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College of Health Sciences

Radiation Sciences

The M.S. in Radiological Medical Physics provides students a thorough didactic grounding in fundamental and specialized medical physics, with hands-on experience using state-of-the-art equipment, and is fully accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Medical Physics Programs (CAMPEP).

The UK Radiological Medical Physics program:

  • Provides intensive clinical training
  • Is a small, selective program that provides individual mentoring for all students.
  • Has a 40 year history of providing didactic and clinical training of the highest quality.
  • We offer an in-house residency that exclusively accepts graduates from our program.
  • The national network of UK graduates is extensive. Included are, two AAPM presidents, the Chairman of the Board of CAMPEP, a current AAPM Professional council chair, and numerous other active professionals.

Additional Information:

The University of Kentucky program is unique in that most of the time is spent learning in the clinical setting, working on the requirements of our detailed clinical practicum (therapy emphasis). Our program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Medical Physics Educational Programs (CAMPEP) and is one of the premier clinical medical physics programs in North America, and is particularly well-known and liked for its hands-on student training. Our graduates do very well on certification examinations offered by the American Board of Radiology, and historically have been very successful at finding great careers. Two of our graduates have become President of the American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM), and many others are found in positions of major national responsibility (including President of CAMPEP). We are pleased to speak with prospective students or with those who simply want to know more about medical physics. Below please find additional specific information about our program.

    1. The University of Kentucky offers a clinically-oriented terminal masters degree.  In addition, we offer a CAMPEP-accredited residency program in Radiation Therapy Physics that preferentially accepts graduates of our program.  Since July 2010, 4 out of 5 graduates have obtained either internal or external residency positions, with one individual going on to pursue a PhD. 
    2. Because of UK's clinical practicum training, our students compete well against graduates of other programs that provide less clinical training.  If you decide to come visit us, you will see first-hand the kind of training our students get, and have a chance to talk with them.  
    3. Currently, professional wishing to sit for the American Board of Radiology examination in Radiation Therapy Physics must present evidence of being enrolled in and/or having graduated from a CAMPEP-accredited graduate program or residency.  Beginning in 2013, graduates wishing to begin the American Board of Radiology certification exam process will need to offer evidence of completion of a two-year CAMPEP-accredited residency program.
    4. All of the accredited medical physics programs have large applicant pools. In 2010, we had 60 applicants for six positions. We do not have TA or RA support available.   
    5. Prospective students applying from certain southeastern states are eligible for Academic Common Market status to this program, which means that for tuition purposes they are treated as in-state residents. The states which have listed our program include Delaware, Maryland, Mississippi, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. Other southeastern states NOT having medical physics programs of their own at state-supported schools, can be added to this list upon appropriate application by the student.
    6. Our graduates do very well on the American Board of Radiology certification exams, and on the oral Board exam section will typically pass on the first try.
    7. As soon as possible, you should arrange to shadow a local or regional medical physicist for several hours one day, so as to obtain a first-hand view of the typical workday of a clinical therapeutic medical physicist.
    8. We select the members of each year's class based on the strength of their academic credentials and also factor in their apparent ability to work well in a team setting. Our classes typically bond closely together and can be seen in later years clustered together at annual meetings of the AAPM. Our ability to assess an applicant's "teamwork skills" is greatly enhanced by meeting applicants and chatting with them for a while. Therefore, we strongly encourage a visit to UK's program, which ideally will occur no later than mid-to-late January (the sooner, the better). Many programs begin offering admission by early February, so you are strongly encouraged to have all application materials in to your desired schools, and visits made, no later than the end of January.
    9. Application to our program is made via a web-based form found on UK's Graduate School homepage. Graduate Admissions requires official transcripts from all undergraduate institutions, official General GRE scores, and official TOEFL scores from international applicants. Apply for the Program in Radiation Science, M.S. in Radiological Medical Physics option. The Division of Radiation Sciences also requires three letters of recommendation, official copies of transcripts sent directly to the addresses below, and strongly recommends a visit in person. If you have created a Personal Statement and/or a resume, please also share them with us (electronic version is fine).

    • The Graduate School
    University of Kentucky
    Attn: Records Office
    The Gillis Building
    Lexington, KY 40506-0033

    Medical Physics Graduate Program
    Radiation Medicine
    Chandler Medical Center
    800 Rose Street, C109
    Lexington, KY 40536-0293

    For more information, contact:

    Janelle Molloy, Ph.D., FAAPM
    Program Director

    Lee Johnson, Ph.D.
    Director of Graduate Studies
    eljj@email.uky.edu
    (859) 218-0482

    Ali Jones
    DGS Assistant
    Abo222@uky.edu
    (859) 257-7616

    Room 209H Wethington Building
    900 South Limestone Street
    Lexington, Kentucky 40536-0200
    (859) 323-1100, Ext. 80847
    Fax: (859) 257-4060

     

    Students Rights and Responsibilities

     Students in the College of Health Sciences are required to adhere to the Health Care Colleges Code of Professional Student Conduct and the University’s codes of conduct. Each student must also follow the handbook and technical standards prescribed by each of their individual programs.

    If you should have questions regarding the Health Care Colleges Code of Professional Student Conduct, please contact the Assistant Dean, Dr. Randa Remer at Randa.Remer@uky.edu or by calling 859-218-0545.