Apply for Medical Physics Certificate Program
The U-M Medical School Department of Radiation Oncology Medical Physics Certificate Program allows current PhD students, or those holding a PhD in Physics or Engineering, to complete coursework as preparation for medical physics residency programs. Please note, our certificate program is currently going through the CAMPEP accreditation process, and thus we cannot guarantee that upon completion of the certificate program candidates will be eligible for entry into a residency program.
The program is hosted by the Rackham Graduate School and is administered through the Department of Radiation Oncology.
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Application Process
Students in our certificate program will have the opportunity to be immersed into the clinical environment and will work with the same equipment used by practicing medical physicists. Students will have full access to the University of Michigan library system, computing resources, as well as other educational resources offered by the Rackham Graduate School.
Current Rakcham students and candidates who have already completed a PhD program go through different admission processes.
If you have questions regarding your eligibility, contact our Program Coordinator, Alec Pennington ([email protected]).
Current Rackham students must go through the Dual Admission process. The Dual Admission Application (formerly called Add a Degree or Certificate Application) is appropriate only for current Rackham students who are seeking to add a certificate to their current program on the Ann Arbor campus. The eligibility and application requirements are listed below.
Eligibility Requirements
- Must be a current Rackham doctoral student to apply.
- Must have completed at least one academic term in the current Rackham program with a cumulative GPA equal to or above 3.0 before the proposed term of application.
- Must meet with your current program advisor or graduate coordinator prior to submitting the application to add a certificate.
- Must complete the Pre-Approval Form for Dual Admission and obtain a signature of approval from the authorized signer in your current graduate program before you apply. Without approval and an authorized signature on the form, your application will not be processed by Rackham. You will be required to upload the completed and signed Pre-Approval Form in the online application.
- Students entering the certificate program shall have a strong foundation in basic physics. This shall be demonstrated either by a graduate degree in physics, by a degree in an engineering discipline or another of the physical sciences and with coursework that is the equivalent of a minor in physics (i.e., one that includes at least three upper-level undergraduate physics courses that would be required for a physics major).
Application Requirements (Page 4 of the online application)
- Cover letter outlining your interest and motivation to pursue a certificate in medical physics
- Curriculum vitae
- One letter of recommendation
- Most recent graduate transcripts (unofficial)
Apply on the Rackham website for Dual Admission
New applicants to the Rackham Graduate School who already hold a PhD degree must go through the New Applicant process. The eligibility and application requirements are listed below.
Eligibility Requirements
- Must have completed their graduate studies with a GPA equal to or above 3.0.
- Students entering the certificate program shall have a strong foundation in basic physics. This shall be demonstrated either by a graduate degree in physics, by a degree in an engineering discipline or another of the physical sciences and with coursework that is the equivalent of a minor in physics (i.e., one that includes at least three upper-level undergraduate physics courses that would be required for a physics major).
Application Requirements (Page 4 of the online application)
- Cover letter outlining your interest and motivation to pursue a certificate in medical physics
- Curriculum vitae
- One letter of recommendation
- Most recent graduate transcripts (unofficial)
- Undergraduate transcripts (unofficial)
Application Deadlines
Fall Semester
- Domestic Students: June 30, 11:59 PM (ET)
- International Students: March 30, 11:59 PM (ET)
Winter Semester
- Domestic Students: October 31, 11:59 PM (ET)
- International Students: September 14, 11:59 PM (ET)
Review Process
The program will review applications within 30 days of the application deadline. Our review process follows a standardized practice to ensure fair and unbiased review:
- Pre-screening The Program Administrator and Program Director will pre-screen applications. This pre-screen verifies that the candidates have a graduate level physics degree, or the equivalent of an undergraduate minor in physics. All valid applications will be forwarded to the program faculty on the steering committee for evaluation. Applicants not meeting this educational pre-requisite will not be considered.
- Anonymization The Program Administrator and Program Director will anonymize applications, and compile a docket for blinded review by program faculty.
- Review The program faculty will review and evaluate all applications and determine the applicant’s interest in pursuing a career in medical physics, as well as the candidate’s potential to successfully complete coursework.
- Decision Admission decisions will be made by majority faculty vote of the steering committee. The Program Director will be recused from this vote. Candidates approved by the steering committee will be recommended for admissions to Rackham Graduate School, and will be notified by the Program Director. Accepted candidates may expect an orientation scheduled within 1 month of official Rackham admission.
Program Completion Requirements
Students on the accredited track will receive a certificate from the Rackham Graduate School and a letter of attestation from the program director, at the successful completion of the program. Students graduating from the program prior to accreditation will only receive a Rackham certificate.
The requirements to complete the program set forth by the Rackham Graduate School are:
- The student must be officially admitted by Rackham to the certificate program and have applied for graduation via Wolverine Access.
- The student must have a cumulative grade point average of “B” (3.00) or better.
- If the student has or will be receiving a U-M master’s degree, a Dual/Joint Degree Course Election Form must be submitted before the last day of classes during the term at the end of which the certificate is expected to be awarded. Each program (master’s or certificate) listed on the form must have an individual grade point average of “B” (3.00) or better.
- Students must complete all work for a certificate within four years of admission to the certificate program.
- Students must have submitted official final undergraduate transcripts or credentials to Rackham.
