The Bertelsen Radiochemistry Lab Group
Explore our:
Health Physics Scholarships
External Scholarships
Scholarships for students in the Radiological Sciences (RadSci)/Health Physics Program are available from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, the Department of Energy, the Health Physics Society (HPS), the American Nuclear Society, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Nuclear Engineering University Program (NEUP),and other organizations concerned with advancing education in Health Physics. These scholarships are competitive and most have minimum GPA requirements. The Health Physics Society, offers a quick reference scholarships page for student scholarships.
$500 Radiological Sciences/Health Physics Scholarship
All undergraduate students in the Radiological Health Physics option who have completed the required sophomore year courses in good standing currently receive a one-time scholarship of $500 from the Radiological Sciences Program. This scholarship is intended to help attract highly qualified members into the much-needed field of radiation protection.
Radiological Sciences/Health Physics Student Support
The radiological sciences offers approximately $30,000 total from direct scholarships from its endowed funds, directly to the radiological sciences students. Available to students through the RiverHawk Scholarships portal
Health Physics specific scholarships include the:
- Dr. Edward Lawson Alexander Scholarship Fund
- Lorraine M. Brackett Memorial Scholarship
- Lorenzo J. Cabrera Endowed Scholarship
- Radiation Safety and Control Services Scholarship
- William G. Rhodes III Scholarship
- Michael T. and Mary Gene Ryan Endowed Scholarship
Paid Internships in Health Physics
Students may gain valuable work experience while also earning credit through various internship opportunities, including an internship course supervised by the university’s Director of Radiation Safety. The Director of Radiation Safety has responsibility for all aspects of radiation safety and laser safety throughout the university, including the research reactor, particle accelerator, research laboratories and x-ray machines. Opportunities may exist in any one of our unique radiation research facilities.
Health Physics Employment Opportunities
The combination of academics and work experience in this program provide excellent preparation for either a position in health physics or the pursuit of a graduate degree in radiological sciences or a related discipline. Graduates of the Radiological Sciences Program at all degree levels typically are offered a well-paying job upon graduation or soon after ($50k-$250k/year range depending on experience and sector, HPS Salary Survey).
A useful link for prospective students, employment opportunities, facts about the field, may be the Health Physics Society Student Support page.
Employers in Health Physics/Radiation Safety can include:
- Universities conducting research, teaching, or in their radiation safety office
- Hospitals and medical centers that use radionuclides, x-ray equipment, and accelerators in the diagnosis and treatment of patients
- National laboratories (Brookhaven, Sandia, Argonne, Los Alamos, Lawrence Livermore, Fermi, etc.) ensuring safety or conducting research
- Federal agencies (such as the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and the Department of Energy) at administrative, research, production, and testing facilities
- State and local government agencies responsible for regulating the use of radiation sources and radioactive materials
- Military and other uniformed services
- Electric utilities operating nuclear power plants and related industries
- Industries that use radioisotopes or x-ray equipment to detect flaws or defects in manufactured products, prepare or reprocess nuclear fuels, control nuclear wastes, or produce or use radioactive materials or devices
- Consulting firms that advise organizations that do not employ full-time health physicists