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The Department of Environmental and Occupational Health (EOH) is one of several departments within the College of Health and Human Development at California State University, Northridge. The Department of Environmental and Occupational Health is approved by the California Department of Health Services and accredited by the National Environmental Health Science and Protection Accreditation Council (BS and MS). The BS in Industrial Hygiene is accredited by the Applied Science Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering Technology, 111 Market Place, Suite 1050, Baltimore, MD 21202 - telephone (410) 347-7700.
We have developed a Mission Statement and a set of Learning Outcomes for the BS and MS degrees. These serve to provide a structure for planning and assessment of our Department and to provide prospective students some insight into the value of the degrees we offer.
Five full-time and several part-time faculty members presently teach in the Department of EOH. The program emphasizes the study of the chemical, physical and biological factors that affect human health and environmental quality. The curriculum provides the basic knowledge and training required for professional careers in the field of community environmental health and industrial hygiene. The curriculum is also excellent preparation for a career in medicine, dentistry, or optometry.
The undergraduate program leads to a Bachelor of Science Degree in Environmental and Occupational Health preparing students for a variety of occupations including Environmental Health Specialist, consultant to governmental and industry, Industrial Hygienist, Safety Engineer, and Loss Control Representative.
The graduate program leads to a Master of Science Degree in Environmental and Occupational Health and provides additional expertise in protecting workers and communities from accidents and a variety of physical, chemical and biological agents. Advanced research skills and preparation for supervisory and administrative responsibilities are an integral part of the graduate program.
An option in Industrial Hygiene is available at both the undergraduate and graduate degree level. Selection of this option allows the Industrial Hygiene Option notation to appear on transcript and diploma.
A Minor in Environmental and Occupational Health is available to CSUN undergraduates in other campus Departments. The minor may open many employment opportunities to students outside of our major.
The program also offers a Certificate in Hazardous Materials and Waste Management. This is documentation that an individual has completed a series of college-level courses associated with hazardous waste management. The program is administered by the Division of Business and Industry Services.
Graduates find employment in a wide variety of places. These include county health departments, aerospace industry, general industry, environmental consulting, universities, state government and federal government.
Salaries vary widely. Starting salaries for BS - EOH average above $35,000. Starting salaries for MS - EOH average above $40,000. These data come from informal surveys of program graduates, not a scientific sample. More formal salary surveys indicate that professionals in this field can achieve salaries above $100,000, depending on the professional certification they receive and job responsibilities. Follow this link to read one sample, from a job placement service.
There is a significant need for environmental health professionals in government service. In part, this in response to bioterrorism defense. Visit this link for information relating to the need for environmental health professionals.
A recent graduate of our program wrote this document, discussing some more career options.
Here are two short videos, one discussing environmental health and one discussing industrial health and safety that came from the American Job Bank. (The video links will open a video file that will play in RealPlayer.)
An active student association, the Environmental and Occupational Health Student Association organizes student meetings, workshops and employment interviews. Please visit their web page.
Students may enroll in either the fall or spring semester. Undergraduates must meet University admission and general education requirements. Graduate level applicants should possess a Bachelor’s Degree with a minimum grade point average of 3.0. Applicants with a GPA between 2.5 and 3.0 will be required to take the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) before formal acceptance into the program. Graduate students must also have an academic background that includes the material in the BS-EOH requirements.
You can apply to either the undergraduate or the graduate program online with this link. Regular application forms (hard copy) are available by contacting the CSUN Admissions and Records Office by email.
California State University, Northridge (CSUN), a member of the California State University System, is one of the largest universities in California. The student enrollment of 28,000 is served by over 3,300 faculty members and support staff.
