Master of Science in Environmental Health Sciences
UCLA Fielding School of Public Health
The MS in Environmental Health Sciences is a research-oriented degree that includes coursework and the preparation of a thesis or completion of a comprehensive examination and a major written report. Students work their faculty advisor to identify a focus for their training and research, such as: aerosol science, air quality, climate change, exposure science, industrial hygiene, policy analysis, epidemiology, toxicology, or water quality. Interdisciplinary applied research is encouraged.
-
Program Requirements
The program requires the completion of a minimum of 60 quarter-credit units.
1. Course Requirements (48 units)
- Biostatistics 100A: Introduction to Biostatistics
- Biostatistics 100B: Introduction to Biostatistics
- Epidemiology 100: Principles of Epidemiology
- EHS C200A: Foundations of Environmental Health Sciences
- EHS C200C: Foundations of Environmental Health Sciences
- EHS 200D: Policy Analysis for Environmental Health Science
- EHS C240: Fundamentals of Toxicology
- EHS C257: Risk Assessment and Standard Setting
- EHS 411: Environmental Health Sciences Seminar. Taken once a year for two years EHS 596 (Comp/Report Plan) OR 598 (Thesis plan): 4 units are required
- Advanced Laboratory Course
-
18 units of elective courses: MS students are required to complete 18 units of upper division (200 level) or grad level (400 level) elective courses. These courses may be taken in related fields outside of the department, but should be selected in consultation with your advisor. Students who have not previously completed a CEPH-accredited degree (bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degree) are required to complete Public Health 201: Contemporary Health Issues.
2. Chemistry Waiver Exam
Students must successfully complete a written examination in Chemistry when they enter the program, or else they will be required to take Environmental Health Sciences 101.
3. Industrial Hygiene Focus
Students may choose to focus on Industrial Hygiene, which has additional curricular requirements beyond the standard MPH program.
Students interested in being supported for fees and a stipend by the NIOSH Southern California Education and Research Center must contact the UCLA IH Program Director Dr. Shane Que Hee.
4. Masters Thesis OR Comprehensive Examination
Students must complete either a masters thesis or a comprehensive examination and report.
Option 1: Masters Thesis
While preparing their thesis, students must enroll in EHS 598: Master’s Thesis Research for an appropriate number of units. At least 4 units are mandatory for graduation. MS Thesis research usually begins in the summer before the student’s second year. Every master's degree thesis plan requires the completion of an approved thesis that demonstrates the student's ability to perform original, independent research.
Option 2: Comprehensive examination/report option
If the student chooses this option, he or she must pass a comprehensive examination on the major area of study.
In addition, the student must complete a research activity under their advisor’s supervision and prepare a comprehensive report, which must be approved by their advisor and one other faculty member. The research subject can be an experimental, field, theoretical, library, modeling or computer study. The student also has the option of submitting an externally peer-reviewed publication (e.g. journal article, book chapter) that was completed while a student.
-
Time to Degree
The MS degree is typically obtained after two years of full-time study (six academic quarters).
-
Department Faculty
View a list of faculty in the Department of Environmental Health Sciences.
Faculty -
Career Outcomes
Graduates of the department have pursued careers in both the private and public sectors as researchers, educators, managers, policymakers, and practitioners.
Examples of positions held by graduates include:
- Researcher
- Policymaker
- Health Services Specialist
- Research Program Manager
- Environmental Health Inspector
-
Tuition & Fees
For the most up to date fees and more information on fee breakdown, visit the registrar's office.
Please see the cost and aid section of our website for information on awards, scholarships, training opportunities, employment, summer internship funding, and need-based aid. Please note that opportunities listed under 'Summer Internship Funding' are only applicable to MPH students.
Cost & Aid -
Admissions
Desired Qualifications
In addition to meeting the University’s minimum requirements, students should have a bachelor's (or master's) degree in public health, environmental health, life sciences, physical sciences, engineering, environmental science, or a related field.
Applicants with non-science majors who meet the following course work requirements will be considered for admission:
Course Work
- 1 university-level course or equivalent in Calculus, Linear Algebra, or Statistics
- 1 university-level course in Chemistry or equivalent
- 1 university-level course in Biology or equivalent
Students who do not have the prerequisites at the time of application may take equivalent courses at UCLA in their first year.
Admissions Process
Visit the application guide to learn about our admissions process.
Application Guide
Please note:
-
This information is intended as an overview, and should be used as a guide only. Requirements, course offerings and other elements may change, and this overview may not list all details of the program.
-
Admission requirements listed are departmental requirements, and are in addition to the University's minimum requirements. Many programs receive more applicants than can be admitted, so meeting the minimum requirements for admission does not ensure admission. Every effort is made to ensure minimum admissions requirements are up to date - for the most up-to-date information on the University's minimum requirements, please visit the UCLA Graduate Division.
-
Fees are subject to change and should be used as a guide only. For the most up to date fees and more information on fee breakdown, visit the registrar's office.