Doctoral Programs
PhD
Doctor of Philosophy
Overview
The Doctor of Philosophy in Environmental Sciences, Environmental Disease Prevention Track prepares individuals to identify and measure disease agents in various environments, characterize them as human health hazards, and develop ways to mitigate their public health impacts. Coursework covers exposure science and chemical, physical, and biological agents in community and workplace settings, as well as diet, levels of physical activity, and how stress affects humans. Students also learn the importance of “place-based” characteristics and conditions and will be able to apply geographical information systems tools to display and analyze spatial data at the local, regional, and national levels for disease control and prevention.
See the Fall 2024 to Summer 2025 PhD EOHS EDP Track Degree Planner.
All doctoral students have access to expertise, faculty, and research across all locations.
Department Overview
This degree program is managed by the Department of Environmental & Occupational Health Sciences (EOHS).
The department chair is Dr. Kristina Mena.
The academic and admissions advisor for environmental and occupational health sciences programs is Mark Yeh.
For more information about the Department of Environmental & Occupational Health Sciences, visit their web page.
Admission Requirements
Environmental Sciences PhD, Environmental Disease Prevention track candidates must meet the UTHealth Houston School of Public Health’s general admission requirements.
Program Requirements
The PhD program requires students to complete 48 credit hours* as detailed in the Environmental Sciences PhD, Environmental Disease Prevention Track degree planner. Most full-time students complete the PhD program in three to five years. All students are eligible to elect to complete one or more graduate certificates in addition to required coursework.
For more information about academic requirements at UTHealth Houston School of Public Health, reference the academic catalog.
*For students who do not hold a graduate degree in public health, additional coursework and time to bring you up to competence may be required.