Can a Bachelor's Degree in Physics lead to a career in Medical Physics?

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A career in Medical Physics can be pursued by majoring in physics at the bachelor's level and then obtaining a master's in medical physics. The preferred route in the US and Canada involves completing a CAMPEP-accredited program, which is not yet mandatory but is expected to become a requirement in the next 5-10 years. After completing the necessary education, candidates can take the ABR or ABMP certification exams in the US, or the Canadian certification exam for medical physicists. Gaining clinical experience through these programs positions graduates for junior roles in diagnostic radiology, nuclear medicine, or radiation therapy. For prospective students, such as those considering the University of Houston, a concentration in Dosimetry may provide a strong foundation for graduate studies in medical physics, although it may primarily prepare students for roles as dosimetrists.
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Hey guys. Is it possible to get a career in Medical Physics by majoring in physics (bachelors) and then mastering medical physics?
 
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The preferred route for medical physics (in the US or Canada) currently is completion of a CAMPEP http://www.campep.org/campeplstgrad.html and/or http://www.campep.org/campeplstres.html program. Because the list of approved programs is kind of short, completion of a CAMPEP program isn't a requirement yet, but probably will be in 5-10 years or so.

After that you'll be eligible to take the ABR or the ABMP certification exams. In Canada you'd probably want to take the http://www.medphys.ca/article.asp?id=113 certification exam.

Doing all that you'll be in a good position with just about all the clinical experience you need to get you started in a junior medical physics position in diagnostic radiology, nuclear medicine or radiation therapy.
 
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Thanks for the info. Another question. I plan to attend University of Houston this fall. They offer a bachelors in physics with a concentration in Dosimetry. Should I do that or straight physics?
 
I don't know much about the program at University of Houston, but I imagine the concentration in Dosimetry would give you a very good foundation to start a graduate program. It may be more geared to getting people started off as dosimetrists though, but that doesn't mean you also shouldn't do it if medical physics is your goal.
 
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