Accepting Applications for Early Assurance for High School Seniors and Regular Admission:

Early Assurance for High School, Early Assurance for College Freshmen and Regular Admissions.

Radiation Therapy, BS/BPS

Radiation therapy is the careful use of various kinds of high-energy ionizing radiation. This includes x-rays, gamma rays, electrons, and protons, to treat cancer and other diseases.

Radiation therapists work alongside members of healthcare teams in a variety of settings. These settings may include hospitals, medical offices, and outpatient centers.

What Does a Radiation Therapist Do?

A radiation therapist works with a team of oncology professionals. They use focused radiation beams to kill cancerous tumors without harming nearby healthy tissues. Radiation therapists are responsible for the daily treatment of patients using sophisticated equipment. These treatments are normally given daily for up to seven weeks. Because of this, radiation therapists often develop close relationships with their patients.

Radiation therapists:

Impact patients' lives through frequent interactions while providing life-saving treatments
Use cutting-edge technology to treat curable diseases like cancer
Work alongside a team of multidisciplinary medical professionals

The Radiation Therapy Program at Upstate Medical University offers two paths to help you achieve your goals. One is a Bachelor of Science for those with no health care background. The other is a Bachelor of Professional Studies for those with an associate or bachelor's degree in Radiography who are ARRT certified or eligible.

Program Details

3 Ways to Apply

There are three ways to apply to the Radiation Therapy programs at SUNY Upstate’s College of Health Professions.

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Early Assurance for High School Seniors

This Early Assurance Program is for high school seniors. It's designed to give those interested in pursuing a degree at SUNY Upstate Medical University an opportunity to apply early.

SUNY Upstate is an upper-division transfer college specializing in healthcare careers. Those accepted into the Early Assurance Program will take their prerequisite courses at the accredited college of their choice. Then, they'll complete their junior and senior years of study at Upstate to complete their degree.

For Fall 2027 Admissions, applications are due:

Mar 1, 2025

Early Assurance Program for High School Seniors

Early Assurance for College Freshmen

This Early Assurance Program is for college freshmen. It's designed to give those interested in pursuing their bachelor’s degree at SUNY Upstate Medical University an opportunity to apply early. Students receive a decision while in their freshman year of college.

For Fall 2026 Admissions, applications are due:

Mar 1, 2025

Early Assurance Program for College Freshmen

Regular Admissions

Regular admission applicants take the prerequisite courses at the accredited college of their choice with the goal of pursuing a bachelor’s degree at SUNY Upstate Medical University.

Students who have completed a bachelor’s degree and are applying to a bachelor’s degree program at Upstate are considered transfer applicants.

Bachelor of Science (BS) applicants enter with a liberal arts background. An associate's degree is not required, but is welcome.

Bachelor of Professional Studies (BPS) applicants upon enrollment at SUNY Upstate are ARRT certified in radiography (X-ray) and have an associate's or bachelor's degree.

For Summer 2025 Admissions, applications are due:

February 15, 2025

Or once the program and alternate lists have filled – whichever happens first.

Regular Admission & Transfer Students Applicants

Degree Outcomes

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Working Conditions

Radiation Therapy is usually administered on weekdays. During normal business hours; there is very little on-call work. Radiation therapists are employed in freestanding centers, community hospitals, and academic teaching centers. Some departments employ one or two therapists, while others may have more than a dozen. Radiation therapy is a very active profession. Therapists are constantly walking and talking, moving patients and equipment.

The Employment Market

The job market for therapists can fluctuate according to geographic region. Over the last three and a half decades all of our graduates who have passed their licensing exam and have actively looked for positions have found employment. Some have had to move, and some start out in per diem or temporary positions.

The 2021 Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics lists the median average annual salary for radiation therapists as $98,300. Salaries are typically higher in larger metropolitan areas, and lower in smaller communities.

Graduate Mobility

Our graduates are eligible to apply to take the national board exams. This qualification is nationally recognized.

Most of our graduates start their careers as staff therapists in departments across the United States. With more experience and further education, many have moved into positions in medical dosimetry, and administration. A smaller number have gone on to become medical physicists, physician assistants, and physicians.

Exploring Radiation Therapy as a Career

If you are interested in Radiation Therapy as a career, contact a local radiation therapy center. It may be possible to conduct a job shadow and to talk to a therapist to find out what they like about the profession.

Additionally, Radiation Therapists have two professional organizations that provide information on careers, including additional disciplines and areas of research within the profession.

Prerequisites

Curriculum