The Department of Medical Physics at UW–Madison’s 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 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 department’s 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, and radiobiology. 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. 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 Bursar’s Office provides information about tuition and fees associated with being a graduate student. Resources to help you afford graduate study might include assistantships, fellowships, traineeships, and financial aid. Further funding information is available from the Graduate School. Be sure to check with your program for individual policies and restrictions related to funding.
Program Resources
Please refer to the named options for information:
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
| Minimum Credit Requirement | 30 credits |
| Minimum Residence Credit Requirement | 16 credits |
| Minimum Graduate Coursework Requirement | 16 credits must be graduate-level coursework. Refer to the Graduate School: Minimum Graduate Coursework (50%) Requirement policy: https://policy.wisc.edu/library/UW-1244. |
| Overall Graduate GPA Requirement | 3.00 GPA required. Refer to the Graduate School: Grade Point Average (GPA) Requirement policy: https://policy.wisc.edu/library/UW-1203. |
| 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:
Professional Development
Graduate School Resources
Take advantage of the Graduate School's professional development resources to build skills, thrive academically, and launch your career.
Learning Outcomes
- Articulates, critiques, and/or elaborates theories, research methods, and approaches to inquiry in the field of medical physics in oral or written formats.
- Evaluates and/or synthesizes information pertaining to questions or challenges in the field of medical physics.
- Demonstrates ethical research and professional conduct.
Accreditation
Commission on Accreditation of Medical Physics Education Programs (CAMPEP)
Accreditation status: Accredited through December 31, 2027. Next accreditation review: Spring 2026.