School of Public Health and Health Services Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Master of Public Health and Graduate Certificate Environmental Health Science and Policy 009-010 Note: All curriculum revisions will be updated immediately on the website http://www.gwumc.edu/sphhs/ Program Director Katherine Hunting, PhD, MPH Associate Dean for Academic Affairs Professor, Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Ross Hall, Suite 106, 00 I Street NW Washington, DC 007 Tel: 0-994-7891 Fax: 0-994-77 Email: eohklh@gwumc.edu Mission The Mission of the Environmental Health Science and Policy MPH program is to educate individuals who are committed to public health protection to apply critical analytic skills to the development, implementation and evaluation of practices and policies aimed at preventing or minimizing the adverse impact of environmental and occupational hazards on human health. Goals Our graduates will possess a multidisciplinary knowledge base and skill set that will provide them a framework for addressing environmental and occupational health (EOH) issues. They will understand three distinct scientific foundations of environmental health in order to: Assess and control environmental and occupational exposures; Understand the effects of these exposures on human health; and Interpret epidemiologic and other research findings related to environmental risks. Furthermore, graduates will be prepared to build on this science base in order to: Analyze policy implications and participate in policy development, implementation and evaluation; and Assess and manage environmental and occupational risks. Course Requirements All GW School of Public Health and Health Services (SPHHS) MPH students who select the Environmental Health Science and Policy program enroll in Core Courses (17 credits), Program-Specific Courses (18 credits), and Electives (6 credits). The total 45 credit degree program also includes a Practicum ( credits) and a Culminating Experience ( credits) where students apply their didactic education to addressing real world problems. The curriculum sheets that follow describe the requirements for the MPH in Environmental Health Science and Policy. Program-Specific Competencies Upon Completion of the MPH Program in Environmental Health Science and Policy, students should possess the following functional competencies. Assess environmental and occupational exposures. Students will be able to assess human exposures to environmental and occupational hazards for the purposes of evaluating human health hazards, conducting epidemiological research, and preventing and controlling hazards. Relevant courses: PubH 1, 6, 7. Prevent and control environmental and occupational hazards. Students will be able to recommend appropriate interventions such as engineering controls, behavior change, or material substitution for reducing human exposures to environmental and occupational hazards. Relevant courses: PubH 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9.
Identify the adverse effects of chemical, biological, and physical exposures on human health. Students will be able to describe the structure and function of human organ systems and identify environmental and occupational agents that disrupt these systems to cause disease and injury. Students will be able to identify the main mechanisms by which environmental and occupational agents gain access to and adversely affect human health, as well as factors which affect susceptibility to such adverse effects. Relevant courses: PubH, 4, 5, 7. Interpret epidemiologic and other research findings related to environmental risks, and assist in designing and conducting research. Students will be able to critically assess existing epidemiologic research, to assist in designing and carrying out appropriate studies for investigating EOH problems, to conceptualize data analysis to address study goals, and to utilize appropriate approaches to manage and analyze data. Relevant courses: PubH 1,, 8. Synthesize relevant information in order to analyze EOH policy implications and participate in policy development. Students will be able to apply various risk assessment approaches. They will be able to synthesize relevant information, including values, for the purposes of assessing risk and evaluating policy strategies to reduce and prevent environmental and occupational disease and injury. Relevant courses: PubH,, 4, 5, 8. Synthesize relevant information in order to assess and manage environmental and occupational risks. Students will be able to apply various risk management and risk communication frameworks. They