Frequently Asked Questions
Will the program be relocating to Round Rock?
• The Radiation Therapy Program will be holding its first class in the Round Rock campus in fall of 2021. The program will maintain all of its current clinical affiliates.
What is the application deadline?
• All packets must be received by January 15.
How many applicants do you accept each year?
• We accept 18 students each year.
How long is the program and when does it begin?
• The degree earned is a Bachelor of Science following a 4 year curriculum.
• The program follows a two and a half year curriculum starting each fall. Students are accepted during their Junior Year.
When must pre-requisites be completed?
•The student is usually in their last semester of general education courses when applying each spring semester. All general education must be complete by the end of that semester. On rare occasions ONE course may be completed during the summer.
Does it hurt my chances of getting into the program if I am lacking 1 or 2 courses?
• Admission is competitive. The degree of preparedness will be considered for the ranking order of the selection. If a tie exists for the last spot among two students with the same academic profile, the last spot will be given to the student who is completely ready to begin.
Will my chances of being accepted be better if I already hold a degree?
• Our admission process requires a detailed assessment of the transcripts to determine the best candidates. Students holding degrees do not always make the best candidates. Though the university will waive most course work, especially if the degree was granted in Texas, or even at Texas State University, our assessment method will still involve the quantification of each grade earned for each semester of enrollment. The results will reflect the overall performance of the student for each course.
Will my chances of being accepted be better if I am already a registered radiographer?
• The status of being registered will add credential and value to an academic profile. If the student has an excellent transcript, this will add value to the student’s overall standing. However, it must be emphasized that the principle criteria is the transcript and NOT the registry status. Being registered as a radiographer will not help a student with a poor academic history.
Will I still have to take all of the courses in the degree plan if I am a registered radiographer?
• Students holding an Associate in Applied Science will be given credit for coursework completed for that degree. In most cases, this applies to general education courses; i.e., Medical Terminology, Anatomy and Physiology, Elementary Physics, etc. Students will still have to take all of the courses in the radiation therapy curriculum.
How do you distinguish between students who have the same GPA?
• Our admission process requires a more detailed assessment of the transcripts in addition to the cumulative GPA. Our assessment process involves the quantification of each letter grade earned for every course the student has been enrolled in. All letter grades are considered, including Withdrawals and Repeats. This provides a detailed analysis of the students academic profile. The student with the “cleanest” transcript is ranked higher. Example” Students A and B both have a 3.5 GPA. Student A has earned his GPA by taken each course in the curriculum only once ( no repeats, no withdrawals ). This is noted to be a clean transcript. Student B has a 3.5, however, the student’s cumulated GPA includes several repeats and withdrawals throughout the transcript.
Can I split up the 24 hours of clinical observation? Can I do the observation in two centers? Do we have to do the observation at specific sites?
• The observation must be 24 hours, completed in three (3) consecutive days. You cannot break up the required hours. All hours must be completed at the same cancer center. We do not have specific sites, but you MUST have a clinical observation form before your first day of the observation. The forms are available from our department. Our clinical affiliates do not have access to any forms.
What is your usual class mix or demographics?
• The usual class demographics reflect that of the profession regarding gender, which is about 85% female. Most cohorts include students with mixed ages, but the average age is about 25. Regarding ethnic diversity, the program has traditionally included an average of 30% minority students.
Are there any specific physical requirements to be a radiation therapist?
• Yes. Please review the American Disabilities Act information provided in the “Admission” tab of our program’s home page.
Can I complete the program on a part-time basis?
• No. The program follows a sequential series of courses that must be completed in the planned track on a full-time basis only.
Can I work while I am a student in the program?
• It is not recommend considering the workload for each semester. As a clinical type program, each student is required rotations at cancer centers during normal clinical working hours. In addition to clinical education the student faces vigorous didactic requirements. Students who are not financially prepared face challenges in completing course work and performing at a required level.
Will a conviction impact my chances of being admitted?
• Yes. Individuals who have been convicted of serious crimes (such as murder, rape or child abuse), who must register as sex offenders or have committed other violent crimes, may not have the moral character to practice in the healthcare professions. This evaluation of character is important to the safety and welfare of the patient (ARRT).
• Non-disclosure of convictions has very serious legal consequences. According to the ARRT, the non-disclosure often can be more serious than the nature of the conviction because it involves falsifying a professional Application for Certification or for Renewal of Registration.
More and more, employers are conducting criminal background checks as part of the regular employee hiring process. When employers find an unreported conviction, they may contact ARRT to determine if the conviction had been reported to the ARRT. Such reports are the basis for initiating an inquiry into an individual’s ARRT records. ARRT may also conduct background checks.
Does the program conduct background checks?
• The program may conduct a background check on a case by case basis. Clinical sites may require a background check as well.