Master of Public Health Degree in Environmental Health Sciences
2-Year Program | 60 credit hours
The Master of Public Health (MPH) degree in Environmental Health Sciences prepares students for leadership positions in a wide range of organizations across local, regional, state, national, and international contexts. It is aimed at students passionate about working to protect the public and the environment from the effects of hazardous occupational and environmental exposures.
The MPH degree also includes a summer internship, completed between the first and second year of study.
Degree Options and Concentrations
Environmental Health Promotion and Policy
The Environmental Health Promotion and Policy MPH program provides students with the public health background and skills to evaluate environmental and occupational health risks and develop solutions based on health promotion and policy tools to reduce such risks. The program will provide students with the public health background and skills to evaluate environmental and occupational health risks and develop solutions based on health promotion and policy tools to reduce such risks.
Environmental Health Sciences
The Environmental Health Sciences MPH provides a broad foundation in environmental and occupational health while also allowing students to specialize in a concentration based on their career interests listed below.
Concentrations
Environment, Sustainability, and Heath
Looks at the chemical and biological interfaces of humans in their many environments and develop sustainable prevention measures.
Occupational Health Sciences-Industrial Hygiene
Examines exposure to harmful agents and finds solutions to protect workers.
Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology
Investigates patterns and causes of disease and injury across human populations. Although both EHS and Epidemiology department faculty are involved in training students in OEE, interested students will need to apply through the Epidemiology department.
Program Curriculum, Courses, and Prerequisites
Prospective students with undergraduate degrees in any field are welcome to apply. Typical undergraduate majors among applicants admitted to the MPH in recent years include environmental sciences/studies, public health, industrial hygiene, biology, chemistry, biochemistry and engineering. Undergraduate courses in organic chemistry, calculus and physics are recommended.
- Applicants to the Environmental Health Promotion and Policy MPH must have a minimum of one undergraduate course in biology.
- Applicants to the Environmental Health Sciences MPH must have a minimum of one undergraduate course in biology and one in chemistry.
- Applicants to the Environmental Health Sciences MPH Industrial Hygiene Concentration must have a minimum of one undergraduate course in each of the following: (1) general biology, (2) general chemistry, (3) organic chemistry, (4) general physics and (5) calculus
Financial Support
In addition to financial aid and funding opportunities from the School of Public Health, Environmental Health Sciences MPH students can receive financial support from one or more of the following sources:
- Traineeships from the NIOSH ERC
- Grants/scholarships the School of Public Health
- Teaching assistantships from Environmental Health Sciences or other School of Public Health departments
- Research assistantships from faculty research grants
- Smaller scholarship awards from external organizations, such as the American Industrial
Hygiene Foundations (AIHF), Chevron, and
the 3M Corporation
Admitted Environmental Health Sciences students are automatically considered for School of Public Health scholarships and support from the NIOSH ERC (U.S. citizens and Permanent Residents only). Teaching and research assistantships are determined by arrangement with faculty and/or department. Applications for the smaller scholarships depend on the sources.
Ready to Apply?
Applications for the Environmental Health Sciences MPH program are processed through SOPHAS. Visit our Applications & Deadlines page to start the application process.