will be able to synthesize relevant information, including values, for the purposes of assessing risk and evaluating management strategies to reduce and prevent environmental and occupational disease and injury. Relevant courses: PubH, 4, 6, 7. Engage in public health communication and risk communication activities. Students will be able to communicate clearly and effectively in professional and community settings on public health issues and on environmental and occupational health hazards. Relevant courses: PubH 1,,, 4, 5, 9. Identify ethical issues in environmental health policy and practice. Students will be able to discuss how scientific principles and societal values such as equity and environmental justice influence decision-making about environmental and occupational health problems in research, public health practice, policy, and management contexts. Relevant courses: PubH, 1,,, 4, 5, 8, 9. Sample Culminating Experiences Carried out by Previous Students Policy Implications of Analyzing Emissions Data: An Assessment of TCEQ Emission Event Reports An Analysis and Summary of Mercury Levels Found in the Ten Most Consumed Seafoods in the U.S. Development of a Local Animal Health Sentinel Surveillance Reporting Plan for Zoonotic Bioevents Ecological and Individual Level Analysis of the Association between Organophosphate Exposure and Low Birth Weight Overall and Serotype-Specific Rates of Salmonella Contamination in Selected Raw Meat and Poultry Products Is There a Correlation between Agricultural Antibiotic Use and Community Antibiotic Resistance? Arctic Contamination in Alaska Native Traditional Foods: A Community Driven Study Effects of Maternal Intestinal Parasitic Infection on Infant Birth Outcomes in the Municipality of Vicosa, Brazil Using Enforcement Data from Coal Mine Inspections to Identify High Risk Mines Pathways Exposing Preschool Children of Migrant and Seasonal Farmworkers to Organophosphate Pesticides Asthma Prevalence and Residential Proximity to Highways in Fresno County, CA Using Reverse-trajectory Air Modeling to Predict the Source of Mercury Exposure from Distant Coal-fired Power Plants Intervention Strategies for Protecting the Children in Mirpur Thana, Dhaka, Bangladesh from Ascaris lumbricoides Infections due to Climate Change in 00 Noise and Military Vehicles: The Comparison between "Legacy" and "Prototype" Military Systems and Equipment Occupational Injuries and Illnesses in Unionized Hotel Employees in the Washington, DC Area A New Risk Assessment Framework for Nanoparticles Is Nitrite Exposure a Health Risk in Chloraminated Drinking Water? Please see the curriculum sheets that follow.
School of Public Health and Health Services Master of Public Health Environmental Health Science and Policy 009-010 Program-at-a-Glance Begin Planning Your Culminating Project after Completing the First Half of Your Program Required Core Courses Required Core Course Credits Semester Offered Grade PubH 01 Biological Concepts for Public Health Fall, Spring, Summer I PubH 0 Biostatistical Applications for Public Health Fall, Spring, Summer 10 wk PubH 0 Principles and Practice of Epidemiology Fall, Spring, Summer 10 wk PubH 04 Environmental & Occupational Health in a Sustainable World Fall, Spring, Summer I PubH 05 Policy Approaches to Public Health Fall, Spring, Summer 10 wk PubH 07 Social and Behavioral Approaches to Public Health Fall, Spring, Summer 1 PubH 08 Management Approaches to Public Health Fall, Spring, Summer 10-wk Total Core Credits 17 Required Program-Specific Courses Required Program Specific Course Credits Semester Offered Grade PubH 1 Environmental and Occupational Epidemiology Spring PubH Protecting Public Health and the Environment: Policies, Spring Politics, and Programs PubH Toxicology: Applications for Public Health Policy Fall PubH 4 Problem Solving in Environmental and Occupational Health Summer 10 wk PubH 6 Assessment and Control of Environmental Hazards Fall PubH 9 Information Sources in Environmental and Occupational Health 1 Fall EO H Program-Specific Electives Select credits from this list PubH 5 Introduction to Children s Health and the Environment Spring PubH 7 Public Health Microbiology and Biodefense Spring PubH 8 Global Environmental and Occupational Health Fall Alternate Years Electives Any SPHHS Graduate Course(s) 6 Fall, Spring, Summer PubH 14.1 Practicum See Advisor PubH 15.1 Culminating Experience See Advisor Course Distribution Credits Public Health Core 17 Program -Specific 18 Electives 6 Practicum Culminating Experience Total 45
