Pre-Health

Pre-Radiation Therapy

Radiation Therapy is a highly specialized branch of medicine which utilizes ionizing radiation in the treatment of cancer. The Radiation Therapist is a professional member of the Radiation Oncology team which includes physicians, physicists, dosimetrists, nurses, and social workers. Radiation therapists combine an interest in science and technology with a strong commitment to patient care.

A Bachelor of Science (BS) in Radiation Therapy is offered at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU). In order to apply to the program, students must complete the prerequisite coursework outlined below and have earned a minimum of 90 transferable quarter hours from an accredited institution(s). If accepted to the OHSU Radiation Therapy program, students then complete two additional years of coursework at OHSU to earn the BS in Radiation Therapy.

The Radiation Therapy Program at OHSU prepares students in the field of Radiation Oncology. Through the combination of didactic and clinical education, Radiation Therapy students gain a strong foundation in oncological diseases, physics, patient care and clinical skills. Technical skills gained will allow students to utilize ionizing-radiation producing equipment in the treatment of cancer for both curative and palliative purposes. In addition, graduates will possess the knowledge and skills to provide the appropriate patient care and patient-centered communication to patients and their families experiencing the diagnosis and treatment of cancer.

Students who wish to earn a bachelor’s degree at PSU before moving on to earn the BS in Radiation Therapy at OHSU must complete the math, science, and nutrition requirements as well as PSU graduation requirements, but are not required to fulfill OHSU’s writing, humanities, and social science requirements.

Portland State University Pre-Radiation Therapy Course List 

Below is an outline of prerequisite courses for OHSU, which is subject to change. Check directly with OHSU or other Radiation Therapy schools for current requirements. OHSU requires a C or higher in all prerequisite courses.

OHSU Prerequisite Course(s)PSU Equivalent Courses
College Trigonometry/Pre-Calculus– 3 credits minimumMTH112Z Intro to College Math II (4 credits) Note: Math 111Z or placement score is the prerequisite for Math 112Z
Biology or Chemistry with lab – 12 credits minimum (full sequence) 

Recommended for PSU: Biology for Allied Health with lab: BI207, 208, 209 (12 credits). Note: BI207 serves as the prerequisite for Human Anatomy & Physiology (BI301) below

Other options include: Introductory Chemistry with lab: CH104/107, CH105/108. CH106/109 (15 credits) OR General Chemistry: CH221/227, CH222/228, CH223/229 (15 credits) 

*CH104/107 will be offered every fall term; CH 105/108 will only be offered in winter 2024; CH105/109 will only be offered in spring 2025.

Note: Students wishing to enroll in General Chemistry I (CH 221) or Honors General Chemistry I (CH 221H) are required to take the chemistry placement assessment and must score 90% or higher.

Anatomy & Physiology – 12 credits minimum (full sequence)Human Anatomy & Physiology BI301, 302, 303 (12 credits) Note: BI207 or BI211 are the prerequisites for BI301. 
Physics & Lab – 12 credits minimum (full sequence)

General Physics & labs: PH201/214/284*, 202/215/285*, 203/216/285* (15-18 credits) Note: MTH 112Z is the prerequisite for General Physics.

OR

General Physics with Life Science & Medical Applications & labs: PH231/214/284*, PH232/215/285*, PH233/216/286* (15-18 credits) Note: Math 111Z is the prerequisite General Physics with Life Science & Medical Applications

*PH284, 285, 286 are recommended 1 credit workshop courses

Nutrition– 3 credits minimum Nutrition: CH250 (4 credits) OR PHE325 Nutrition for Health (4 credits)

Additional Required Courses for Students NOT Intending to Graduate from PSU

(Not required for students who will graduate from PSU before moving on to the Radiation Therapy program at OHSU)

OHSU Prerequisite Course(s)PSU equivalent

Writing – 9 quarter credit minimum, to include:

  • College Writing (2 courses) 
  • Technical Writing (1 course)

Complete 3 courses:

  1. WR121Z College Writing (4 credits) OR completion of Freshman Inquiry
  2. WR222 Research Papers OR WR323 Writing as Critical Inquiry (4 credits) 
  3. WR227Z Technical Writing (4 credits) 
Humanities – 9 quarter credit minimum9+ credits from the following departments: ARH (Art History), ENG (Literature courses only), FILM (Film Studies), HST (History), MUS (music history courses only), PHL (Philosophy), or WS (Women's Studies).

Social Science – 9-12 quarter credits to include:

  • Human Development
  • Additional 6 quarter credits of Social Science electives 

PSY311U Human Development  (4 credits)

6+ additional credits from the following departments: ANTH (Anthropology), EC (Economics), PS (Political Science), PSY (Psychology), SOC (Sociology). 

Additional Information

OHSU Radiation Therapy Application Information

  • Minimum 90 quarter hours (60 semester hours) of college coursework completed prior to matriculation into the radiation therapy program.
  • GPA: Most students accepted to the program have a GPA of 3.0 or higher and approximately half of those have a GPA of 3.5 or higher.
  • Observation hours: 30 hours minimum. Information on affiliated clinics and observation forms can be found on the OHSU website.
  • Application timeline: Applications may be submitted only between November 1 and February 1. The admissions committee will review applications in early March; interviews of selected applicants begin soon thereafter. Admissions decisions are made in May; nine students are accepted to the program each year. Classes start in August.
  • Letters of recommendation: Two recommendation letters and a personal statement are required. Do not submit character references (letters from pastor, family friend, etc.); these are not acceptable. See OHSU website for complete application instructions.