Curriculum
This is a 45-credit online radiation health physics master's degree program designed to prepare students for careers dealing with nuclear energy, ionizing radiation and radioactive materials, especially within the areas of security, national defense, medical health and safety.
Two degree options available
- Master of Health Physics (professional degree): Online students are highly encouraged to pursue this option.
- Master of Science (research-based degree)
How do you prove someone tested a nuclear weapon? Listen to a podcast in which OSU researchers Steven Czyz, Lily Ranjbar and Salam Alhawsawi (left to right) discuss how they detect radioactive isotopes. Listen »
Program curriculum is designed for students with professional interests in radiation protection, and concentration areas include nuclear techniques, arms control technology, nuclear instrumentation and applications, nuclear power generation, nuclear reactor engineering, nuclear systems design and modeling, nuclear waste management, numerical methods for reactor analysis, radiation shielding, radioisotope production, and space nuclear power.
Course topics
- Radiophysics
- Radiobiology
- Radiation detection
- Nuclear rules and regulations
- Radiochemistry
- Applied radiation safety
- Internal dosimetry
- Radioecology
View a suggested progression plan for the MHP degree program.
Students can take the majority of classes online, with laboratory classes available as intensive one-week, on-site courses during the summer at OSU's main campus in Corvallis, Oregon.
Students completing the RHP degree program are eligible to take the Certified Health Physics (CHP) examination administered by the American Board of Health Physics.
Notice to all students: Due to Massachusetts Department of Higher Education guidelines, internships cannot be completed within the state of Massachusetts. Students intending to complete an internship in Massachusetts must work their academic advisors or department to make alternate arrangements.
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Important dates
See our academic calendar for our full quarter term schedule.
Degree details
* Oregon State University is on a quarter-term system. There are four quarters each year and classes are 11 weeks long. This program's 45 quarter credits are equal to 30 semester credits.
† Cost per credit is calculated using tuition per credit for the current academic year. It does not include associated fees, course materials, textbook expenses, and other expenses related to courses.
‡ An intensive, one-week on-site laboratory class is required during the summer at OSU's main campus.
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