School of Public Health and Health Services Master of Public Health and Graduate Certificate Program Environmental Health Science and Policy 009-010 Note: All curriculum revisions will be updated immediately on the website http://www.gwumc.edu Graduation Requirements MPH 1. Graduate Credit Requirement. 45 graduate credits are required.. Course Requirements. Successful completion of the Core Courses and the Program- Specific Courses are required.. Grade Point Requirement. A.0 (B average) overall grade point average is required. 4. Time Limit Requirement. The degree must be completed within four years. 5. Transfer Credit Policy. Up to 1 graduate credits that have not been applied to a previous graduate degree may be transferred to the MPH. Up to 18 credits may be transferred to the MPH from the SPHHS Graduate Certificate. Credits must have been earned from an accredited institution in the last years with a grade point of.0 or better. Graduation Requirements Graduate Certificate 1. Graduate Credit Requirement for students enrolled in a stand alone Graduate Certificate. 18 credits are required.. Graduate Credit Requirement for students enrolled concurrently in a SPHHS Degree Program. 1 credits are required.. The Program Director/Advisor must pre-approve all course selections and course sequencing by developing a program of study prior to the student s initial registration. Graduate Certificate students meet with their advisor each semester before registration. All changes in this program of study must be pre-approved by the Program Director/Advisor. 4. Course Requirements. Since most graduate certificate students are currently enrolled in an MPH program or have previously earned a graduate degree, most course credits will be selected from the program-specific course list. Under no circumstances may a certificate student enroll in fewer than 9 credits of program-specific courses. 5. Grade Point Requirement. A.0 (B average) overall grade point average or better is required. 6. Time Limit Requirement. The certificate must be completed within years. 7. Transfer Credit Policy. The Program Director/Advisor may approve up to 4 graduate credits that have not been applied to a previous graduate degree to be transferred to the graduate certificate. (Exceptions: GW master s students and alumni may transfer up to 6 credits of the master s degree to the Graduate Certificate.) The course(s) must be relevant to the graduate certificate. Credits must have been earned from an accredited institution in the last years with a grade point of.0 or better. PubH 01 Biological Concepts for Public Health PubH 0 Biostatistical Applications for Public Health Core Courses 17 Credits Provides an overview of current knowledge about biological mechanis ms of major diseases causing death and disability in the US and globally; understanding and interpreting the reciprocal relationships of genetic, environmental, and behavioral determinants of health and disease in an ecologic context; analyzing, discussing, and communicating biologic principles of disease from a public health perspective. Fall, Spring, Summer I Application of biostatistical principles to critical analysis of retrospective studies, prospective studies, and controlled clinical trials, as well as studies in the health services literature. Selection, basic calculations,
PubH 0 Principles and Practice of Epidemiology PubH 04 Environmental & Occupational Health in a Sustainable World PubH 05 Policy Approaches to Public Health PubH 07 Social and Behavioral Approaches to Public Health PubH 08 Management Approaches to Public Health PubH 1 Environmental and Occupational Epidemiology PubH Protecting Public Health and the Environment: Policies, Politics, and Programs PubH Toxicology: Applications for Public Health Policy PubH 4 Problem Solving in Environmental and Occupational Health and interpretation of statistical methods for detection of significant associations and differences. Fall, Spring, Summer 10-week General principles, methods, and applications of epidemiology. Outbreak investigations, measures of disease frequency, standardization of disease rates, study design, measures of association, h ypothesis testing, bias, effect modification, causal inference, disease screening, and surveillance. Case studies apply these concepts to a variety of infectious, acute, and chronic health conditions affecting the population. Fall, Spring, Summer 10-week Examines the connection between population health and exposures to chemical, physical, and biological agents in the environment. Through the use of problem-solving frameworks, students will become familiar with data sources, methodologies and policy approaches being used to address the public