An M.S. degree in occupational and environmental health (OEH) is offered with optional subprograms in agricultural safety and health and industrial hygiene.
Learning Outcomes
Occupational and Environmental Health General Outcomes
Students will be able to:
- describe major environmental hazards that adversely affect human health,
- demonstrate the use of regulatory guidelines that seek to control occupational health and injury issues,
- apply epidemiological principles used to assess associations between exposure to occupational health and injury hazards on health outcomes,
- use computer software and statistical methods to test a hypothesis, and
- use intervention and evaluation theory to prevent occupational health and injury hazards.
M.S. in OEH Outcomes (Agricultural Safety and Health Subprogram)
Students will be able to:
- describe the basic concepts of agricultural safety and health,
- summarize epidemiological principles that can be used to determine health outcomes associated with exposure to occupational hazards,
- explain appropriate research design and methodology related to the field of agricultural safety and health,
- communicate agricultural safety and health concepts both orally and in writing,
- interpret the significance of occupationally derived data relative to an exposure or health outcome,
- analyze agricultural safety and health intervention programs, and
- design and implement a research project relative to peer-reviewed literature in agricultural safety and health.
M.S. in OEH Outcomes (Industrial Hygiene Subprogram)
- anticipate and recognize occupational and environmental hazards (i.e., physical, chemical, and biological agents, factors, and stressors) generated by or associated with defined sources, unit operations, and/or processes;
- describe qualitative and quantitative aspects of generation of hazards;
- apply scientific principles, instrumentation, and methods to adequately assess exposures to hazards;
- organize and interpret exposure data using qualitative and quantitative methods in the context of physiological, epidemiological, and toxicological knowledge of the response of the human body to hazards;
- recommend and evaluate controls to reduce or eliminate hazards with regard to traditional hierarchy considerations;
- understand applicable business, managerial, and leadership practices with emphasis on program and project management;
- communicate effectively and appropriately to advocate for continuous improvement in worker health and safety to pertinent audiences, including workforce, management, the public, and professional peers;
- interpret and apply applicable and emerging regulations, consensus standards, and best practices affecting occupational and environmental health;
- demonstrate an understanding of the professional code of ethics; and
- understand the value of and path to attain professional certification in industrial hygiene and allied fields.
The Master of Science in occupational and environmental health requires 38-43 s.h. of graduate credit. The degree program is offered with three options—the M.S. in occupational and environmental health (38 s.h.) without a subprogram, the M.S. with an agricultural safety and health subprogram (42 s.h.), or the M.S. with an industrial hygiene subprogram (43 s.h.).
M.S. Without Subprogram
The Master of Science with a major in occupational and environmental health without a subprogram requires a minimum of 38 s.h. and includes the following coursework.
Core Courses
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| All of these (16 s.h.): | ||
| OEH:4240 | Global Environmental Health | 3 |
| OEH:5010 | Occupational and Environmental Health Seminar | 1 |
| OEH:5620 | Occupational Health | 3 |
| BIOS:4120 | Introduction to Biostatistics | 3 |
| CPH:6100 | Essentials of Public Health | 2 |
| CPH:7270 | Principles of Scholarly Integrity: Public Health | 1 |
| EPID:4400 | Epidemiology I: Principles | 3 |
| At least 6 s.h. from these: | ||
| OEH:4260 | Global Water and Health | 3 |
| OEH:4310 | Occupational Ergonomics: Principles | 3 |
| OEH:4510 | Injury and Violence Prevention | 3 |
| OEH:5410 | Occupational Safety | 3 |
| OEH:6110 | Rural Health and Agricultural Medicine | 3 |
| OEH:6710 | Human Toxicology and Risk Assessment | 3 |
Electives
Credit earned in elective coursework and the thesis completes the 38 s.h. required for the degree. Students work with their advisor to select courses appropriate for their professional goals.
Thesis
A thesis is required. Students may earn a maximum of 6 s.h. for the thesis.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| OEH:7000 | Thesis/Dissertation | arr. |
M.S. with Agricultural Safety and Health Subprogram
The program prepares students for careers in education, health care, insurance, and agribusiness as specialists in agricultural safety and health.
The Master of Science with a major in occupational and environmental health with an agricultural safety and health subprogram requires a minimum of 42 s.h. and includes the following coursework.
