Medical Physics

The Medical Physics Programs at the University of Pennsylvania are some of the most highly regarded in the world. As such, admissions are very selective. We seek students who with a strong background in physics or a physical science and a passion for the advancement of therapeutic medicine through technology.

Post-Graduate Certificate eligibility

The University of Pennsylvania\xc2\x92s Post-Graduate Certificate in Medical Physics offers a pathway for individuals who have earned a PhD. The certificate prepares students to enter a CAMPEP-accredited residency program in medical physics, which will provide the clinical experience required for certification by the American Board of Radiology.

Applicants to the Post-Graduate Certificate program should have significant expertise and graduate study in physics. Successful candidates usually hold a PhD in physics or a related field such as engineering, computer science or physical chemistry with a strong, graduate-level physics concentration.

Medical Physics Programs application essays

Your application will include essays addressing the following topics. Responses may be as long or as short as you feel necessary. Keep in mind that a well-written, thoughtful, and concise essay is an important part of Penn\'s Medical Physics Program application. (Please compile your responses into a single document, but keep them as separate essays.)

• Have you ever been placed on probation, dismissed or suspended from any college or university for reasons pertaining to academic integrity? Yes/No If yes, please include any facts that you believe bear on the significance of this circumstance.

• Please describe your career objectives and reasons for choosing the Medical Physics Program at Penn (including any previous experience with the field of medical physics). Also, use this as an opportunity to tell us about yourself and help us get to know you better. A well-written and thoughtful, though concise, essay is an important part of your Medical Physics Program at Penn application.

Letters of recommendation

Each applicant will submit three letters of recommendation. Letters should come from individuals with whom you have had a close professional or academic association and who know of your desire to study medical physics at an advanced level. Recommendations may be submitted online or by mail. For online recommendations, please follow the instructions in the Recommendations section of the online application.

Standardized test scores

International applicants who completed a PhD degree in a language other than English must also submit Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) scores to demonstrate English proficiency. The minimum TOEFL scores required for admissions consideration are: 100 (iBT), 250 (CBT) or 600 (PBT). The TOEFL must be sent from ETS using the institutional code 2986. To locate a testing site near you or schedule an exam, visit the TOEFL website.