health impacts of environmental and occupational health hazards, including the consequences of climate change, natural resource degradation, and industrial chemicals. The course will integrate key concepts of environmental health with principles of sustainability to illustrate how public policies and practices on the local, national and global level affect population health. Fall, Spring, Summer I Introductory multidisciplinary course focusing on the interplay of all aspects of global public health on health policy problems. Students will learn how health policy is made, how health care and public health services are delivered, and how to define and analyze key health policy problems drawing on the perspectives and skills of the public health disciplines. Fall, Spring, Summer 10-week Emphasizes social and behavioral science theories, models, and concepts that can be applied to public health problems and interventions. Describes the role of social and community factors, including race/ethnicity and culture, in both the onset and solution of public health problems and describes the interrelationship between the social/behavioral science. Summer, Fall, Spring An advanced multidisciplinary course examining global public health and health delivery issues through the use of a case study approach. Prerequisites: PubH 01, 0, 0, 04, 05, 06 or 07, Fall, Spring, Summer 10-week Program Specific Courses 18 Credits Epidemiologic methods for the study of environmental and occupational health problems. Epidemiologic exposure assessment methods and methods relevant to cohort, case-control, cross-sectional, and cluster investigation studies. Sources of and evaluation of biases and confounding, as well as survey and questionnaire design. Prerequisites: PubH 0, 0, Spring Reviews the history, structure and workings of the system through which we attempt to p rotect public health and the environment, with a particular focus on US regulatory agencies. Prerequisites: PubH 04, Spring Introduction to principles of toxicology with emphasis on concepts most relevant in risk assessment, management, and communication; and public health policy. Prerequisite: Organic Chemistry, Fall This culminating course uses problem-based learning methods, through which students are challenged to examine a variety of real-world EOH issues in depth. The cases stimulate students to integrate their cumulative knowledge across all required courses and demonstrate their professional competencies. The course requires students to conduct activities characteristic of EOH practice: evaluating a variety of technical, public and media reports; integrating and interpreting environmental, exposure and health
PubH 6 Assessment and Control of Environmental Hazards PubH 9 Information Sources in Environmental and Occupational Health PubH 5 Introduction to Children's Health and the Environment PubH 7 Public Health Microbiology and Biodefense PubH 8 Global Environmental and Occupational Health information effectively; designing analytic and communication strategies; presenting in writing and orally relevant materials to address EOH issues; and making appropriate policy and/or program decisions and recommendations. Prerequisites: PubH 1,, 6, Summer 10-week Introduces the anticipation, recognition, assessment, and control of hazards in the workplace and the ambient environment. It emphasizes an understanding of the characteristic features of specific hazards, which may be chemical, biological, or physical/ergonomic. Fall 1 Skills for EOH research and information retrieval. Identify peer-reviewed, agency, and other sources of research on workplace, air, water, and soil hazards. Contrast research findings in the workplace and general environment. Examine contemporary research sources in industrial hygiene, risk communication, toxicology, epidemiology, health surveillance and monitoring, and regulation. Prerequisite or Co-requisite: PubH 04. Fall Choose credits from this list Describes the impact of environmental toxicants on children s health and reviews some of the major policy issues in the field of children s environmental health. Prerequisites PubH 04. Spring Provides students with a basic understanding of microbes and the environment with a particular emphasis on bioterrorism. Students will be able to: describe microbiological agents in the environment; describe the public health triad; outline public health measures addressing the threats of these environmental microbes; and, evaluate policy and regulations available to address these threats. Prerequisites: PubH 04. Spring Examines environmental and occupational health issues at various stages in the development process. Emphasis will be placed on principles of development economics and associated environmental health issues. Prerequisites: 04, Fall Electives 6 credits 6 With advisor s guidance, choose 6 credits from among any SPHHS courses. PubH 14. 