Environmental Health Sciences (MIEH)

Graduate Degree Program
College: School of Public Health

Abstract

The MPH program within the Department of Global, Environmental, and Occupational Health (GEOH) at the School of Public Health prepares graduates to work in public health service as practitioners, researchers, administrators, and consultants. The mission of the MPH program with a concentration in Environmental Health Sciences is to promote the development of professional practitioners and researchers in environmental health who understand the science, theory and practice of public and environmental health, and can apply this knowledge toward the detection, management, and prevention of environmental health problems.

Contact

Rianna T. Murray, PhD, MPH
Associate Research Professor
Director of Graduate Studies
Department of Global, Environmental, and Occupational Health 
2234G School of Public Health Building
4200 Valley Drive
University of Maryland
College Park, MD 20742
Email: geoh-grad@umd.edu 

 
Maurice Rocque 
Director of Administrative Services
2234T School of Public Health 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
Relationships: Behavioral and Community Health (BCHL),  Behavioral and Community Health (MBCH), Biostatistics (BIOS),  Epidemiology (EPDM),  Epidemiology (EPID),  Health Administration (HLSA), Maternal and Child Health (MCHS)

The MPH in Environmental Health Sciences program has 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 once both the SOPHAS and UMD Supplemental applications are complete. 

GENERAL ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

• A Bachelor's degree 
• Minimum 3.0 undergraduate GPA
• Transcripts from all previous coursework
• At least one undergraduate math course
• 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
• The statement of purpose should include career and educational goals, professional experience,  areas of interest, and the faculty you are interested in working with
• 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
• A writing sample is optional and may 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, describe the contributions you made to the publication
• Submission of GRE test scores is optional. If submitting, official scores should be reported to SOPHAS (ETS code: 0485)

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 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 submit your application, please visit the School of Public Health Website: sph.umd.edu/graduate-application-process

Application Deadlines

RESOURCES AND LINKS

Program Website: sph.umd.edu/mph-environmental-health-sciences
Application Process: sph.umd.edu/graduate-application-process
Admissions FAQ: sph.umd.edu/graduate-application-faqs

The proximity of the University of Maryland, College Park to the nation’s capital offers prospective students unparalleled opportunities for internships and research experiences in public health, including placements at the National Institutes of Health, the CDC Washington Office, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Children’s National Medical Center, the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, and many other national, state, and local health agencies. The diversity of cultural and socioeconomic groups, communities, industries, and health organizations provides a rich environment for learning, research, public policy analysis, and service.