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UofM Global

Master of Public Health - Environmental and Occupational Health

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Students will learn to identify, measure, and evaluate risks posed by chemical, biological, physical, ergonomic and
safety hazards, preparing them to respond to emerging threats at the intersection of workplace safety,
environmental crises, and public health policy.

Students motivated to improve health by bridging science, practice, and policy and with backgrounds in biology, chemistry, engineering, or related fields to apply their technical knowledge to real-world problems. Professionals in government, industry and consulting to expand their expertise in workplace safety, risk management, or regulatory policy.

  • Training in instrumentation use, risk assessment, data analytics, environmental assessments and workplace health inspections to protect worker safety and promote healthy living environments. 
  • Memphis Climate Health Environment Equity Research (MCHEER) facilitates opportunities to conduct transdisciplinary and translational research in air pollution and health research, climate changes, environmental justice, global environmental health and healthy building in the Greater Memphis Area.
Career fairs, professional development workshops, faculty mentoring, partnerships with environmental and occupational health professionals, engagement in professional associations foster your professional network and opportunities for certification. 
Safety Specialists, EHS Coordinators, and Industrial Hygienists, with salaries ranging from $70,000 to $105,000 for mid-level roles and exceeding $115,000 for senior positions in distribution hubs, chemical plants, healthcare systems and consulting firms (2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics) 

Credit Hours: 42

Foundational Courses 

  • PUBH 7180 | Foundations of Public Health (0 credit hours) 
  • HADM 7105 | Health Policy and Organization of Health Services 
  • PUBH 7120 | Environmental Health 
  • PUBH 7150 | Introduction to Biostatistics 
  • PUBH 7160 | Social and Behavioral Sciences Principles 
  • PUBH 7170 | Principles of Epidemiology 

Environmental and occupational health track 

  • PUBH 7122 | Workplace Health and Safety 
  • PUBH 7124 | Advanced Exposure Assessment and Toxicology 
  • PUBH 7126 | One Health and Risk Management 
  • PUBH 7128 | Environmental and Occupational Health Policy 
  • PUBH 7129 | Environmental Health Data Analytics 

Applied Practical Experience 

  • PUBH 7985 | Fieldwork - 1 credit hour: Gain real-world experience in a public health setting (180 hours minimum). 
  • 180 hours (minimum) of fieldwork in environmental and occupational settings, instrumentation and field investigations are embedded as experiential and service learning in partnership with environmental and occupational health practitioners. 

Culminating Experience 

  • PUBH 7998 | Capstone Project - 2 credit hours: Apply your knowledge to solve a real public health problem. 

 3 Elective Courses - 9 credit hours 

  • Choose electives that align with your interests and career goals.

 

Careers in Public Health

Public health careers increasingly intersect with data analysis, epidemiology, health analytics, occupational health, and evidence-based decision-making. Quantitative skills and practical field experience can help graduates prepare for roles that address complex population health challenges.

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Employment Outlook

The employment outlook for environmental and occupational health professionals is promising, driven by growing attention to workplace safety, environmental protection, pollution prevention, and public health risks. Employment of occupational health and safety specialists is projected to grow 18% from 2025 to 2035, while environmental scientists and specialists are projected to see 6% growth, compared with approximately 3.5% across all occupations. An MPH in Environmental and Occupational Health can prepare graduates for specialized careers in workplace safety, environmental health assessment, regulatory compliance, research, and public health program management

Earning Potential

Environmental and occupational health professionals have competitive earning opportunities across government, manufacturing, healthcare, consulting, and environmental services. National median annual salaries include $90,150 for occupational health and safety specialists and $82,220 for environmental scientists and specialists, with experienced professionals and those in specialized industries potentially earning more than $100,000. An MPH in Environmental and Occupational Health can strengthen qualifications for advanced technical, research, consulting, and management opportunities, with an illustrative salary range of $66,000–$112,000 depending on career path and experience.

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Roles Related To This Degree

  • Environmental Health Specialist
  • Occupational Health Specialist
  • Safety Coordinator
  • Environmental Scientist
  • Health Educator.
  • Research Associate / Program Manager
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Requirements for the MPH includes

  • Completed SOPHAS application

  • Undergraduate degree with minimum GPA of 3.0

  • Curriculum Vitae/Resume

  • Statement of Purpose (400-500 words)

  • Two (2) letters of recommendation

  • Credentials evaluation for foreign transcripts

  • International students must provide evidence of English language proficiency

 

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