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Master of Public Health in Occupational Safety and Health (MPH)
Master of Public Health in Occupational Safety and Health (MPH)
The Rutgers School of Public Health’s Master of Public Health (MPH) in Occupational Safety and Health degree is dedicated to training professionals in the fundamentals of safety science, preparing graduates to mitigate workplace risks.
About the Program
Students will be trained to identify occupational safety and health issues in the workplace with specific coursework that will educate students on how to develop testable models to validate occupational exposures and adverse health outcomes and utilize their understanding of regulatory compliance standards to devise best-in-class solutions to ensure worker safety and health protection.
In addition to degree coursework, students have the opportunity to attend summer review courses offered by the Office of Continuing Professional Education in preparation for the Registered Environmental Health Specialist (REHS); Certified Safety Professional (CSP); and, Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH) exams, which are separate from earning the graduate degree.
Graduates are eligible to sit for the Certified in Public Health Exam.
Competencies
Upon graduation, a student completing the MPH curriculum in Occupational Safety and Health will be able to:
- Identify occupational safety and health issues in the workplace and as applicable the related exposure risks to the general public as well as to vulnerable communities or susceptible sub-populations
- Explain basic mechanisms of toxicology and dose-response regarding occupational toxicants
- Apply federal and state regulatory standards which are related to worker (occupational) safety and health protection
- Explain testable models for occupational exposures (one or more agents) and their adverse health outcomes (causing injury, disability, or other morbidity or mortality)
- Apply current quantitative risk assessment approaches and methods for specific occupational safety or other health hazards
Program Format and Length
The MPH in Occupational Safety and Health degree is offered to students on a full-time or part-time basis. Courses are available in-person, remote, and/or online. Students will complete a total of 45 credits, including a practicum experience and capstone research project.
Students must complete 45 credits of academic work with a minimum GPA of least 3.0; earn no more than nine (9) credits bearing grades less than “B,” and complete the degree requirements within six years. Courses are three credit hours unless otherwise noted and semester when each course is typically offered is noted parentheses. Students should review the Forward Schedule for long-term course planning and the Schedule-At-A-Glance for each semester to determine when, where, and how a course is offered.
If completing the program as a full-time student (nine or more credits per semester), the degree requirements may be completed in as little as two years (four to five semesters). Part-time students taking at least six credits per semester may expect to finish within four years. Taking courses in the summer may help expedite part-time students’ timing.
Dual-degree options are available in partnership with other Rutgers University schools.
Students are also required to register for and complete an Interprofessional Education activity prior to graduation.
Students can earn a post-baccalaureate certificate alongside their degree with an additional 6-12 credits. Contact admissions for additional information at admissions@sph.rutgers.edu.
Application Deadlines and Requirements
Fall Semester Start Date
January 15 (priority)
May 1 (regular)
Spring Semester Start Date
October 15 (priority)
December 1 (regular)
A complete application includes:
- Completion of the online application
- Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended
- Statement of goals, one-to-three pages in length, which addresses:
- Interest in the program
- Preparedness for the program
- Goals and aspirations
- Two letters of recommendation with at least one letter from an academic reference if you are currently enrolled in a degree program or have graduated within the last four years.
- Resume or CV
- GRE General Exam (optional)
- TOEFL or IELTS score for applicants educated in a non-native English-speaking country
Applications are accepted on a rolling, space-available basis following the regular deadline.
Core Courses (18 credits)
- PHCO 0501 - Health Systems and Policy
- PHCO 0502 - Principles and Methods of Epidemiology
- PHCO 0503 - Introduction to Environmental Health
- PHCO 0504 - Introduction to Biostatistics (Prerequisite: Quantitative Skills Assessment)
- PHCO 0505 - Social and Behavioral Health Sciences in Public Health
- PHCO 0513 - Leadership and Management Essentials for Public Health
Practicum (3 credits)
Note: Students should review the Practice Experience webpage for information about Practicum.
- PRAC 0715 - Applied Practice Experience (0 credits) [Prerequisite: APE Learning Agreement and select PHCO and concentration courses]
- PRAC 0716 - Practicum Capstone (3 credits) [Prerequisite: Completion of the APE and Practicum Capstone Learning Agreement]
Current students (enrolled prior to Summer 2022) who have not yet completed PRAC 0716 should complete PRAC 0717 and PRAC 0718; if these students complete PRAC 0716 with special permission, they are still expected to complete their Practicum Capstone over two semesters, unless they have special permission. - PRAC 0717 - Practicum Capstone-Two Semester (1.5 credits; taken in first semester of two semester capstone) [Prerequisite: Completion of the APE and Practicum Capstone Learning Agreement]
- PRAC 0718 - Practicum Capstone-Two Semester (1.5 credits; taken in second semester of two semester capstone) [Prerequisite: Passing (P) Grade in PRAC 0717]
Students who enrolled prior to Summer 2022 are encouraged to complete PRAC 0717 and PRAC 0718; PRAC 0717 and PRAC 0718 are required for students who enroll Summer 2022 and after.
Review the School’s Registration Calendar for important MPH Practice Experience Registration dates specific to PRAC 0715, PRAC 0716, PRAC 0717 and PRAC 0718.
Concentration Courses (15 credits)
Note: Students should review the Course Descriptions in the School Catalog for specific information about prerequisites required for required courses and recommended electives.
- ENOH 0654 - Occupational Safety and Workplace Risk Mitigation (Spring)
- ENOH 0656 - Environmental Risk Assessment (Spring)
- ENOH 0693 - Principles of Occupational and Environmental Health (Fall)
- ENOH 0695 - Environmental Exposure Measurement and Assessment (Fall)
- ENOH 0699 - Principles of Industrial Hygiene (Fall)
Other Requirements (0 credits)
- PRAC 0621 - Interprofessional Education (0 credits) [Fall/Spring]
Students are required to register for and complete an Interprofessional Education activity prior to graduation.
Recommended Elective Courses (9 credits)
Students may choose elective courses from among other concentration courses, from courses within Rutgers School of Public Health, or other Rutgers graduate programs with faculty advisor approval.