Answer to Question #6142 Submitted to "Ask the Experts"
Category: Radiation Safety Careers — Career Development and Certification
The following question was answered by an expert in the appropriate field:
Q
I am thinking of taking the online master's degree program in health
physics. Will this master's degree allow me to sit for the American
Board of Health Physics after the five years of proper training in the
field under a licensed professional? My goal is to do diagnostic work
on CT, x ray, and mammography cameras.
A
Your question can be broken down into three separate questions: (1) Can
a master's degree be substituted for one year of the six years of
required experience? (2) Are the five years of proper training in the
field under a licensed professional going to meet the American Board of
Health Physics experience requirements? (3) Is the master's degree from
this online program "accredited"?
- Yes, the American Board of Health Physics (ABHP) gives individuals
with master's degrees in health physics one year of credit toward the
required six years of professional experience in the field required to
sit for Part II of the ABHP exam. From the prospectus we find the
following:
"At the discretion of the Board, advanced degrees in health
physics or a closely related area of study may be substituted for a
maximum of two years of the required experience. A master's degree may
be substituted for one year, while a doctoral degree may be substituted
for two years of the required experience. Technician-level experience
will in no case be acceptable as meeting the experience requirements."
These requirements are found online.
- Please note that I bolded the section with regard to
"technician-level" experience. The experience that you obtain needs to
be "professional" in nature, but not necessarily under the supervision
of a "licensed" professional. The ABHP requires that the six years of professional experience, which must be documented by
an applicant for Part II of the exam, must be experience that
demonstrates that the candidate has been required to exercise judgment
in one or more of the following:
- establishment and/or evaluation of a
radiation protection program
- design and/or the evaluation of the design of the radiation
protection aspects of a facility
- design and implementation of a radiation protection training course
or program
- development of an experimental and/or measurement program designed to
answer questions related to radiation protection
- evaluation of measurement data
- analysis and solution of radiation protection problems
- preparation, interpretation, and implementation of recommendations and
regulations
- Proper accreditation of institutions granting degrees is also a very
important consideration for all those seeking higher education. The
ABHP recognizes degrees from properly accredited academic institutions.
I note that the master's degree program you are considering appears to
be properly accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North
Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA) which is an
accrediting organization recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), which is itself recognized by the US Department of Education.
The point I am making is that one should always be aware of both the
quality and recognition of "brick and mortar" as well as online
educational organizations, so that the degree obtained meets one's
specific needs and requirements.
If your experience during this
five-year period meets the requirements noted in (2), you submit your
application properly documenting your degree as noted in (1) and (3), as
well as fulfill the other requirements (required references, a written
report, and other paperwork) of the application process to sit for the
exam, you should be all set. I wish you good luck and the board looks
forward to receiving your application.
Shawn Googins, MS, CHP
Chair, ABHP
Answer posted on 22 February 2007. The information and material posted on this Web site is intended as general reference information only. Specific facts and circumstances may alter the concepts and applications of materials and information described herein. The information provided is not a substitute for professional advice and should not be relied upon in the absence of such professional advice specific to whatever facts and circumstances are presented in any given situation. Answers are correct at the time they are posted on the Web site. Be advised that over time, some requirements could change, new data could be made available, or Internet links could change. For answers that have been posted for several months or longer, please check the current status of the posted information prior to using the responses for specific applications.
