Date: Mar 08, 2012

Hofstra University and North Shore-LIJ Health System announce Master of Science in Medical Physics Program

Hofstra- North Shore-LIJ Partnership, Residency Style Program Offers Unique Advantages

Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY – Hofstra University and North Shore-LIJ Health System are pleased to announce a new Master of Science in Medical Physics program. This professionally-oriented program will start in mid-August 2012. It combines the strengths of Hofstra, a dynamic private university, with those of the North Shore - LIJ Health System, the nation's 2nd largest non-profit secular system.

Medical physics focuses on applying physics concepts, theories, and methods to medicine. Medical physicists are dedicated to the safe use of ionizing and non-ionizing radiation to diagnose and treat a variety of diseases. Jobs in medical physics involve clinical practice, regulatory compliance, patient safety, and research and development in therapeutic, diagnostic, nuclear, and medical health physics. Applicants are expected to have a bachelor's degree in physics or closely-related field with excellent GPA and GRE scores and excellent recommendations.  Professor and Chair Emeritus and Acting Academic Director Harold Hastings said “I am pleased to see Hofstra University’s Department of Physics serve the community with this exciting new program.”

The M.S. in Medical Physics courses will be taught by a combined staff from Hofstra University, North Shore-LIJ Health System, and the Hofstra North Shore-LIJ School of Medicine, under the joint supervision of the Department of Physics at Hofstra University and the Department of Radiation Medicine at North Shore-LIJ Health System. There will be an Open House in March to officially welcome prospective students and to launch the program.

 “The New York area has a need for programs that are not just academic but have practical components.  The wide range of facilities North Shore-LIJ manage allows students to work in academic, private, and clinical/community hospitals,” commented Director of Medical Physics Research & Education and Assistant Director of Medical Physics Department of Radiology Medicine Ajay Kapur, Ph.D. 

According to Commission on Accreditation of Medical Physics in 2014 the requirements for the Medical Physics field will change dramatically to match advancing technology.  Before sitting for the medical board exam one would have to have graduated from an accredited residency, M.S., or Ph.D. program.  These new requirements will increase the demand for credentialed medical physicists, and Hofstra will join only a relatively small number of programs nationwide that offer such specialized training.  Dr. Kapur went on to say “Hofstra’s program stands apart because of its active learning component.  Being able to experience a residency style program provides pathways for the graduate students to develop passion and specializations before becoming board certified.” 

Hofstra University is a dynamic private institution where students can choose from about 140 undergraduate and more than 150 graduate programs in liberal arts and sciences, business; engineering; communication; education, health and human services; and honors studies, as well as a School of Law and the Hofstra North Shore-LIJ School of Medicine.

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