Core Courses
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| All of these (29 s.h.): | ||
| OEH:4240 | Global Environmental Health | 3 |
| OEH:5010 | Occupational and Environmental Health Seminar | 1 |
| OEH:5410 | Occupational Safety | 3 |
| OEH:5620 | Occupational Health | 3 |
| OEH:6110 | Rural Health and Agricultural Medicine | 3 |
| OEH:6120 | Current Topics in Agriculture and Rural Health (taken three times for 1 s.h. each) | 3 |
| OEH:6710 | Human Toxicology and Risk Assessment | 3 |
| OEH:7040 | Preceptorship in Occupational and Environmental Health | 1 |
| BIOS:4120 | Introduction to Biostatistics | 3 |
| CPH:6100 | Essentials of Public Health | 2 |
| CPH:7270 | Principles of Scholarly Integrity: Public Health | 1 |
| EPID:4400 | Epidemiology I: Principles | 3 |
Electives
Credit earned in elective coursework and the thesis completes the 42 s.h. required for the degree. Students work with their advisor to select courses appropriate for their professional goals.
Recommended Elective Courses
This is a recommended list of elective coursework; however, any occupational and environmental health course (prefix OEH) may be taken as an elective.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| OEH:4260 | Global Water and Health | 3 |
| OEH:4310 | Occupational Ergonomics: Principles | 3 |
| OEH:4510 | Injury and Violence Prevention | 3 |
| OEH:6420 | Methods in Exposure Science | 3 |
| OEH:6431 | Assessing Noise Hazards | 1 |
| OEH:6432 | Assessing Nonionizing Radiation Hazards | 1 |
| OEH:6433 | Assessing Ionizing Radiation Hazards | 1 |
| OEH:6440 | Control of Occupational Hazards | 3 |
| OEH:6520 | Injury Epidemiology | 3 |
| OEH:6720 | Advanced Toxicology | 4 |
| CPH:4200 | Agriculture, Food Systems, and Sustainability | 3 |
Approved Elective Courses From Other Departments
Courses not on this list may be used as elective credit with advisor approval.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| CBH:4105 | Introduction to Health Promotion and Disease Prevention | 3 |
| CBH:5235 | Community-Based Participatory Research | 3 |
| CBH:5305 | Evaluation: Approaches and Applications | 3 |
| CBH:6220 | Health Communication Campaigns | 3 |
| EPID:5600 | Introduction to Epidemiology Data Management and Analysis | 3 |
| EPID:6400 | Epidemiology II: Advanced Methods | 4 |
| ISE:3400 | Human Factors | 3 |
Thesis
A thesis is required. Students may earn a maximum of 4 s.h. for the thesis.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| OEH:7000 | Thesis/Dissertation | arr. |
M.S. with Industrial Hygiene Subprogram
The program prepares students for careers in industrial hygiene as well as the broad field of occupational and environmental health. Career opportunities are available in health and safety departments of industries; in consulting firms; in academic institutions; and in local, state, and federal public health agencies.
Students choose either the thesis (research option) or nonthesis (internship option). Those that select the thesis option conduct a research project and write a thesis. Those that select the nonthesis option complete an internship.
The Master of Science with a major in occupational and environmental health with an industrial hygiene subprogram requires a minimum of 43 s.h. and includes the following coursework.
Required Courses
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| All of these (22 s.h.): | ||
| OEH:5010 | Occupational and Environmental Health Seminar | 1 |
| OEH:5620 | Occupational Health | 3 |
| OEH:6420 | Methods in Exposure Science | 3 |
| OEH:6440 | Control of Occupational Hazards | 3 |
| OEH:6710 | Human Toxicology and Risk Assessment | 3 |
| BIOS:4120 | Introduction to Biostatistics | 3 |
| CPH:6100 | Essentials of Public Health | 2 |
| CPH:7270 | Principles of Scholarly Integrity: Public Health | 1 |
| EPID:4400 | Epidemiology I: Principles | 3 |
| At least 12 s.h. from these: | ||
| OEH:4240 | Global Environmental Health | 3 |
| OEH:4310 | Occupational Ergonomics: Principles | 3 |
| OEH:4510 | Injury and Violence Prevention | 3 |
| OEH:5410 | Occupational Safety | 3 |
| OEH:6431 | Assessing Noise Hazards | 1 |
| OEH:6432 | Assessing Nonionizing Radiation Hazards | 1 |
| OEH:6433 | Assessing Ionizing Radiation Hazards | 1 |
| OEH:6450 | Aerosol Technology | 3 |
| OEH:6520 | Injury Epidemiology | 3 |
Thesis or Nonthesis Option
Thesis (Research Option)
Research Project and Thesis
Completion of a research project and thesis is required. A maximum of 6 s.h. is allowed for thesis credit in OEH:7000.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| OEH:7000 | Thesis/Dissertation | arr. |
Electives
Thesis option students complete additional elective coursework to earn at least 43 s.h. required for the major. Students work with their advisor to select courses most appropriate for their professional goals.
