Answer to Question #601 Submitted to "Ask the Experts"

Q

Many ex-Navy veterans choose to pursue a BAS degree in radiation protection from Thomas Edison State College. Would this bachelor's degree meet the new requirements for taking the ABHP exam?

A

The short answer to this question is most probably yes, assuming that BAS means Bachelor of Arts and Science and the degree program had sufficient course work in physical science, mathematics, and engineering. However, it would be prudent to review the reasoning behind this answer so that potential candidates fully understand the entrance requirements.

The academic requirements for application to take the American Board of Health Physics (ABHP) exam have changed recently. The current academic requirement for ABHP certification is as follows (ABHP Policy Manual):

ACADEMICS—As a minimum, the applicant must submit evidence (for example, official college transcripts or certified translations of official transcripts) of earning a bachelor's or graduate degree from an accredited college or university in a physical science or engineering, or in a biological science or mathematics with a minor in a physical science or engineering. In lieu of a minor in physical science or engineering, a candidate for certification may submit evidence of credit from an accredited college or university for course work in physical sciences or engineering equivalent to 20 semester hours. Except in rare cases, the new policy generally excludes nonscience and nonengineering degrees such as Bachelor of Arts degrees. However, exceptions will be made when course work equivalency to a science or engineering degree can be demonstrated. For example the Board recently approved an application from a candidate who possessed a Bachelor of Arts degree in physics, specifically because the coursework was virtually identical to that of a Bachelor of Science in physics. There is some confusion about what is meant by an "accredited" college or university. The ABHP has never defined the meaning of "accredited" or more specifically, "accredited by whom," which was a deliberate omission so that a broad spectrum of accrediting organizations could be accepted.

In practice, the Board has generally accepted all nationally recognized accrediting organizations for colleges and universities, for example, the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) or the National Association of Industrial Technology (NAIT). Without a transcript from Thomas Edison State College to review, it would be impossible to state unequivocally that the Board would accept all or some Thomas Edison State College degrees. Assuming that BAS means Bachelor of Arts and Science, the Board would need to review the degree transcripts to determine if it is an "Arts" or a "Science" degree and whether or not the degree program had sufficient coursework in physical science, mathematics, and engineering. The Board Chair has considerable discretion in making these determinations and it is recommended that an application be submitted even if you are unsure if your specific degree meets all these requirements. The Board has accepted Thomas Edison State College degrees in the recent past and there is no reason why they would not be accepted in the future. However, each degree transcript is evaluated individually against these criteria and must stand on its own merits based on the documentation the university provides within the transcript.

Edward F. Maher, ScD, CHP
Robert P. Miltenberger, CHP