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Our CAMPEP-accredited Program is designed to prepare students for professional careers in the field of Medical Physics. We offer a full-time and part-time MS degree, as well as a Certificate of Professional Achievement in Medical Physics.

Our 36-point CAMPEP-accredited program educates, trains, and prepares future medical physicists. It is registered with the State of New York, is administered by faculty from the Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science in collaboration with faculty from the College of Physicians and Surgeons and the Mailman School of Public Health, leads to a Master of Science (MS) degree, and provides preparation toward certification by the American Board of Radiology.

Admission Requirements

BS degree or BA degree in physics, applied physics, or one of the physical sciences, including physics training at least equivalent to a minor, and general GRE exam scores are not required. The Physics GRE is recommended. Proficiency at written and spoken English and a working knowledge of computer programming and probability and statistics are also required.

Application

The priority deadline for applications for full-time study is February 15. Applications received by June 30 will be considered on a space-available basis. For more information, please see Graduate Admissions. Applicants are asked to inform the Medical Program Coordinator at [email protected] following the submission of an online application.

Financial Aid

As a rule, assistantships, grants, scholarships, and fellowships are not available to students in master's degree programs, including the medical physics program. U.S. citizens and permanent residents may be eligible to receive federal student loans. Please see the FAQ for additional information.

Core Curriculum

The Program consists of a core curriculum of medical and nuclear physics courses, a laboratory course, anatomy, two practicums, a tutorial, one elective, and a seminar. Specific course requirements are:

Opportunities for specialization exist via the choice of elective courses and practicums. In addition, a fourth semester option exists.

Comprehensive Exam

A passing grade on a medical physics comprehensive examination is required for graduation with a Master of Science degree in Medical Physics. This closed-book written exam is offered twice a year, in December and May, following the last semester of studies and consists of 6 questions covering the required course work taken during the program.

Other Requirements

In order to be allowed to participate in a practicum at the New York Presbyterian Hospital at the Columbia University Medical Center, students in the Columbia Medical Physics Program must complete an on-line course that leads to HIPAA compliance certification. They must also comply with hospital-mandated medical surveillance, which includes drug screening:  http://www.cumc.columbia.edu/hr/policies-procedures/medical-surveillance

Successful completion of two online ethics courses, offered without charge to students enrolled in our Program, is required for graduation.

Specific Program Requirements

Medical Physics MS Program

Full-Time Curriculum

The following courses are required for the full-time program.

(Schedule subject to change)

First Fall Courses

  • APPH E4010: Introduction to nuclear science (3 pts)
  • APPH E4600: Fundamentals of radiological physics & radiation dosimetry (3 pts)
  • APPH E4710: Radiation instrumentation lab, I (3pts)
  • APBM E4650: Anatomy for physicists & engineers (3 pts)

Spring Courses

Summer Courses

  • Subject to availability: summer practicum(s) for which students will register in the Fall term

Second Fall Courses

  • APPH E4330: Radiobiology for medical physicists (3 pts)
  • Varies: Practicum (see below) (6 pts)
  • Varies: Elective (see below) (3 pts)

Practicums (2 required)

A grade of B+ or better in the prerequisite course, adjusted at the discretion of the instructor, and permission of instructor and advisor are required for each practicum. Students register for the practicum in the Fall or the Spring term; the work for 2 of the 4 praticums may be done in the Summer term.

Electives (3 pts. required)

  • APPH E4711: Radiation instrumentation lab, II (3 pts)
  • APPH E6336: Advanced topics in radiation therapy (3 pts)
  • APAM E6650: Research project (1-6 pts)
  • APPH numbers vary: Third Practicum (3 pts) 

Optional Course

Part-Time Medical Physics MS Program

Part-Time Curriculum

Part-time students register for 1-3 courses per term. Part-time students may experience scheduling delays because some required courses must be taken in sequence and are only offered once a year. Many of the courses are given in the early evening to facilitate part-time study, but practicums may require day-time commitment.

(Schedule subject to change)

First Fall Courses

  • APPH E4010: Introduction to nuclear science (3 pts)
  • APPH E4600: Fundamentals of radiological physics & radiation dosimetry (3 pts)
  • APPH E4710: Radiation instrumentation lab, I (3pts)
  • APBM E4650: Anatomy for physicists & engineers (3 pts)

Spring Courses

Summer Courses

  • Subject to availability: summer practicum(s) for which students will register in the Fall term.

