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Master of Public Health – Occupational and Environmental Health

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Summary

The Master of Public Health in Occupational and Environmental Health provides students with knowledge of harmful exposures and the skills to translate discoveries into actions that improve public health.

The program prioritizes interdisciplinary training in environmental health, emphasizing the role of air, water, contaminants in food and consumer products, the built environment, and the workplace as critical determinants of public health.

Visit the Department of Environmental Health

About

The MPH in Occupational and Environmental Health focuses on workplace and environmental hazards, the physiological and biomechanical aspects of work, the risks posed by the interaction of genetic and environmental factors, and a practical approach to solving health problems in various work and community settings.

The program is designed for physicians and other professionals who intend to practice occupational/environmental medicine or hold responsible positions in occupational and/or environmental policy and management.

The occupational health area fulfills the coursework requirements of the two-year Occupational and Environmental Medicine Residency. This field of study is also intended for physicians who wish to satisfy the didactic requirements of the American Board of Preventive Medicine for certification in occupational and environmental medicine.

On Campus (Fall start) • Full-time (1 year) • Part-time (2 years)

Curriculum

MPH core requirements:

ID 100: Foundations for Public Health
ID 201: Core Principles of Biostatistics and Epidemiology for Public Health Practice
MPH 101: Qualitative Methods for Public Health
MPH 102: Health Systems
MPH 103: Leadership and Communication
MPH 104: Social, Behavioral, and Structural Determinants of Health
MPH 105: Public Health Policy and Politics

Applied practice experience and integrative learning experience:

EH 945: Applied Practice Experience for Occupational and Environmental Health
EH 236: Epidemiology of Environmental and Occupational Health Regulations

Field of study requirements:

EH 241: Occupational Safety and Injury Prevention
EH 504: Principles of Toxicology
HPM 548: Responsible Conduct of Research
EH 231: Occupational Health Policy and Administration
EH 232: Introduction to Occupational and Environmental Medicine
ID 263: Practice of Occupational Health

EPI 523: Investigating Outbreaks
ID 290: Emergency Response, Disasters, and Public Health

Competencies

Begin formulation of the differential diagnosis after acquiring an accurate and relevant history, including occupational history related to workplace or environmental exposures
Develop a study in the field of environmental and occupational health that takes into account the principles of toxicology
Assess environmental and occupational health hazards using core principles of industrial hygiene, ergonomics, occupational safety, and risk/hazard control and communication (e.g., recognition of regulatory standards and guidelines)
Identify and evaluate workplace and environmental causes of injury or illness and recommend controls or programs to reduce exposure, and to enhance the health and productivity of workers under minimal supervision
Apply epidemiological and risk-based concepts to public policy or the actions of regulatory agencies

The MPH in Environmental Health gave me a strong academic background, critical thinking, and leadership skills, and gave me the fundamental principles I needed so that I could gain more expertise in the field.
Chathaya Wongrathanandha MPH ’13 in Occupational & Environmental Health

The MPH in Environmental Health really helped me to understand the connected nature of everything as well as unintended consequences, both of which help me excel in my current role. The faculty is amazing, and the One Harvard policy allows students to round out lagging areas of their skills so that they can be leaders in their respective spaces.
Ethan Hughes MPH ’19 in Environmental Health

Career Outcomes

An MPH degree opens an extraordinary number of pathways to a meaningful career. Graduates of the MPH program are trained to pursue careers in a variety of industries:

Academic medicine
Biotech/pharma
Consulting
Government
Health care management
Hospital/health care delivery
Non-profit/Non-government organizations
Private practice
Private sector institutions
Public health agencies
University/research

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants for the MPH 45-credit degree program in Occupational and Environmental Health must have one of the following: 

A master’s degree in a health-related field—for example, MSN, MSW, MBA—plus at least two years of relevant health experience.
A prior doctoral degree—for example, MD, DO, DMD, DDS, PhD, SD, JD—or equivalent.
Completed the primary clinical year of medical or dental school. For more information, visit Joint/Combined Degrees.

Application Requirements

All applications must be submitted through SOPHAS – the centralized application service for public health programs. In addition to the application, applicants must submit:

Statement of purpose and objectives
Standardized test scores (optional with guidance)
Three letters of reference
Resumé/curriculum vitae
Post-secondary transcripts or mark sheets (World Education Services credential evaluation for applicants with degrees from outside of the United States)
English language proficiency (TOEFL/IELTS/Duolingo English Test), if applicable

Application Deadline: December 1

Applicants may apply to only one degree program for either full- or part-time status. Applications are reviewed in their entirety and decisions are released via email in late February/early March. Decisions are not released until all application components are received.