Global Environmental Health

The Master of Science in Global Environmental Health at Emory University is a comprehensive interdisciplinary program dedicated to addressing the complex challenges of environmental health on a global scale. This program prepares students to understand and mitigate the health impacts of environmental factors, including air and water pollution, climate change, vector-borne diseases, and exposure to hazardous substances. Emory’s emphasis on global health issues ensures that students gain a broad understanding of the social, economic, and political determinants that influence environmental health outcomes worldwide. The curriculum combines rigorous coursework in environmental science, public health, epidemiology, toxicology, and policy analysis with practical experience through research projects, internships, and community engagement initiatives. Students are encouraged to develop critical thinking skills and a multidisciplinary approach necessary to design effective interventions and policies aimed at reducing environmental health risks. Faculty members are leaders in their fields, providing mentorship and expert guidance in areas such as environmental epidemiology, occupational health, and global disease control. The program also emphasizes global perspective, cultural competency, and ethical considerations vital to working effectively in diverse international settings. Graduates of the program are equipped to pursue careers in governmental agencies, non-profit organizations, research institutions, and private sector companies concerned with environmental health issues. They play a vital role in shaping policies, conducting groundbreaking research, and implementing programs to improve health outcomes for vulnerable populations across the globe. With access to Emory’s extensive resources and its strategic partnerships worldwide, students benefit from a unique educational environment that fosters innovation, collaboration, and leadership in the field of global environmental health.

MPH Core Courses

• Statistical Methods
• Epidemiologic Methods 
• Behavioral and Social Sciences in Public Health
• Intro to US Health Care System 

GEH Required Courses

• Global Challenges and Opportunities 
• Human Toxicology
• Env. and Occ. Epi. (Prereq. EPI 530) 
• Advanced Environmental Epi. (Prereqs: BIOS 500, Bios 501, EPI 530; and EPI 534 preferred)
• Environmental Hazards I
• Environmental Microbiology: Control of Food and Waterborne Disease 
• Proposal Development (S/U grading basis); 
• Research Design in EH (S/U grading basis) 
• Thesis
• Capstone Seminar 
• Practicum

GEH students must take a minimum of 6 credit hours from the following list of elective classes. Other electives may be substituted with permission from faculty advisor and the GEH director

• Statistical Methods II
• Air Quality in the Urban Environment 
• Risk Assessment 
• Advanced Risk Assessment
• Biomarkers & Environmental Public Health
• Introduction to Microbial Risk Assessment
• Research Methods for Studies of Water and Health (Prereq: GH 529) 
• Critical Analysis of Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Research
• Environmental and Occupational Health Policy 
• Global Environmental Health Policy: Power, Science and Justice 
• Public Health Consequences of Disasters 
• Global Climate Change: Health Impacts and Response 
• Spatial Analysis in Disease Ecology (prereq: INFO 530)
• Built Environment and Public Health (prereq: INFO 530) 
• Advanced Seminar in Climate Change & Health Policy 
• Intro. to Satellite Remote Sensing (Prereq: INFO 530) 
• Environmental Health Seminar: Sustainability 
• Topics in Health: Genome, Exposome, and Health 
• EH Seminar: Initiation & Mgt. of Research Projects Under Constrained Conditions 
• Data Analysis in EH (must have thesis data to bring to class) 
• Environmental Determinants of Infectious Disease 
• Geographic Information Systems
• Survey Research Methods 
• Qualitative Research Methods for Global Health
• Water and Sanitation in Developing Countries 
• Monitoring and Evaluation Global Health Progs. (Fall with Freeman recommended for GEH students). 
• Applied Data Analysis 
• Computer Analysis of Complex Survey Data 

• College transcripts: They should be sent directly to SOPHAS from each of the institutions you have attended. International transcripts require a WES evaluation.
• Three evaluations: We suggest you get them from your professor or advisor and/or from a recent work or professional reference.
• A resume and be prepared to fill out a section on the application highlighting your skills, work history, and volunteer experience.
• GRE test scores: They should be no more than 5 years old. (Check your specific degree program to see if you can use MCAT, GMAT, or LSAT scores instead). 
• Personal statement: Tailor your personal statement to the specific program to which you are applying. In 1,500 words or less, show us your personality, experience, career goals, and your reasons for choosing Rollins.
• GPA 3.5 or higher
• The minimum scores required for TOEFL is (550 (paper); 213 (CBT); 79-80 (iBT)) and IELTS score (6-Overall).

Want to improve your English level for admission?

Prepare for the program requirements with English Online by the British Council.

• ✔️ Flexible study schedule
• ✔️ Experienced teachers
• ✔️ Certificate upon completion

📘 Recommended for students with an IELTS level of 6.0 or below.

Enroll in the course

The Global Environmental Health program at Emory University offers a comprehensive approach to understanding the complex interactions between environmental factors and public health outcomes. Regarding financing studies, students typically have several options for funding their education. Emory University provides various scholarships and assistantships aimed at supporting students enrolled in graduate programs, including those specializing in environmental health. These financial aid opportunities are competitive and often based on academic merit, research potential, and financial need. Additionally, students may apply for federal and state financial aid programs, such as loans and grants, to supplement their funding sources. Emory also encourages students to seek external funding from government agencies, private foundations, and professional organizations engaged in environmental health research and education. Many students in the program are awarded research or teaching assistantships, which not only provide tuition remission but also stipends in exchange for work duties. Furthermore, some students may have access to fellowships specific to environmental health disciplines, which can cover tuition and living expenses. It is recommended that prospective students contact the university’s financial aid office and the program’s administrative office for detailed and up-to-date information on available funding opportunities, application procedures, and deadlines. The program's structure and affiliation with Emory’s School of Public Health facilitate access to numerous resources and funding channels dedicated to supporting students pursuing careers in global environmental health. Overall, financing studies in this program involves a combination of institutional aid, external scholarships, fellowships, and loans, designed to help students minimize financial barriers while focusing on their academic and research pursuits.

The Global Environmental Health program at Emory University offers students a comprehensive understanding of the complex interactions between human health and environmental factors across the globe. This interdisciplinary field emphasizes the importance of addressing environmental challenges such as pollution, climate change, water and air quality, and exposure to hazardous substances, which have significant impacts on populations worldwide. The program is designed to prepare students for careers in public health, policy, research, and advocacy by combining scientific knowledge, analytical skills, and practical experiences.

Students enrolled in the program have the opportunity to engage with diverse coursework covering topics such as environmental toxicology, epidemiology, environmental policy, and sustainable development. They also benefit from hands-on training through internships, research projects, and collaborations with governmental agencies, non-profit organizations, and international bodies dedicated to environmental health issues. Emory's strong emphasis on global health issues ensures that students gain a broad perspective on environmental health challenges faced by different regions, especially low- and middle-income countries where the burden of environmental exposures is often highest.

The program encourages interdisciplinary collaboration, drawing on university departments such as public health, environmental sciences, and international studies. It promotes research that seeks innovative solutions to mitigate environmental risks and improve health outcomes globally. Graduates from this program are equipped with critical skills to analyze environmental health data, develop effective intervention strategies, and influence public health policies.

Overall, Emory’s Global Environmental Health program aims to educate future leaders who can address pressing environmental health concerns on a global scale, leveraging scientific evidence and policy frameworks to foster healthier and more sustainable communities worldwide.