MS in Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences

About the Program

IN-PERSON, FULLY ONLINE  FULL-TIME, PART-TIME  
SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE

The MS in Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences program prepares students for careers in the growing field of Industrial Hygiene. Students gain the scientific framework and technical skills to assess and measure exposures to environmental and occupational hazards and to develop control strategies to remediate these exposures, with the ultimate aim of ensuring that workplaces in every field, from offices to schools to factories, are safe and healthy environments.

Students entering the MS in Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences are encouraged to apply for financial support from one of the following two scholarship programs:

At this time, we are unable to issue I-20 forms for this program, given that many of its required courses are offered online.

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

Connect with our Admissions Team!

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.

Admissions Information

Admissions Requirements

  • Completed SOPHAS application
  • Undergraduate degree from an accredited university; GPA (overall and major) of at least 3.0 preferred.
  • Personal statement/statement of purpose (at least 500 words)
  • Background in the field: paid or volunteer experience in public health or related field
  • Resume
  • Two letters of recommendation
  • TOEFL scores are required if language of instruction for prior degrees was not English
  • Transcript evaluation from WES or ECE for foreign transcripts.
  • Applicants with a 3.0 GPA or above may waive the standardized test requirement.
  • Applicants who have a post graduate degree from a U.S. accredited school or a post graduate degree in clinical or allied health that WES or ECE has deemed equivalent to its US counterpart may request a standardized test waiver. Please be advised that waivers are granted on a case by case basis.
  • 40 credit hours in biology, chemistry, health sciences, mathematics, statistics, physics, or engineering completed prior to admission. If deficiencies exist in any of these areas, students will be required to take specific coursework after matriculating into the program.

Application Deadline

  • Fall 2024: April 1, 2024 (April 1, 2024 for international students seeking an F-1 student visa)
Curriculum icon

Curriculum

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

Foundational Knowledge (0 credits) PUBH 601 Foundations of Public Health Knowledge*
Core Coursework (6 credits) PUBH 613 Designs, Concepts, and Methods in Public Health Research
PUBH 614 Quantitative and Qualitative Data Analysis Methods in Public Health Research
Required Coursework (21 credits) EOHS 622 Environmental and Occupational Toxicology
EOHS 623 Principles of Industrial Hygiene
EOHS 626 Industrial Ventilation and Indoor Air Quality
EOHS 627 Noise and Radiation Hazards and Controls
EOHS 633 Introduction to Environmental and Occupational Health
EOHS 625 Hazard Evaluation and Instrumentation
EOHS 643 Industrial Safety and Management
Elective Coursework (9 credits) Three (3) electives chosen in consultation with faculty advisor
Culminating Experience (3 credits) PUBH 698 Capstone Project
Comprehensive Exam
Total Credits Required 39

*Students who have a CEPH-accredited undergraduate or graduate degree in public health can be waived from PUBH 601 by submitting a Course Waiver Request.

Course sequence icon

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.

Semester Course Credits
Year 1 Fall PUBH 601: Foundations of Public Health Knowledge* 0
PUBH 613: Designs, Concepts, and Methods in Public Health Research 3
EOHS 633: Introduction to Environmental and Occupational Health 3
EOHS 623: Principles of Industrial Hygiene 3
Elective I 3
Year 1 Spring PUBH 614: Quantitative and Qualitative Data Analysis Methods in Public Health Research 3
EOHS 622: Environmental and Occupational Toxicology 3
EOHS 626: Industrial Ventilation and Indoor Air Quality 3
Year 2 Fall EOHS 625: Hazard Evaluation and Instrumentation 3
EOHS 627: Noise and Radiation Hazards and Controls 3
Elective II 3
Year 2 Spring PUBH 698: Capstone Project 3
Comprehensive Exam
EOHS 643: Industrial Safety and Management 3
Elective III 3

For students beginning their program during the spring semester:

Semester Course Credits
Year 1 Spring PUBH 601: Foundations of Public Health Knowledge* 0
PUBH 613: Designs, Concepts, and Methods in Public Health Research 3
EOHS 622: Environmental and Occupational Toxicology 3
Elective I 3
Year 1 Fall PUBH 614: Quantitative and Qualitative Data Analysis Methods in Public Health Research 3
EOHS 633: Introduction to Environmental and Occupational Health 3
EOHS 627: Noise and Radiation Hazards and Controls 3
EOHS 623: Principles of Industrial Hygiene 3
Year 2 Spring EOHS 626: Industrial Ventilation and Indoor Air Quality 3
EOHS 643: Industrial Safety and Management 3
Elective III 3
Year 2 Fall PUBH 698: Capstone Project 3
EOHS 625: Hazard Evaluation and Instrumentation 3
Elective II 3

*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 within 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
  • Attain recognized professional certification

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.

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