Re: Re[2]: ABHP Degree Requirement - Background and Perspective

[rcmannix@uci.edu (Richard C. Mannix)]

Les Aldrich wrote:

>     Its nice, every once in a while, to see a totally emotional message.  
>     It reminds me to remember to write my emotional response, read it, 
>     delete it, and then respond to the issue.
>     
>     At first, I thought perhaps Mr. Fenner was reflecting the modern 
>     educational policy of "It doesn't matter if you know anything when you 
>     graduate, as long as you feel good about yourself."  But he has been 
>     in the field for 17 years, so that can't be right.
>     
>     Since there was no factual or rational information in the message, 
>     what is it that we are supposed to do about certification?

Although Roger Fenner did seem to be a bit emotional, I think the point that
he was trying to make is that it is of primary importance for a health
physicist to have obtained a high degree of knowledge and expertise in
his/her field prior to being considered for HP certification. Whether this
knowledge and expertise is obtained through in-class education in
combination with on-the-job training, or through independent study in
combination with on-the-job training, does not seem to be as important.

I have crossed paths with many highly-qualified HPs since I received my
Masters Degree in HP 17 years ago. In general, for individuals with
equivalent levels of experience in the field, I have not found the CHPs to
be substantially/noticeably more proficient in the "practice" of health
physics than the non-CHPs. This is especially true for individuals who
obtained their certification more than 5 years ago.

With regards to the degree requirement, I know many HPs who were not
formally trained in HP (or public health, industrial hygiene, etc.) in
college, but due to the widely-varied experience which they have obtained on
the job, and due to their efforts to stay current in the field through the
reading of related journals, attendance at HP meetings, etc., they are
individuals who represent the profession quite proudly.

The "CHP" is the standard of excellence in the field; but there are many,
many excellent non-CHPs without related degrees out there who may no longer
have the opportunity to be certified, at least not without going back to
school first.

Rick Mannix
UC Irvine
rcmannix@uci.edu