Medical Physics Program - FAQs

HOW CAN I GET MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE HOWARD MEDICAL PHYSICS PROGRAM? 

The graduate school organizes several in-person and virtual events, open houses, general-information session, grad-application workshops throughout the year. The program directors of various graduate programs attend the event along with the prospective students. More information at: 

https://gs.howard.edu/admissions/upcoming-information-sessions 

IS THIS PROGRAM AN ACCREDITED GRADUATE PROGRAM? 

Yes, our MS Medical Physics program is officially accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Medical Physics Education Programs (CAMPEP)! 

DO I NEED A RESEARCH ADVISOR BEFORE APPLYING FOR ADMISSION? 

You do not need to a faculty advisor before applying for admission. The program allows 4 to 6 credits of graduate research during the 2-year tenure. Once admitted, the students are provided a list of offered projects at various sites with our program faculty to do research. 

DO I NEED OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPTS FOR ADMISSION APPLICATION? 

The official transcripts are not required for the application to the program, however, once you get the admission offer and before starting the program of studies, official transcripts are required. 

TO WHOM THE OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPTS ARE DIRECTED? 

Official transcripts must be sent directly to the Office of Graduate Recruitment and Admission at Howard University (at address below) from each post-secondary institution attended by the office of the university Registrar.  

Howard University Graduate School  

Office of Graduate Recruitment and Admissions 

2400 Sixth Street NW 

Washington, D.C. 20059 

IS THERE AN APPLICATION FEE? 

There is a $75 non-refundable application processing fee required when applying. 

IS THE GRE REQUIRED AND HOW MUCH IS A COMPETITIVE SCORING AND WHAT IS HOWARD’S GRE SCHOOL CODE? 

The GRE may not be required for most of the students attending an accredited US educational institution. A GRE score of 300 or above is considered competitive. All GRE score reports must be submitted to Howard University (school code: 5297) 

IF THE LANGUAGE OF COMMUNICATION AND INSTRUCTION IS NOT ENGLISH, WHAT DO I NEED? 

You need to provide a TOEFL or ILETS score taken during the last two years of the test date. TOEFL Scores (Minimum computer-based score of 213 is required and only official score reports are accepted within 2 years of the test date) www.toefl.org

I AM FROM A COUNTRY WHERE THE MAIN LANGUAGE OF INSTRUCTION IS ENGLISH, CAN I REQUEST AN EXEMPTION FROM TAKING TOEFL/ IELTS TEST? 

If you have attended a university or colleague abroad whose main language of instruction is English and any of the countries listed at Exemption from the TOEFL/IELTS (Country List) website -then you are exempt from taking the TOEFL/IELTS. 

HOW MUCH THE MS IN MEDICAL PHYSICS PROGRAM WILL COST? 

The program costs include tuition and fees, which can vary each year. For example, the program tuition was around $ 36000 per year with fees of about $1500 per year in 2023.  

You may need to add cost of living in Washington DC area, health insurance, transportation, food, books etc. each year. 

IS THERE ANY TYPE OF FINANCIAL AID AVAILABLE TO THE MS PROGRAM APPLICANTS? 

MS students are required to secure financial aid or personal funds sufficient to cover all applicable tuition and fees prior to starting the studies. 

Please note that Howard Medical Physics does not guarantee any funding in the form of assistantships or scholarships to newly admitted students. Incoming MS students may apply for various scholarship opportunities at the university during their MS studies. 

Depending on availability, the department of Physics and Astronomy may provide graduate teaching assistantship to one MS student each year. 

Funding opportunities may be available at https://gs.howard.edu/graduate-school-competitive-awards 

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES AN MS STUDENT CAN APPLY FOR? 

The student member of AAPM can apply for some financial assistance for AAPM/RSNA Graduate Students Award https://aapm.secure-platform.com/gaf/page/DoctoralMasters 

Some international students may also apply for funding from IAEA or World Bank scholarships.   

WHEN WOULD MY APPLICATION BE PROCESSED? 

All completed applications are processed within 4 to 6 weeks after completion. The status is updated in the application portal. If you have not heard from us, on your application please email the Medical Physics Program Coordinator.