1 PubH 15. 1 Practicum and Culminating Experience 4 credits Practicum 1- This course provides the opportunity for MPH students to apply the knowledge and skills acquired through their programs of study. A planned, supervised and evaluated practice experience that is relevant to the student's program is an essential component of a public health professional degree program. These opportunities can take place in a variety of agencies or organizations. Each program customizes Practicum requirements to meet students needs. (Credit/No Credit) Summer, Fall, Spring Culminating Experience - A culminating experience is one that requires a student to synthesize and integrate knowledge acquired in coursework and other learning experiences and to apply theory and principles in a situation that approximates some aspect of professional practice. It is through this course that faculty evaluates the extent to which the student has mastered the body of knowledge and can demonstrate proficiency in the required competencies. Each program customizes Culminating Experience requirements to meet students needs. Summer, Fall, Spring
Environmental Health Science and Policy Advising Tips NOTE: Always see your advisor for course scheduling and sequencing strategies, but remember that proper course selection, fulfilling requirements, and on-time graduation are your responsibilities. The Master of Public Health (MPH) curriculum consists of four types of courses: Required Core Courses (PubH 01, 0, 0, 04, 05, 07, and PubH 08) Required Program-Specific Courses, including EOH selective credits General Electives Required Practicum and Culminating Experience The MPH core courses are designed to provide students with a broad public health context as well as a critical foundation for subsequent coursework. Early completion of these core courses ensures that students will have the base of knowledge to successfully complete the program specific courses and to get as much as possible out of them. As such, entering students are expected to enroll in MPH core courses in accordance with the following guidelines: We expect MPH students to complete the MPH core courses in their first year of graduate study (fall/spring/summer). This does not include PubH 08 (Management Approaches to Public Health), which should be taken in the second half of the program of study, and which requires every other core course as a pre-requisite. Further, we expect MPH students to complete the following MPH courses in the first two semesters of study: o PubH 01 Biological Concepts for Public Health o PubH 0 Biostatistics OR PubH 0 Epidemiology o PubH 05 Policy Approaches to Public Health Part-time students (who generally take 5 to 7 credits per semester) will typically concentrate on taking core courses in their first year, and then take program-specific courses in their second and third years. In order to help assure that all students complete core courses in the first year of study, SPHHS will offer all core courses during all three semesters (fall, spring, and summer). This will allow students who wish to complete their MPH degree within two years to do so, and will allow every student to make steady progress toward completing the MPH degree. We recognize that there may be exceptional circumstances that make it difficult for a student to complete core courses in the first year as outlined above. Any such student should discuss this situation with his or her academic advisor. If the advisor and student agree that an exception is needed, the student should complete a Graduate Petition Form explaining the circumstances, obtain the academic advisor s signature, and submit the Petition to the SPHHS Office of Student Records, Ross Hall. The Associate Dean for Student and Faculty Development must approve such a petition before a student is permitted to defer any core courses to the second year. Table 1 (full time students) and Table (part time students) present sample course schedules that Environmental and Occupational Health Department students are required to take during their tenure at the SPHHS. It is noteworthy that fully 45 credits are required, including core courses (17 credits), program specific courses, including EOH selective credits (18 credits), general elective credits (6 credits), and the practicum ( credits) and culminating experience ( credits).
