The program is designed for full-time students who wish to pursue a career as a medical physicist either as a researcher, as a certified clinical professional, or in industry. The program will require successful completion of a minimum of 37 credits for the master’s degree and completion of a research thesis (in conjunction with one or more of the faculty). Full-time master’s students will complete the program in two years.
Admission Requirements
- B.S. degree or B.A. degree in physics, applied physics, or one of the physical sciences, including physics training at least equivalent to a minor
- Official transcript of school record, personal statement, three letters of recommendation, and curriculum vitae
- Demonstrated proficiency in written and spoken English (TOEFL/IELTS required for non-native English speakers)
Resources
For more information on graduate education at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, see: Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Graduate Programs
Contact Information
Inquiries may be directed to MedPhysMS@jhmi.edu.
Program Requirements
Students complete 37 credits of core courses and electives across different topics. During the second semester, they select a research topic for their Master’s thesis, to be finished by April 1st in the second year.
Students meet the School of Medicine requirement for training in the Responsible Conduct of Research during their first year of studies by completing:
-
The online course “Responsible Conduct of Research (CITI)” through MyLearning during the first semester,
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Participation in one Research Integrity Colloquium, and
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A program organized session on Professionalism and Ethics.
Courses
Core Medical Physics Courses (19 credits)
All Medical Physics students are required to take the following courses:
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| ME.420.702 | Radiological Physics and Dosimetry | 3 |
| ME.420.705 | Medical Physics Seminar 1 | 0.5 |
| ME.420.710 | Medical Imaging Systems | 3 |
| ME.420.706 | Radiation Biology | 3 |
| Credits | 9.5 | |
| Spring | ||
| ME.420.703 | Radiation Therapy Physics | 3 |
| ME.420.704 | Radiation Protection and MR Safety | 3 |
| ME.420.713 | Human Anatomy and Physiology | 3 |
| ME.420.705 | Medical Physics Seminar | 0.5 |
| Credits | 9.5 | |
| Total Credits | 19 | |
- 1
Must be taken first three semesters, but only 1 credit can be counted toward degree requirement
OTHER REQUIRED COURSES (6 credits)
All Medical Physics students are required to take the following additional courses.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ME.420.707 | Nuclear Medicine Imaging | 3 |
| ME.420.709 | Radiopharmaceutical Therapy | 3 |
RESEARCH PROJECT (6 credits)
Students are required to take at least 6 credits of independent research project or master's thesis research. These credits may be taken over multiple terms.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ME.420.708 | Master's Research in Medical Physics (Summer) | 3 - 9 |
SUGGESTED ELECTIVE COURSES (6 credits)
Students shall take 6 (or more) additional credit hours from the following list of courses or other courses as approved by the Program Director.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PH BIOSTATISTICS (EB CAMPUS) | ||
| PH.140.615 | Statistics for Laboratory Scientists I | 4 |
| BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING (HOMEWOOD CAMPUS) | ||
| EN.580.640 | Systems Pharmacology and Personalized Medicine | 4 |
| EN.580.674 | Neuroimaging: From Classical Image Processing to Deep Learning | 3 |
| EN.580.679 | Principles and Applications of Modern X-ray Imaging and Computed Tomography | 3 |
| EN.580.693 | Imaging Instrumentation | 4 |
| ELECTRICAL AND COMPUTER ENGINEERING (HOMEWOOD CAMPUS) | ||
| EN.520.623 | Medical Image Analysis | 3 |
| EN.520.631 | Ultrasound and Photoacoustic Beamforming | 3 |
| EN.520.659 | Machine learning for medical applications | 3 |
Learning Outcomes
By the completion of this MS program, graduates will be able to:
- Align training with career goals
Develop the knowledge, technical skills, and professional competencies necessary to achieve both short- and long-term career objectives in medical physics across clinical, academic, and industry settings. - Demonstrate broad foundational knowledge in medical physics
Acquire a comprehensive understanding of core areas of medical physics and gain exposure to diverse subfields to support informed career specialization and interdisciplinary collaboration. - Apply medical physics principles to research and innovation
Recognize and articulate the value of medical physicists in advancing biomedical research, including contributions beyond traditional clinical roles. - Integrate diagnostic and therapeutic physics concepts
Demonstrate proficiency in both imaging and therapy physics, with the ability to apply these principles in emerging hybrid fields. - Apply principles of theranostic physics and radiopharmaceutical dosimetry
Utilize pharmacokinetic modeling, quantitative imaging, and dosimetric methods to evaluate and optimize radiopharmaceutical therapies. - Engage in multidisciplinary collaboration
Work effectively with clinicians, scientists, and industry partners in the development and translation of novel medical technologies and therapies. - Leverage institutional resources for professional development
Utilize the academic, clinical, and research opportunities available within the broader institutional environment to exceed individual definitions of career success.