Online and Distance Learning

An environmental health degree provides the skills and knowledge required for a career in the environmental safety and health field.  This page gives you more information about what is involved in studying it, where you can study it, and the job and salary prospects after completion.

What is environmental health?

Society is becoming more and more aware of the environmental health issues that have emerged since industrialization.

If you have an interest in how human health, which includes the quality of life, is affected by chemical, physical, social, biological, and psychosocial factors that are in the environment, then a career in this field can be obtained by studying an environmental health degree.  Environmental health specialists assess, correct and prevent the factors in our environment which can affect the health of the present and future generations.  So essentially, environmental health is an important aspect of public health.

Where can you study an environmental health degree?

Here are some selected universities where you can study environmental health degrees or closely related programs:

• Capella University
  • MHA – General Health Administration
  • MHA – Health Care Operations
  • MHA – Health Policy
  • MPH - General Public Health
  • MPH - Health Management and Policy
  • MPH - Social and Behavioral Sciences
  • DHA – Health Policy and Advocacy
  • DrPH – Epidemiology
  • DrPH – Health Advocacy and Leadership

• Walden University
  • Master of Public Health
  • Ph.D. in Public Health - General
  • Ph.D. in Public Health - Community Health Promotion and Education
  • Ph.D. in Public Health - Epidemiology
  • Ph.D. in Health Services - Community Health Education & Advocacy
  • Ph.D. in Health Services - Public Health Policy

• Benedictine University
  • Certificate - Disaster Management
  • MPH - Disaster Management
  • MPH - Health Education & Promotion
  • MPH - Health Management & Policy
  • MPH/MBA Public Health/Business Administration
  • MS - Public Health

• The University of Liverpool
  • Master of Public Health
  • Master of Public Health - Epidemiology
  • Master of Public Health - International Public Health
  • Master of Public Health - Management of Health Systems

• Grand Canyon University
  • Master of Public Health
  • M.S. Nursing: Public Health

• A.T. Still University
  • Master of Public Health
  • Master of Public Health with Dental Emphasis

• Kaplan University Online
  • MS in Health Education 
  • Master of Public Health
  • Master of Public Health - Epidemiology

• Ashford University
  • BA/Organizational Management - Environmental Science
  • BA/Social Science - Environmental Science

It is particularly important to select an environmental health school and program that will suit you, so request details from several and consider carefully the entrance requirements and curriculum of each.

Use this search link to explore more environmental health programs

What is involved in studying environmental health?

Students who choose this program will study the environmental and human relationships and the corresponding ecological problems. In most cases a 2 year program in this field were designed for the transferring onto 4 year colleges and universities.

The educational prerequisites will be that a student shall have a high school diploma or the equivalent or at least GED, which is mandatory for the admission of most 4 year colleges and universities. Also a student will need to have SAT or ACT scores and their high school or a 2 year college transcript submitted.

An environmental health degree will help to prepare students to learn just how to deal with many issues that will regard health and sustainability. With this degree program, the students will learn how to diagnose and also analyze problems, like pollution, right before suggesting any solutions or preventions. The students will also explore the use of the scientific principles and the technological tools that are used for evaluation and research.

Students will take part in some intensive courses that shall include laboratory work.  The typical curriculum may include classes in chemistry, biology, human toxicology, science, instrumental analysis and public science.  The program work course for environmental health degree will require students to take basic science courses before ever advancing to the environmental health sciences classes. The student can choose an interest and also take specialized courses like epidemiology, bacteriology, plant biology, exposure assessment, safety and occupational health.

What are the prospects after graduating with an environmental health degree?

Students who pursue an environmental health degree can expect to find a wide range of employment as the job outlook appears to be quite promising currently and is expected to increase as there is more concerned in regard to the environment of humans. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics that the median annual salaries will be quite rewarding.  A typical masters in environmental health salary would be around $44,000 a year.

There are some popular environmental health careers for the students to choose from.  The jobs in environmental health for graduates are typically entry level and could include a technician, field technician and industrial hygienist.  But after a few years the graduate will have opportunities for promotion and specialization in the field of their choice.

More information about environmental health programs

Click here to find more environmental health degree programs.

Also check the public health programs.

If you don't find what you want here, you can use the search facility on this site.

Campus Programs

For those students who feel that online learning and distance education is not for them, the web site also has a section on campus programs. 

You can also search for an environmental health program near you.