The School of Nuclear Science and Engineering offers three graduate degrees in radiation health physics: master of science, master of health physics, and doctor of philosophy. Our master's programs are also offered as an online option through Oregon State Ecampus. Graduate students work with world renowned faculty and have access to a breadth of unique research facilities and laboratories.

You can put your innovative stamp on real world research projects such as radiation detector design and medical isotope production with partners like Idaho National Laboratory and the Department of Energy. Please refer to our research areas. 

The program is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (view our accreditation information.)

Academics and Admission

Prospective graduate students apply through the Oregon State University Graduate School and will be required to submit the following. 

  • Statement of purpose.
  • Three letters of reference.
    • University-level academic references are preferred.
  • An official transcript from every institution attended. 

Applicants must meet the minimum academic requirements. International applicants must meet the minimum requirements for international applicants. GRE scores are currently being waived for Fall 2023 admission cycle.

Admission decisions are based on many factors, such as the quality of the applicant’s prior academic degree and record of accomplishment, statement of purpose, letters of recommendation from professors or others familiar with the applicant’s academic work, performance in aptitude and achievement tests, relevant work experience, preparation in the proposed field of study, and the suitability of the applicant’s academic goals with the faculty’s research interests.

Particularly at the graduate level, a critical consideration in the decision is whether your academic objectives can be satisfactorily fulfilled by the graduate programs at Oregon State. Admission to Oregon State is competitive and meeting the minimum admission requirements does not guarantee admission. Following approval of the School, the Office of Admissions will determine whether the general university admission requirements have been met.

The four-year undergraduate program example plans provide an indication of the level of math and science required of our undergrads in preparation for our graduate programs. 

Each applicant is judged on their entire application and a decision is made on the strength of each application in relation to the pool of applicants in any given year.  Meeting the minimum application requirements does not guarantee admission. 

International applicants to our Ecampus health physics program be advised that you will be required to visit the Corvallis campus at least once, possibly twice (for a week-long course and for your final oral examination), prior to attaining your degree. It is your responsibility to obtain a visa to come to Corvallis during that time. 

Questions regarding applications and the program should be directed to Heidi Braly, NSE graduate student liaison. 

Application Dates

Admissions Fall 2023

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Degree Requirements

Graduate Learning Outcomes

M.H.P.

  • Conduct research or produce some other form of creative work.    
  • Demonstrate mastery of subject material.    
  • Conduct scholarly or professional activities in an ethical manner.

M.S. 

  • Conduct research or produce some other form of creative work.    
  • Demonstrate mastery of subject material.    
  • Conduct scholarly or professional activities in an ethical manner.   

Ph.D. 

  • Produce and defend an original significant contribution to knowledge. 
  • Demonstrate mastery of subject material.   
  • Conduct scholarly or professional activities in an ethical manner.  

Assistantships and Fellowships

NSE offers a limited number of graduate teaching assistantships (GTA) and graduate research assistantships (GRA). There is no separate application process. Students whose applications are complete by the priority funding deadline are automatically considered for available GTA/GRA positions.

Graduate teaching assistants and research assistants are appointed on a term-by-term basis. They receive tuition remission, a monthly stipend starting at $1,700*, and a $430* per term lump sum for fees. 

Fellowships are also available to incoming graduate students. Stipends range from $1,160* to $2,200* per month for the nine-month academic year. There are typically four to six fellowships awarded per academic year. There is no separate application process for fellowships, qualified graduate applicants to the department are automatically considered for available fellowships.

*Award offers and amounts are subject to change at the discretion of department administrators.