Careers

Environmental and occupational epidemiologists often work for state health departments, federal agencies, private industry, private consulting companies, academia, and health care organizations. They conduct studies on a wide range of environmental and occupational exposures: examples include the human health effects of exposure to hazardous waste, physical energies, indoor and outdoor air pollution, occupational exposures, preventive-health behaviors, pesticides, electromagnetic fields, passive cigarette smoke, and radiation.

Opportunities exist nationwide for individuals with multidisciplinary training that incorporates knowledge of environmental and occupational science and policy issues and processes. Students completing an M.P.H. or M.S. degree can work in government, industry, consulting or non-government organizations in the areas of risk assessment and management, regulatory compliance, health and safety, risk communication and policy analysis. The Ph.D. program prepares students for research careers in academia or leadership roles in industry and government.

Students completing a master's degree often pursue careers in local and state health departments; other state agencies (including the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency); poison control centers; environmental consulting firms; or in corporations. Students graduating from the doctoral program are prepared for research careers in academia, government, or industry.