PhD in Occupational & Environmental Health

Overview

Step into a dynamic world of research with the Doctor of Philosophy in Occupational and Environmental Health program at OU Hudson College of Public Health. This advanced program immerses you in the intricacies of occupational and environmental health, preparing you for a career in academia or research.

Curriculum

Imagine mastering Aerosol Science, studying the impact of airborne particles on health. In Risk Assessment, you’ll learn to evaluate potential health hazards, while Modeling Technology in OEH equips you with the tools to predict and mitigate health risks. Our Grant Writing Skills course will empower you to secure funding for your groundbreaking research.

Course Requirements

Core Competencies (20 hours)
OEH 6103 Research Methods in Occupational and Environmental Health OEH 6793 Aerosol Science OEH 6473 Risk Assessment OEH 6683 Modeling Technology in OEH BSE 6192 Grant Writing Skills in Epidemiology BSE 5013 Applications of Microcomputers to Data Analysis (SAS) BSE 5173 Biostatistics Methods II

Selective BSE Electives (9 hours)
Courses not from this list require Advisory Committee approval
Biostatistics BSE 5643 Regression Analysis BSE 5663 Analysis of Frequency Data BSE 5653 Non-Parametric Methods

Epidemiology BSE 5193 Intermediate Epidemiologic Methods BSE 5283 GIS in Health BSE 5363 Epidemiology & Prevention of Chronic Diseases

Other Requirements (not counted toward the minimum course hours above the bachelor’s degree)
Communication selective (if one of these or an equivalent course was not taken at the master’s level): HAP 7913 Professional Communication -or- OEH 5973 Communication and Ethics in OEH
Responsible conduct of research selective: BSE 5111 Scientific Integrity in Research -or- BMSC 5001 Integrity in Scientific Research. NOTE: Further training in responsible conduct of research (RCR) is required after four years, so students in their 5th year are required to enroll in the Advanced RCR course: BMSC 6011: Integrity in Scientific Research II
Pedagogy/mentored teaching selective: Preparing Future Faculty Program (BMSC 6202 PFF – Instructional Methods & BMSC 6300 PFF – Supervised Teaching Experience) -or- OEH 6200 Imparting Knowledge in OEH (2 hours; 1 credit hour may be waived for PhD students who submit documentation of prior college-level teaching experience as stipulated in the OEH Policy on the PhD Teaching Requirement).
Public health foundational knowledge: Any PhD student who has not previously completed the core MPH courses or earned a MPH degree is required to complete BSE 5033 Foundations and Overview of Public Health at the first opportunity.

Other Requirements (not counted toward the minimum course hours above the bachelor’s degree)

Communication selective (if one of these or an equivalent course was not taken at the master’s level):

HAP 7913 Professional Communication
-or-
OEH 5973 Communication and Ethics in OEH

Responsible conduct of research selective:

BSE 5111 Scientific Integrity in Research
-or-
BMSC 5001 Integrity in Scientific Research.

NOTE: Further training in responsible conduct of research (RCR) is required after four years, so students in their 5th year are required to enroll in the Advanced RCR course: BMSC 6011: Integrity in Scientific Research II

Pedagogy/mentored teaching selective:

Preparing Future Faculty Program (BMSC 6202 PFF – Instructional Methods & BMSC 6300 PFF – Supervised Teaching Experience)
-or-
OEH 6200 Imparting Knowledge in OEH (2 hours; 1 credit hour may be waived for PhD students who submit documentation of prior college-level teaching experience as stipulated in the OEH Policy on the PhD Teaching Requirement).

Public health foundational knowledge:
Any PhD student who has not previously completed the core MPH courses or earned a MPH degree is required to complete BSE 5033 Foundations and Overview of Public Health at the first opportunity.

Elective Courses
Other electives (variable, as deemed necessary by the Doctoral Advisory Committee)

Dissertation
Minimum of 20 hours but no more than 25 to be applied to the degree

STEM Designation

The PhD in Occupational and Environmental Health program is considered a STEM-designated degree program.

A STEM-designated program is an academic program that falls under at least one of the approved categories from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). These categories are recognized by the government for their focus on science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) topics. DHS's updated STEM-designated degree list can be found here: https://www.ice.gov/doclib/sevis/pdf/stemList2022.pdf.

Explore the Hudson College Further

Academic Resources

At the Hudson College of Public Health, students are empowered with a diverse range of accredited degree programs, hands-on learning experiences, and state-of-the-art research opportunities, all guided by our multidisciplinary faculty.

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Research

The Hudson College of Public Health is enriched by its research partnerships with esteemed institutions and organizations, providing students with a robust, real-world learning experience that complements their academic journey.

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Field Work

At the Hudson College of Public Health, students apply their curriculum through immersive field experiences and practicums, fostering a hands-on, real-world understanding of public health challenges and solutions.

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Department of Occupational & Environmental Health

The Department of Occupational and Environmental Health is dedicated to addressing global environmental challenges and promoting health through innovative research and practical applications for students. Our department offers specialized degrees and provides students with the opportunity to work on real-world issues through our strong partnerships with key public health leaders. With a focus on community engagement and environmental sustainability, we prepare our students to become leaders in occupational health, industrial hygiene, and environmental health application.

About the Department