Environmental Health Sciences (ENVH)

Graduate Degree Program
College: School of Public Health

abstract

The M.S. program in Environmental Health Sciences, within the Department of Global, Environmental, and Occupational Health at the University of Maryland (GEOH) School of Public Health, provides advanced graduate-level training in environmental health research. The program includes essential core knowledge in environmental health, exposure assessment, epidemiology and biostatistics and includes completion of practical research training, culminating in a Master's Thesis. Within the program, there is a significant public health focus on underserved communities experiencing environmental injustice. Visit our website for more information.

Rianna T. Murray, PhD, MPH
Associate Research Professor
Director of Graduate Studies
Department of Global, Environmental, and Occupational Health
School of Public Health
2234G SPH Building
University of Maryland
College Park, MD 20742
Email: geoh-grad@umd.edu

Director of Administrative Services
Department of Global, Environmental, and Occupational Health
School of Public Health
2234T SPH Building
4200 Valley Drive
University of Maryland
College Park, MD 20742
Telephone: 301.405.5509
Fax: 301.314.1012
Email: mrocque@umd.edu

Website: sph.umd.edu/geoh

Courses: MIEH SPHL

The M.S. and Ph.D. programs in Environmental Health Sciences have a two-part application process. Applicants must submit the SOPHAS application (sophas.cas.myliaison.com), the centralized application service for schools and programs of public health, and the UMD Supplemental application. Both applications must be submitted, complete with all required documents and verified by the scheduled deadline. Applications will be reviewed when both the SOPHAS and the UMD Supplemental applications are completed and verified.

GENERAL ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

• A Bachelor's degree
• Minimum 3.0 undergraduate GPA
• Transcripts from all previous coursework
• English proficiency test score (TOEFL, IELTS or PTE) (international applicants)
• Statement of purpose and objectives
• Response to Personal Experiences Question(s)

PROGRAM SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS

• SOPHAS application & UMD Supplemental application
• Statement of purpose and objectives, including career and educational goals, professional experience, and research areas of interest. MS and PhD applicants must indicate the faculty member(s) they are interested in working with, and the reason(s) for their interest in the statement of purpose. MS and PhD applicants are also strongly encouraged to contact this faculty member(s) prior to applying
• M.S. applicants: at least one undergraduate math course, other quantitative courses or evidence of data analysis experience may be considered
• Ph.D. applicants: a master's degree in public health or a related field preferred
• Previous coursework in environmental health or science, or public health/public policy, or biological/chemical sciences, or biochemistry, or biotechnology, or engineering, or geography/geology, or math, or biostatistics, or epidemiology, or medical sciences, or anthropology, preferred
• Resume or curriculum vitae
• Three letters of recommendation
• Alignment between the applicant's professional goals and expectations and the program's degree competencies and faculty expertise
• Submission of GRE test scores is optional. If submitting, official scores should be reported to SOPHAS (ETS code: 0485)
• A writing sample is optional for M.S. applicants and required for Ph.D. applicants; examples include a published manuscript, an undergraduate or graduate thesis, or a research paper. If you submit a published manuscript and you are not the first author, you should describe the contributions you made to the publication.
• Applicants being considered for the program will be invited to a virtual interview via Zoom with a potential advisor and other departmental faculty 

Note for applicants with foreign credentials:

• The SOPHAS application requires that applicants submit a WES credential evaluation
• The UMD supplemental application requires uploading unofficial transcripts issued in the original language, along with a literal English translation. Visit the Graduate School website for additional information
• Evidence of English Language proficiency is required if the applicant does not hold a degree from a U.S. institution or from one of the English-speaking countries listed on the Graduate School website
  • Language scores must be submitted both to SOPHAS and the UMD supplemental application
  • ​GEOH only admits students whose English Language Proficiency test scores fall within the Full Enrollment range. For TOEFL tests taken before January 20, 2026, a minimum overall score of 100 is required, with section minimums of 24 in Speaking, 25 in Listening, 26 in Reading, and 25 in Writing. For tests taken on or after January 20, 2026, the new scoring scale applies.

For detailed instructions on how to apply, please visit the School of Public Health Website: sph.umd.edu/graduate-application-process
 

APPLICATION DEADLINES

RESOURCES AND LINKS

Ph.D. Program Website: sph.umd.edu/phd-environmental-health-sciences
M.S. Program Website: sph.umd.edu/ms-environmental-health-sciences
Application Process: sph.umd.edu/graduate-application-process
Admissions FAQ: sph.umd.edu/graduate-application-faqs