Radiation Therapy Technology

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In a modern oncology clinic, a man is prepared for radiation therapy on a modern linear accelerator. Modern approaches to the treatment of oncology.

Where Science Meets Patient Care

Radiation Therapy is a rewarding healthcare profession where science, technology, and compassionate patient care come together. Radiation therapists play a vital role in the treatment of cancer and other diseases, working closely with radiation oncologists, medical physicists, dosimetrists, and nurses to deliver highly specialized radiation treatments.

The Radiation Therapy Technology Program at SUNY Erie will prepare you with the knowledge, clinical skills, and professional competencies needed for certification and entry-level practice. Through classroom, laboratory (VERT), and extensive clinical experience, you will have hands-on training with state-of-the-art technologies while developing the communication, critical-thinking, and patient-care skills essential to the profession.

Graduates are employed in hospitals, cancer centers, physician practices, and other radiation oncology settings. Additional education and training can lead to advanced career opportunities in medical dosimetry, medical physics, education, administration,  research, and the medical technology industry.

Is This Program Right For You?

You will thrive in this program if...
You care about helping others and want a career where you can truly make a difference in people’s lives.
You are curious about science and healthcare, especially how cancer is treated using advanced technology.
You enjoy hands-on learning and like gaining experience through real-life practice, simulation, and clinical settings.
You are reliable, detail-oriented, and able to stay focused, while communicating clearly and working with others in a professional healthcare environment.
Back view of male radiologist during magnetic resonance imaging scanning. Examination at specialized medical clinic, diagnosis and healthcare concept.

What Makes Our Program Different

Students benefit from a blended learning model that combines hands-on training with Virtual Environment for Radiation Therapy (VERT) technology and direct clinical experience at leading regional cancer centers. VERT allows students to practice treatment setup, patient positioning, and radiation delivery concepts in a safe, immersive environment before entering the clinic, helping build confidence and strengthen critical thinking skills. Through this structured progression, students develop both the technical expertise and patient-centered care skills needed for success in radiation therapy. Combined with strong job placement outcomes in this high-demand healthcare field, graduates are well prepared to transition from the classroom to professional practice.
93.3%
Credentialing Examination Passing Rate On 1st Attempt over the last 5 years
The overview of the CT and MRI cross-sections of a middle-aged male patient reveals a relevant residual tumor of a meningioma in the left wing of the sphenoid bone. The partially resected tumor is in the immediate vicinity of the large cerebral vessels and the visual pathway. Furthermore, the result of the calculation for radiation therapy is shown in order to treat the patient in a targeted and gentle way.
100%
Number of Students Employed after 12 months
89%
Program Completion Rate for 2025

For more information:
Jean Wood
City - 45 Oak Street
wood@ecc.edu

Additional Information

Program Mission Statement & Goals
Mission Statement

The mission of the Radiation Therapy Technology Program is to provide a comprehensive education and emphasize excellence by incorporating extensive didactic learning, professional courses and clinical experiences necessary to prepare students to: become entry-level radiation therapists; provide quality patient care; be active participants in the profession; and to pursue life-long learning.

Program Goals:

Goal 1: Students will demonstrate clinical competency. Student Learning Outcomes: Students will demonstrate competency in treatment procedures. Students will demonstrate competency in simulation procedures.

Goal 2: Students will demonstrate effective communication skills. Student Learning Outcomes: Students will demonstrate effective communication skills in the clinical setting. Students will practice good communication skills through class presentations.

Goal 3: Students will demonstrate professionalism, ethical behaviors and pursue life-long learning. Student Learning Outcomes: Students will demonstrate professional behaviors. Students will demonstrate ethical behaviors. Student will participate in continuing education.

Goal 4: Students will demonstrate critical thinking skills. Student Learning Outcomes: Students will demonstrate accurate interpretation of prescription, set up and administration of treatment . Students will demonstrate clinical application and critical thinking skills utilizing VERT.
Admission Requirements & Application Process

Application Process

Application to the Radiation Therapy Technology Program is available online from September through February 15.

All required prerequisites must be completed by February 15 for consideration for the following Fall program start.

Qualified applicants who meet all prerequisites may be invited to interview in the Spring for final selection.

Pre-Admission Recommendations

College Applicants

Applicants who have attended college should meet the following:

  • Minimum GPA: 3.0 (last five years of college coursework)
  • Math (minimum grade C):
  • MT125 College Mathematics, or
  • MT180 Pre-Calculus (or higher), or equivalent (NOT Statistics)
  • Two (2) laboratory sciences (within 5 years, minimum grade C):
  • Required: Anatomy & Physiology I 
  • Second: Anatomy & Physiology II, Chemistry, or Physics
  • Recommended: Complete Anatomy & Physiology over a full semeste

  

High School Applicants

Applicants entering directly from high school should meet the following:

  • High school diploma (or equivalent) with a minimum average of 88%
  • All Pre req course completed with minimum grade C 
  • Completion of one of the following College equivalent math courses
  • MT125 College Mathematics OR MT180 Pre-Calculus Mathematics (or higher-level math (NOT Statistics)
  • *Documented on a college transcript 
  • Completion of two years of high school laboratory science, such as:
  • Chemistry and/or Physics or Anatomy & Physiology with labs completed within the past five years

Selection Criteria

Admission to the Radiation Therapy Technology Program is competitive.

