EHAC accredits only those environmental health degree programs that offer the quality of education necessary for subject mastery with the faculty and facilities to produce well-rounded graduates. Only EHAC-accredited programs' graduates qualify for positions in the U.S. Public Health Service. Likewise, many states require an accredited degree for certification as a Registered Environmental Health Specialist (also called a Registered Sanitarian in some parts of the United States). Private-sector employers also seek out graduates of accredited programs.
With the largest enrolled base of environmental health students of any EHAC-accredited program and more than 200 majors, California State University at Northridge grants the Bachelor and Master of Science in Environmental and Occupational Health (EOH). As of 2011, the department includes six full-time, eight adjunct and seven part-time faculty members, many with in-depth professional and academic experience. The baccalaureate curriculum builds applied concepts on a foundation in basic science. The master's degree builds further on the bachelor's degree requirements, adding electives and field training. Both degrees offer an industrial hygiene option.
California State University at Northridge
Department of Environmental and Occupational Health
18111 Nordhoff Street
Northridge, CA 91330-8412
818-677-7476
csun.edu
The second-largest student body in an EHAC-accredited program is enrolled at Eastern Kentucky University. In 2011, the department included eight full-time faculty and a visiting professor. The curriculum provides opportunities to gain many essential industry certifications directly through coursework, including HAZWOPER, mold remediation, OSHA training and more. The program grants the Bachelor of Science in Environmental Health, with supervised field experience culminating coursework ranging from air and water quality to food and industrial hygiene and beyond. A master's degree in public health also is available at Eastern Kentucky.
Eastern Kentucky University
Environmental Health Science
Dizney 220
521 Lancaster Avenue
Richmond, KY 40475-3102
859-622-3078
eku.edu
The California State University system enters the list of largest accredited programs again at number three. Fresno's Department of Public Health offers curricula in community health and health administration as well as environmental/occupational health and safety. Three faculty members are dedicated to the environmental health area within an overall department of 16. The degree balances theory and applied principles, combining core, foundation and elective courses in a curriculum that offers field experience and internships. Graduates enter the profession or move into graduate and professional schools from medicine to law.
California State University at Fresno
Department of Public Health
2345 East San Ramon Avenue, M/S MH30
Fresno, CA 93740-8031
559-278-4014
csufresno.edu
Number four on the list of EHAC-accredited environmental health programs, Colorado State considers its undergraduates ready for the working world, advanced biomedical programs, medical or veterinary school or other graduate studies. The program forms part of the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, with a joint faculty of 42. Its internship spans 300 hands-on hours and runs after completion of all requisite coursework for the degree. Recent internships have taken Colorado State students to Nicaragua, the Indiana Health Service of the U.S. Public Health Service, various private corporations and public health departments.
Colorado State University
Environmental Health Program
Department of Environmental and Radiological Health Sciences
1681 Campus Delivery
Fort Collins, CO 80523-1681
970-491-7038
colostate.edu
As of the 2009-2010 academic year, four EHAC-accredited institutions offered degree programs entirely through online coursework, one at the undergraduate level (Missouri Southern State University) and three at the graduate level (East Carolina University, University of Findlay and University of Illinois Springfield). Online programs are in development at Benedict College (undergraduate) and Old Dominion University (graduate). Twenty-five accredited schools also offer online courses but not online degree programs.