East Tennessee State University
College of Public and Allied Health
The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph. D.) Program
In Environmental Health Sciences

Environmental health is the multidisciplinary science that joins public health and the environmental sciences to address prevention of disease by managing and reducing environmental exposures. Environmental health seeks to reduce the burden of environmentally associated diseases by defining: 1) how environmental exposures affect our health; 2) how individuals differ in their susceptibility to these exposures; and 3) how these susceptibilities change with age. Protecting people from avoidable illness and death saves money, spares suffering, and improves the quality of life for society. Consequently, environmental health is one of the core competencies required to provide a strong public health workforce.

The Doctor of Philosophy in Environmental Health Sciences Program (Ph. D.) seeks to promote the environmental health sciences and identify, prevent, and manage disease and injury. Students will fulfill this through dedication to doctoral level education and training, distinction in research, innovation in policy development, and improvement of health strategies.

The Ph. D. program will prepare professionals in the environmental health sciences to:

• Reduce the burden of environmentally associated diseases by defining: a) how environmental exposures affect human health, b) how individuals differ in their susceptibility to these exposures, and c) how these susceptibilities change over the life span.
• Develop and implement effective strategies and programs for the maintenance of health and the prevention and management of disease and injury.
• Serve as faculty and instructors for academic programs in environmental health.
• Develop effective environmental health policies.
• Design and conduct quality research that contributes to improvements in environmental health.
• Collaborate and work with communities for the promotion of health and the prevention and control of disease.
• Meet the increasing need for trained professionals in environmental health, including those who can analyze and address environmental health issues.
• Investigate environmental conditions that may affect a community's health status, and provide technical assistance and leadership to address the concerns of communities.
• Provide skills and knowledge in the public health core area of environmental health.
  

Admission Requirements

Admission to the Ph. D. in Environmental Health Sciences has the same requirements as existing graduate requirements plus additional specific requirements as listed below:

1)  Application fee
2)  Application form
3)  One official transcript of all previous undergraduate and graduate work
4)  A statement of purpose: All applicants must submit a statement of purpose explaining their motivation for the proposed course of study. The statement is to be a concise, well-written essay about their background, research interests and experiences, career goals, and how the graduate program will help meet their career and education objectives.
5)  Official scores on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE)
6)  Three letters of recommendation
7) A current curriculum vitae (CV) or resume
8 )  MPH or equivalent preparation in a related field from a regionally-accredited university.

Students will be admitted on a competitive basis, and those with a demonstrated ability to integrate public health competencies and skills into public health practice will be preferred.

Follow all application guidelines for both the School of Graduate Studies (online) and the program (see above). If you have additional questions about the program please contact the coordinator at DrPHCoordinator@etsu.edu, or 423-439-6720. Admission inquiries should be directed to the School of Graduate Studies at 423-439-4221.

Graduation Requirements

Completion of the Environmental Health Sciences Ph.D. degree will require: (1) a minimum of 72 semester credit hours of course work beyond the baccalaureate degree; (2) passing the qualifying examination for doctoral candidacy; (3) passing the proposal defense; (4) completing a dissertation of publishable quality; and (5) passing the final dissertation defense. A student in the Dr.P.H. degree program shall have seven (7) calendar years from the date of initial registration to complete and successfully defend a dissertation. All students must pass Institutional Review Board certification sponsored by ETSU if working with human subjects. All students must pass HIPAA certification if their research/practicum falls under the requirements to secure the privacy and confidentiality of patient records .

Coursework:

The course of study leading to the Ph.D. degree will be specifically designed to allow the student to achieve his or her stated interests and goals. Students are encouraged to take an active role in developing their program of study. A minimum of 72 semester hours beyond the baccalaureate degree, or 36 to 42 semester hours for students entering with a masters degree, is required. The minimum semester hours required for students entering with a masters degree will be determined by the Environmental Health Sciences Ph.D. Program Committee based on the student’s academic record and achievements.

Curriculum

Environmental Health Sciences Ph.D. Core Courses: Total credit hours: 15

The core curriculum is designed to provide the basic knowledge and skills necessary for research in Environmental Health Sciences.

Elective Courses

Directed elective courses will be determined by the Graduate Advisory Committee that is responsible for overseeing the student's overall academic program, including the program of study. Courses applicable to this program exist at East Tennessee State University in the Colleges of Public and Allied Health, Medicine, Nursing, Arts and Sciences, and Business and Technology.

Other credits:

All doctoral candidates must complete a dissertation as a major requirement for the Ph.D. degree. The candidate, with the advice and approval of the research advisor and graduate advisory committee, will select the dissertation topic.

**** Unless Otherwise stated, electives shall be selected in consultation with the student's academic advisor and may be taken in any area appropriate to the student's professional goals.