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Health Physics B.S

98%
Of Graduates Have Plans Secured After Graduation
92%
Of Graduates Have Career Plans Related to Their Field
95%
Of Online Undergrad Students Would Choose CSU Online Again
$63K
Average Starting Salary for Health and Human Sciences Graduates
Degree Overview Open Accordion

CSU’s online bachelor’s degree in Health Physics empowers you to build a rewarding career in radiation safety and protection. This program equips you with specialized knowledge and practical skills to safeguard people and the environment from harmful radiation exposure while enabling society to benefit safely from its applications.

Designed with your success in mind, this flexible and comprehensive program combines foundational sciences with industry-relevant training, preparing you for in-demand roles in health physics. Whether you’re looking to advance your career or enter a growing field, this degree provides the tools to make an impact.

Real-world learning and internships

This degree emphasizes hands-on experience, offering opportunities for professional internships that allow you to apply your knowledge in real-world settings. Completing internships for academic credit enhances your practical skills and helps build a foundation for a successful career in radiation safety.

Learn from industry experts

Courses are taught by world-class faculty, including two Certified Health Physicists (CHPs) with extensive expertise in radiation protection. Faculty members are active researchers and respected professionals in the health physics field, with strong connections to the Health Physics Society and other industry leaders. These connections offer valuable networking opportunities and support for internships, helping you build a solid professional network.

Flexible, innovative learning format

Our asynchronous online format allows you to complete coursework at your own pace, making this program a great fit for working professionals. This flexibility ensures you can advance your education without disrupting your professional and personal commitments. Our program had a strong history of collaboration with active-duty students, especially Nuclear Navy personnel.

Explore Careers Open Accordion

A growing field with high demand

Health physics professionals play an essential role in ensuring radiation safety across various industries. Graduates of the Health Physics B.S. program, including those leveraging Navy Nuclear Program credit, are well-prepared to enter this expanding field. Their skills are highly valued and critical to public safety and environmental protection.

Potential careers in health physics

With a degree in Health Physics, including through our online degree programs tailored for Navy Nuclear personnel, you’ll be equipped for a range of rewarding career paths, such as:

  • Radiation Protection Manager
  • Radiation Protection Lead
  • Dosimetry Lead
  • Additional roles in radiation safety and health physics

These careers offer strong job security and competitive starting salaries, with industry-experienced graduates often earning around $100,000 annually.

Pathway to advanced studies

CSU’s Health Physics program offers an online pathway to graduate studies through the 4+1 option, allowing students to begin graduate-level coursework during their bachelor’s program, which requires on-campus classes for the graduate portion. This setup enables students to complete their master’s in health physics in as little as nine months after finishing their bachelor’s, positioning them for advanced roles and leadership positions in the field while ensuring comprehensive, hands-on learning at the graduate level.

Curriculum Open Accordion

Freshman

Electives (4 cr.)

Total Credits: 29


Sophomore

Electives (7 cr.)


Junior

Program electives - Select a minimum of 15 credits from the following:

Total Credits: 34

Senior

  • ERHS 311 – Basic Nuclear Measurements and Instruments (1 cr.)
  • ERHS 400 – Radiation Safety (3 cr.)
  • ERHS 461 – Introduction to Radiation Public Health (3 cr.)
  • ERHS 488 – Internship--Health Physics (7-10 cr.)

Electives (14-17 cr.)

Total Credits: 31

Program Total Credits: 120

Faculty Open Accordion

Alexander Brandl

Education:

  • Ph.D. - Physics, University of New Mexico, 2002
  • M.S. - Physics, University of New Mexico, 1999
  • B.S. - Physics and Mathematics, University of New Mexico, 1996

Dr. Brandl's research interests include: Radiation physics, Operational health physics, Computer simulation of radiation fields, Shielding, Detector efficiencies, Radionuclide transport, Environmental and workplace monitoring, and Internal dosimetry.

