Admissions Information

Open House – February 2-4, 2023

After the Admission Committee meets in mid-January 2023, applicants deemed “highly-qualified” are invited to attend the Medical Physics Open House. This in-person event includes an overview of selected research areas, tours of laboratory, clinical, and classroom space, UW-Madison campus, interviews with faculty, and hosted social/casual events with current students, faculty and staff.

Travel arrangements are coordinated with department staff for those invited.

Undergraduate Preparation

Students entering our medical physics program must have acquired a strong foundation in basic physics. A bachelor’s degree in physics is considered the best preparation, but other physical science majors such as nuclear engineering, mechanical engineering or electrical engineering, with coursework equivalent to a minor in physics (includes introductory physics, modern physics or equivalent, and at least three upper level undergraduate physics courses or equivalent) may be acceptable. Math background should include calculus, differential equations, Fourier analysis, and preferably linear algebra. Some facility in computer programming and electronic instrumentation is recommended. Chemistry through organic, a year of biology, and an introductory course in physiology also are advantageous. Applicants who are deficient in their physics background may be admitted conditionally. If so, additional course work in physics must be taken before the student can take the medical physics qualifying exam, which is given at the end of the second year of graduate study. Moreover, conditionally admitted students are not eligible to register for Part 1 of the American Board of Radiology physics certification exam until deficiencies are removed.

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)

International applicants are required* to supply scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), also given through the Educational Testing Service.

*If you attended an undergraduate or graduate program where the instruction was in English, the TOEFL is not required.

Applying to the UW Graduate School

Students desiring to earn a degree in Medical Physics must apply online to the University of Wisconsin Graduate School. See the graduate school’s Steps to Apply for more information.

1. Access the Application form.
2. Request letters of recommendation. Medical Physics requires three letters of recommendation from teachers, scientists, or supervisors who can attest to your ability to be successful in graduate work and/or research. Referees must meet the department’s December 1 deadline. Letters of recommendation must be submitted electronically.
3. Upload your CV or resume (please include awards, scholarships, research experience, publications, and volunteer work) to your online application.
4. Complete the Personal Statement with your reasons for graduate study in medical physics.
5. Upload transcripts from all educational institutions. (Do not mail these to us.)
6. Upload your completed Applicant Data Sheet.

Tracking your application

Use MY-UW to track your application. You will receive an email from the Graduate School after you have submitted your application with instructions to activate your account. (You will need your Campus ID and birth date to do this.) If you do not receive this email after you have submitted your application, Contact Us.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you offer an undergraduate degree in Medical Physics?

We are a graduate degree program. If you are interested in a 4-year undergraduate degree program, check the University of Wisconsin – Madison Undergraduate Majors and Certificate Program website for more information.

I am an international student interested in studies at the University of Wisconsin – Madison. Can I apply to your program?

We encourage international applications and value a student body with diverse backgrounds. The academic requirements for domestic and international graduate applicants are the same, namely graduate-level applicants who already have 4-year undergraduate (BS or BA) degrees. Individuals who meet this requirement, can apply online.

I have not taken the GRE yet. Is the GRE General and/or Physics Subject Test required?

The GRE is no longer required or accepted for our graduate program. Please do not submit your scores even if you have taken the GRE.

I have not taken the TOEFL (required* for international students) yet. What do I do?

If you know that the scores will be available by December 1 preceding the academic year for which you are applying and are confident they will meet the requirements for entry into the Medical Physics program, you may begin the application process now, as it takes time to receive the scores. We will include your TOEFL scores in the application reviews which take place in January.

Can the TOEFL requirement be waived?

*If you are a U.S. national or have studied at an institution where English is the official language of instruction for at least 2 semesters within the past five years, the TOEFL requirement does not apply. Other possible exceptions will be determined on a case-by-case basis.

Can I apply to more than one department at the University of Wisconsin – Madison?

Yes. However, you will need to contact each department separately to determine the admission requirements as requirements vary from one department to another.

What are the basic requirements to the Medical Physics Program at the University of Wisconsin – Madison?

Most Medical Physics Program applicants are physics majors. For students majoring in other science disciplines, preparation in physics must be equivalent to at least a minor in physics and must include modern physics, a prerequisite for core medical physics courses. An applicant’s mathematics background should include calculus, differential equations, Fourier analysis, and, preferably, linear algebra. Some experience in computer programming and electronic instrumentation is recommended. Two semesters of chemistry, a biology course, and an introductory course in physiology are advantageous but not required.

Are paper copies of information and application materials available?

No. The University of Wisconsin-Madison Graduate School no longer accepts paper applications, and the Medical Physics Program requires electronic submission of all application documents through the Graduate School application process.

What is the process for applying to the Medical Physics Program at the University of Wisconsin – Madison?

1. Go to the Graduate School application site and begin your application
2. Collect all of the materials and upload to this site.
3. As you upload documents, we will keep track and indicate on your checklist as we receive materials.

Feel free to contact the Educational Programs Coordinator at any time during the process. 608-265-6504.

What should I include in my “personal statement”? How long should this be?

The personal statement should include your reasons for graduate study, why medical physics, your future career goals as it relates to a PhD (or MS) in medical physics and your area(s) of research interest. It is to your advantage to research the faculty member(s) with whom you would like to work, and include them in your statement. The personal statement should be no more than 3 pages, single-spaced, 11 point font or larger.

What if I want to pursue both the MS and the PhD? What should I indicate on the application? Is one better than the other?

If your ultimate career goal is the PhD, please apply for only the PhD. This will avoid confusion when the application committee members begin the review process, as the process for review of PhD candidates differs from MS candidates.

Funding opportunities are available to PhD students, but not for MS students in our program, with some exceptions. If you meet certain requirements, you may receive the MS degree from UW-Madison on your way to the PhD.

