Program Overview
Medical Physics, MS
The Department of Medical Physics at UWMadisons School of Medicine and Public Health is the first medical physics department in the United States and home to one of the top medical physics programs in North America. Achievement of the MS degree in this department reflects a strong education in the fundamental physics and engineering of diagnostic and therapeutic systems. Graduates are prepared for teaching and research positions in universities, national laboratories, and the medical and nuclear technology industries, as well as for admission into medical physics residency programs to become board-eligible for clinical medical physics positions.
Faculty Expertise
Faculty in the department focus on discoveries in imaging and therapy systems that translate into new clinical techniques or the development of new products through industry collaboration and venture entrepreneurship. The departments faculty expertise spans fields such as:
- X-ray physics
- Computed tomography (CT)
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
- Positron emission tomography (PET) imaging
- Biomagnetism
- Ultrasound
- Radiation dosimetry
- Radiation treatment planning
- Radiobiology
Curriculum and Training
Students benefit from a curriculum that provides in-depth training in these specialties, supported by access to sophisticated clinical and research resources. Collaborations with departments like Radiology, Human Oncology, and Biomedical Engineering further enrich the training experience and foster an interdisciplinary approach to medical physics.
Admissions
The Master of Science in Medical Physics has two named options:
- Medical Physics: Accelerated Program, MS
- Medical Physics: Clinical/Research, MS Students seeking a MS degree should apply to the Accelerated Program option. The Clinical/Research option is offered to students admitted to the PhD program. Students seeking a PhD should apply directly to the PhD program instead of the Clinical/Research option.
Funding
Graduate School Resources
The Bursars Office provides information about tuition and fees associated with being a graduate student. Resources to help afford graduate study might include:
- Assistantships
- Fellowships
- Traineeships
- Financial aid Further funding information is available from the Graduate School. It is recommended to check with the program for individual policies and restrictions related to funding.
Program Resources
Please refer to the named options for information:
- Clinical/Research
- Accelerated Program
Minimum Graduate School Requirements
Review the Graduate School minimum degree requirements and policies, in addition to the program requirements listed below.
Major Requirements
Curricular Requirements
The following requirements must be met:
- Minimum Credit Requirement: 30 credits
- Minimum Residence Credit Requirement: 16 credits
- Minimum Graduate Coursework Requirement: 16 credits must be graduate-level coursework.
- Overall Graduate GPA Requirement: 3.00 GPA required.
- Other Grade Requirements: n/a
- Assessments and Examinations: See named options for policy information.
- Language Requirements: No language requirements.
Required Courses
Select a named option for courses required.
Named Options
A named option is a formally documented sub-major within an academic major program. Named options appear on the transcript with degree conferral. Students pursuing the Master of Science in Medical Physics must select one of the following named options:
- Medical Physics: Accelerated Program, MS
- Medical Physics: Clinical/Research, MS
Policies
Students should refer to one of the named options for policy information:
- Medical Physics: Accelerated Program, MS
- Medical Physics: Clinical/Research, MS
Professional Development
The Graduate School's professional development resources are available to help build skills, thrive academically, and launch a career.
Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the program, students will be able to:
- Articulate, critique, and/or elaborate theories, research methods, and approaches to inquiry in the field of medical physics in oral or written formats.
- Evaluate and/or synthesize information pertaining to questions or challenges in the field of medical physics.
- Demonstrate ethical research and professional conduct.
Accreditation
The program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Medical Physics Education Programs (CAMPEP). The accreditation status is Accredited through June 30, 2028, with the next accreditation review scheduled for Summer 2027.