MPH with Environmental Occupational Health & Sustainability Emphasis/Concentration

Program Highlights & Accreditation

Eastern Kentucky University's Master of Public Health (MPH) program aims to prepare culturally competent, skilled public health practitioners engaged in community-focused service and scholarship. The program prepares professionals for broad-based practice in public health, grounded in foundational public health knowledge and competencies, with specialized expertise in selected disciplines. The Environmental/Occupational Health & Sustainability (EOHS) concentration specifically equips graduates to protect public health and help communities create and sustain healthier environments, addressing the increasing frequency and complexity of global environmental health challenges.

Accreditation: The program is accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH) and the National Environmental Health Science and Protection Accreditation Council (EHAC).

Key Program Features:

• Free textbooks through EKU BookSmart.

• No application fee for the Graduate School.

• Generous credit transfer policy (up to 12 hours).

• Reduced tuition for active-duty military members and their spouses.

• No GRE required for admission.

• Complete the degree in as little as 24 months.

• Applied practicum experience to network with professionals.

• Dedicated advisors providing personalized graduation plans.

• Free tutoring and career services assistance.

Delivery Modes

The MPH program with a concentration in Environmental/Occupational Health & Sustainability is offered primarily as an on-campus program. Online options are also indicated by the availability of online application deadlines. The program is designed for full-time study, allowing completion in as little as 24 months.

Curriculum Overview

The MPH degree requires a minimum of 42 credit hours. The curriculum integrates foundational public health knowledge in areas such as behavioral sciences, biostatistics, epidemiology, environmental health science, and public health administration, along with crosscutting and emerging public health topics.

Core Courses (21 credit hours):

• MPH 810: Human Behavior Change (3 hours)

• MPH 816: Public Health Org and Admin (3 hours)

• MPH 825: Public Health Planning (3 hours)

• MPH 830: Biostatistics in Health Sci (3 hours)

• MPH 840: Rsrch Mthds in Public Health (3 hours)

• MPH 850: Intro to Envir. Health Science (3 hours)

• MPH 855: Principles of Epidemiology (3 hours)

Environmental/Occupational Health & Sustainability Concentration (21 credit hours): Includes required courses such as EHS 840 (Total Worker Health), EHS 860 (Air Quality Assessment), EHS 865 (Environmental Toxicology), 6 hours of approved electives, an Applied Practice Experience (EHS 839 or EHS 863, 3 hours), and an Integrative Learning Experience/Exit Requirement (EHS 890 Grad Project in Environmental Health, 3 hours).

Admissions Requirements

Applicants must hold a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution.

• Full Admission: Cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher, OR 3.25 in the last 60 hours of undergraduate work.

• Provisional Admission: Cumulative undergraduate GPA of 2.5 or higher. Provisional students must maintain a 3.0 GPA for their first two graduate terms.

• International Applicants: TOEFL score of at least 550 (paper-based), 79 (internet-based), or 213 (computerized).

Prerequisites for EOHS Concentration: At least 1 physical science, 2 chemistry courses with lab, 2 biology courses with lab, college algebra, and 1 microbiology course at the undergraduate level.

Application Materials (submit online to the Graduate School at www.gradschool.eku.edu/apply ):

• Graduate School application and fee.

• Official transcripts.

• TOEFL score (if applicable).

• Statement of personal and professional objectives (1.5-2 pages).

• List of 3 professional or academic references with current contact information.

Cost & Financial Aid

Tuition for the MPH program is $572 per credit hour for full-time, in-state students. EKU offers benefits such as free textbooks for all students through the EKU BookSmart program and no application fee for the Graduate School. Reduced tuition is available for active-duty military members and their spouses.

Career & Practical Experience

Graduates with an MPH, particularly with an EOHS concentration, are prepared for a variety of roles in government, private industry, or consulting. Common job titles include Environmental Health and Safety Officer/Specialist/Manager, Environmental Health Scientist, Industrial Hygienist, Environmental Scientist, Environmental Engineer, Air/Water Quality Specialist, Epidemiologist, and Sustainability Manager/Coordinator.

EKU graduates have worked at organizations such as State & Local Health Departments, U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet, University of Kentucky Healthcare, Brown-Forman, CDC/NIOSH, FDA, Kentucky OSHA, Oak Ridge/Sandia National Research Laboratories, and the U.S. Army Preventive Medicine Corps.

The program includes an applied practicum experience (Applied Learning in Environmental Health Science or Field Experience in Environmental Health) and an integrative learning experience (Graduate Project in Environmental Health), providing hands-on skills and networking opportunities. EKU's Office of Academic and Career Services offers support in creating resumes and cover letters, interview coaching, document review, and job search assistance.