collageThe PhD in Environmental Health Sciences is offered by the Division of Community, Environment, and Policy. Using an interdisciplinary approach, Environmental Health Sciences examines the critical link between environmental and occupational exposures and human health.
The degree prepares individuals to research, evaluate, and control health risks posed by chemical and bioogical contaminants and physical exposures (noise, heat, and radiation) in communities and occupational environments. Students will receive advanced training and experience in the application of epidemiological and community-based research methods, statistical analysis, exposure assessment, environmental modeling, toxicology, intervention design and behavioral sciences. Graduates of this program will apply theory and methods to public health research, evaluation, analysis, and decision-making.
The Doctorate in Environmental Health Sciences trains students for research careers and leadership roles in academia, government agencies, research institutes, consulting firms, and industry. The program is designed for individuals with a variety of scientific backgrounds. Out geology, microbiology, engineering, architecture, nutrition, and policy.
Entry into the PhD program requires successful completion of a master’s degree in a related field. The PhD program requires approximately three to five years for completion, including two to three years for coursework and one to two years for the dissertation. At least 47 credits are required for the major, plus a minimum of 18 dissertation units, and at least 9 units for a minor in another department. The course of study and dissertation will be developed by the student, their faculty advisor, and their committee.
View more about the program and the curriculum at: http://publichealth.arizona.edu/academics/doctoral-programs/ehs Department/Academic Unit(s)
Arizona’s first and only accredited college of public health, the University of Arizona Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health is uniquely situated in the culturally rich and diverse Southwest. Distinguished for our outstanding community-based research and for our focus on eliminating health disparities among populations of the Southwest and globally, the UA Zuckerman College of Public Health offers tremendous opportunities to its students for education, research and community involvement.
The College of Public Health’s interdisciplinary activities are enhanced by being part of the Arizona Health Sciences Center with campuses in Tucson and Phoenix. The College consistently ranks among the top five in American Indian and Hispanic graduates and students enrolled among accredited schools of public health, according to recent data from the Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health. In addition, the University of Arizona is one of only 62 members in the Association of American Universities, a prestigious organization that recognizes universities that have developed exceptionally strong overall research and academic programs. College
College of Public Health Campus where offered
University of Arizona – Main – Tucson Contacts
Admissions Contact
Evangeline Batista-Wietecha
520-626-3201
Graduate Program Coordinator
Director of Graduate Studies
Graduate College Degree Counselor
Annie Prisbrey
520-621-0119 Tuition and FeesPlease refer to the UA Bursar’s Office Tuition and Fees Calculator for up-to-date information about tuition and fees.
Please refer to the UA Registrar’s’s Office Special Course Fees for up-to-date information about special course fees.
Admissions Information
Admissions Requirements
- Master’s degree in Environmental Health Science or similar field required for PhD applicants
- GPA of 3.0 or higher
- At least one course in college biology
- At least one course in calculus
- Inorganic chemistry
- Organic chemistry is recommended
- Three letters of recommendation
- Resume or CV
- Statement of purpose and objectives
- Writing sample
- Mission and values statement
- Research statement (PhD applicants only)
- TOEFL or IELTS scores for international applicants
View more detailed admissions criteria at: http://publichealth.arizona.edu/prospective-students/ms-phd-ehs-admissions-criteria
Applications should be submitted through SOPHAS, the centralized application service for accredited schools and programs of public health, at www.sophas.org. Standardized Tests
Optional Test
GRE – Send scores to the University of Arizona College of Public Health/SOPHAS, code 4253
International Students – Tests of English Proficiency
International applicants are required by the UA Graduate College to submit a TOEFL score of 79 on the iBT test. For students who take the IELTS examination, an overall score of 7 is required, with a score of no less than 6 on any individual band or module. TOEFL and IELTS test scores must be dated within two years of the year of enrollment.
Students may be requested to enter the Center for English as a Second Language to improve their language skills.
