Post-doctoral Certificate in Medical Physics – CAMPEP Accredited

To provide an alternative pathway into clinical medical physics careers for those who hold a doctoral degree in another technical field (e.g., physics, engineering, chemistry), LSU's Department of Physics & Astronomy offers a CAMPEP-accredited Post-doctoral Certificate Program in Medical Physics. The goal is to provide core medical physics education, as preparation for admission to a CAMPEP-accredited residency program and leading eventually to a career in clinical medical physics including completion of professional certification exams by the American Board of Radiology or similar. Those completing the Post-doctoral Certificate will have the base qualifications for entry into a medical physics residency program; certificate students may choose to enhance this core education with additional coursework or training experiences. Certificate students can complete the core courses in as few as two regular semesters.

Eligibility

To be eligible to begin the Certificate Program, candidates must hold a PhD degree in physics, engineering or similar science or technical field. Participants must also have previously satisfied the required undergraduate background as set forth by the American Board of Radiology for eligibility to sit for the Part I of the ABR certification exam in medical physics, i.e., coursework comparable to a minor in physics.

Participants must meet any additional enrollment requirements set forth by the LSU Graduate School for non-matriculating students. Because of the intensive nature of the coursework, applicants must be fluent in the English language. Foreign applicants for whom English is not their native language must meet any English language requirements imposed by LSU or the Dept. of Physics (e.g., meeting minimum TOEFL/IELTS score). Any deficiencies in eligibility must be remediated prior to beginning the Certificate Program.

Application

Applicants must use LSU’s online application system, as described below. The Certificate student is responsible for any graduate tuition and fees imposed by LSU; we typically cannot provide financial support for Certificate students.

Applications are due January 15 for Fall semester admission in the same year; typically only Fall semester admissions are provided, because of the required sequence of courses. Application materials should be submitted electronically using LSU’s online application system.  After starting the online application, select “On-campus” for Admission type, “Certificate” for Degree type, and “Medical Physics – PDC” for the Program.

Application materials include:

  •      Cover letter, providing contact information
  •      Official transcripts (graduate and undergraduate)
  •      Copy of diplomas
  •      Statement of background and career goals (approx. 1 page)
  •      Curriculum Vitae
  •      Two to four letters of recommendation, ideally including one from the PhD advisor
  •      Recent GRE scores (taken within the last 6 years - no longer required)
  •      TOEFL scores (required only if the undergraduate degree was earned at a school where English was not the official language of instruction)
  •     Academic plan (optional; required only if applicant plans to complete additional courses or training, or intends to request credit for previously-completed coursework)

Most application materials will be submitted as attachments within the online application. Submission of reference letters and transcripts should follow the instructions provided in the online application system. Applications will be reviewed only after all application materials are received.

Reference letters should come from former instructors, advisors or employers with sufficient first-hand experience to assess the applicant’s qualifications and prospects for success in the Certificate Program. 

Medical Physics Certificate Curriculum

The Post-doctoral Certificate comprises the 6 core topics described in AAPM Report 197S “Essential Medical Physics Didactic Elements for Physicists Entering the Profession through an Alternative Pathway.” The certificate program requires core 6 courses, listed below. Consult the LSU General Catalog for course descriptions, and related information. Certificate students can complete these courses in as little as two regular semesters. Our curriculum is not available for online/asynchronous attendance. Remote synchronous attendance of some classes may be available in special circumstances. Contact us for more information. 

  • Fall semester courses
    • MEDP 4331 Radiation Protection and Exposure Evaluation (3)
    • MEDP 7537 Radiation Interactions and Transport (3)
    • MEDP 4210 Radiographic Anatomy (3) (pending university course approval) 
  • Spring semester courses
    • MEDP 4111 Introduction to Medical Imaging (3)
    • MEDP 7121 Radiobiology (3)
    • MEDP 7331 Radiation Therapy Physics (3)

Credit for medical physics courses completed previously at another institution will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. Assessment requires the applicant to submit a university catalog description and/or course syllabus for each course; applicants may be required to take a topical exam to verify mastery of material.

 

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