The mission of the department is to improve the state of environmental and community health through teaching, research, and service activities.

Faculty

The Community, Environment and Policy Department represents a diverse group of faculty members who engage in teaching, service, and research on the many different areas of public health policy and environmental and community health. Research interests and expertise are primarily focused on the major areas of public health that relate to the environment, community, workplace, health policy, and health management. View faculty directory.

Programs

The department of Community, Environment, and Policy consists of two programs that are aligned with academic areas:

Educational Programs

The Master's of Public Health degree at the UA Zuckerman College of Public Health offers different concentration areas, two of which are in the Department of Community, Environment, and Policy.

MPH in Environmental and Occupational Health (EOH)

The MPH in Environmental and Occupational Health (EOH) prepares students for professional practice and/or research in environmental and occupational health. Specialized training in the recognition, evaluation, and control of health hazards is emphasized. Course work is designed to provide comprehensive knowledge of chemical, physical, and biological sources of exposure, material toxicity, legal and professional health standards, and engineering and administrative methods for achieving safe and healthful environments for the public.

MPH in Public Health Policy and Management (PHPM)

The MPH in Public Health Policy and Management (PHPM) prepares leaders of public and private health systems to manage effectively and to create and implement policies that promote the public's health. Public Health Policy and Management develop skills in management and leadership, policy analysis and formulation, strategic and financial planning, health services administration and evaluation for all levels of practice, including local/community, state, national and international. Consistent with the College's focus on community participation and development, our curriculum emphasizes community partnership in all aspects of public health policy development and program management. 

Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) in Public Health Policy and Management (PHPM)

The Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) in Public Health Policy and Management (PHPM) is an advanced, professional degree program designed for the student who intends to pursue a leadership career as a public health professional in the area of Public Health Policy and Management. The DrPH program focuses on developing future leaders in public health practice, who will advance the public's health through the integration and application of a broad range of knowledge and analytical skills in leadership, practice, policy analysis, research, program management, and professional communication. 

Doctorate in Environmental Health Sciences (PhD)

The Doctorate in Environmental Health Sciences (PhD) provides field, classroom and laboratory experiences for incoming students with highly varied backgrounds. This health-focused program builds on an extensive array of basic sciences, from climate change to toxicology. The program develops leaders for industry, government, and academia committed to research, education and the practice of environmental health science. 

Master of Science in Environmental Health Sciences (MS)

The Master of Science in Environmental Health Sciences (MS) provides students with training and preparation for leadership roles (project leaders, program developers) in current and emerging environmental health science disciplines. The program employs a multidisciplinary approach linking the assessment of health impacts with the environment. Students must complete a Master's program to enter the PhD research program in Environmental Health Sciences at the University of Arizona.

Bachelor of Science in Public Health

The Bachelor of Science in Public Health with a concentrated study in Environmental and Occupational Health (BS) is designed to promote an understanding of health and disease based on public health principles. The primary goal of the program is to train public health professionals who will seek to improve the quality of life of individuals and communities. Those in the Environmental and Occupational Health will receive additional training in the fundamentals of environmental and industrial health, health preparedness, and risk assessment.

View more information about the Academic Programs at the UA Zuckerman College of Public Health.

Research

Community, Environment and Policy Department members are engaged in a wide range of research areas that focus on the public health preparedness, environment, community, workplace, health policy, and health management. The faculty's research interest includes: diabetes prevention and control, physical activity and nutrition in children, waterborne pathogens, anthrax, health hazards of public safety workers, exposure to pesticide, Valley Fever, hospital and emergency medical services for the poor, respiratory toxicology in firefighters, mining-related injuries and exposures, environmental arsenic exposure, methamphetamine labs, tobacco use, industrial hygiene, ventilation, native healing practices, and disease-causing microbes in the environment.

View a list of our current grants.

Contact Us

Prospective students are encouraged to contact us if they have any questions.

Admissions

If you have a question about admission to any of the programs offered by the department or you are interested in scheduling a visit to Tucson, please contact our Director of Admissions at coph-admit@email.arizona.edu or by phone at (520) 626-3201.

Department

If you wish to contact the Department of Community, Environment & Policy directly, please email Karen O"Shaughnessy or call (520) 626-4912.