Program Overview

PhD in Occupational and Environmental Health

The PhD in Occupational and Environmental Health (OEH) is an advanced research degree that emphasizes depth of knowledge and original research skills. The PhD in OEH is designed to develop leaders in environmental and occupational health research and practice.

Overview

• Number of credit hours: 72
• Average time to degree: 4-5 years
• Prerequisites:
  • Minimum cumulative grade-point average: 3.25
  • A bachelor’s degree is required. Although enrollment directly into the PhD program is possible, completion of the MS program is highly recommended as a first step toward the PhD degree.
  • Our students come from a variety of disciplines. Significant coursework in mathematics, science, environmental health or occupational health is highly recommended.

Funding Opportunities

• 100% of our PhD students receive financial support.
• Comprehensive Examination and Dissertation: You will complete a comprehensive examination demonstrating mastery of your field of study. You’ll also prepare a publishable dissertation describing your original research.

Program Structure

• All courses are delivered in person at our Iowa City campus, with most taking place in our new public health building.
• Your faculty advisor will help you plan a highly personalized path through our PhD program that suits your unique needs, research interests, and professional goals.

Research Areas

• Agricultural Safety and Health
• Environmental Health
• Environmental Toxicology
• Ergonomics
• Industrial Hygiene
• Occupational Injury Prevention

Funding

• All of our PhD students receive financial support—100% tuition paid and a monthly stipend.
• Students in the Environmental Health and Environmental Toxicology areas receive funding through graduate research and/or teaching assistantships.
• Students in the following areas receive funding from the Heartland Center for Occupational Health & Safety through a grant from NIOSH (only available for U.S. citizens):
  • Agricultural Safety and Health
  • Ergonomics
  • Industrial Hygiene
  • Occupational Injury Prevention

Degree Requirements

Required Courses

Elective Credits

• A minimum of 18 additional credit hours must be acquired from attendance in non-research-related courses.

Research Credits

• The remaining credits needed to achieve the 72 required for this degree may be acquired by enrolling in OEH:7000 Thesis/Dissertation.
• Remaining credits may also be acquired by enrolling in OEH:7020 Independent Study in Occupational and Environmental Health or by any combination of OEH:7000, OEH:7020, and additional class-based courses.

Total Semester Hours Required for PhD Degree (Minimum): 72 s.h.

Degree Description and Learner Competencies

This program prepares graduate level students in professional and academic careers in environmental and occupational health. Graduates will be able to assume responsibility for the development and basic administration of environmental and occupational health programs, and will qualify for beginning faculty positions in academic environmental health departments.

• In addition to mastering the degree competencies for the MS in Occupational and Environmental Health, PhD students will be able to:
  1. Develop a proposal for grant funding
  2. Use appropriate analytic methods to interpret data relevant to the field of occupational and environmental health
  3. Develop a plan to communicate research findings to various audiences
  4. Design a research study in the field of occupational and environmental health
  5. Evaluate the strengths and limitations of peer-reviewed studies in the field of occupational and environmental health