Curriculum

Oregon State's online Master of Radiation Health Physics program will prepare you for a career dealing with nuclear energy, ionizing radiation and radioactive materials, especially within the areas of security, national defense, medical health and safety.

The coursework is designed for students with professional interests in radiation protection, and concentration areas include arms control technology; nuclear instrumentation and applications; nuclear power generation; nuclear reactor engineering; nuclear waste management; and space nuclear power.

Earn your degree from anywhere in the world with online labs

This innovative RHP program is the first of its kind, offering online laboratory courses that replicate hands-on, in-person lab experiences in an interactive environment. Gain the expertise you need to advance your career while engaging with classmates and faculty from a distance.

Degree requirements

A total of 45 quarter credits are required to graduate with your master's degree in radiation health physics. Program requirements and curriculum details are available on Oregon State's academic catalog.

You can also view a suggested progression plan for the RHP master's program, as well as a list of available elective courses.

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 »

Sample course topics

• Radiophysics
• Radiobiology
• Radiation detection
• Nuclear rules and regulations
• Nuclear fuel cycle and waste management
• Radiochemistry
• Applied radiation safety
• Internal dosimetry
• Radioecology
• Radiation shielding and external dosimetry

Take the CHP exam

By completing the RHP degree program, you will become eligible to take the Certified Health Physics examination administered by the American Board of Health Physics.