Nonthesis (Internship Option)
Internship and Internship Report
Completion of an internship and an internship report is required. A maximum of 3 s.h. is allowed for internship credit in OEH:7050. Students are required to complete a minimum 150-hour internship.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| OEH:7050 | Occupational and Environmental Health Internship | 0,3 |
Electives
Nonthesis option students complete additional elective coursework to earn at least 43 s.h. required for the major. Students work with their advisor to select courses most appropriate for their professional goals.
M.S./M.S. in Urban and Regional Planning
The combined Master of Science in occupational and environmental health/Master of Science in urban and regional planning program requires 65 s.h. of graduate credit. For information about the graduate program in urban and regional planning, see the M.S. in urban and regional planning (Graduate College) in the Catalog.
Separate application to each degree program is required; applicants must be admitted to both programs before they may be admitted to the combined degree program.
Applicants must apply through the Schools of Public Health Application Service (SOPHAS); they also must apply for admission to the Graduate College through the University of Iowa Office of Admissions. For detailed application information and admission requirements, visit How to Apply to Occupational and Environmental Health on the department's website.
The occupational and environmental health faculty takes several factors into consideration when evaluating applications for admission, including grade-point averages, letters of recommendation, intent and motivation for graduate study, and research interests. Students with deficiencies in one area may be admitted if all other components of their application are very strong.
Applicants whose first language is not English must submit official test scores to verify English proficiency. Applicants can verify English proficiency by submitting official test scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or the Duolingo English Test (DET).
M.S. applicants must hold a bachelor's degree and have a cumulative g.p.a. of at least 3.00. Undergraduate preparation for applicants should include coursework in mathematics, biology, chemistry, and either physical sciences or engineering, depending on the applicant's chosen specialty area.
Students may enter in the fall. May 1 is the final application deadline.
Most students receive financial support through traineeships, graduate research assistantships, and teaching assistantships.
Students accepted to programs with a focus on occupational health and safety, including agricultural safety and health, ergonomics, industrial hygiene, and occupational injury prevention, may receive traineeships and financial support in the form of fully paid tuition and a monthly stipend. These traineeships are offered through the Heartland Center for Occupational Health and Safety, and are only available for U.S. citizens and U.S. permanent residents.
Students with a focus on environmental health, global health, or environmental toxicology are generally funded by graduate research assistantships or teaching assistantships.
The program prepares students for professional and academic careers in environmental and occupational health. Graduates will be qualified for a career in a range of private, public, and academic positions; consulting firms; state and federal occupational and environmental agencies; chemical and consumer products areas; pharmaceutical industries; and universities.
Sample Plans of Study
Sample plans represent one way to complete a program of study. Actual course selection and sequence will vary and should be discussed with an academic advisor. For additional sample plans, see MyUI.
Occupational and Environmental Health, M.S.
Agricultural Safety and Health Subprogram
| Academic Career | ||
|---|---|---|
| Any Semester | Hours | |
| 42 s.h. of graduate level coursework must be completed; graduate transfer credits allowed upon approval. More information is included in the General Catalog and on department website. a | ||
| Maintain at least a 2.75 cumulative GPA. | ||
| Hours | 0 | |
| First Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| OEH:5010 | Occupational and Environmental Health Seminar b | 0 |
| OEH:4240 | Global Environmental Health | 3 |
| OEH:5620 | Occupational Health | 3 |
| OEH:6120 | Current Topics in Agriculture and Rural Health c | 1 |
| EPID:4400 | Epidemiology I: Principles | 3 |
| CPH:6100 | Essentials of Public Health d | 2 |
| CPH:7270 | Principles of Scholarly Integrity: Public Health e | 0 |
| Hours | 12 | |
| Spring | ||
| OEH:5010 | Occupational and Environmental Health Seminar b | 0 |
| OEH:6110 | Rural Health and Agricultural Medicine | 3 |
| OEH:6120 | Current Topics in Agriculture and Rural Health c | 1 |
| OEH:6710 | Human Toxicology and Risk Assessment | 3 |
| OEH:7010 | Problems in Occupational and Environmental Health | 0 |
| CPH:7270 | Principles of Scholarly Integrity: Public Health e | 1 |
| Elective course f | 3 | |
| Hours | 11 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| OEH:7040 | Preceptorship in Occupational and Environmental Health | 1 |
| BIOS:4120 | Introduction to Biostatistics | 3 |
| Elective course f | 3 | |
| Elective course f | 3 | |
| Hours | 10 | |
| Spring | ||
| OEH:5010 | Occupational and Environmental Health Seminar b | 1 |
| OEH:5410 | Occupational Safety g | 3 |
| OEH:6120 | Current Topics in Agriculture and Rural Health c | 1 |
| OEH:7000 | Thesis/Dissertation h | 4 |
| Exam: Thesis Oral Defense | ||
| Hours | 9 | |
| Total Hours | 42 | |
- a
- Students must complete specific requirements in the University of Iowa Graduate College after program admission. Refer to the Graduate College website and the Manual of Rules and Regulations for more information.