Qualified applicants are evaluated based on the following:

  • Academic performance (transcript evaluation rubric)
  • Entrance essay (completed at the time of interview)
  • Three character references (rubric provided to selected interview candidates)
  • Interview evaluation, with emphasis on communication skills and professionalism
  • Program capacity

Note: Meeting minimum admission requirements does not guarantee acceptance.

Program Effectiveness Data

Credentialing Examination:

The number of students who pass, on the first attempt, the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification examination, or an unrestricted state licensing examination, compared with the number of graduates who take the examination within six months of graduating.

Credentialing Examination Rate

Number Passed On 1st Attempt

Year Results

2021

7/7

2022 2/2
2023 7/8
2024 5/5
2025 7/8

Current 5-Year Average

JRCERT Benchmark

75%

Total of above: 28/30 (93.3%)

 

 Job Placement:

 The number of graduates employed in the radiologic sciences compared to the number of graduates actively seeking employment in the radiologic sciences, within twelve months of graduating.

Job Placement Rate

Number Employed within 12 months

Year Results

2021

6/6

2022 2/2
2023 8/8
2024 5/5
2025 8/8

Current 5-Year Average

JRCERT Benchmark

75%

Total of above: 29/29 (100%)

 

Program Completion:

 The number of students who complete the program within the stated program length.

Program Completion Rate

Number Graduated

Year Results

2025

8/9

Annual Completion Rate

88.9%

 

*Job placement rate is defined as the number of graduates employed in the radiologic sciences compared to the number of graduates actively seeking employment in radiation therapy. The JRCERT has defined not actively seeking employment as: 1) graduate fails to communicate with program officials regarding employment status after multiple attempts, 2) graduate is unwilling to seek employment that requires relocation, 3) graduate is unwilling to accept employment due to salary or hours, 4) graduate is on active military duty, and/or 5) graduate is continuing education

Accredations

Program is currently accredited for a 8 year term 2021-2029 by JRCERT: General program accreditation information and the current accreditation letter can be found at the following link https://www.jrcert.org/programs/suny-erie-community-college-city-campus/

Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology
20 N Wacker Dr. Suite 2850, Chicago, IL. 60606-3182.
Phone: 312-704-5300     
Email: mail@jrcert.org
Website: www.jrcert.org JRCERT

New York Department of Health
Website: NYS DOH

SUNY Erie Community College is an accredited institution and a member of the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) www.msche.org. SUNY Erie Community College's accreditation status is Accreditation Reaffirmed. 

MSCHE is an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).

Clinical Site Locations

Cancer Care of WNY
3850 Saunders Settlement Road, Suite 100
Cambria, NY 14132

Cancer Care of WNY
3085 Harlem Road
Cheektowaga, NY 14225

Cancer Care of WNY
117 Foote Avenue
Jamestown, NY 14701

Lipson Cancer Center @ Unity
1561 Long Pond Road, Suite 120 POB
Greece, NY 14626

Lipson Cancer Institute Radiation Oncology at Clifton Springs Hospital
2 Coulter Road
Clifton Springs, NY 14432

Lipson Cancer Institute – United Memorial
127 North Street
Batavia, NY 14020

Linden Oaks
20 Hagen Drive, Suite 100
Rochester, NY 14625

Mildred Millman Radiation Medicine
1415 Buffalo Street
Olean, NY 14760

Rochester General Hospital
1425 Portland Avenue
Rochester, NY 14621

UPMC Erie
2500 West 12th Street
Erie, PA 16505

Associated Medical Professional (AMP)
1226 East Water Street
Syracuse, NY 13210

Radiation Therapy Program Fees (Estimated)

Trajecsys Clinical Management System: $150
Textbooks: Approximately $500 
Uniforms Scrubs: Approximately $250
NYS License Application Fee: $120
ARRT Examination Fee: $225
ASRT Student Membership: $35
Review Sessions: $30
CPR: $35
Liability insurance: Varies           
Travel expenses to and from off-campus clinical sites

Certification & Licensure Rates

An Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S) degree is granted to each student who successfully completes all coursework, required clinical hours and ARRT competencies with grades of "C" or better defined by the program. 

New York State licensure is required for employment in New York State. Upon graduation from the program, an individual is eligible to apply for licensure. Passing the national ARRT certification exam is recognized in numerous states but some states require separate applications for additional/required state licensure which must be filed within that state. 

New York State DOH requires passing of the national American Registry of Radiologic Technologists Certification Exam (ARRT) for employment in New York State.

Licensure Compliance Statement
SUNY Erie Community College Radiation Therapy Technology curriculum and its program of study meets the educational requirements by the Board of Regents in New York State to award an Associate in Applied Science Degree (AAS) with a major in Radiation Therapy Technology.  Graduates are eligible to take the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) credentialing exam for Licensure as a Registered therapist and apply for Radiation Therapy licensure in New York. Other states may have different educational requirements for program completion and licensure requirements. SUNY Erie Radiation Therapy Program has not made a determination of whether the curriculum meets the educational requirements for licensure in states other than in New York. If seeking licensure in a state other than New York, please review the requirement of that American Registry of Radiologic Technologists. To search a particular State’s licensure information please visit: ASRT State Licensures
Handbook
The most updated handbook for Radiation Therapy Technology can be found here