Master of Public Health in Environmental Health Sciences

The Rutgers School of Public Health’s Master of Public Health (MPH) in Environmental Health Sciences degree provides students with in-depth training on the major environmental health problems that impact the general population as well as unique, sometimes vulnerable, communities.

Program Overview
Curriculum Details

About the Program

Graduates will be able to explain toxicology and appropriate dose-related responses to environmental toxicants and describe federal and state regulatory programs relating to environmental protections. Utilizing their knowledge of environmental risk assessment approaches, graduates will be able to efficiently and effectively participate in interdisciplinary public health efforts aimed at ensuring population and community well-being.

In addition to degree coursework, students have the opportunity to attend an 8-week summer course followed by a 200-hour unpaid field training internship offered by Rutgers NJAES Office of Continuing Professional Education in preparation for the Registered Environmental Health Specialist (REHS), which are separate from earning the graduate degree.

Graduates are eligible to sit for the Certified in Public Health Exam.

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Competencies

Each concentration identifies competencies for each degree offered. These competencies reflect the full range of knowledge, skills, and other attributes that a student will acquire as a result of completing the requirements for a particular degree.

Upon graduation, a student completing the MPH curriculum in Environmental Health Sciences will be able to:

MPH-EHS1: Describe the major environmental health problems facing the general public as well as among specific communities or susceptible, vulnerable sub-populations;
MPH-EHS2: Explain basic mechanisms of toxicology and dose-response regarding toxicants;
MPH-EHS3: Describe the federal and state regulatory programs relating to environmental (community) protection;
MPH-EHS4: Develop a testable model of environmental exposures (one or more agents) and adverse health outcomes (causing injury, disability, other measure of morbidity or mortality); and
MPH-EHS5: Specify current environmental risk assessment approaches and methods for a particular hazard or risk in a community.

Program Format and Length

The MPH in Environmental Health Sciences 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.

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 Requirements

Students seeking a Master of Public Health in Environmental Health Sciences degree must have the following prerequisites completed: three credits in college biology, human behavior, social or health science; three credits in college calculus; and, demonstration of computer competence.

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.

Download MPH-Environmental Health Sciences Info. Sheet

Prerequisites

3 credits in college biology, human behavior, social or health science
3 credits in college calculus
Demonstration of computer competence

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 0594 - Environmental and Occupational Toxicology (Spring)
ENOH 0656 - Environmental Risk Assessment (Spring)
ENOH 0695 - Environmental Exposure Measurement and Assessment (Fall)

-also-

Choose two of the following six:

ENOH 0560 - Public Health Biology and Physiology (Spring)
ENOH 0596 - Environmental Justice: Historical Perspectives and Justice Initiatives (Fall)
ENOH 0653 - Biomarkers (Summer/Fall-Odd Years)
ENOH 0693 - Principles of Occupational and Environmental Health (Fall)
EPID 0650 - Environmental and Occupational Epidemiology (Spring)
EPID 0656 - Intermediate Epidemiologic Research Methods (Fall/Spring)

Other Requirements (0 credits)

PRAC 0621 - Interprofessional Education Experience (0 credits) [Fall/Spring]
Students are required to register for and complete an Interprofessional Education activity prior to graduation.
Complete Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI) online training on Human Subject Research Protections (For Students Enrolled Fall 2024 and After)

Recommended Elective Courses (9 credits)

Electives may be chosen from the below list of recommended courses; from the above list of selective courses students have not taken; from other courses offered across the School of Public Health, including the School’s global courses (INTL courses); or with approval of the academic advisor. An Independent Study may also be done for up to 3-credits, with approval of the academic advisor and an SPH faculty member. Students interested in taking a graduate course at another Rutgers school must consult with their academic advisor and complete appropriate cross-registration forms in advance of registration. When choosing electives, students should consider the prerequisite requirement(s) and the location or teaching modality of the course.

Advanced Electives in Environmental Health Sciences

ENOH 0620 - Climate Change: Planet & Human Health (Fall)
ENOH 0621 - Sustainability: Planet & Human Health (Fall)
ENOH 0644 - Indoor Air Quality (Fall/Even Years Only)

Electives with Emphasis in Occupational Safety and Health

ENOH 0654 - Occupational Safety and Workplace Risk Mitigation (Spring)
ENOH 0657 - Managing Hazardous Energy (Fall)
ENOH 0699 - Principles of Industrial Hygiene (Fall)

Electives to Supplement Your Environmental Health Sciences Training

EPID 0601 - Cancer Epidemiology (Spring)
EPID 0641 - GIS in Public Health (Spring)
HBSP 0602 - Long-Term Effects of Child Inequality and Adversity (Fall)
HBSP 0654 - Public Health Communication/Risk Communication (Spring)
UGPH 0515 - Global Communicable and Noncommunicable Diseases (Spring)
UGPH 0600 - Introduction to Global Public Health (Fall/Spring)
UGPH 0621 - Public Health and Health Disparities (Fall)
UGPH 0680 - Urban Public Health (Spring)

Students thinking about pursuing a doctoral degree may want to consider taking additional quantitative data analysis and/or research methods courses as electives.