SOPHAS TOEFL Scores – Code 5688
SOPHAS IELTS Scores – Code SOPHAS Funding Opportunities
A variety of funding is available in the form of scholarships/fellowships, teaching assistantships, and research assistantships. More information regarding tuition and financial assistance is available at: http://publichealth.arizona.edu/prospective-students/tuition-financial-assistance
Federal Financial Aid https://financialaid.arizona.edu/apply-for-aid/graduate-professional Admissions Deadlines
Fall Deadlines
Priority: December 1
Secondary: April 1
Final: June 1 for US applicants only
Note: Students who apply by the priority deadline will be given the highest priority for admissions and consideration for scholarships and assistantships. International Conditional Admission
International applicants will not be considered for conditional admission by this program.Other InformationThe GRE Institution Code for The University of Arizona is 4832
ETS Major Field Code(s) for this program: 0616
Completion Requirements
Minimum Credit Units
72 Core Coursework Requirements
Required Major Courses (27 units)
- EPID 573A Basic Principles of Epidemiology (3)
- BIOS 576A Biostatistics in Public Health (3)
- BIOS 576B Biostatistics for Research (3)
- EHS 584 Fundamentals of Industrial and Environmental Health (3)
- EHS 502 Environmental Monitoring and Analysis (3)
- EHS 585 Public Health Fundamentals for Researchers (3)
- EHS 653 Applied Exposure Assessment (3)
- HPS 609 Evaluating Public Health Literature (1)
- EHS 696R Environmental Health Seminar (1 unit each semester – 5 times)
ELECTIVE COURSES: Minimum 18 units required for PhD in EHS
PhD Minor Courses = minimum of 9 units required.*
Dissertation – minimum of 18 units
MS/PhD Environmental Health Sciences -Total Minimum Credit Requirements = 72 units Elective Coursework
ELECTIVE COURSES: Minimum 18 units required for PhD in EHS (approved by Faculty Advisor).
Students select courses in areas of emphasis: Exposure Science and Risk Assessment; Climate and Health; Environmental Contaminant Modeling; and Occupational Health and Safety.
Some examples of courses taken for electives include:
- EHS 518 Human Health Risk Assessment (3)
- EHS 553 Toxicology and Chemical Exposures (3)
- EHS 604 Model Exposure to Enviromental Hazards (3)
- EHS 655 Occupational Exposure (3)
- ENVS 525 Environmental Microbiology (3)
- MIC 552 Antibiotics – A Biological Perspective (3)
Students should contact their EHS Faculty Advisor for a suggested listing of elective courses. In addition, there are a great majority of other University courses that can serve as electives for the PhD in Environmental Health Sciences. Please consult with Factuly Advisor regarding other University courses which would fulfill the elective requirements. Additional Requirements
Previously Earned Coursework
Per the Epidemiology Program’s policy, coursework being considered for the doctoral program, should be less than 10 years old at the time the student begins the program.
Time to Completion
Per the Epidemiology Program’s policy, students have a maximum of eight years to complete the doctoral degree beginning from the time they enter the program. Minor Requirements for Doctoral Students in this Program
PhD students must complete a minor of at least 9 units from another area of study. Minors that may interest students in this program include Biostatistics, Epidemiology, Water Quality, Global Climate Change, Environmental Planning, Applied Mathematics, Engineering, Atmospheric Science, and Soil, Water and Environmental Science, just to name a few. With committee approval, a minor may be selected from any program of study at the University of Arizona that offers a doctoral degree. Student Handbook
Please refer to the Graduate Student Handbook for students who are pursuing this program of study.
Program StatisticsInformation about these numbers
| Program-level Information | |
|---|---|
| Application Acceptance Rate | 75% |
| Med. Time-to-degree (years) | 5.25 |
| Department-level Information | |
| Enrollment Percent Male | 42.11% |
| Enrollment Percent Female | 57.89% |
| Enrollment Percent International | 15.79% |
| Enrollment Percent URM | 36.84% |
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