Use caution when applying for the MS degree only. Many residency programs and/or employers prefer to hire PhD degree graduates over MS graduates for opportunities.

On occasion, some MS degree seeking student may change their mind and switch to the PhD program, and join a research group. This is dealt with on a case by case basis, and is not very common.

Please note that if you are not recommended for the PhD program, we do not consider you for an MS degree by default.

Is there a preference for MS or PhD candidates in admission consideration?

Often incoming students are offered research assistantships in a lab, and it is usually the advisor’s preference to choose longer-term candidates as it is to the benefit of the lab as well as to the candidate. Also, only PhD candidates are considered for fellowships or traineeships. (The one exception is the Medical Radiation Research Center/Accredited Dosimetry Calibration Laboratory. Two or three MS degree candidates may be accepted into that lab each year.) Other specialties in our field often require a PhD, and we have a high rate of post-graduation placement.

How competitive is admission to the University of Wisconsin – Madison Medical Physics program?

Admission to the Medical Physics Program is competitive. However, all completed applications received prior to the deadline will receive consideration. Statistics for the past 7 years as follows:

What is the typical length of time it takes to complete a PhD degree in Medical Physics at the University of Wisconsin – Madison?

The average completion time for the PhD degree is 5-7 years. Exceptional candidates whose research projects are extremely successful may complete PhD degree requirements in less than 5 years.

What financial aid is available?

1. Research Assistantships (RA): Typically, 85-90% of admitted students receive RAships. To be considered for an RAship, when applying you should directly contact faculty members in the areas of research in which you are interested. An online faculty listing is available. Upon the recommendation for admission to the Medical Physics Program, RAships are awarded. RAs receive a stipend, the cost of tuition (resident or non-resident) is covered, but the student is responsible for segregated fees.
2. Fellowships: Qualifying applicants are submitted for fellowship consideration, but only a limited number receive them. Typically, fellowships are awarded to PhD candidates who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents. Fellows receive a stipend and the cost of tuition (resident or non-resident) and segregated fees are also covered.
3. Teaching Assistantships (TA): We have a limited number of TAships for students in their second year and beyond. To become a TA in Medical Physics, you must first take the corresponding class and then be selected by the instructor of that class. You can be considered for TAships in departments outside of Medical Physics such as math, physics, statistics, or engineering if qualified by their department standards. TAs receive a stipend and the cost of tuition might be covered depending on the percentage of the TA position.
4. Traineeships: The Department of Medical Physics currently has a long-standing (40+ years) T32 Training Grant which fully supports up to seven students. Those students close to or already in dissertator status are nominated and selected for these traineeships. Trainees receive a stipend, and tuition and segregated fees costs are also covered. Faculty may also have other individual training grants which support students.
5. Scholarships: The Medical Physics department offers limited scholarships for small amounts to cover travel and usually as a result of competitions in research or writing. The Graduate School is also a source of scholarships for graduate students.

I want to transfer from my current graduate-level physics program at a non-University of Wisconsin school to the University of Wisconsin – Madison Medical Physics Program. What should I do?

Only applicants who already attend the University of Wisconsin – Madison in another graduate program will be considered as transfer students. If you are coming from a school outside of University of Wisconsin – Madison, you will need to complete the application process to be considered for admission to our program.

What are the entry requirements for the Medical Physics PhD Program if I already have an MS Degree?

Entrance into the Medical Physics PhD Program requires successful completion of required coursework, a PhD Oral Qualifying Exam and a PhD Prelim Exam, with the latter focused on the student’s specific research proposal. If you earned your MS degree at a university other than the University of Wisconsin – Madison, you may need to take specific graduate-level courses to prepare for the exam.

I’ve already completed some graduate-level coursework. Will I be able to transfer my credits to your program?

The maximum number of course credit transfers we allow is in accordance with University of Wisconsin-Madison policies and procedures. Requests for acceptance of transfer credits are reviewed by the Graduate Committee Chair in close consultation with the professor for each relevant course.

Are there opportunities for PhD degree program students who do NOT wish to complete all the core curriculum requirements defined by CAMPEP to “opt out” of such requirements?

The University of Wisconsin – Madison Medical Physics Program is accredited by CAMPEP, Inc. The University of Wisconsin – Madison Medical Physics Program has options for students to complete the PhD degree in medical physics with or without completion of the core curriculum required by CAMPEP accreditation. Those students who complete the core curriculum receive attestation of such completion, which might be required for subsequent admission to a medical physics residency program and/or the American Board of Radiology board certification process.

Does the Medical Physics Program at the University of Wisconsin – Madison offer Distance/Online learning?

At this time, we do not have distance/online learning options in place. Medical Physics is very much a “hands-on” program. In order for you to receive the high-quality education and training we provide, you will need regular access to the labs, which makes local residency a requirement. With that in mind, generally we require students to be on campus for all MS degree work, and their first year of PhD degree work.

Occasionally, a student who is in dissertator status may conduct their PhD research at another location, away from the UW campus. However, this is unusual, and approved on a case-by-case basis by your advisor and the Graduate Committee Chair.

Do you accept new students for the spring semester?

We strongly discourage applications for spring semester. Our course sequence is designed such that prerequisites for more advanced courses are more easily met by starting the program in the fall semester. Exceptions do occur, but only rarely.

I’ve completed the application process. What should I do next?

Congratulations! Take some time to review the section of our website that addresses the work being done in various labs and by the faculty members. The applicants who are most highly ranked by the Admissions Committee are invited to attend an Open House in late-January/early-February. At that time, connections are usually made by faculty to determine research assistantships. It is a good idea to narrow down your specific interests in our Medical Physics Department research areas/labs before you attend the Open House, as there are many from which to choose.