Master of Public Health - Environmental Health

Program Overview

The MPH in Environmental Health at UB is a 47-credit hour program, typically completed over two years for full-time students. It combines foundational public health coursework with specialized training in environmental health sciences. The program aims to equip students with a comprehensive understanding of environmental health principles and the practical knowledge and skills needed to address current and emerging environmental health problems. A required field training experience provides invaluable hands-on experience in diverse public health or environmental settings, and the program culminates in a culminating project, demonstrating mastery of core public health competencies and concentration-specific skills.

CEPH Accredited: Yes, the School of Public Health and Health Professions at the University at Buffalo is fully accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH). CEPH is the recognized accrediting body for schools and programs of public health in the United States. This accreditation signifies that UB's MPH program meets rigorous quality standards for public health education, ensuring graduates are well-prepared for professional practice and eligible to sit for the Certified in Public Health (CPH) credential. The School received its latest reaccreditation in September 2023.

Curriculum: The 47-credit curriculum for the MPH in Environmental Health provides a strong foundation in public health and in-depth knowledge of environmental health principles. Foundational MPH courses cover "Introduction to Epidemiology," "Statistical Analysis I," "Environmental Health," "Introduction to Health Care Organization," and "Study of Health Behavior." The concentration-specific courses delve into areas such as "Principles of Environmental Health," "Environmental Toxicology," "Exposure Assessment," and "Environmental Health Risk Assessment and Management." Students also select elective courses to further specialize their knowledge. The curriculum is competency-based, ensuring students develop skills in areas such as identifying environmental hazards, assessing human exposure, and developing interventions to mitigate environmental health risks.

Research Focus: The MPH in Environmental Health at UB has a strong research focus, particularly on applied research that informs public health practice and policy. Faculty members in the Department of Epidemiology and Environmental Health are actively engaged in diverse environmental health research, including studies on environmental contamination and health risks (e.g., air pollution, water quality, hazardous waste), climate change and health (e.g., adaptation, extreme weather impacts), toxicology, environmental epidemiology, and environmental justice. Students have opportunities to engage in faculty-led research, contributing to the evidence base for effective environmental health interventions, particularly through their culminating projects which often involve applying research methods to real-world environmental health problems.

Industry Engagement: The MPH in Environmental Health program at UB is highly focused on preparing graduates for direct entry into the workforce across a wide range of public health, environmental, and regulatory sectors. The program actively engages with local, state, national, and international public health agencies (e.g., health departments, EPA), environmental consulting firms, non-profit environmental advocacy groups, and industries (e.g., manufacturing, energy) that require environmental health expertise. The required field training experience is a critical component, providing students with practical, hands-on experience and networking opportunities within these organizations. This practical training ensures graduates are equipped with marketable skills in environmental health assessment, risk management, and policy development, directly aligning with industry needs.

Global Perspective: The MPH in Environmental Health at UB inherently fosters a global perspective by addressing environmental health challenges that are often transnational in nature. Issues such as climate change, transboundary pollution, global food safety, and infectious diseases linked to environmental changes require international understanding and collaborative solutions. The curriculum often integrates global environmental health concerns, and faculty may conduct research with international implications. As a major public research university, UB attracts a diverse international student body and faculty, enriching the learning environment with varied cultural viewpoints and different approaches to addressing complex environmental health problems from around the world. This exposure prepares graduates to contribute to international environmental health initiatives and work effectively with diverse global populations.