Thomas Johnson

Education:

  • Ph.D. - Health Physics, Purdue University, 1997
  • M.S. - Environmental Health Engineering, Northwestern University, 1993
  • M.B.A. - Operations Management and Finance, University of Illinois, 1991
  • B.S. - Industrial Technology, Southern Illinois University, 1989

Dr. Johnson’s research lab is focused on movement of radionuclides in the environment and laser safety. He has worked with ionizing and non-ionizing radiation for over 20 years. Dr. Johnson worked as an ELT on the USS Cavalla (SSN-684), in consulting, at coal and at nuclear power plants.

Del Leary

Education:

  • Ph.D. - Medical Physics, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, 2013
  • M.S. - Physics , Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada, 2001
  • B.S. - Physics, The University of Winnipeg, Winnipeg, Maitoba, Canada, 1998

Dr. Leary is our Medical Physicist working in the Radiation Oncology department at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital. His research interests are mainly in developing radiosensitizers to help improve the dose discrimination between tumor and normal tissue. He also enjoys research topics in novel therapeutic beam design and image guided radiation therapy.

Ralf Sudowe

Education:

  • Ph.D. - Nuclear Chemistry, Philipps-Universitat Marburg, Marburg, Germany, 1999
  • M.S. - Chemistry, Philipps-Univeritat Marburg, Marburg, Germany, 1995

Dr. Sudowe has extensive experience in the area of nuclear and radiochemistry, in particular in the development of radioanalytical separations for actinide and transactinide elements as well as fission products. His research focuses on the development and optimization of radioanalytical methods for environmental monitoring, nuclear forensics and safeguards as well as emergency response. In addition he studies the chemical and nuclear properties of transactinide elements and is involved in target preparation and cross section measurements for stockpile stewardship science. Sudowe is a member of the American Chemical Society, the American Nuclear Society and the Health Physics Society.

How To Apply Open Accordion

1 Review Admission Requirements

The $sfProgramData.FriendlyPrefix Health Physics B Degree requires applicants to have the following:

Refer to admissions.colostate.edu/apply/ for details about who we look for in our individual review process

2 Talk with a Student Success Coach

Call or email our student success team to find out if the program is a good fit for your goals. Our coaches are available Monday-Friday to help you find the right program and navigate the application process.

Student Success Coach: Terrance Dickens
Phone:(970) 491-7468
Email: terrance.dickens@colostate.edu

Schedule Time to Talk

3 Complete Online Application

Complete Colorado State University's online undergraduate application and pay any associated nonrefundable application processing fee (payable online) or waiver (if eligible).

  • Select "Health Physics B — online degree program" when choosing major.

Online applications must be submitted before 5 p.m. (Mountain Time) on the deadline date. If you miss the application deadline, you may still register for courses to begin your program of study as a non-degree student. Students seeking Federal financial aid must be admitted prior to enrolling.

4 Apply for Financial Aid (Optional)

Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Use FAFSA code 001350. Additional financial aid information is also available.

5 Check Your Application Status

View your application status at any time to ensure your application checklist is complete or to check on updates.

Admissions decisions are made on a rolling basis and may take up to six weeks during high volume application periods.

Questions? Call (970) 491-7468 or email terrance.dickens@colostate.edu.

Application Dates
Fall semesterJune 1
Spring semesterNovember 1
Summer semesterMay 1
Apply Now

Start your application online and upload materials directly into the online system. You can save your progress and return any time.

Apply Now

Planning to transfer credits from another college or university? Please review our FAQ page, then complete a Tentative Transfer Evaluation Form to see how your prior credits may transfer.

Questions?

We love learning about your goals and answering any questions you have.

Terrance Dickens
Prospective Student Support Coach
Schedule Time to Talk

Program Details

Courses
Online
Credits
120
Tuition
$476 per credit
Same in-state tuition for all.
Learn more about financial aid and scholarships Tuition/fees are just part of the cost to attend CSU. Learn more about the full Cost of Attendance
Degree Awarded
Bachelor of Science in Health Physics
Time Frame
2 to 4 years depending on transfer credits

Application Dates

Fall semester
June 1*
Spring semester
November 1*
Summer semester
May 1*
*Note: Application dates may vary depending on student status. Learn more.

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