- b
- Complete OEH:5010 three times, twice for 0 s.h. and then once for 1 s.h.
- c
- Complete OEH:6120 three times, each for 1 s.h.
- d
- Course must be completed in the first semester of the program.
- e
- Complete CPH:7270 twice, first for 0 s.h. and then for 1 s.h.
- f
- Credit earned in elective coursework and the thesis completes the 42 s.h. required for the degree. Students work with their advisor to select courses appropriate for their professional goals.
- g
- Typically this course is offered in spring semesters of even years only. Check MyUI for course availability since offerings are subject to change.
- h
- Maximum of 4 s.h. allowed.
Industrial Hygiene Subprogram
| Academic Career | ||
|---|---|---|
| Any Semester | Hours | |
| 43 s.h. of graduate level coursework must be completed; graduate transfer credits allowed upon approval. More information is included in the General Catalog and on department website. a | ||
| Maintain at least a 2.75 cumulative GPA. | ||
| Students pursuing the nonthesis option are required to complete a minimum 150-hour internship. | ||
| Hours | 0 | |
| First Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| OEH:5010 | Occupational and Environmental Health Seminar b | 0 |
| OEH:5620 | Occupational Health | 3 |
| OEH:6420 | Methods in Exposure Science | 3 |
| EPID:4400 or BIOS:4120 |
Epidemiology I: Principles or Introduction to Biostatistics |
3 |
| CPH:7270 | Principles of Scholarly Integrity: Public Health c | 0 |
| CPH:6100 | Essentials of Public Health d | 2 |
| Hours | 11 | |
| Spring | ||
| OEH:5010 | Occupational and Environmental Health Seminar b | 0 |
| OEH:6710 | Human Toxicology and Risk Assessment | 3 |
| OEH:7050 | Occupational and Environmental Health Internship e | 0 |
| OEH:7010 | Problems in Occupational and Environmental Health | 0 |
| CPH:7270 | Principles of Scholarly Integrity: Public Health c | 1 |
| Elective course f | 3 | |
| Elective course f | 3 | |
| Hours | 10 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| EPID:4400 or BIOS:4120 |
Epidemiology I: Principles or Introduction to Biostatistics |
3 |
| Elective course f | 3 | |
| Elective course f | 3 | |
| Elective course f | 3 | |
| Hours | 12 | |
| Spring | ||
| OEH:5010 | Occupational and Environmental Health Seminar b | 1 |
| OEH:6440 | Control of Occupational Hazards g | 3 |
| OEH:7050 | Occupational and Environmental Health Internship e | 3 |
| Elective course f | 3 | |
| Final Exam | ||
| Hours | 10 | |
| Total Hours | 43 | |
- a
- Students must complete specific requirements in the University of Iowa Graduate College after program admission. Refer to the Graduate College website and the Manual of Rules and Regulations for more information.
- b
- Complete OEH:5010 three times, twice for 0 s.h. and once for 1 s.h.
- c
- Complete CPH:7270 twice, first for 0 s.h. and then for 1 s.h.
- d
- Course must be completed in the first semester of the program.
- e
- Complete OEH:7050 twice, first for 0 s.h. and then for 3 s.h.
- f
- Complete at least 12 s.h. of electives from the list of approved courses in the General Catalog, and then complete additional elective coursework to earn at least 43 s.h. required for the major. Students work with their advisor to select courses most appropriate for their professional goals.
- g
- Typically this course is offered in spring semesters of even years only. Check MyUI for course availability since offerings are subject to change.