy. This would take five years with the first four years spent taking classes at Lewis University and the last year at NMH. Students would apply for the Radiation Therapy program in the spring of their fourth year with the understanding that NMH determines acceptance into this program.

Students must have a minimum composite ACT score of 23 to be accepted into the RT program. Transfer students must have a minimum cumulative and biology GPA of 3.25 to be accepted. If a transfer student does not have the minimum GPA, students may become an RT major once their GPA is raised to 3.25 and mathematics through Calculus I or Calculus for the Life Sciences has been completed with a minimum grade of a “C”. Students currently attending Lewis University who wish to declare RT as a major must meet the same requirements as transfer students. Transfer students must complete a minimum of three semesters of the program before they can apply as an affiliated student for the RT program.