Last Updated on December 15, 2022

The Medical Physics Certificate Online is a certification program that can be completed entirely online. This certificate can be earned by anyone who is interested in pursuing medical physics career. The program is designed to help students develop a broad foundation in medical physics and prepare them for the Medical Physics Residency Interview. It may also be helpful for students interested in working as an X-ray technician or Radiation Safety Officer.

Online Medical and Health Physics Master’s Programs

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Students with an undergraduate background in physics, sciences, and mathematics might consider a graduate degree in health physics or medical physics. Options exist to earn either degree in an online format.

Health Physics vs. Medical Physics

While there is some overlap between the fields, distinctions exist between medical and health physics. Read on to learn more about degrees in each of these fields, and some common courses that those studying in these areas might encounter.

Master of Health Physics

Health physics is concerned primarily with the safe use of radiation in a variety of settings. A Master of Health Physics program will incorporate medical applications as well as the overall study of ionizing radiation. Coursework may include instrumentation and radiation shielding. Students who graduate with this degree may pursue careers as radiation safety officers, environmental health physicists, or researchers in the field.

Master of Science in Medical Physics

Medical physics is concerned with the direct application of radiation physics in health care settings, incorporating both diagnostic, imaging, and therapeutic uses, for the treatment of disease. Coursework may include dosimetry, medical imaging, and radiation biology. A clinical rotation may allow for students to practice skills in a hands-on environment. Those who graduate from an accredited program may elect to pursue a residency in medical physics, leading to certification by the American Board of Radiology.

Course Descriptions

Radiation Dosimetry

This course could review the fundamental principles in determining appropriate doses of radiation. Students may learn measurement techniques for exposure and dose. Other topics might include governmental requirements for exposure to radiation within work environments.

Radiation Shielding

Students in this field must understand proper shielding techniques for protection from radiation. This course could provide students with information about what a shield is and how to design one. Students may be instructed in specific shielding challenges, such as heat generation and deposition.

Instrumentation

This course may provide a foundation for how to detect and measure radiation levels. Different types of detectors and monitoring systems could be reviewed. Types of computer systems designed to measure radiation might be a topic of study as well.

Imaging Physics

This course might provide the physics background to a range of imaging modalities. Students may be exposed to general radiography in addition to fluoroscopy, mammography, ultrasound, and computed tomography. Safety considerations for each of these modalities could be considered.

Radiation Biology

A radiation biology course may consider the effects of radiation on molecules and cells. The factors that mitigate exposure to radiation might be reviewed. In addition, the use of radiation in cancer treatment is a likely topic of consideration.

Online Medical or Health Physics Master’s Programs

Georgia Tech

At Georgia Tech, students have the opportunity to earn a 40-credit Master of Science in Medical Physics (MSMP) through an online program. Classroom lectures are recorded as they are delivered by an on-ground professor and then posted online. Students may periodically be required to travel to the Georgia Tech campus on weekends to complete labs. A clinical rotation may be completed close to students’ homes. To apply, students should expect to submit transcripts, references, GRE or GMAT scores, a personal statement and a resume. This program is available with or without a thesis requirement.

Oregon State

Oregon State University provides a 45-credit Master of Health Physics through its online program. Students can pursue the majority of their courses in an online environment. A one-week on campus course in Corvallis will provide students with hands-on laboratory opportunities during the summer. To apply, students will provide transcripts, a resume, GRE scores, a statement of purpose, and recommendations.

Illinois Institute of Technology

The Illinois Institute of Technology offers a 31-credit Master of Health Physics program in an online environment, or via televised viewing at sites in the Chicago area. The program is designed for those working as health physicists who desire additional education to pursue leadership positions, and can be completed in under three years of part-time study. Students attend one on-campus lab session to learn about instrumentation. Students can also pursue a specialization in radiochemistry. To apply, students should expect to submit transcripts, a professional statement, a resume, and letters of recommendation. Undergraduate coursework in physics and calculus is expected.

