Health Professions

It is the policy of the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse Radiation Therapy Program that all students who desire admission to the program must meet the requirements and complete the admission process by the posted deadlines.  All applications will be carefully reviewed, adhering to the procedure detailed below.  All applicants, regardless of professional or academic background, must meet the following requirements for admission:

• General Education Coursework:
  All general education (Gen. Ed.) courses required by the university must be completed prior to beginning the program; without exception.  Students may apply with outstanding Gen. Ed. courses so long as the student demonstrates a plan to complete those courses before matriculating in the program.  Accepted students completing Gen. Ed. courses while applying will need to submit a final transcript demonstrating the successful completion of these courses.  (UWL transcripts are automatically included, therefore, students do not need to forward UWL transcripts.)  Comparable courses from regionally accredited institutions are acceptable.  No Gen. Ed. coursework with a grade below C will be accepted.  The program does not have a "statute of limitations" on Gen. Ed. courses.  Applicants will be considered to have met the Gen. Eds. even if the courses were taken many years ago, however, with the program's academic rigor the applicant's current academic aptitude is considered.  For further information please visit General Education Coursework.  (UWL Undergraduate Catalog)
• Pre-Professional Coursework:
  All pre-professional (prereq) courses required by the program must be completed prior to beginning the program; without exception.  Students may apply with outstanding prereq courses so long as the student demonstrates a plan to complete those courses before matriculating in the program.  Accepted students completing prereq courses while applying will need to submit a final transcript demonstrating the successful completion of these courses.  (UWL transcripts are automatically included, therefore, students do not need to forward UWL transcripts.)  Comparable courses from regionally accredited institutions are acceptable.  No prereq coursework with a grade below C will be accepted.  The program does not have a "statute of limitations" on prereq courses.  Applicants will be considered to have met the prereqs even if the courses were taken many years ago, however, with the program's academic rigor the applicant's current academic aptitude is considered.  
• Grade Point Average (GPA):
  Applicants are required to have a cumulative grade point average of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale and a grade of "C" or better in all post-secondary (college level) courses.  Effective for students entering UWL beginning with the 2012-13 academic year, applicants are also required to have a minimum Pre-Professional GPA of 2.75 and a grade of "C" or better in all required courses.  Applicants not meeting the GPA requirement will be not be offered an interview and removed from consideration.  No exceptions will be made to the GPA requirements, regardless of circumstances.
• RT Clinical Observation Hours:
  * The UWL Radiation Therapy program requires all prospective students to complete 10 observation hours in radiation therapy by the time of application. All applicants seeking to begin the program in Fall 2025 are also required to complete all observation modules, with each taking approximately one to one and a half hours to complete. Upon finishing each module, applicants will complete a reflection assignment and these will then be submitted with the program application. By requiring all applicants complete the online modules the program can consistently evaluate applicants understanding of RT.  UWL students can self-enroll in the Canvas course.  Non-UWL students please contact Pete Amann at pamann@uwlax.edu for assistance in creating a Canvas account to access the modules.  Students should complete 10 hours of clinical observation in a radiation oncology department.  Two different clinical sites are preferred.  The required clinical observation evaluation form should be completed for each clinical site.  The completed observation evaluation(s) will be part of the application.  A list of Radiation Therapy Centers in Wisconsin is provided at RTOW Online.  During this time, the applicant will witness the various functions of a radiation therapist, as well as many different radiation therapy procedures.  The expectations and activities of the observation hours can be found here - Observation Expectations.  Observation hours can be completed at any radiation oncology department.  We have recently updated our evaluation process to it being electronic.  Applicants will forward/share the Clinical Observation link with the RT under whom they are observing.  The RT will complete and submit the observation form electronically.  We recommend applicants request the supervising RT complete this process within one week of the session's final date as this helps the RT better recall the applicant and their session.  Additionally, it may be helpful to make a note of the RT's name and email address in case the RT needs a reminder to complete the online form.  (10 hour requirement effective February 2023)
• References:
  Three reference forms are required of all applicants.  Two of the three required references must be completed by academic faculty at the college level (i.e. professors).  Please forward/share the Reference Form link with those submitting references on your behalf.  They will then complete the form electronically.
  
• Program Application:
  Applicants are required to submit a completed copy of the RT Application for Fall 2025during the annual application window.  Applicants are asked to include the application fee and personal statement with their program application.  The application is available during the annual application window (early September through early December).  Sample Application
  • Details needed on RT application:
    • Health care work experience
      • Be prepared to share on the application about your healthcare work experience.
      • If you have a CNA certification, please submit a copy of your license.
    • Health care volunteering experience
      • Please share with us the volunteer experiences you have had in health care since high school.
      • Please include when, where and how many hours total you have volunteered.
      • Indicate if you are a member of RT Club, as well any other organizations you are part of in college.
• Personal Statement:
  Applicants are required to submit a personal statement along with their completed program application and application fee.  Applicants are asked to explain to the selection committee their desire to become a radiation therapist and why the applicant is a good candidate for the program.  Personal statement instructions.  Once completed, please send a copy of your statement to RadSci@uwlax.edu by the application deadline.
• Program Application Fee:
  Submission of the program's application fee of $50 is required for admission.  Applicants are asked to submit a completed copy of the RT Program Application Fee Form and include the $50 payment.  Please direct payment to the address listed on the form by the application deadline.
• Transcripts:
  UWL transcripts will be included with each application.  Students are required to submit official transcripts for all college courses completed, with the lone exception of UWL.  Please direct official transcripts to the RT Program office by the application deadline.
  Mailing address:
  UWL RT Program
  1725 State St
  4033 HSC
  La Crosse, WI 54601
  Please direct electronic transcripts to RadSci@uwlax.edu