- #1
Lawrencel2
- 82
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Hello all,
I'm finishing up my M.S. degree in physics with a 3.8 or 3.9 this upcoming spring. I have been taking undergraduate courses in Medical Physics and currently submitting a paper in the medical physics imaging field. Also attempting to do my thesis project with a local medical physicist. With that being said, I am wanting to pursue a career in medical physics. I haven't ruled out work in academia or Industry, but I'm primarily interested in clinical work. Being that I wish to work in California for most of my life, I need to go to schools that are CAMPEP accredited so I can get a Campep residency.
I am having trouble figuring out what would be the difference in picking MS, PhD, or a DMP program.
For MS degree i was thinking of somewhere like SDSU, for PhD i was considering somewhere like UCLA and for a DMP I was considering U of Cincinnati. My thoughts are:
1) MS programs seem to pay less in stipends/fee waivers and the residency program SDSU goes through seems to charge you 18,000 a year (from my research anyways). But it seems to save you more than 3 years compared to the PhD programs, and break even in time for the DMP programs.
2)PhD programs pay more to my knowledge, and cover tuition. They also seem to have residencies close by that actually pay you. They open more doors I imagine, but I am already 25 (26 when i graduate) and don't know if i want to be 31 by the time i reach residency. Being called Dr. might be nice though =]
3) DMP seem to be just as quick as MS/residency programs but same money issue. I have read that Professional programs don't typically offer any financial assistance and typically cost a boat load. Also, I would be an out of state resident and subjected to more fees! But it takes the fear out of getting into a residency program and i get the title Dr as well (i don't know why that has such an appeal to me =/ ).
My point being, it seems as though I will need to either accrue much more debt in MS/DMP programs or give up more time in school to have more financial security and a good shot at a CAMPEP residency.
Can anyone offer any sort of opinion or advice regarding the smart choice, or things i seem to be overlooking regarding a school choice? Would an MS offer same ability to get a job in a hospital?
I'm finishing up my M.S. degree in physics with a 3.8 or 3.9 this upcoming spring. I have been taking undergraduate courses in Medical Physics and currently submitting a paper in the medical physics imaging field. Also attempting to do my thesis project with a local medical physicist. With that being said, I am wanting to pursue a career in medical physics. I haven't ruled out work in academia or Industry, but I'm primarily interested in clinical work. Being that I wish to work in California for most of my life, I need to go to schools that are CAMPEP accredited so I can get a Campep residency.
I am having trouble figuring out what would be the difference in picking MS, PhD, or a DMP program.
For MS degree i was thinking of somewhere like SDSU, for PhD i was considering somewhere like UCLA and for a DMP I was considering U of Cincinnati. My thoughts are:
1) MS programs seem to pay less in stipends/fee waivers and the residency program SDSU goes through seems to charge you 18,000 a year (from my research anyways). But it seems to save you more than 3 years compared to the PhD programs, and break even in time for the DMP programs.
2)PhD programs pay more to my knowledge, and cover tuition. They also seem to have residencies close by that actually pay you. They open more doors I imagine, but I am already 25 (26 when i graduate) and don't know if i want to be 31 by the time i reach residency. Being called Dr. might be nice though =]
3) DMP seem to be just as quick as MS/residency programs but same money issue. I have read that Professional programs don't typically offer any financial assistance and typically cost a boat load. Also, I would be an out of state resident and subjected to more fees! But it takes the fear out of getting into a residency program and i get the title Dr as well (i don't know why that has such an appeal to me =/ ).
My point being, it seems as though I will need to either accrue much more debt in MS/DMP programs or give up more time in school to have more financial security and a good shot at a CAMPEP residency.
Can anyone offer any sort of opinion or advice regarding the smart choice, or things i seem to be overlooking regarding a school choice? Would an MS offer same ability to get a job in a hospital?