Offered On Campus in Tucson
The Master of Science in Environmental Health Sciences is offered by the Department of Community, Environment, and Policy. Using an interdisciplinary approach, Environmental Health Sciences provides the critical link between environmental and occupational exposures and human health.
The Master of Science degree is designed for individuals who seek training in environmental health research. It is anticipated that graduates will occupy positions as project leaders, program directors, and research personnel in academic, government, corporate, community group, and industrial settings.
The overall course of study will be developed by the student and their Faculty Advisor. The MS degree program requires approximately two years for completion including development and defense of a research thesis.
MS students may be admitted to the PhD program after successful completion of the MS degree.
Admission Criteria Application Deadlines How to Apply
Curriculum
MS in Environmental Health Sciences Competencies
Required Major Courses (24 units)
- EPID 573A Basic Principles of Epidemiology (3)
- BIOS 576A Biostatistics in Public Health (3)
- BIOS 576B Biostatistics for Research (3)
- EHS 584 Fundamentals of Industrial and Environmental Health (3)
- EHS 585 Public Health Fundamentals for Researchers (3)+
- EHS 502 Environmental Monitoring and Analysis (3)
- EHS 653 Applied Exposure Assessment (3)
- EHS 696R Environmental Health Seminar (1 unit each semester - 3 times)
Elective Courses
Minimum of 12 elective units required for the MS - approved by Faculty Advisor*
Students select courses in areas of emphasis: Exposure and Risk Assessment; Climate and Health; Environmental Contaminant Modeling; or Occupational Health and Safety.
+For students who have met the core competencies in EHS 585 through prior courses, for example, as would be expected in a prior degree, minor or certificate in public health, an elective may be taken in lieu of this course.
*Students should contact their EHS Faculty Advisor for a suggested listing of elective courses. In addition, there are a great majority of other University courses that can serve as electives for the MS in Environmental Health Sciences. Please consult with the Faculty Advisor regarding other University courses which would fulfill the elective requirements.
Required Master's Thesis: CPH 910 (6 units)
Total Minimum Credit Requirement = 42 units
Milestones
Typical time to completion: 2 years full-time students, 3-4 years part-time students.
Average time to completion: 2.5
Program Steps to Completion (Full-time student timeline):
- Attend mandatory new student orientation
- First year is devoted to course work
- Each Spring, complete an Annual Progress Report with Faculty Advisor
- Second semester, identify Thesis Chair
- Second year is devoted to course work and thesis research/development
- If necessary, begin process for human subjects approval for thesis
- Third semester, form thesis committee
- Begin research/thesis development
- Fourth semester, successfully defend thesis and finalize revisions
