MS in Occupational and Environmental Hygiene | Johns Hopkins

About the MS in Occupational and Environmental Hygiene Program

This program is part of the Education and Research Center for Occupational Safety and Health (ERC) which is sponsored by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).

The MSOEH is accredited by the Applied and Natural Sciences Accreditation Commission (ANSAC) of the Accreditation Board for Engineering Technology (ABET). It is designed to prepare students to pass the Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH) examination given by the Board for Global EHS Credentialing

The MSOEH is flexible and can be customized to meet a variety of professional and career goals. Students may enroll in a full-time program or the part-time/online program. Both options confer the same degree and students must meet the same academic requirements.

This degree program is administratively managed through the Whiting School of Engineering. The full-time option is managed through Whiting/Homewood and the part-time option through Whiting’s Engineering for Professionals. All courses are offered through the Bloomberg School of Public Health. Limited funding is available to support full-time students.

Full-time program (MSOEH)

June 1 application deadline for a fall start
Onsite
1.5 years to complete

Part-time program (MSOEH)

Hybrid/online
Must be completed within 5 years
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Certificate in Environmental and Occupational Health

Our certificate is open to degree-seeking students and working professionals.

Available to degree and non-degree students
18 credit hours
Time to completion is dependent on course selections and offering times
Tuition is charged at BSPH per credit rate for part-time students.
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Full-Time Students Apply by June 1 for a Fall 2022 start

Part-Time Students Rolling Enrollment

MS in Occupational and Environmental Hygiene Program Highlights

ABET-Accredited

Join a well-established program with experienced educators and researchers

Hands-on Experience

Apply what you learn in a final project and essay

Certificate

Take two additional electives to earn a certificate in Risk Sciences and Public Policy

Part-Time Available

Flexible degree is great for working professionals who want to advance their skills and career

Graduate Spotlights

MSOEH graduates go on to rewarding careers in occupational and environmental hygiene.

Young woman with long hair in a blue work uniform

Pearl Lee, MS '19

"This master's program has allowed me to meet full-time professionals in the same field who are equally devoted to learning and being the best in their field."

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Young male on paved worksite in yellow safety suit

Caleb Ginorio, MS '21

"The long-term professional relationships I formed with classmates and faculty members at JHU continue to be essential to my career."

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What Can You Do With a Graduate Degree in Occupational and Environmental Hygiene?

Possible careers include industrial hygienist, environmental risk assessor, occupational health specialist, emergency preparedness coordinator, environmental policy analyst, and environmental/occupational health or safety manager. Current job titles and employers of some recent graduates are listed below.

Industrial Hygienist, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Health, Safety & Environment Advisor, Oceaneering, Hanover, MD
Health and Safety Site Lead, JUUL Labs, North Carolina
Occupational Health and Safety Specialist R.T. Vanderbilt Co., Towson, MD
EHS Engineer, Northrop Grumman, San Diego, CA
Corporate and Occupational Health Specialist, Arkema, Pottstown, PA
Industrial Hygiene Consultant, Safex, Westerville, OH

Curriculum for the MS in Occupational and Environmental Hygiene

A master's degree in Occupational and Environmental Hygiene gives students the analytical and technical skills needed to identify and address environmental and/or occupational hazards in the workplace and surrounding community. The course of study includes risk analysis and management, environmental sampling techniques, air pollution, program management, toxicology, epidemiology, biostatistics, and occupational health.

Degree Requirements

Academic ethics course
76-credit core curriculum
Internship/independent professional project, master’s essay, and oral presentation: The student is expected to assume independent responsibility for a project, the content of which should be based on an occupational or environmental health problem that is pertinent to the educational goals of the student and approved by their adviser.

FULL-TIME COURSE SCHEDULE

PART-TIME COURSE SCHEDULE

Admissions Requirements

The GRE is required for this program; it is one of the ABET-mandated minimum requirements for admitted students. The MCAT is acceptable but not preferred. A waiver may be requested if the applicant has:

A graduate degree (master’s or doctoral degree) OR
Successfully completed the Certificate in Environmental and Occupational Health and earned at least a ‘B’ in all courses taken for the Certificate.

Prior education must include (1) an undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited four-year college or university, (2) successful completion of college-level courses in biology, chemistry, calculus, and physics.

If prior education does not include the prerequisites above, you must complete them before you can be admitted to the program. Courses completed at a local community college are acceptable.

Tuition and Funding

ERC Awards

Additionally, first-year full-time MS-OEH students are eligible for a limited number of partial-tuition awards from The NIOSH Education and Research Center (ERC) to be used toward full-time study. As decided by a committee of faculty members, the awards are offered to selected students based on their prior academic achievements and professional potential. Award decisions are made during the admissions process and communicated to students in their letters of acceptance.

Teaching Assistants

Several departmental courses require teaching assistance. Full-time students selected as Teaching Assistants (TAs) gain experience in teaching and receive compensation for their efforts. Open positions will be advertised via email by the department’s Academic Program Administrator before the start of each term.

Tuition & Fees

Request a Funding Guide

Which degree is right for you?

The department has a number of degrees to suit your educational and professional goals, background, and experience.

QUIZ: WHICH DEGREE IS RIGHT FOR YOU?

Master of Health Science in Environmental Health (MHS)

DURATION: 9 months full-time, onsite/online; 2 years, part-time (onsite/online)

BEST FOR: Applicants who wish to pursue a PhD or a career in the intersection of environmental and public health

BOTTOM LINE: One-year program culminates in a short essay

GOOD TO KNOW: Academic degree focusing on a specific area of public health, typically science-oriented

MHS PROGRAM PAGE

Master of Science in Environmental Health (ScM)

DURATION: 2 years, full-time, onsite

BEST FOR: Applicants interested in hands-on experiences leading to research careers; good for students considering PhD programs

BOTTOM LINE: The first year involves classes, while the second year involves full-time research with faculty (based on a proposal from year one), culminating in a thesis

GOOD TO KNOW: Students get hands-on experience and conduct their own research

ScM PROGRAM PAGE

Master of Science in Toxicology for Human Risk Assessment (MS)

DURATION: 9 months (onsite) followed by a 7- to 12-month internship

BEST FOR: Those seeking a career in the field of human health and environmental risk assessment

BOTTOM LINE: Focused on fundamental concepts and testing approaches used in classic risk assessment processes

GOOD TO KNOW: Only program of its kind in the U.S. Students completing the program can also earn the Certificate in Risk Sciences and Public Policy.

MS-TOX PROGRAM PAGE

Full-time Master of Science in Occupational and Environmental Hygiene (MSOEH)

DURATION: 1.5 years full-time (onsite)

BEST FOR: Applicants with prior coursework in basic sciences who want a career in occupational health

BOTTOM LINE: Designed to prepare students to pass the Certified Industrial Hygienist Examination

GOOD TO KNOW: Complete an internship between years one and two to get work experience in industrial hygiene. This program is administered by the Whiting School of Engineering, but all classes are offered through the Bloomberg School of Public Health.

MSOEH PROGRAM PAGE

Part-time Master of Science in Occupational and Environmental Hygiene (MSOEH)

DURATION: up to 5 years part-time (hybrid)

BEST FOR: Professionals currently working in the field who want to advance their career in occupational health