Online Master of Applied Science in Health Physics
Our Online Health Physics Degree Can Meet Your Goals
Online
12 Months
31 Credit Hours
$1,000 per Credit
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Develop Advanced Competencies
- Apply By: 9/29/25
- Start Class: 10/13/25
The online master’s degree in health physics at Illinois Tech prepares you to become a skilled professional in radiation protection. The occupation-focused program combines technical training in health physics with professional skills in leadership, communication, and project management. Designed for working adults, it offers flexible online coursework and emphasizes real-world applications in regulatory compliance, safety, and environmental assessment.
Program Details
- Prepare for Certified Health Physicist (CHP) certification
- No application fee
- No. 2 largest health physics program in the nation
- Taught by experts from Lewis College of Science and Letters
Curriculum
Online Master’s in Health Physics Curriculum
31 Total Credits
11 Courses
The rigorous online curriculum is designed to prepare you for real-world roles and to sit for the Certified Health Physicist exam. The rewarding program includes a virtual lab component for hands-on training and practical experience.
Courses cover radiation physics, biophysics, detection instruments, regulatory standards, and risk assessment. Electives allow you to explore medical, environmental, and operational health physics while you develop valuable professional skills in communication and leadership.
Your Path to Certification and Career Progression
Prepare for Certification with Confidence
Prepare for the Certified Health Physicist exam with courses in radiation physics, safety standards, and hands-on applications in real-world settings.
Build Practical Skills for Real-World Impact
Gain practical skills in detection tools, biophysics, and safety protocols to lead in health physics roles across multiple industries.
Master the Principles of Radiation Protection
Learn to apply radiation protection principles and regulatory knowledge to safeguard health in medical, energy, and research settings.
Admissions Requirements
Apply Today
Application Deadline 9/29/25
Start Date 10/13/25
If you have a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited university, you are eligible to apply to Illinois Tech’s online master’s in health physics program. With multiple start dates throughout the year, you can begin when the timing is right for you. The application process is simple and does not require an entrance exam.
| Online Application Form | Apply Now |
|---|---|
| Degree and Minimum GPA | Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution with a minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0* on a 4.0 scale |
| Prerequisite Courses |
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| Transcripts | Send all official transcripts |
| Transfer Credits | You may apply up to nine applicable credits to your graduate degree program |
| Entrance Exams | GMAT/GRE not required |
| Additional Requirements | Resume |
*Applicants with a lower GPA will be considered based on work experience and time since degree completion.
Illinois Tech strives to make higher education accessible to everyone. We’ve made it easier to apply by not requiring test scores or an application fee. We also accept applicable transfer credits toward your graduate program. With multiple start dates offered year-round, you can begin when it fits your schedule. Plus, our enrollment advisers are here to support you.
AdmissionsTuition and Aid
Find Out How Our Program Can Fit into Your Budget
Calculate your cost for attending Illinois Tech Use our tuition calculator to help you estimate your total tuition costs.
Illinois Tech is committed to making your education accessible and rewarding. We offer a range of financial aid options including scholarships, grants, and assistantships. We encourage all students to complete the FAFSA and explore outside scholarships to maximize support.
| Cost per Credit Hour | $1,000 |
|---|---|
| Total Number of Credit Hours | 31 |
| Total Estimated Tuition | $31,000 |
| Other Costs to Budget For | The estimated tuition cost does not include factors like textbooks, fees, or other expenses |
Military Students at Illinois Tech
Illinois Tech proudly processes United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits for admitted veteran and active-duty students. Veterans admitted to Illinois Tech are eligible to apply for these VA benefits: the Montgomery GI Bill, the Post-9/11 Program, the Yellow Ribbon Program, the Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP), the Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA), and the Veterans Educational Assistance Program (VEAP).
Tuition and Financial Aid
At Illinois Tech, we are committed to making your educational journey both enriching and accessible. Our diverse financial aid options, including scholarships, grants, and assistantships, are designed to support students across all disciplines. We encourage you to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to access federal and state financial assistance and explore external scholarships to maximize your funding opportunities.
Tuition Details
Health Physics Career Opportunities
Prepare for a leadership role in health care, nuclear energy, government, education, or the military. This program supports advancement from technical to professional roles and prepares you for the Certified Health Physicist exam. Career paths include radiation safety officer, medical health physicist, and more, with many leading to six-figure salaries and greater responsibility in radiation safety.
Median Annual Pay for Related Roles
Health Physicist $99,375 per year1
Medical Physicist $174,871 per year2
“I found the courses to be very useful and applicable to health physics challenges faced in the workplace. The curriculum applies the theory to real-world issues faced by health physicists….The faculty were excellent; they have real-world experience outside of a university setting. Most memorable from the courses are the past-experiences shared by the professors, from their careers in health physics, and how they addressed and learned from these experiences.”
– Allison Wilding (M.A.S. Health Physics ’16)
What You’ll Learn
In this health physics degree online program, you will build the knowledge and skills to protect people and the environment from radiation risks. This career-advancing program prepares you to identify and mitigate radiological hazards, apply advanced scientific and technical tools, and communicate risk clearly and confidently in professional settings, with knowledge of:
- How to detect and measure radioactive material and radiation levels using many types of detectors and instrumentation
- The biophysics of radiation, including energy loss by ionizing radiation, radiation effects in biomolecules, radiation effects in radiation therapy, and biological effects of ultraviolet radiation
- The background on the health physics profession, including radiation protection, radiation sources, detection, microdosimetry, and environmental health physics
- The requirements of agencies that regulate radiation hazards, their basis in law, and the underlying U.S. and international standards
- An understanding of radiation safety through case studies, with a focus on the means for improving the future operations of facilities and devices
- The science and technique of determining radiation dose, which is fundamental to evaluating radiation hazards and risks to humans
Program Outcomes
- Identify radiological hazards, formulate mitigation plans, and execute them effectively
- Apply high-level scientific, engineering, and mathematical tools in the professional practice of health physics
- Effectively communicate health consequences and risk management strategies to workers and the public
Learn from Expert Faculty Who Are Here for You
Our faculty bring real-world experience from their professional fields and are passionate about building meaningful connections. They are here to mentor you, offer personalized support, and help you reach your goals.
David Scherer, Assistant Teaching Professor
Faculty Spotlight: David Scherer
Assistant Teaching Professor
Program Director, Master of Health Physics
David Scherer has wide-ranging experience in health physics practice over four decades, including experience in academic, medical, government, and military settings. Before coming to Illinois Tech, he was the radiation safety officer at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where he oversaw radiation safety for operations that included benchtop chemistry, X-ray machines, particle accelerators, a research reactor, neutron generators, veterinary medicine, and molecular imaging in research animals. Prior to that, he worked in medical physics as a faculty member at Washington University in St. Louis and other academic medical centers and community hospitals. He also worked for the State of Illinois, where he reviewed technical information related to a proposed low-level waste operation and a closed source material processing facility. He began his health physics career as an officer in the U.S. Army.
David holds professional certification from the American Board of Health Physics in comprehensive health physics and from the American Board of Radiology in the subspecialties of diagnostic radiological physics and medical nuclear physics. His graduate training is as eclectic as his career, including master’s degrees in physics and public health (epidemiology) and doctoral training in public policy.
Sources
- Payscale.com. “Average Health Physicist Salary.” Retrieved March 10, 2025, from https://www.payscale.com/.
- Payscale.com. “Average Medical Physicist Salary.” Retrieved March 10, 2025, from https://www.payscale.com/.