Environmental and Occupational Health Science, Master of Science (0473)
Department website: https://www.wku.edu/publichealth
Program Coordinator
Edrisa Sanyang, edrisa.sanyang@wku.edu, (270) 745-3500
The graduate program in Environmental and Occupational Health Science is designed to provide graduate education for careers focused on the protection of human health and prevention of health hazards in occupational and natural environments. A key component of the program is to understand how exposure to environmental and occupational hazards occurs, and discovering ways to reduce and control the risk of exposure. This interdisciplinary field focuses on environmental hazards to human health, assessment of exposures, mechanisms of environmental response, control of risks associated with environmental hazards, and improving occupational health. Program requirements will provide students a foundation of advanced studies that will increase their skills and knowledge for protecting human health and the environment. This program is designed for working professionals and students desiring opportunities with industry, consulting firms, government agencies, and other environmental and occupational health science professions.
The Master of Science in Environmental and Occupational Health Science is accredited by the National Environmental Health Science and Protection Accreditation Council (EHAC). The program is also designated as Qualified Academic Program by the Board of Certified Safety Professionals (BCSP). This provides graduates the opportunity to apply with BCSP for Graduate Safety Professional (GSP) designation.
Joint Undergraduate Master's Program (JUMP)
The Master of Science (MS) in Environmental and Occupational Health (EOHS) degree offers a Joint Undergraduate Master's Program (JUMP) which provides academically outstanding students the opportunity to complete both an undergraduate and graduate degree in an accelerated timeframe. Contact the graduate program coordinator for additional information.
This JUMP program allows students to start working toward their MS in EOHS (REF: 0473) while completing their Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental and Occupational Health Science (REF: 548), Bachelor of Science in Public Health (REF: 521), and Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences (REF: 564). Undergraduate students admitted into JUMP may take graduate courses that count toward both undergraduate and graduate degrees. Up to 12 credit hours can be double-counted toward both degrees, and up to 15 hours of graduate courses can be taken while a student is completing the undergraduate degree. The key benefit of the JUMP program is that it allows students to earn a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in an accelerated timeframe.
To be considered for admission to the JUMP program to earn a BS and MS in EOHS in an accelerated timeframe, a student must meet the following requirements: 1) be an undergraduate student in BS in EOHS (Ref: 548), BS in PH (Ref: 521), or BS in HS (Ref: 564), 2) have completed at least 60 hours total, with at least 24 hours earned at WKU, 3) have 15 or more credit hours remaining to complete the bachelor’s degree, and 4) have a minimum 3.25 overall GPA. Student must maintain a 3.0 cumulative graduate GPA.
Joint Undergraduate Master's Program (JUMP)
This degree offers a Joint Undergraduate Master's Program (JUMP) which provides academically outstanding students the opportunity to complete both an undergraduate and graduate degree in an accelerated timeframe. Contact the graduate program coordinator for additional information.
Program Admission
In addition to Graduate Studies admission requirements, admission requires the equivalent of an undergraduate major in environmental health science and occupational health and safety including supporting courses in science and mathematics. Exceptions may be made for students with undergraduate degrees in other disciplines; however, additional courses may be required.
Admission may be granted to applicants who fulfill one of the following conditions: 1) Completion of the Occupational Safety and Health graduate certificate with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale; OR 2) Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 or greater on a baccalaureate degree or equivalent international degree; OR 3) Minimum GPA of 3.0 on a degree higher than baccalaureate or equivalent international degree.
Graduate Studies Admission
Please refer to the admission section of this catalog for Graduate Studies admission requirements.
Program Requirements (36 hours)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| EOHS 502 | Health Promotion in the Workplace | 3 |
| EOHS 550 | Principles of Occupational Safety and Health | 3 |
| EOHS 560 | Environmental Management and Risk Assessment | 3 |
| EOHS 570 | Industrial Hygiene | 3 |
| EOHS 572 | Environmental and Occupational Epidemiology | 3 |
| EOHS 577 | Environmental Toxicology | 3 |
| PH 520 | Biostatistics for Public Health | 3 |
| PH 584 | Principles of Environmental Health | 3 |
| Electives | ||
| Select 6 hours (thesis option students) or 9 hours (applied practice experience option students) from the following: 1 | 6-9 | |
| EOHS Electives | ||
| Watershed Management and Science | ||
| Air Quality Management | ||
| Solid and Hazardous Wastes | ||
| Public Health Management of Disasters | ||
| Research Methods | ||
| Selected Topics/Independent Study | ||
| Applied Methods in Public Health Practice/Field Epidemiology | ||
| Epidemiology | ||
| Advanced Biostatistics | ||
| Advanced Epidemiology | ||
| Workplace Health Promotion Electives | ||
| Health Assessment in Workplace | ||
| Program Planning in Public Health Practice | ||
| Public Health Education and Communication Techniques | ||
| Health Behavior Theory | ||
| Culminating Experience | ||
| PH 599 | Thesis Research/Writing (6 hrs) | 3-6 |
| or EOHS 546 | Environmental & Occupational Health Science Internship | |
| or EOHS 598 | Capstone in Environmental and Occupational Health | |
| Total Hours | 36 | |
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Courses may be selected from the list above or from other disciplines, given that the course is pertinent to the program of study. The graduate advisor must approve all elective courses.