Prepare for careers in the private sector, health care, government or pre-med and graduate school
Ready to take the next step?
Our Bachelor of Science in Environmental Health program is your pathway to careers in public health, health care, occupational safety and environmental health. This versatile STEM degree paves the way for careers with highly competitive salaries.
Graduate job-ready after completing up to 400 hours of practical work experience through structured student internships, with opportunities for internship placements at the local, state or national levels. Along the way, you'll have the support of a dedicated career counselor, networking opportunities and skill-building workshops.
Many graduates go directly to work, starting careers as environmental health specialists, workplace safety managers, public health consultants and policy advisers. Others enter graduate or professional programs, including medical school.
Click each tab to explore where your BS in Environmental Health degree can take you!
The growing field of environmental public health encompasses everything from emergency preparedness to food safety to infectious disease prevention and control. Our alumni work at Public Health--Seattle & King County and other public health departments; the Washington State Department of Health and other state agencies; the Environmental Protection Agency and other federal departments; and in the private and nonprofit sectors. Career opportunities in this field are projected to grow rapidly, with an average salary of $78,440.
Environmental Public Health course options
- ENV H 406 Disasters & Public Health
course description • syllabus - ENV H 465 GIS in Public Health
course description • syllabus - ENV H 441 Food Protection
course description • syllabus - ENV H 445 Solid Waste
course description • syllabus - ENV H 446 Hazardous Waste and Public Health
course description • syllabus - ENV H 448 Community Air Pollution
course description • syllabus - ENV H 440 Water, Wastewater and Health
course description • syllabus
Our current students
Our recent alumni
Graduates who specialize in occupational health and safety enter a growing field that ensures workers remain safe on the job. Our alumni work for public employers, such as the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries, and for private employers, including Amazon, Boeing and Starbucks. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects above-average growth in this field, with an average salary of $77,110.
Occupational Health and Safety course options
- ENV H 453 Industrial Hygiene
course description • syllabus - ENV H 460 Occupational Safety Management
course description • syllabus - ENV H 462 Technical Aspects of Occupational Safety
course description • syllabus
Our current students
Our recent alumni
The Environmental Health degree prepares students to pursue health care careers in fields including medicine, pharmacy, dentistry and nursing. Our graduates attend medical programs at the University of Washington, the University of California, San Francisco, Johns Hopkins University and other top-rated schools. They provide health care to patients and communities ranging from farmworkers to veterans to expectant parents.
Pre-med and graduate program course options
Most of our foundational science courses serve as elective requirements for Environmental Health as well as fulfilling prerequisite requirements for professional programs such as Medicine, Pharmacy and Dentistry. Please refer to the UW's pre-health website for a full list of recommended courses.
- PHYS 116/119
- CHEM 239/242
- MATH 125
- BIOC 405/406
Our current students
Our recent alumni
Environmental health professionals play a leading role in addressing the connection between climate change and human health. These can be individuals from government agencies, private industries, consulting firms or non-profit organizations. Some graduates are primarily field-based and spend time in the field collecting samples to analyze. Others concentrate their efforts on policy work, legislation, and other areas of environmental health protection and regulation. They often collaborate directly with impacted communities to create educational programs, build local networks, and advocate for health equity and positive change.
Climate & Health Course Options:
- ENV H 220 Global Environmental Change and Public Health
- ENV H 306 Health and Sustainability
- ENV H 418 Understanding and Managing the Health Risks of Climate Change
- ENV H 445 Solid Waste Management
- ENV H 447 Environmental Change and Infectious Disease
Our current students
Our recent alumni
