Environmental Health Science Program

Environmental Health Science is an interdisciplinary field of study that includes the natural and social sciences and the application of those sciences to the areas of environmental health and environmental protection. The Environmental Health Science (EHS) program at ECU is the only BS-EHS degree program in Oklahoma and has maintained accreditation through the National Environmental Health Science and Protection Accreditation Council since the beginning of the program in 1970. The EHS program prepares students for employment as environmental health specialists and environmental protection specialists in both public and private sector agencies. The EHS program also prepares students to enter a wide range of graduate programs in Environmental Health and Environmental Science.

The Environmental Health Science program contributes to the overall mission of East Central University by offering a baccalaureate degree in Environmental Health Science. The EHS program is one of 30 programs nationally accredited by the National Environmental Health Science and Protection Accreditation Council (https://www.nehspac.org/).

A minimum of fifty-five (55) hours are required for a major; no minor is needed. In addition, the program offers a viable minor for students with other majors in the natural sciences and social sciences.

Departmental Brochure 

Nationally Accredited Programs

National Environmental Health Science Protection Accreditation Council
The Environmental Health Science program contributes to the overall mission of East Central University by offering a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Health Science. The EHS program is one of 28 programs nationally accredited by the National Environmental Health Science and Protection Accreditation Council (www.nehspac.org).
 

Environmental Health Science
The Environmental Health Science (EHS) option is designed to prepare students for professional positions protecting human health from environmental hazards and protecting the natural environment. This option requires 
that students complete 52 credit hours of courses offered through Environmental Sciences and 31 credit hours of related courses from other academic departments such as Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics and 
Computer Science, and Physics. Students are required to complete a three-to-six credit hour professional internship at an approved internship site.

Public Health
The Public Health option is designed to prepare students for professional positions at health departments or at other community and public health sites. This option requires 53 credit hours of courses offered through Environmental Sciences (ES) 
and 37 credit hours of related courses from other academic departments. Students are required to complete a three-to-six credit hour professional internship at an approved internship site.

Environmental Management and Natural Resources
The Environmental Management and Natural Resources option is designed to prepare students for professional positions managing physical or biological resources in the natural environment. This option requires 44 credit hours of courses offered through Environmental Sciences and 37-39 credit hours of courses offered through other academic departments. Students are required to complete a three-to-six credit hour professional internship at an approved internship site.

Center for Undergraduate Research and Learning
The Dr. Raniyah Ramadan Center for Undergraduate Research and Learning (CURL)includes undergraduate research labs for Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Health Science and Psychology. Opened in 2015, CURL was designed to increase the students’ opportunities to participate in scientific research. Located in the CURL are labs designed specifically for research in Microscopy, Cellular and Molecular Biology, high-temperature material Chemistry, Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, and Environmental Science.