Those who are interested in medical and health related physical science could consider earning a Master of Science in Medical Physics or a Master of Health Physics through an online degree program. Similar courses may be required, and either of these degrees might lead to challenging careers.Next: View Schools

Popular Schools

The listings below may include sponsored content but are popular choices among our users.

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• 1The Chicago SchoolSchool InfoMinimum eligibility requirements:
  • Applicants to the master’s and doctorate programs must have a bachelor’s degree or higher.Program InfoOnline Programs
  • Master
    • Master of Public HealthGet Started with The Chicago SchoolWhat is your highest level of education completed?  Select One…  High School Diploma/GED  Some College  Associate’s Degree  Bachelor’s Degree  Master’s Degree  Doctorate  No High School Degree/GED 
• 2Columbia Southern UniversitySchool InfoMinimum eligibility requirements:
  • Must be a high school graduate or have completed GEDProgram InfoOnline Programs
  • Master
    • MPH – Community Health Education
    • MPH – GeneralGet Started with Columbia Southern UniversityWhat is your highest level of education completed?  Select One…  High School Graduate  Associate Degree  Bachelor’s Degree  Master’s  Doctorate’s  No High School Degree/GED 
• 3Purdue University GlobalSchool InfoMinimum eligibility requirements:
  • Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED.Program InfoOnline Programs
  • Master
    • Master of Public HealthGet Started with Purdue University GlobalWhat is your highest level of education completed?  Select One…  GED  High School Diploma  Some College (1-19 Semester Credits)  Some College (20 or more Semester Credits)  Associate’s Degree  Bachelor’s Degree  Master’s Degree  Doctoral Degree  Still in High School 
• 4University of Arizona Global CampusSchool InfoMinimum eligibility requirements:
  • Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED.Program InfoOnline Programs
  • Master
    • Master of Public Health (MPH)Get Started with University of Arizona Global CampusWhat is your highest level of education completed?  Select One…  High School or GED  Some College (1-30 credits – up to 1 year)  Some College (31-60 credits – up to 2 years)  Some College/Associates (60+ credits)  Bachelor’s Degree  Master’s Degree  Doctorate Degree  Some High School 
• 5Southern New Hampshire UniversitySchool InfoMinimum eligibility requirements:
  • Must be a high school graduate or have completed GEDProgram InfoOnline Programs
  • Master
    • MS in Public Health
    • MS in Public Health – Global Health
    • MS in Healthcare AdministrationGet Started with Southern New Hampshire UniversityWhat is your highest level of education completed?  Select One…  Still in High School  High School Graduate/GED  Some College  Associate’s Degree  Bachelor’s Degree  Master’s Degree 
• 6Liberty UniversitySchool InfoMinimum eligibility requirements:
  • Must be a high school graduate or have completed GEDProgram InfoOnline Programs
  • Master
    • Master of Public Health Global Health
    • Master of Public Health in Health Promotion
    • MA: Medical Sciences: Public HealthGet Started with Liberty UniversityWhat is your highest level of education?  Select One…  High School Diploma/GED  Some College 0-23 credits  Associate’s degree  Bachelor’s degree  Master’s degree  Doctoral Degree  Still in High School 
• 7Colorado State University GlobalSchool InfoMinimum eligibility requirements:
  • Undergraduate applicants must be a high school graduate or have completed GED and completed some college
  • Master’s degree applicants must have a bachelor’s or higher.Program InfoOnline Programs
  • Master
    • Master of Healthcare Administration and ManagementGet Started with Colorado State University GlobalWhat is your highest level of education?  Select One…  Some High School  High School or GED  0-12 credits  13-30 credits completed (Freshman)  31-60 credits completed (Sophomore)  61-90 credits completed (Junior)  91+ credit completed (Senior)  Associate of Applied Science  Associate of Arts or Science  Associate of General Studies  Bachelor’s Degree  Master’s Degree  Doctoral Degree 
• 8Walden University InternationalSchool InfoProgram InfoOnline Programs
  • Master
    • MS in Nursing (MSN): Public Health Nursing
    • Master of Public Health (MPH)Get Started with Walden University InternationalWhat is your highest level of education completed?  Select One…  High School  Some College (1-19 semester credits)  Some College (20+ semester credits)  Associate’s  Bachelor’s  Master’s  Doctorate’s  No High School Degree/GED 
• 9Herzing UniversitySchool InfoMinimum eligibility requirements:
  • Must be a high school graduate or have completed GEDProgram InfoOnline Programs
  • Master
    • MBA Dual Concentration in Project Management & Public Safety Leadership
    • MBA Dual Concentration in Healthcare Management & Public Safety LeadershipGet Started with Herzing UniversityWhat is your highest level of education?  Select One…  High School  Home Schooled  GED/HSED  Some College/CEGEP  College Diploma  Associate Degree  Bachelor Degree  Graduate Degree  No HS Diploma or GED 
• 10Vanderbilt UniversitySchool InfoProgram InfoAreas of study you may find at Vanderbilt University include:
  • Graduate: Doctorate, First Professional Degree, Master
  • Undergraduate: Bachelor
  • Medical and Health Professions
    • Communication Disorders Sciences
    • Medical Administrative Services
    • Medical Residency Programs
    • Nursing Professions
    • Public Health and Safety
      • Health Physics
      • Medical Scientist

