MS in Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences

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Is this degree right for you?

The program is designed for individuals seeking careers as environmental and/or occupational health professionals. In 2001 the program was accredited by the ABET (Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology) in Industrial Hygiene. The program is a member of the NIOSH supported Education and Research Center for the New York and New Jersey area.

What will you learn?

Examine the recognition, evaluation and control of environmental and occupational factors affecting health in the context of economic, sociopolitical, and regulatory issues to address occupational health challenges. Learn to leverage cutting-edge technologies and analytical techniques to quantify and improve workplace health conditions.

Where to after graduation?

Graduates of this program work as inspectors, health and safety specialists and industrial hygienists for government agencies, institutions, consulting firms and businesses on a variety of occupational health issues in a social justice framework.

Recommended Course Sequence

These sequences are recommended for full-time students. Part-time students are encouraged to meet with a staff advisor to map out an appropriate plan of study.

For students who began matriculating in Spring 2019 or earlier, please review the previous course sequence for the MS in Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences here.

For students beginning their program during the spring semester:

*PUBH 601 should be completed during a student’s first semester. Students who have a CEPH-accredited undergraduate or graduate degree in public health can be waived from this requirement by submitting a Course Waiver Request.

Competencies

Core Competencies

Evidence-based Approaches to Public Health

• Apply epidemiological methods to settings and situations in public health practice
• Select quantitative and qualitative data collection methods appropriate for a given public health context
• Analyze quantitative and qualitative data using biostatistics, informatics, computer-based programming and software, as appropriate
• Interpret results of data analysis for public health research, policy, or practice

Systems thinking

• Apply a systems thinking tool to visually represent a public health issue in a format other than standard narrative (Systems thinking tools depict or map complex relationships, demonstrating, for example, how component parts of a system interact with and influence one another. Examples include causal loop diagrams, systems archetypes, network analyses and concept maps. Logic models and evidence tables are not sufficient to address this competency.)

environmental sciences

• Apply concepts from relevant scientific disciplines, such as toxicology and physiology, to anticipate effects of environmental, occupational and nutritional exposures on both human health and overall planetary health

Program Educational Objectives

• Establish a career in the field of occupational health and safety
• Maintain a code of professional ethics as outlined by ABIH
• Become professionally certified through ABIH or other relevant professional organizations
• Pursue continuing education and professional development opportunities and remain apprised of developments in the field
• Employ an interdisciplinary approach to manage occupational health issues by engaging with other professionals including, safety specialists, occupational nurses and physicians, ergonomists, within or outside their organization
• Apply the use of emerging technologies in industrial hygiene to quantify workplace exposure
• Identify common analytical techniques used in industrial hygiene

ABet student outcomes

• Apply leadership and/or management principles to address a relevant issue (Such principles may include creating a vision, empowering others, fostering collaboration, and guiding decision-making.)
• Apply negotiation and mediation skills to address organizational or community challenges (“Negotiation and mediation,” in this competency, refers to the set of skills needed when a common solution is required among parties with conflicting interests and/or different desired outcomes. Such skills extend beyond the level of negotiation required in a successful intra-group process; effective communication within a work group or team is more closely related to competency)

General Outcomes

• An ability to identify, formulate, and solve broadly defined technical or scientific problems by applying knowledge of mathematics and science and/or technical topics to areas relevant to the disciple
• An ability to formulate or design a system, process procedure or program to meet desired needs
• An ability to develop and conduct experiments or test hypotheses, analyze and interpret data and use scientific judgement to draw conclusions
• An ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences
• An ability to understand ethical and professional responsibilities and the impact of technical and/or scientific solutions in global, economic, environmental and societal contexts
• An ability to function effectively on teams that establish goals, plan, tasks, meet deadlines and risk and uncertainty

Program Outcomes

• Identify agents, factors, and stressors generated by and/or associated with defined sources, unit operations, and/or processes
• Describe qualitative and quantitative aspects of generation of agents, factors, and stressors
• Understand physiological and/or toxicological interactions of physical, chemical, biological, and ergonomic agents, factors, and/or stressors with the human body
• Assess qualitative and quantitative aspects of exposure assessment, dose-response, and risk characterization based on applicable pathways and modes of entry
• Calculate, interpret, and apply statistical and epidemiological data
• Recommend and evaluate engineering, administrative, and personal protective equipment controls and/or other interventions to reduce or eliminate hazards
• Demonstrate an understanding of applicable business and managerial practices
• Interpret and apply applicable occupational and environmental regulations
• Understand fundamental aspects of safety and environmental health

Alumni Outcomes

Alumni outcomes data was collected via surveys of CUNY SPH alumni one year after graduation from 2016 to 2022. See more program outcomes here.