Need help on Ms Medical physics selection

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around selecting a Master's program in medical physics, specifically comparing the University of Oklahoma Health Science Center, Wayne State University, and the University of Florida. Participants are exploring factors such as clinical training opportunities, tuition costs, and the career prospects of graduates from these programs.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses a preference for a program with more clinical training and notes the financial implications of out-of-state tuition at Wayne State.
  • Another participant emphasizes the importance of program accreditation, particularly CAMPEP, for future board exams.
  • Concerns are raised about the job placement of graduates, including whether institutions hire their own graduates and the employment landscape in a challenging economy.
  • Research involvement is highlighted as a critical factor, with a preference for programs that offer substantial research opportunities rather than coursework alone.
  • There is a suggestion to consider the option of continuing on to a PhD for further skill development and career demand.
  • Participants inquire about the qualifications of others in the thread, specifically regarding their backgrounds in medical physics.
  • A participant expresses urgency for a response to the University of Oklahoma due to being waitlisted, indicating a competitive atmosphere among applicants.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on which program is superior, as they present various factors to consider without resolving the overall question of which program to choose.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention specific aspects of the programs, such as accreditation and job placement, but do not provide detailed information about the programs themselves or their specific curricula.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals considering a Master's in medical physics, especially those evaluating different programs and their implications for clinical careers.

smakil2005
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i got admission for ms in medical physics at 3 places which is university of oklahoma health science center,wayne state and university of florida.i am interested in the program that provides more clinical training.the tuition is a big problem too since i would have to pay outof state fee at wayne and the other 2 i could get away with it.is there any graduates from any of these program that could guide me in this to make a good decision in order to pursue a clinical position in radiation oncology as my career in future.
 
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I'm not personally familiar with any of those programs, but I can tell you my opinion of what to look for when you have your choice of programs.

Accreditation is a big one. I think all of those programs are accredited by CAMPEP, but if you're entering graduate school now and plan on writing board exams you will need to have come through an accredited program.

Look at where their graduates are now. Has the institution hired its own graduates? Are recent graduates getting jobs in places you would like to go? Are recent graduates getting jobs at all in a sluggish economy?

What research projects are the students involved in? Are they interesting to you? Are they more clinical in nature, or more "translational" or more academic? Is there something there you could see yourself doing for the next several years of your life? Along these lines, one major red flag for me is schools that emphasize course work only with little to no emphasis on a thesis project. The research is where you really learn the most valuable skills that you can bring to the profession - even if you end up primarily a clinical physicist.

Is there an option to continue on for a PhD? Again this goes back to the point about research. The more skills you develop, the more physics you know, the more in demand you will be throughout your career.

Also, when starting a sentence it's proper form to use a capital letter. It makes your writing much easier to read.
 
Are you a medical physics graduate?
 
where did you graduate from?
 
I'll send you a PM.
 
Hey man I noticed you got into some good schools. Please respond to oklahoma soon because I am waitlisted and they are my top school! U of Florida and Wayne State have pretty good programs so if you can help a guy out that would be great! ha! Either way, good luck with your choice and respond to the school soon please!
 

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