It includes more environmental sciences course work than the M.P.H. option, and may include laboratory work. Students are admitted to the Graduate School's program in environmental health. The requirements for this degree option take two years. The Ph.D. program is designed to bring students to a high level of academic competence through a combination of advanced course work and research. Post master's level course work emphasizes the statistical and analytic methods required to conduct original research, and topics specific to the student's dissertation topic.
Students develop their dissertation topics from funded research projects.
The thesis must make an original contribution to the body of knowledge in environmental or occupational health. Prospective doctoral students must have fulfilled the requirements, or the equivalent, of the master's program in environmental health before admission to the program, or take additional courses to meet that level of knowledge. Career Opportunities Opportunities exist nationwide for individuals with multidisciplinary training that incorporates knowledge of environmental and occupational science and policy issues and processes. Students completing an M.P.H. or M.S. degree can work in government, industry, consulting or non-government organizations in the areas of risk assessment and management, regulatory compliance, health and safety, risk communication and policy analysis. The Ph.D. program prepares students for research careers in academia or leadership roles in industry and government.