Additional Information
The traditional route to health physics work starts with an undergraduate
degree in the sciences, followed by a master's in health physics. Some may
want to pursue a PhD, but it isn't necessary. However, health physicists must
be certified in the U.S.
"Most health physicists have undergraduate degrees in physics, chemistry,
mathematics or engineering, and then get a master's in health physics, or
a PhD," says Ken Miller. He is the director of health physics at Penn State
University's Milton S. Hershey Medical Center.
"I am also certified in health physics by the American Board of Health
Physics. For that, you have to have a master's degree and three years of experience
working as a professional health physicist. Plus you have to pass a very comprehensive
written exam."
"It's a multidisciplinary field -- people who come into the field of health
physics usually do a bachelor's degree in a science area. Usually it's a biology,
math, chemistry or physics degree because you have to be well-versed in all
these areas," says Genevieve Roessler. She is a retired health physics professor.