medical physicist certification requirements

What does a medical physicist do?

Medical physicists work in health care and apply their knowledge of physics to the development and use of medical radiation treatments, devices, and technologies. They make sure the equipment is operating correctly and are often involved directly with a patient’s diagnosis and treatment, as well as with radiation safety and product development.

Medical physicists often consult with their physician colleagues to offer advice and resources to solve problems that occur when using radiation therapy or nuclear medicine.

Scope of practice

Medical physicists work with doctors, nurses, technicians, and patients. They have three main components of work: clinical service and consultation, research and development, and teaching. A medical physicist might:

• Plan radiation treatments for cancer patients
• Study how radiation effects the body
• Ensure equipment is safe, effective, and working properly
• Develop new safety procedures
• Consult with physician colleagues
• Research new treatment options for cancer, heart disease, or mental illness
• Teach and train future medical physicists, residents, and medical students

Specializations

Medical physicists commonly practice in one of these areas:

• Therapeutic medical physics
• Diagnostic medical physics
• Nuclear medical physics
• Medical health physics
• Magnetic resonance imaging physics

Work environment

Medical physicists work in hospitals, health care facilities, medical clinics, and private practices. It is typical for this role to work 40-hour weeks with daytime hours; however, weekend or evening overtime is occasionally required for special projects or emergencies.

Becoming a medical physicist

Medical physicists should have great analytical, critical-thinking, and interpersonal skills. They should enjoy and excel at a math and science. Due to their highly analytical role, medical physicists should be able to stay focused and motivated even while reviewing large, complex data. Individuals that enjoy science, collaborating with physician colleagues, and working with patients would enjoy a career as a medical physicist.

Higher education requirements

The higher education requirements for a medical physicist include:

• Bachelor’s degree in physics or another natural science
• Master’s degree in physics, medical physics, or a related field

After earning a master’s degree, graduates typically complete a residency program before becoming board certified by the American Board of Radiology (ABR). Some go on to earn doctoral degrees, depending on career specialization and goals.

Certification process

To become certified as a medical physicist, you must complete a residency or postdoctoral program of one or two years at a hospital and pass the certification examination by the American Board of Radiology (ABR) or the American Board of Medical Physics (ABMP).

Career opportunities and outlook

Medical physicists can expect a median salary of $129,000.

Job openings for physicists, including medical physicists, are expected to grow faster than average, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, especially in health care.

There are many advancement opportunities for medical physicists, especially those that have a doctorate. With more experience, they can secure larger research budgets, and they can advance into management roles or obtain tenure

By the numbers

$129k

median annual salary6-8

years of higher education7%

job growth projected from 2019-2029