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The goal of the Ph.D. program is to prepare professionals to assume leadership positions in teaching, research, and public service.

The Curriculum
The Department of Environmental Health Sciences (EHS) considers for admission qualified candidates only after they have found a division faculty member willing to mentor them on a funded research project. Applicants must have a background in natural sciences, engineering, or a closely related field. Minimal expectations are 24 credit hours of study in the EHS concentration, and participation in a research seminar. Most candidates will be involved in additional elective courses and/or individual studies. Students also complete 18 hours in dissertation credits.

Before or soon after matriculation, the candidate and dissertation adviser outline a course of study in both major and minor areas. This specifies any deficiences in background that must be made up without credit toward the degree.

All students take a Preliminary Comprehensive Exam within a 12-month period following completion of all required coursework. It consists of a literature review and concept proposal for their planned dissertation research. For each student, a dissertation committee of at least three graduate faculty is created, with the chair being a faculty member in the Environmental Health Science department.

A candidate who enters the program with a satisfactory background may expect to complete the program in three to four years.

Prospective applicants should consult the program website for the latest information concerning admission and degree requirements.