Master of Public Health in Environmental and Occupational Health

The MPH program provides an opportunity for students interested in environmental and occupational health to become familiar with the relevant concepts as they apply to public health practice. The program will also be an opportunity for working health professionals to achieve an in-depth environmental perspective as well as a degree in public health. The degree may be tailored more toward either environmental health science or risk assessment depending on the choice of electives and desire of the student.

Careers

Recent graduates hold the following positions:

• environmental associate, Michael Baker Corporation
• industrial hygiene inspector, OSHA
• supervisory research scientist, NIOSH
• director of risk assessment, EHS Support Corporation
• coordinator of operations, University of Pittsburgh School Pharmacy Program Evaluation Research Unit

Recent Essay Titles

• The Renewed Threat to Public Health Posed by Ionizing Radiation
• Improving Worker Health and Safety at Future Disaster Sites
• A Discussion of the Effect of Ionizing Radiation on Plants and Subsequent Consequences to Public Health
• Effluent Characterization of Legacy Contamination Containing Trace Metals in an Alkaline Outfall Entering the Allegheny River near Cadogan PA
• Migraine is Not Just a Headache: It’s a Disabling Headache Disorder
• Historical Perspective on Air Pollution and a Focus on Pittsburgh's Past Versus Present
• Occupational Hazards in Onshore Upstream Unconventional Natural Gas Extraction

Competencies

Graduates will be able to:

• Explain in appropriate biological and chemical/physical terms the potential consequences of exposure to hazardous environmental/occupational agents
• Specify/measure the magnitude, duration, and route of human exposure to selected hazardous environmental/occupational agents
• Describe methods for quantifying dose and specify how this knowledge can be used to estimate probability of developing environmental/occupational disease outcomes
• Demonstrate ability in reviewing available literature concerning topics not explicitly, or minimally, covered in courses – then combine this information with previously acquired environmental/occupational health expertise and apply to public health practice

All graduates also achieve the core and cross-cutting competencies for Pitt Public Health MPH students.
 

Requirements

• 47 credits of coursework and research
• Coursework in environmental science
• Coursework in public health foundations
• Advanced coursework in toxicology, exposure, environmental transport, and risk assessment
• Off campus practicum experience
• Advanced essay in an area of focus

Full program information:
Graduate Student Handbook
Curriculum
Admissions