UNLV’s radiochemistry Ph.D. program has already made a name for itself with a 92% graduation rate and a 100% job placement rate for its grads. Now UNLV is leveraging that success to give undergraduates the skills they need to glow up their resumés for nuclear science fields.
UNLV created the Foundations and Applications in Nuclear Technology microcredential to serve an important need for workforce development. It will be offered to undergraduates starting this fall.
“This microcredential aims to address gaps in nuclear science education by providing undergraduate students with conceptual knowledge, practical skills, and workforce insights through an interdisciplinary, hands-on curriculum,” says Emily Jones, who is assisting radiochemistry faculty with the development of the program.
Developed as a direct response to feedback from industry and government stakeholders who identified essential knowledge areas and laboratory competencies necessary for nuclear professionals, this new program is a collaboration between the colleges of Sciences, Integrated Health, and Engineering and demonstrates UNLV’s ability to respond to industry needs.
It also gives undergraduates more access to the state-of-the-art research facilities and career networking opportunities that have made the Ph.D. program so successful.
“Radiochemistry faculty members— Ken Czerwinski, Art Gelis, Dave Hatchett, Dan Koury, and Frederic Poineau— combine advanced research in nuclear fuel cycle, nuclear forensics, isotope production, and fundamental chemistry with a strong educational foundation, preparing talented students for critical roles in nuclear science and technology,” says Jones.
Steen Madsen, chair of the Department of Health Physics and Diagnostic Sciences, says “We are excited to participate in this microcredential as it addresses a significant workforce need in the nuclear sciences. The microcredential provides an opportunity for undergraduates to learn about the different fields and opportunities in the nuclear sciences and, as such, addresses an unmet need at UNLV.”
Advancements in nuclear technology, especially around nuclear medicine and nuclear power as well as strong support for nuclear power initiatives, means demand for workers in these fields is high. Locally, renewed efforts for updating the nuclear stockpile and national security efforts are also increasing workforce needs at places like the Nevada National Security Site (NNSS).
Expanding Radiochemistry Education to Undergrads
In its 2024 U.S. Energy & Employment Report, the Department of Energy noted an aging nuclear workforce with many likely to retire in the next decade, creating opportunities for young workers with necessary skills and training in nuclear fields.
Currently, there are only six universities in the U.S. that offer radiochemistry programs at the undergraduate level. Many of the needed roles as technicians and operators do not require a graduate degree. It is important to have more opportunities at the undergraduate level to respond to the workforce need, Jones says.
The new microcredential will include two existing lecture courses — one from chemistry and one from health physics — along with two newly developed courses. The new courses were developed to both raise student awareness of nuclear technology and current workforce needs, as well as providing hands-on experience to ensure student success in the program.
This is one of five new microcredentials under the College of Sciences launching in fall 2025. For credit bearing microcredentials like this one, the process is meant to be easy and stress free, simply enroll in the listed courses under the microcredential and once all coursework is completed you will receive a digital badge.
For more information, learn how to enroll or email microcredentials@unlv.edu.
