Applications Accepted for:
Fall 2025: Oct. 1, 2024 - July 1, 2025

Click here to view upcoming application and document submission due dates.

For more information, please contact the SDSU Physics Department by calling (619) 594-6240 or emailing secretary@physics.sdsu.edu.

 

The Advanced Certificate, Residency Training in Radiation Therapy Physics is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Medical Physics Education Programs (CAMPEP). The residency program provides students training in clinical and didactic radiation oncology physics to attain a level of competence that they can take on the responsibilities of a radiation oncology physicist in a clinic. Students will train in the clinic in dosimetry, brachytherapy, machine quality assurance (QA) and calibration, treatment planning and dose calculations, radiation safety, imaging, and special procedures (stereotactic radiosurgery, total skin electron treatment, etc.). Training will also include acceptance testing, commissioning, QA of various major clinic systems (linac, brachytherapy, treatment planning systems, etc.), and radiation safety/regulatory issues.

Applicants must meet the following criteria to be considered for admission:

  1. Have graduated from a CAMPEP-accredited MS or PhD graduate program, or
  2. Possess a PhD in physics or related discipline and have completed a CAMPEP-accredited certificate program, or
  3. Possess a PhD in physics or related discipline and have satisfactorily completed courses equivalent to those in a CAMPEP-accredited certificate program, as determined by the CAMPEP Graduate Education Program Review Committee (GEPRC).
Estimated CostTotal Estimated Cost
$31,500
$875 Total Cost/Unit
Completion Time Completion Time
2 Years
Course Format Course Format
In Person

Courses

2023 Fall2024 Winter2024 Spring2024 Summer2024 Fall
PHYS 0701 Clinical Rotations I
Clinical training in external beam modalities (megavoltage photons, electrons, superficial x-rays), including equipment selection, radiation protection, acceptance/commissions, calibration, and quality assurance. Theoretical basis and use of the various detectors and dosimeters associated with external beam modalities.

Prerequisites: PHYS 564, 596, 670A, 670B, 672A, and 672B

Format: Online

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PHYS 0703 Clinical Rotations II
On-site, full-day clinical training in intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) and brachytherapy. Training in quality assurance, calibration, inverse planning, IMRT delivery, and radiation safety. Radionuclides and sealed sources in brachytherapy, clinical applications of the sources, treatment planning, and quality assurance.

Prerequisites: Physics 701

Format: Online

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PHYS 0705 Clinical Rotations III
Principles of computed tomography (CT) simulator, associated radiation protection/design considerations, CT protocols. Understand the physics of maging modalities and perform quality assurance on CT, MRI, ultrasound and PET as related to radiation therapy. Train on picture archiving and communication systems.

Prerequisites: PHYS 703

Format: Online

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PHYS 0707 Clinical Rotations IV
Physics concepts and implementation of standard radiation treatment (RT) techniques for common cancer treatment sites, routine quality assurance associated with patient specific RT and planning

Prerequisites: Master's Degree in Medical Physics with a 3.5 GPA or higher. The certificate requires the

Format: Online

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