A PhD in occupational and environmental health (OEH) is an advanced research degree that emphasizes depth of knowledge and original research skills. The degree is designed to develop leaders in environmental and occupational health research and practice.
Students work with their faculty advisor to design a specialized curriculum of coursework and research projects in the following areas: agricultural safety and health, environmental health, environmental toxicology, ergonomics, industrial hygiene, and occupational injury prevention.
Learning Outcomes
In addition to mastering the learning outcomes for the MS in occupational and environmental health, PhD students will:
- develop a proposal for grant funding;
- use appropriate analytic methods to interpret data relevant to the field of occupational and environmental health;
- develop a plan to communicate research findings to various audiences;
- design a research study in the field of occupational and environmental health; and
- evaluate the strengths and limitations of peer-reviewed studies in the field of occupational and environmental health.
The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in occupational and environmental health requires 72 s.h. of graduate credit. All students must complete a dissertation.
All courses except OEH:5010, OEH:7000, OEH:7020, CPH:6100, and CPH:7270 must be taken on an A–F graded basis and may only apply to the degree once.
The PhD in occupational and environmental health requires the following coursework.
Core Courses
Course List
| Course # |
Title |
Hours |
| |
| OEH:4240 | Global Environmental Health | 3 |
| OEH:5010 | Occupational and Environmental Health Seminar (taken three times, twice for 0 s.h. and once for 1 s.h.) | 1 |
| OEH:5620 | Occupational Health | 3 |
| OEH:7060 | Research Design in Occupational and Environmental Health | 3 |
| OEH:7070 | Interpreting Occupational and Environmental Health Research | 3 |
| BIOS:4120 | Introduction to Biostatistics | 3 |
| CPH:6100 | Essentials of Public Health | 2 |
| CPH:7270 | Principles of Scholarly Integrity: Public Health (taken twice, once for 0 s.h. and once for 1 s.h.) | 1 |
| EPID:4400 | Epidemiology I: Principles | 3 |
| |
| OEH:6460 | Quantitative Exposure Assessment: Study Design and Evaluation | 3 |
| OEH:6520/EPID:6510 | Injury Epidemiology | 3 |
Selectives
Research and Electives
Students complete 38 s.h. in research and elective coursework. They may apply up to a combined 20 s.h. from OEH:7000 Thesis/Dissertation and OEH:7020 Independent Study in Occupational and Environmental Health toward this requirement.
Students complete the remainder of their credit (at least 18 s.h.) in non-research-related courses taken on an A–F graded basis, including classroom courses or equivalent web-based courses. This may include courses numbered 4000 or above from the following College of Public Health units: occupational and environmental health (prefix OEH), excluding OEH:7000 and OEH:7020; biostatistics (prefix BIOS); community and behavioral health (prefix CBH); college of public health (prefix CPH); epidemiology (prefix EPID); or health management and policy (prefix HMP). Students work with an advisor to select courses appropriate for their professional goals, which may include coursework outside of the College of Public Health.
Graduate education prepares students with advanced knowledge and skills in specialized fields. At the University of Iowa, the Graduate College advocates for student-centered graduate education and supports equitable application of rules and policies across graduate programs.
Academics
University of Iowa graduate credentials are regulated by policies and requirements found in the Graduate College Manual of Rules and Regulations. This includes minimum grade-point average (GPA) requirements for academic standing and degree conferral. The Graduate College sets the minimum requirement. Individual graduate programs may establish higher GPA requirements.
Admissions
Graduate student applicants must meet admission requirements for both the Graduate College and the program to which they have applied. University of Iowa graduate admission requirements are published by the Graduate College and on the Graduate Admissions website.
Financial Support
Graduate students might be eligible for financial support. Several contingencies apply, including degree program and award type, satisfactory progress toward degree, satisfactory completion of all duties related to an appointment, and availability of funding. Graduate students should inquire directly with their program for more information about funding availability. The Graduate Student Employment Standards govern the employment relationship between the University of Iowa and all graduate teaching and research assistants in all matters except wages, which are covered by an existing collective bargaining agreement or the conditions of an applicable federal grant.
Applicants must apply through the Schools of Public Health Application Service (SOPHAS); they also must apply for admission to the Graduate College through University of Iowa Admissions. For detailed application information and admission requirements, visit the 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.
PhD applicants must hold a bachelor's degree and have a cumulative grade-point average of at least 3.25. Completion of a master's program before beginning PhD study is recommended.
Students may enter in the fall. May 1 is the final application deadline.
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 Plan 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, PhD
This sample plan is currently being reviewed and will be added at a later date.