GWU School of Public Health and Health Services MPH in Environmental Health Science and Policy (45 cr) Sample Schedule for -Year Completion (Fall start) Semester Cr Course # Course Name Time Fall 1 st year 9 credits Spring 1 st year 7 credits* Summer 1 st year 4 cr* Fall nd year 6 credits* Spring nd year 6 credits* Summer nd year 5 credits 1 PubH 0 PubH 0 PubH 04 PubH 9 PubH 05 PubH 01 PubH PubH 07 PubH 14 PubH PubH 6 PubH 1 PubH 08 PubH 4 PubH 15 * Additionally, you must complete: Principles and Practice of Epidemiology Biostatistical Applications for Public Health Environmental & Occupational Health in a Sustainable World Information Sources in EOH Policy Approaches to Public Health Biological Concepts for Public Health Protecting Public Health and the Environment: Policies, Politics, and Programs -- begin to plan Practicum -- Social and Behavioral Approaches to Public Health Practicum + Toxicology: Applications for Public Health Policy Assessment and Control of Env Hazards -- begin to plan Culminating Project -- Env & Occ Epidemiology Management Approaches to PH -- work on Culminating Project -- Problem Solving in EOH Culminating Project + Complete by end of August. MPH!!!!! Yeah!!!!! Tues 6:10 9:00 pm or Fri :00 5:50 pm Tues 4:10 6:00 pm Monday 5:10 6:00 pm Thurs 6:10 8:00 pm Thurs 4:10 6:00 pm Summer I Mon/Weds 6:10 8:5 pm Mon 6:10 9:00 pm Thurs 6:10 9:00 pm credits of EOH Selectives Select one of these three courses any time after your first semester: PubH 5 Introduction to Children s Health and the Environment Spring, Tues 4:10 6:00 PubH 7 Public Health Microbiology and Biodefense Spring,, Tues 4:10 6:00 PubH 8 Global Environmental and Occupational Health Fall, Tues 4:10-6:00 10-week Summer Session, Tues/Thurs :45 6:00 pm 6 credits of Electives With guidance from your advisor, complete 6 credits of electives in any combination, any time during your course of study. + Both the Practicum and the Culminating Experience require substantial lead time to plan. Make sure that yo u start planning your Practicum the semester before you wish to conduct it. Make sure that you start planning your Culminating Experience approximately 10 months before you plan to complete it.
GWU School of Public Health and Health Services MPH in Environmental Health Science and Policy (45 cr) Sample Schedule for -Year Completion (Fall start) Semester Cr Course # Course Name Time Fall 1 st year 6 credits Spring 1 st year 7 credits Summer 1 st year cr* Fall nd year 5 credits* Spring nd year 6 credits Summer nd year credits* Fall rd year credits* Spring rd year Variable credits* Summer rd year 5 credits* 1 PubH 0 PubH 04 PubH 9 PubH 0 PubH 05 PubH 01 Principles & Practice of Epidemiology Environmental & Occupational Health in a Sustainable World Information Sources in EOH Biostatistical Applications for Public Health Policy Approaches to Public Health Biological Concepts for Public Health PubH 07 Social & Behavioral Approaches to Public Health -- begin to plan Practicum -- PubH Toxicology: Applications for Public Health Policy PubH 14 Practicum PubH 1 Env & Occ Epidemiology PubH Protecting Public Health and the Environment: Tues 6:10 9:00 pm or Fri :00 5:50 pm Tues 4:10 6:00 pm Mon 5:10 6:00 pm Thurs 6:10 8:00 pm Thurs 4:10 6:00 pm Summer I Mon/Weds 6:10 8:5 pm Mon 6:10 9:00 pm Thurs 6:10 9:00 pm Policies, Politics, and Programs PubH 08 Management Approaches to Public Health 10-week Summer Session, Tues/Thurs :45 6:00 pm PubH 6 Assessment and Control of Env Hazards Electives/Selectives* -- begin to plan Culminating Project -- varies Electives/Selectives* PubH PubH 15 *Additionally, you must complete: -- work on Culminating Project -- Protecting Public Health and the Environment: Culminating Project + Complete by end of August. MPH!!!!! Yeah!!!!! credits of EOH Selectives Select one of these three courses any time after your first semester: PubH 5 Introduction to Children s Health and the Environment Spring, Tues 4:10 6:00 PubH 7 Public Health Microbiology and Biodefense Spring, Tues 4:10 6:00 PubH 8 Global Environmental and Occupational Health Fall, Tues 4:10-6:00 10-week Summer Session, Tues/Thurs :45 6:00 pm 6 credits of Electives For your EOH in MPH, complete credits of electives in any combination, any time during your course of study. + Both the Practicum and the Culminating Experience require substantial lead time to plan. Make sure that you start planning your Practicum the semester before you wish to conduct it. Make sure that you start planning your Culminating Experience approximately 10 months before you plan to complete it.