(this website has been updated as of October 2025)

Master of Science in Physics, Medical Physics Track (MSMP)

The Master of Science in Physics, Medical Physics Track (MSMP) is an accredited partnership between the Cleveland Clinic and the Case Western Reserve University Department of Physics. Completion of the MSMP enables the degree holder to apply for CAMPEP†-accredited medical physics residencies after which one can enter the rewarding world of accredited medical physics employment.

†Commission on Accreditation of Medical Physics in Education Programs.

MSMP Admissions

The admission policy for the Medical Physics Track in the Master of Science in Physics program is described by the general MS admission policy: https://physics.case.edu/graduate-studies/masters-gradstudies/. 

Admission is rolling, with a deadline of August 1 for fall matriculation and January 5 for spring matriculation. Cohort capacity is limited and varies from year to year.

All applicants must have a bachelor’s degree in physics or the equivalent of minor in physics from an accredited university.

Students must pay the application fee, tuition, room & board, and all other applicable student fees. Support is not available (e.g., tuition, stipend, etc.).

For “Clarifying instructions” for the application form, please scroll past MPC information on this page. Students will receive notification of acceptance or non-acceptance into this track in a timely fashion after submission of the application form.

MSMP Curriculum

The MSMP curriculum is a thesis track (“Program A”) and consists of 33 credits. Students must take the courses listed below. Upon completion the student transcript will have a medical physics inscription distinguishing it from other non-MP MS Physics tracks.

1st Semester
PHYS 423, Classical Electrodynamics    (3 credits)
PHYS 481, Quantum Mechanics I   (3 credits)
EBME 410, Medical Imaging Fundamentals  ( 3 credits)

2nd semester
PHYS 539 (a)*, Radiation Physics/Dosimetry   (3 credits)
PHYS 539 (b)*, Radiobiological Physics   (3 credits)
PHYS 539 (c)*, Radiation Safety & Protection  (3 credits)

3rd semester
PHYS 539 (d)*, Radiation Therapy Physics   (3 credits)
Anatomy/Physiology** or Elective (3 credits)
PHYS 651, Research thesis   (3 credits)

4th semester
PHYS 651, Research thesis   (3 credits)
PHYS 545, Clinical Practicum and Ethics Seminar   (3 credits)
PHYS 601, Cross-sectional Images and Contouring Lab   (0 credits)

* Course names may be subject to minor changes in 2026-27 academic year.
**Waivers are available if student has taken adequate coursework in anatomy and physiology, in which case course is replaced by an elective.

Medical Physics Certification Program for PhDs (MPC)

Completion of the medical physics core courses (described below) enables the certificate holder to apply for medical physics residencies that are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Medical Physics in Education Programs (CAMPEP), after which one can enter the rewarding accredited MP employment world.

The completed core courses appear on the student’s CWRU transcript. Upon completion of all core requirements, the student will receive a letter of confirmation from the medical physics steering committee consisting of medical physics staff and faculty from the Cleveland Clinic and the Case Western Reserve University Department of Physics.

MPC Admissions

Admission to the Medical Physics Certification Program is rolling, with a deadline of August 1 for fall matriculation and January 5 for spring matriculation. Cohort capacity is limited and varies from year to year.

Applicant must have 1) a PhD in physics (or currently enrolled in a physics PhD program) OR 2) a PhD in any STEM field if the applicant’s undergraduate degree is in physics or the applicant has earned the equivalent of minor in physics from an accredited university.

Students must pay the application fee, tuition, room & board, and all other applicable student fees. Support is not available (e.g., tuition, stipend, etc.).

Students will receive notification of acceptance or non-acceptance into this track in a timely fashion after submission of the application form.

MPC Curriculum

The MPC curriculum consists of the following courses: All courses may be taken in any order by any certification student in good standing EXCEPT the radiation therapy course for which the radiation physics/dosimetry is a prerequisite.

  • EBME 410, Medical Imaging Fundamentals  ( 3 credits)
  • PHYS 539 (a)*, Radiation Physics/Dosimetry   (3 credits)
  • PHYS 539 (b)*, Radiobiological Physics   (3 credits)
  • PHYS 539 (c)*, Radiation Safety & Protection   (3 credits)
  • PHYS 539 (d)*, Radiation Therapy Physics   (3 credits)
  • Anatomy/Physiology** or Elective – if needed, credits can vary   (3 credits)
  • PHYS 545, Clinical Practicum and Ethics Seminar   (3 credits)
  • PHYS 601, Cross-sectional Images and Contouring Lab   (0 credits)

* Course names may be subject to minor changes in 2026-27 academic year.
**Waivers are available if student has taken adequate coursework in anatomy and physiology, in which case course is replaced by an elective.

Students who have been accepted into this program register as non-degree students. Predoctoral students may or may not count these courses toward the completion of their Ph.D.

Clarifying instructions for MSMP and MPC application form

CAS Program Info:

  • Degree Type is either Medical Physics M.S. Track or Certification Program.
  • Program is Medical Physics Program.
  • Option is NA (not applicable).
  • Specialty Select is NA.
  • Semester in which you intend to begin your studies is Fall or Spring 20xx.
  • Degree Load is Full time for M.S. and Variable for Certification work.

Additional Materials: Ignore multiple requests and submit just one resume/CV and one brief (one page or less) statement of purpose. In the statement of purpose, refer to any anatomy/physiology course and any other core course (see below) you may have already taken. If our steering committee approves, you may receive a waiver for up to two courses.

Academic History: This is self-explanatory (both past and present history is required).

Transcripts:

  • Transcripts from all undergraduate schools attended.
  • Certification program requires undergraduate and graduate transcripts. Students presently studying for their Ph.D. should include their transcript record to date.

Letters of Recommendation:

  • Three required – form and instructions are self-explanatory.