Public Health

Master of Science (M.S.) in Environmental Health

What is Environmental Health?

Environmental Health is the interdisciplinary, scientific endeavor to promote public health through a healthy and sustainable environment. Environmental Health draws on virtually all the natural sciences, as well as on engineering, to work at the intersection of environmental factors and human health. Environmental Health deals with such broad-ranging issues as chemicals and microbes in air, water, and soil; physical factors including noise, radiation, thermal stress, and repetitive motion; and emergent issues such as the health impacts of global climate change, and preparation and response to terrorist threats.

What are the career opportunities in Environmental Health?

Environmental Health professionals are employed in a variety of settings in both the public and private sectors. Opportunities range from working at a local health department to the World Health Organization and from working at a small consulting company to a multinational corporation.

What program of study does Temple offer in Environmental Health?

The Department of Public Health is presently revising its curriculum for the Master of Science degree in Environmental Health. Prospective students are encouraged to investigate the Department’s MPH degree concentration in Environmental Health. The program emphasizes interdisciplinary education in the environmental health sciences. Upon completion of the program, graduates will be prepared to:

• Describe how chemical agents are tested for acute, sub chronic and chronic health effects, including reproductive, developmental and carcinogenic effects, and interpret toxicological data in terms of relevance to human health.

• Describe how humans are exposed to chemical, physical, and biological agents in the workplace and community environment.

• Describe how exposures are assessed and can be controlled through administrative procedures, personal protective equipment and various engineering technologies.

• Utilize epidemiological data, with due regard to statistical validity, in the assessment of the nature and degree of impact of hazardous agents on the health of human populations.

• Analyze risk management decisions, demonstrating the scientific components of environmental and occupational health assessment and the policy context in which risk management decisions are made.

• Utilize and adapt technical methods for the measurement or evaluation of hazards in the environment and the workplace, and communicate such to decision makers.

• Identify significant gaps in the current knowledge base concerning health effects of environmental agents.

• Identify the most important disease burdens with major environmental risk factors and the environmental risk factors that produce the most disease burden.

• Identify areas of uncertainty in the exposure and risk assessment processes.

• Describe current legislation and regulation regarding environmental health issues.

What academic background is appropriate for Environmental Health?

Applicants typically have a baccalaureate degree in the natural sciences, engineering or other areas related to the program curriculum. Applicants must meet the admission requirements of the Department of Public Health and the Graduate School. Applications are evaluated on factors including the undergraduate transcript, letters of recommendation, a personal statement, and the Graduate Record Exam (GRE). Graduate School applications are available on-line. Click Here.