The PhD in Environmental Health Sciences trains students for research careers and leadership roles in academia, government agencies, research institutes, consulting firms, and industry. The program is designed for individuals with a variety of backgrounds.

The PhD in Environmental Health Sciences is offered by the Department of Community, Environment, and Policy.

The PhD in Environmental Health Sciences trains students to identify, evaluate, and manage the impacts of environmental exposures to hazardous physical, chemical, and biological agents in air, water, soil, food, as well as social stressors that may adversely affect human health. Using an interdisciplinary approach, the PhD in Environmental Health Sciences Program equips students with the expertise needed to prevent human injury and illness and promote well-being. 

Students in the PhD in Environmental Health Science program benefit from advanced hands-on training that integrates interdisciplinary academic coursework with real-world research experience. Under the mentorship of expert faculty students research, evaluate, and manage health risks affecting both communities and occupational settings.

Explore the profiles of Environmental Health Science faculty to find an advisor whose expertise aligns with your research interests and career goals here.

Students develop expertise in areas such as:

• Behavioral and social science applications in environmental health
• Environmental modeling
• Epidemiological research methods
• Exposure assessment
• Field sampling methods
• Intervention design
• Statistical analysis
• Toxicology

Graduates of the PhD in Environmental Health Sciences program are well-prepared for research careers and leadership roles across a variety of professional pathways. These include:

• Academia and higher education
• Government agencies and the public sector
• Independent research organizations
• Private sector and industry
• Environmental and public health consulting
• Non-profit and international organizations

Explore more about careers in Environmental Health Sciences

Entry into the PhD program requires successful completion of a master's degree in a related field. The PhD program requires approximately three to five years for completion, including two to three years for coursework and one to two years for the dissertation.

Credit Requirements:

A minimum of 72 graduate-level credits is required for the PhD in Environmental Health Sciences program, distributed as follows:

• At least 45 credits (including major and elective coursework in Environmental Health Sciences)
• A minimum of 18 dissertation units
• At least 9 units in a minor (must be in a different department)
• Of the 72 total credits, a minimum of 18 units must be electives

The overall course of study is developed collaboratively by the student and their faculty advisor and approved by the student’s Graduate Committee and the Environmental Health Sciences Program Director.
 

Curriculum

Required Major Courses (27 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 502 Environmental Monitoring and Analysis (3)
• EHS 585 Public Health Fundamentals for Researchers+ (3)
• EHS 653 Applied Exposure Assessment (3)
• HPS 609 Evaluating Public Health Literature (1)
• EHS 696R Environmental Health Seminar (1 unit each semester - 5 times)

+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.

Elective Courses (minimum 18 units)*

Students select courses in areas of emphasis:
Exposure Science and Risk Assessment; Climate and Health; Environmental Contaminant Modeling; and Occupational Health and Safety

*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 PhD in Environmental Health Sciences.  Please consult with Faculty Advisor regarding other University courses which would fulfill the elective requirements.

Minor Courses (minimum of 9 units required)**

PhD students must complete a minor of at least 9 units from another area of study. Minors that may interest students in this program include Biostatistics, Epidemiology, Water Quality, Global Climate Change, Environmental Planning, Applied Mathematics, Engineering, Atmospheric Science, and Soil, Water and Environmental Science, just to name a few. With committee approval, a minor may be selected from any program of study at the University of Arizona that offers a doctoral degree.

**Requirements for a PhD minor in individual departments may vary.  Required elective hours will be reduced if the minor exceeds 9 units.

Dissertation (minimum 18 units)

Total Minimum Credit Requirements = 72 units

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