Second Fall Courses

  • APPH E4330: Radiobiology for medical physicists (3 pts)
  • Varies: Practicum (see chart below) (6 pts)
  • Varies: Elective (see chart below) (3 pts)

Practicums (2 required)

A grade of B+ or better in the prerequisite course, adjusted at the discretion of the instructor, and permission of instructor and advisor are required for each practicum. Students register for the practicum in the Fall or the Spring term; the work for 2 of the 4 praticums may be done in the Summer term.

Electives (3 pts. required)

  • APPH E4711: Radiation instrumentation lab, II (3 pts)
  • APPH E6336: Advanced topics in radiation therapy (3 pts)
  • APAM E6650: Research project (1-6 pts)
  • APPH numbers vary: Third Practicum (3 pts)

Optional Course

Comprehensive Exam

A passing grade on a comprehensive examination is required for graduation. This examination, on subjects covered in the curriculum, is taken at the end of the program of study.
 

Admission Requirements

  • The priority deadline for applications for full-time study is February 15. Applications received by June 30 will be considered on a space-available basis.
  • For more information and applications, please see Graduate Admissions
  • Applicants are asked to inform the Program Coordinator at [email protected] following the submission of an online application.

 

Non Degree & Special Programs

This category exists primarily for two kinds of students:

  • Those who are interested in a particular field, but are uncertain if they would like to complete an entire degree program.
  • Those who have begun the application process but need more time to fulfill all application requirements.

Columbia Engineering offers a range of flexible and non-traditional ways to learn new skills and develop the expertise that will propel your career forward. Learn more at Columbia Engineering's Non-Degree & Special Programs page.

Enrollment for the Non-Degree & Special Program will take place during the first week of the semester. Students may obtain the application from the Office of Graduate Admissions, located in 530 Mudd. For submission, course instructors' approval is required. For more information, please contact us at [email protected].
 

Certificate of Professional Achievement in Medical Physics

Our CAMPEP-accredited Certificate of Professional Achievement in Medical Physics is designed for professionals who have a PhD in physics or a related discipline and who wish to become eligible to apply for the medical physics examinations given by the American Board of Radiology (ABR).

As stated on the ABR website, to be eligible for Part 1 of the ABR Examination, applicants "must be enrolled in and in good standing with, or have graduated from, a CAMPEP-accredited program," which specifically includes CAMPEP-accredited certificate programs like Columbia's.

Furthermore, prior to taking Part 2 of the ABR Examination, applicants are required to have completed a two-year residency in medical physics which consists of a clinical and an academic component. By successfully completing Columbia’s non-degree certificate program an applicant will have satisfied the academic component already.

Course Requirements

This part-time program requires satisfactory completion of six of the following courses:

Certificate students are allowed to waive a course based on prior equivalent academic work but another 3-point course must be substituted for the waived course.

Admission

Doctoral degree in physics, applied physics, or one of the physical sciences is required. An applicant who was not a physics major as an undergraduate, or who does not have an advanced degree in physics, must have taken physics training at least equivalent to a minor. This training must include at least three upper level physics courses, which, if taken after completion of the undergraduate degree, must have been taken at an accredited four-year college. Completion of course prerequisites is also required.

When appropriate, certificate program requirements are updated to conform to guidelines set by CAMPEP and by policies set by the ABR.

  • The application deadline for fall admission is August 1.
  • Applications are available online at: Graduate Admissions
  • On the "Applied Physics and Applied Mathematics" drop down menu, follow the instructions for NEW APPLICANT. Under degree level, please select "OTHER" and under program level select "MEDICAL PHYSICS CERTIFICATE."
  • Applicants are asked to inform the Program Coordinator at [email protected] following the submission of an online application.

Because Columbia's online application system is usually changed in July from the current admissions cycle to the next one, applicants for the Certificate Program who apply in July, must contact the Medical Physics Program Coordinator at [email protected].

The CAMPEP-accredited Certificate of Professional Achievement in Medical Physics is a part-time program that does not support visa applications and is exclusively available to U.S. citizens and residents. Our program does not offer any financial support.

I enjoyed my time in Columbia's Medical Physics program. I had the opportunity to perform novel dosimetric research, have hands-on experience with CT scanners and linear accelerators, and connect with faculty who were and are on the forefront of medical physics related research. I acquired a wealth of knowledge from the classes I have taken in the APAM department and the practicums offered afford me the experience to utilize that knowledge in a practical setting. Also studying in New York City is a big plus as well since there are so many things to explore in the city.
 

Kevin Liu
Former Medical Physis Graduate Student

Application Information

Please see the Graduate Admissions site for more information about applying or contact the the Medical Physics Program Coordinator if you have any questions about the program.

Graduate Admissions