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Admissions

Prerequisites

The Radiation Therapy Program at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., is open to all applicants who have:

  • Successfully completed an accredited radiography program with a GPA of 3.0 or higher
  • Documented observation experience in radiation oncology
  • Prerequisite college course work (with a grade of C or higher) that includes:
    • English composition
    • Speech and/or oral communications
    • College algebra
    • Anatomy and physiology I and II (with lab preferred)

The Radiation Therapy Program does not accept transfer students from other radiation therapy programs.

International applicants

U.S. citizenship or permanent immigrant status is required for admission to the Radiation Therapy Program.

Technical standards

In addition to these general standards, the Radiation Therapy Program has additional specific standards, as the duties of a radiation therapist are physically demanding. In order to perform regular duties, you must be able to:

  • Routinely lift 20 pounds over your head (treatment cones and other treatment devices)
  • Stand on your feet more than 50 percent of the time
  • Push and pull, bend and stoop, and kneel or squat routinely
  • Push standard wheelchairs or carts and assist in transferring patients onto and off treatment tables
  • Visually align patients and equipment while in dim lighting
  • Distinguish colors on computer screens and patient markings
  • Monitor patients during treatment visually and via audio monitors
  • Hear and identify various equipment and background sounds during equipment operations
  • Input patient treatment data into treatment consoles and computers using keyboards
  • Communicate effectively, orally and in writing, with patients and staff members
  • Work effectively in a team setting
  • Read and apply patient setup instructions as stated in treatment charts
  • Organize and accurately perform the individual steps in a simulation or treatment procedure in the proper sequence
  • Interact with immunosuppressed patients and patients who may have a communicable disease
  • Fabricate patient-shielding blocks, which may contain heavy metals and produce vapors that may cause skin rashes or respiratory irritation in hypersensitive individuals

Radiation therapists may be exposed to low levels of ionizing radiation during their careers.

Admissions policy

Today's allied health education requires that the accumulation of scientific knowledge be accompanied by the simultaneous acquisition of essential skills and professional attitudes and behavior. The goal of Mayo School of Health Sciences programs is to graduate the best health care practitioners. Further, Mayo School of Health Sciences must also ensure that patients are not placed in jeopardy by students with impaired intellectual, physical or emotional functions.

Therefore, admission to educational programs is offered only to those applicants who meet qualifications for education and training in the art and science of the respective allied health profession. Applicants should possess the following general qualities at all times:

  • Critical thinking
  • Sound judgment
  • Excellent communication skills
  • Emotional stability and maturity
  • Professional and ethical conduct
  • Empathy
  • Physical and mental stamina
  • Ability to learn and function in a wide variety of didactic and clinical settings

You must be able to perform the essential functions of the profession and meet the standards of the curriculum. Students seeking exceptions to these standards or reasonable accommodations should initiate their request with the program director.

Fluency in written and spoken English is essential for success in the program and to ensure patient safety. Applicants must demonstrate objective competency in English through the admission interview and may be required to submit results from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or equivalent examination.

Applicants are judged not only on scholastic accomplishments but also on physical and emotional capacities to meet the requirements of the program's curriculum and to graduate as skilled and effective practitioners, with reasonable accommodations, if applicable. To preserve the welfare of students and patients, each Mayo School of Health Sciences program will establish minimum standards deemed essential for safety in practicing that respective profession. Applicants seeking accommodations should initiate their request with the program director.

Admissions committees for each program may require additional specific admission standards. Documentation of these program-specific standards is available from the program director.

Additional admission requirements

Applicants offered admission to Mayo School of Health Sciences programs must comply with prevailing institutional policies and procedures regarding:

  • Immunization
  • Occupational health review, a physical exam or both
  • Background study and immediate disclosure of any criminal convictions
  • Drug screen
  • Health insurance
  • Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), confidentiality, and other training deemed necessary by Mayo Clinic or the Mayo School of Health Sciences program

Questions about these requirements can be directed to the school. Failure to comply or to provide requested documentation is grounds for rescinding an admission offer or terminating admission.

Student responsibilities

Students are required to exhibit professional and ethical conduct at all times.

Equal opportunity

Mayo School of Health Sciences upholds all federal and state laws that preclude discrimination on the basis of race, sex, age, religion, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, disabilities or veteran status.

  • June 4, 2013
  • ART814176