MPH in Occupational and Environmental Health

The MPH in Occupational and Environmental Health (OEH) focuses on understanding how to identify, prevent, and control environmental factors that can harm human health. The MPH in OEH curriculum addresses the interrelationship between human health and the environment, but also allows students to tailor coursework to their interests in Global Environmental Health, Rural Health & Safety, Injury and Violence Prevention, or Occupational Health.

An MPH in Occupational and Environmental Heath qualifies you to develop, direct, and coordinate public health programs that help people and communities live better, safer lives. Our graduates get great jobs in local, state, national, and international public health agencies; industry; consulting firms; private organizations; and academic institutions.

Graduates of the MPH in Occupational and Environmental Health
will be able to:

  • Describe the principles of the practice of occupational medicine, industrial hygiene, occupational health nursing, ergonomics and occupational health management.
  • Comprehend the use of statistical analyses to associate environmental and occupational health hazards with health outcomes.
  • Comprehend the epidemiological principles needed to determine etiologic factors in human disease and the determinants of disease.
  • Explain the current regulatory issues concerned with environmental and occupational health hazards.
  • Explain the association between contemporary human health issues and the biological, chemical and physical factors of the natural environment and occupational settings that adversely affect health.
  • Identify the sources, routes of entry, and effects of environmental toxicants.
  • Analyze, critically review, and communicate the environmental and occupational factors that affect health.

Examples of careers include:

  • Environmental Health Sanitarian
  • Blue Zones Senior Program Manager
  • Environmental Health Program Manager
  • Workplace Suicide Prevention Program Coordinator
  • Occupational Injury Surveillance Coordinator/Epidemiologist

A typical student completes the MPH in two years. This following is a sample plan of study based on a full-time student starting in the Fall. Please work with your advisor to choose a plan that works best for you.

Course #Course nameHours
 Fall 112 s.h.
CPH:5100Intro to Public Health*3 s.h.
EPID:4400Epidemiology I: Principles*3 s.h.
OEH:4240Global Environmental Health*3 s.h.
OEH:5620Occupational Health3 s.h.
OEH:5010OEH Seminar0 s.h.
 Spring 19 s.h.
HMP:4000Intro to the US Healthcare System*3 s.h.
CBH:4105Intro to Health Promotion and Disease Prevention*3 s.h.
OEH: 6110Rural Health and Agricultural Medicine3 s.h.
OEH:5010OEH Seminar0 s.h.
 Fall 212 s.h.
BIOS:4120Introduction to Biostatistics*3 s.h.
OEH:4260Global Water and Health3 s.h.
CPH:5203Interprofessional Education & Practice for MPH Students0 s.h.
Elective3 s.h.
Elective3 s.h.
 Spring 29 s.h.
OEH:5010OEH Seminar1 s.h.
CPH:7800MPH Practicum3 s.h.
Elective 3 s.h.
Elective3 s.h.
 MPH degree total42 s.h.
*Denotes MPH Core course, and must be complete before CPH:7800.

SUMMARY OF RequirementsHours
MPH Core18 s.h.
OEH Required10 s.h.
OEH Electives11 s.h.
Interprofessional Education & Practice0 s.h.
MPH Practicum3 s.h.
Total42 s.h.