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Department of Occupational & Environmental Health

The environment encompasses not only the natural surroundings - the air, the water, the plants and animals used for food - but also shelter, modes of transportation and all other products of technology, including pollutants and waste materials; all of which interact to affect health. Environmental considerations become increasingly important during these times of changing emphasis in the fields of energy, economics, and technology.

The objective of the Department of Occupational and Environmental Health (OEH) is to unite in an interdisciplinary training and research program, persons grounded in natural, physical, and health sciences in order to develop an understanding of human response to the environment as well as the response of the environment to the activities of humans. Toward this end, the department has developed flexible and diversified programs of graduate study, field training, and basic and applied research to accommodate students with a wide range of academic and occupational backgrounds. Most courses are offered in the late afternoon and evening format, for the convenience of practicing professionals. 

The Department of Occupational and Environmental Health has been recognized as a national leader in industrial hygiene education. The Master of Science (MS) program in Industrial Hygiene and Environmental Health Sciences is accredited by the Applied and Natural Science Accreditation Commission of ABET, http://www.abet.org, under the General Criteria and the Industrial Hygiene Program Criteria. ABET accreditation is the only program accreditation recognized by the American Board of Industrial Hygiene, and is the hallmark of excellence for industrial hygiene education. The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center is one of only twenty-three universities nationwide with an accredited graduate industrial hygiene program.

The department is currently offering the following degree programs, please click each degree for detail information on application, curriculum, and accreditation:

Degree Programs

Master of Science (MS) Degree in Industrial Hygiene & Environmental Health Sciences

The 49-credit hours MS program in Industrial Hygiene and Environmental Health Sciences will prepare professional practitioners to apply scientific knowledge to the anticipation, recognition, evaluation, and control of environmental hazards or stresses affecting human health.

The Department of Occupational and Environmental Health has been recognized as a national leader in industrial hygiene education. The Master of Science (MS) program in Industrial Hygiene and Environmental Health Sciences is accredited by the Applied and Natural Science Accreditation Commission of ABET, http://www.abet.org, under the General Criteria and the Industrial Hygiene Program Criteria. ABET accreditation is the only program accreditation recognized by the American Board of Industrial Hygiene, and is the hallmark of excellence for industrial hygiene education. The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center is one of only twenty-three universities nationwide with an accredited graduate industrial hygiene program.

Master of Public Health (MPH) Degree in Environmental Health

The MPH in Environmental Health is a 45-credit hours program. The program aims at preparing professionals work in federal, state, and local health departments, environmental protection agencies, hospitals, and public interest groups.

The Hudson College of Public Health and the MPH program offered by the Department are accredited by the Council on Education in Public Health (CEPH). The MPH program may be completed by full or part-time students and is offered in Oklahoma City. Part of the required MPH curriculum can be taken in Tulsa.

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Degree

The PhD degree is a 90-credit hours, advanced, research-oriented degree program requiring in-depth study of and research in a specialty area within the broad field of occupational and environmental health.

Department Contact


Margaret L. Phillips

Margaret L. Phillips, Ph.D.
Chair & Presidential Professor
University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center
Hudson College of Public Health
P.O. Box 26901
Oklahoma City, OK 73126-0901
Email:  margaret-phillips@ouhsc.edu 
Phone: (405) 271-2070, ext. 46764
Fax: (405) 271-1971