Health Physics Academic Education Center​

The critical need for health physics professionals cannot be overstated. The current workforce is aging out and fewer employees are entering the field. Over 50% of HPS members are over the age of 50, many of whom plan to retire within the next 10 years. Students are the future of our profession, and yet, the graduation rate for health physics is the lowest in decades and continues to decline dramatically. The shortage of radiation safety professionals impacts federal, state and local environmental protection agencies, medical care facilities, nuclear reactor sites, national laboratories, and other radiation related organizations. Furthermore, the number of colleges and universities offering certificates and degrees is decreasing, as more and more schools phase out their health physics programs. HPAERC assists university programs to grow and meet the shortage of health physicists across the country.