Environmental Public Health

Learn more about Environmental Public Health graduate degrees! 

The UW Department of Environmental & Occupational Health Sciences (DEOHS) ranks fifth in the world among all public and private universities for environmental and occupational health programs.

We prepare students to graduate job-ready with practical work experience through internships and the support of a dedicated career counselor.

Our faculty and students work across disciplines, sectors and borders to address some of today’s most urgent health challenges—from preventing on-the-job injuries and illnesses to investigating the health impacts of air pollution and climate change. Students and faculty in DEOHS are actively engaged in COVID-19 research and service activities to help protect workers and build resilient communities during the global pandemic. 

Our students come from diverse backgrounds and disciplines to learn the latest scientific methods and core principles of how environmental and workplace factors influence human health. Then they take those skills into the lab and the field, conducting research and helping create sustainable health solutions that save and improve lives.

Explore our graduate degrees options at https://deohs.washington.edu/grad-degrees. Our online application for entry into Autumn quarter each year opens on September 1st and closes on December 1st of the previous year. For example, December 1, 2021, is the application deadline for students who wish to enroll in Autumn 2022 (classes typically start in late September).

GRE no longer required for all DEOHS graduate degrees. 

  • The GRE has been removed from the application review process for the 2022 cycle for all DEOHS graduate degrees. Submission of GRE scores is not an option for DEOHS applications.

Student Stories

A woman smiles, standing in front of green shrubs and trees.

Rachel Shaffer

Student Profile

PhD, Environmental Toxicology (Tox)

From air pollution to toxic chemicals in our food systems, DEOHS doctoral student Rachel Shaffer is translating her research into better health

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Student profile photo of Joe Dempsey

Joe Dempsey

Past student profile

PhD, Environmental Toxicology (Tox)

Joe Dempsey studies the relationship between the gut microbiome, the liver, and toxic chemicals.

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Student profile photo of Teresa Schlanser

Teresa Schlanser

Past student profile

MPH, One Health (ONE)

As an Army Veterinary Corps Officer, Teresa Schlanser learned firsthand about the value of the One Health approach to solving difficult environmental and occupational health challenges.

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