Degrees
An environmental health degree addresses environmental and occupational health concerns as they relate to public health in Minnesota, the U.S., and around the globe.
The Division of Environmental Health Sciences offers Masters in Public Health (MPH), Masters of Science (MS) and PhD program options across a number of specialty areas, allowing you to customize your degree.
What is Environmental Health?
Environmental health is focused on how the environment — where we live and work, what we eat, the air we breathe, etc. — impacts human health. Our Division of Environmental Health Sciences improves the health of individuals and communities by conducting rigorous and collaborative research to identify risks, reduce hazards, and inform public health policies. We prepare future leaders through MPH, MS, and PhD degrees. Many of these degree options are STEM designated. No GRE required.
Master of Public Health
The Master of Public Health (MPH) in Environmental Health program provides a solid foundation in environmental health that prepares highly skilled public health practitioners. Through comprehensive curriculum and mentorship opportunities with professionals, you will learn how to investigate and find solutions to environmental and workplace factors that affect human health. Students must complete an Applied Practice Experience in a real-world setting as part of the degree.
Students can pursue a general environmental health degree or choose one of the following areas of emphasis to pursue distinct interest areas through elective courses:
- Environmental Infectious Diseases
- Food Safety
- Environmental & Occupational Epidemiology
- Injury & Violence Epidemiology & Prevention
- Global Environmental Health
- Occupational & Environmental Health Nursing
- Occupational & Environmental Medicine
- Toxicology
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Master of Science
The Master of Science (MS) in Environmental Health program focuses on the research and analytic methods underlying evidence-based decision-making, and is ideal for both practitioners and those contemplating careers in research or academic institutions. Students must prepare a research paper for their integrated learning experience.
Students can pursue a general environmental health degree or choose one of the following areas of emphasis to pursue distinct interest areas through elective courses:
- Environmental Chemistry
- Environmental Infectious Diseases
- Environmental & Occupational Epidemiology
- Injury & Violence Epidemiology & Prevention
- Exposure Sciences
- Food Safety
- Toxicology
Learn more about the Environmental Health MS program.
The Master of Science (MS) in Occupational Hygiene program focuses on worker protection and ensuring healthy and safe workplaces and communities. Graduates work in industry, government, academia, and research institutions to safeguard against hazards like chemicals, physical risks, and biological agents.
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Doctoral Degree
The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Environmental Health focuses on research and prepares students for a career in university-level teaching, research, and scientific analysis. Students must submit a dissertation with original research as part of this degree.
PhD applicants are typically only accepted into the program to work on funded projects. Because of this, we can only accept a limited number of PhD students each year. Before applying to the program, please contact the professor with whom you wish to work to determine the availability of funding.
Students can pursue a general environmental health degree or choose one of the following areas of emphasis to pursue distinct interest areas through elective courses:
- Environmental Chemistry
- Environmental Infectious Diseases
- Environmental & Occupational Epidemiology
- Toxicology
- Food Safety
- Occupational and Environmental Health Nursing
- Occupational Injury Prevention Research Training
Learn more about the Environmental Health PhD program.
The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Occupational Hygiene program focuses on the health and safety of people at work, the community at large, and the environment. Specific concerns are with the recognition, evaluation and control of potential workplace hazards, including chemical, physical, and biological agents.
