Radiation therapy uses high energy X-rays to treat diseases, primarily cancer. Using highly specialized computerized equipment, the radiation is targeted to abnormal cells while minimizing the side effects. This individual is responsible for administering, monitoring, and documenting the prescribed course of treatment from the radiation oncologist. The Radiation Therapist is involved in assessing the physical and emotional needs of the patients and making the appropriate referrals. This unique profession combines technical and interpersonal skills and offers many career possibilities available to trained radiation therapists, including management, dosimetry, education, applications specialist, sales, and technology-related fields.
The Radiation Therapy associate degree program is a two-year full-time program that includes didactic and clinical education.
Graduates of the program are eligible to apply to take the the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) national certification examination.
The Radiation Therapy programs at Manchester has its own individual accreditation through the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT), 20 North Wacker Drive, Suite 2850, Chicago, IL 60606-3182, Phone: (312) 704-5300, Fax: (312) 704-5304, Web: www.jrcert.org, email: mail@jcert.org. Per accreditation requirements, each program must maintain separate JRCERT accreditation and follow the JRCERT Standards for an Accredited Program in Radiologic Technology.
Find out about a career in Radiation Therapy
Graduation Criteria
All program students must complete the following to receive an associate degree from the program. See the student handbook for complete details.
- Complete all didactic curricula with a final grade of C or better.
- Complete all clinical curricula with a final grade of C or better.
- Complete all competency exams with a final grade of 100%.
- Maintain all hospital and program standards as outlined in the program handbook.
Articulation Agreements
The Radiation Therapy program has articulation agreements with Charter Oak College and University of Hartford that students can pursue a bachelor’s degree after graduating from this program.
Program Effectiveness Data
Download program effectiveness data
The Radiation Therapy Program was transferred from Hartford Hospital, effective August 31, 2014.
Application to the Program
The Radiation Therapy programs at CT State Community College are selective admission programs.
All students must first apply to CT State Community College by selecting Health Careers>Radiation Therapy>Manchester.
Application opens on October 1, 2024. The application deadline for Fall 2025 is February 1, 2025.
Program Prerequisites
To be completed by the fall semester:
- ENG 1010 English Composition, C or greater
- MAT 1610 Precalculus, C or greater, within 5 years of application
- BIO 1211 Anatomy & Physiology I, C or greater, within 5 years of application
Can be in progress in the spring semester:
- BIO 2112 Anatomy & Physiology II, C or greater, within 5 years of application or can be in progress during spring semester of application year.
Admission Requirements
- Must attend Campus-specific Radiation Therapy Information Session within one year prior to application deadline
- Submit official copies of all transcripts if not taken at CT State Community College.
- GPA of 2.7 or greater based only on the college courses with grades of C or greater that meet the Radiation Therapy admission requirements
- English Composition, A&P I, A&P II, Precalculus) and Radiation Therapy program curriculum requirements
- Public Speaking or Interpersonal Communications, General Psychology, General Bio, English Comp II & Literature
- Interview Ranking – Interview for eligible candidates based on
- RDT GPA: 30%
- A&P I: 15%
- Pre-Calc: 15%
- Interview: 40%
Due to standards from the Joint Commission, students are advised that the healthcare facilities to which they are assigned for clinical rotations may require that they submit a criminal background check, required immunization records and other documentation such as hepatitis B vaccination, annual flu shot and TB testing, proof of medical insurance, and physical exam needed to meet the standards. Some clinical sites may also require substance abuse screening. CT State Community College cannot be responsible for finding an alternate clinical placement for a student who fails to meet the required hospital requirements. A student who is unable to complete the required clinical experience will be unable to complete the requirements for the associate degree in Radiation Therapy but may be able to apply some or all of the credits completed to an associate degree in General Studies. Students are advised to meet with a Counselor to discuss degree completion requirements.
Students in this program are responsible for expenses including but not limited to uniforms, physical examinations and blood work, travel to clinical sites, parking, meals, CPR training, background check and toxicology screening, dosimeters, textbooks, liability insurance, Trajecsys and Castle Branch. Specific information about these costs is available in the Radiation Therapy Program Student Handbook. Financial aid information is available through the campus’s Financial Aid office.
Job Outlook: US Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook Handbook
Contact Information
Nora Uricchio, M.Ed., R.T.
Program Coordinator
Radiologic Sciences: Radiation Therapy Program
860-512-2730