MS Degree in Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences

The new Master of Science in Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences will offer students an opportunity to obtain a research oriented degree in environmental sciences, focused on building the knowledge and skills needed to identify and answer important questions about how the physical environment influences human health and to disseminate those findings. Students will undergo rigorous training in the research methods required to address key questions and generate evidence on how the environment influences health, with a focus on modifiable factors that can be addressed through policy. The program prepares students to become independent researchers, while developing the professional competencies needed to hold leadership positions in environmental and occupational health in government, private industry, or the non-profit sector.

Job Outlook

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects an 11 percent increase in employment opportunities for masters-trained environmental scientists and specialists, with salaries averaging $68,910 per year in 2016. Graduates work in public health research and service organizations, university research groups, hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, health-related industries, and government.

For more information, see the Bureau of Labor Statistics' website.

Faculty

The Department of Environmental and Occupational Health has 12 full time faculty whose research focuses on environmental exposures, industrial hygiene, risk assessment, epidemiology, toxicology, infectious disease, global health, environmental justice, climate change, urban health, health disparities, and health policy. Students will have a broad range of opportunities to learn from and participate in research.

Find Environmental and Occupational Health Faculty

Curriculum

The 46 total credit hour requirement is distributed as 28 credits in Year 1 and 18 credits in Year 2. There are 28 credits of required courses, 9 credits of electives, and 9 additional credits for the master’s thesis.

Master’s Thesis

All MS students must complete an original investigation in an area of research presented in the form of a thesis. The thesis must be based on the student’s own work and acceptable to the student’s Thesis Committee.

Sample Plan of Study

The table below outlines the typical sequence for full-time students in the MS Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences program.

Show Sample Plan of Study

YEAR 1
Fall	Winter	Spring
Introduction to Epidemiology and Biostatistics I 3 credits	Introduction to Epidemiology and Biostatistics II 4 credits	Master of Science Thesis Research in Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences 3 credits
Principles and Practice of Environmental and Occupational Health OR Elective 3 credits	Environmental and Occupational Toxicology 3 credits	Environmental Hazard Assessment 3 credits
Pathophysiologic Basis of Epidemiologic Research 3 credits	Elective 3 credits	Weight-of-Evidence Evaluation for Identification of Environmental Hazards OR Elective 3 credits
9 Credits	10 Credits	9 Credits
YEAR 2
Fall	Winter
Master of Science Thesis Research in Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences 3 credits	Master of Science Thesis Research in Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences 3 credits
Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology 3 credits	Seminar in Environmental Epidemiology 3 credits
Quantitative Risk Analysis for Environmental Health OR Elective 3 credits	Elective 3 credits
9 credits	9 credits	Total Credits: 46

Admissions Requirements

Applicants to the program must meet the following requirements:

Completed undergraduate degree in a field relevant to the proposed research.
Successful completion of undergraduate-level coursework in quantitative analytic methods (e.g. statistics, probability theory) or calculus.
Successful completion of undergraduate-level coursework in biology.
Successful completion of undergraduate-level coursework in chemistry or physics.
Evidence of research aptitude.

Past work experience in areas relevant to environmental and occupational health sciences will be given considerable

The application package should include:

Official transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate schools attended;
Official results from the GRE taken within the last 5 years;
Results from the IELTS or TOFEL exam (non-native English speakers only per Drexel Graduate Admissions Policy)
World Education Service evaluation of all foreign transcripts (international applications only)
Three letters of recommendation from faculty or professionals who can evaluate the; applicant’s promise as a graduate student;
A written statement of career goals, research interests and fit with a desired faculty mentor;
A resume or curriculum vitae.

Degree Requirements

A minimum of 37 credit hours of course work;
Defense of the master’s thesis;
A cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher