Environmental Health, M.S.E.H., Specialist Program Concentration

General Program Information

Graduate School Contact:
Alondra Robbins; robbinsad@etsu.edu; (423) 439-4302

Kurt Maier, Ph.D., Chair and Graduate Coordinator
55 Lamb Hall
Box 70682
(423) 439-5251
e-mail: maier@etsu.edu

Faculty:

Ying Li; Kurt J. Maier; Tricia A. Metts; Phillip R. Scheuerman; Kenneth Silver.

Purpose

The goal of this degree program is to prepare environmental specialists by increasing understanding of interrelationships between environmental factors and human health. Environmental health service needs are complex and increasing because of changes brought about by economic and technological advances. Technical specialists in environmental health require a comprehensive education in basic and applied sciences. The educational objectives of the program are to provide the student with an opportunity to:

1. Develop an understanding of the:
   1. chemical, biological, physical, and social factors which affect the health of the community;
   2. relevant concepts from the social and behavioral sciences; and
   3. environmental health systems.
2. Become proficient in:
   1. identifying community environmental health needs;
   2. information collection, storage, retrieval, analysis, and dissemination; and
   3. environmental monitoring, analysis, and management.
3. Acquire skills in the application of the above techniques and knowledge for solution of environmental health problems.

Program Admission Requirements

1. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution.
2. A 3.0 grade point average on a 4.0 scale.
3. An acceptable score on the general Graduate Record Examination (GRE).
4. A minimum of 30 semester hours of natural and physical science courses, including at one (1) semester of general microbiology, one (1) year of general biology, and one (1) year of general chemistry; college algebra and trigonometry or higher math are also required.
5. Three (3) letters of recommendation.

Admission is based on the GPA, GRE scores, quality of recommendation letters, strength of background (coursework, college attended, and work experience), and available space in the program. The department can grant unconditional admission with provision(s) to candidates not meeting certain minimum requirements. For example, work experience and letters of recommendation can be used to justify unconditional admission with provision(s) for students not meeting one of the minimum requirements (e.g., GRE scores below what the department considers suitable). All applicants must submit an official transcript, GRE scores, and letters of reference before their application will be reviewed.

Note: Applicants who wish to apply to the Master of Science in Environmental Health program should make the initial application through SOPHAS.

Program Graduation Requirements

1. For the thesis option, a minimum of 30 semester credit-hours of courses and four (4) semester credit-hours of ENVH 5960  (Thesis) is required for graduation. Thesis option students must complete and defend a thesis as approved by the student’s Graduate Advisory Committee. For the non-thesis option, a minimum of 36 semester credit-hours of courses and a course-related research project. The research project must be completed as an additional requirement as a course within the graduate program and taught by the student’s major professor.
2. All designated deficiencies must be removed prior to completion of the program.
3. The maintenance of a 3.0 grade point average on a 4.0 scale. Continuation of a student who earns below a 3.0 is based on the current academic regulations established by the School of Graduate Studies.
4. Environmental Health Practice I (ENVH 5100 ) is required of all students who lack an undergraduate degree in environmental health.
5. Seminar (ENVH 5910 ) must be completed during the first semester of residence.
6. Pass a written comprehensive examination demonstrating core course competency (epidemiology, biostatistics, toxicology, environment health practice, and designated concentration). The examination must be taken in the final semester of the student’s program, and it will be administered on a designated date each semester. Students failing the comprehensive examination will be permitted to reschedule the examination no sooner than one semester later. No student will be allowed to re-take the examination more than one time.

Course Requirements

Total Required for Program: 34 (Thesis) - 36 (Non-Thesis) Credit Hours