Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Environmental Health PhD

Create new strategies to predict and manage environmental effects on human health.

Environmental Health is the study of how factors in the environment — such as chemical toxicants, infectious diseases, foodborne illness, changing climates, and workplace hazards — affect human health.

The Environmental Health PhD program focuses on research and prepares students for a career in research, scientific analysis, and university-level teaching. Students must submit a dissertation with original research as part of this degree.

What is Environmental Health?

Environmental health is focused on how the environment — where we live and work, what we eat, the air we breathe, etc. — impacts human health.  Our Division of Environmental Health Sciences improves the health of individuals and communities by conducting rigorous and collaborative research to identify risks, reduce hazards, and inform public health policies. We prepare future leaders through MPH, MS, and PhD degrees.

Many of these degree options are STEM designated. No GRE required.

Areas of Emphasis

Students can pursue a general environmental health degree or choose one of the following areas of emphasis to pursue distinct interest areas through elective courses:

  • Environmental Chemistry
  • Environmental Infectious Diseases
  • Environmental & Occupational Epidemiology
  • Toxicology
  • Food Safety
  • Occupational and Environmental Health Nursing
  • Occupational Injury Prevention Research Training

Learn more information about the curriculum.

Advantages of the Program

  • Connected. Close partnerships with state agencies (such as the Minnesota Department of Health) and local companies (such as 3M, Medtronic, Cargill, and Ecolab), provide unique applied practice experiences, professional mentorship, and abundant career opportunities.
  • Innovative Research. Students engage with and learn from faculty who are deeply involved in current practice and research.
  • Highly Ranked. A degree from a top 10 public school of public health provides distinction in competitive career environments.

Application Deadline

Scholarship Consideration Deadline: December 1
Final Deadline: June 15

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