Environmental Health Sciences
The Environmental Health Sciences Master of Science at Columbia University is a one-year graduate program designed to train students in understanding how environmental exposures affect human health. This program integrates foundational knowledge in toxicology, epidemiology, exposure assessment, and risk analysis to explore the links between environmental agents and disease development. Students learn to critically evaluate environmental hazards such as air and water pollution, chemical contaminants, climate change, and occupational exposures, while developing the skills to conduct research and inform health-protective policy.
Offered through Columbia’s Mailman School of Public Health, the program emphasizes scientific rigor, interdisciplinary collaboration, and public health application. Students engage in hands-on laboratory work, statistical modeling, and real-world case studies under the guidance of leading faculty and researchers. The program’s location in New York City also provides access to public health departments, environmental advocacy organizations, and global health institutions. This degree is ideal for individuals who wish to combine scientific expertise with a mission-driven approach to improving health outcomes through environmental protection.
Key information
Key Facts
- Program Title: Environmental Health Sciences
- Degree Type: Master of Science
- Duration: 1 year
- Mode of Study: Full-time, On Campus
- Application Deadline: 01 July 2026
- Location: Columbia University, United States
- Field of Study: Health Sciences
- Language of Instruction: English
Program Structure
Semester 1 – Scientific Foundations of Environmental Health
- Principles of Environmental Health Sciences
- Exposure Science and Environmental Monitoring
- Epidemiologic Methods for Environmental Research
- Toxicology of Environmental Agents
Semester 2 – Risk Assessment and Applied Research
- Quantitative Risk Analysis and Policy
- Climate Change and Environmental Health
- Seminar in Emerging Contaminants and Global Health
- Capstone Project in Environmental Health Research
Career Opportunities
Graduates of this program are prepared for impactful roles in environmental health research, regulatory agencies, public health departments, and environmental consulting firms. Common career paths include positions as exposure scientists, toxicology analysts, risk assessors, or environmental health specialists in organizations such as the Environmental Protection Agency, World Health Organization, or nonprofit research institutes. Others may work in occupational health and safety, climate and health resilience planning, or move into doctoral study for further specialization. The program’s emphasis on both laboratory science and policy translation equips graduates to contribute to public health solutions that address environmental hazards in communities worldwide.
Why Choose This Program
This program is ideal for students who want to investigate how environmental factors influence human health and develop science-based solutions to mitigate those risks. Columbia University offers a unique environment that merges world-class research with applied public health practice. The curriculum emphasizes a systems-level approach to environmental health, fostering both technical skills and policy awareness. With access to laboratories, field research, and interdisciplinary faculty, students receive comprehensive training that prepares them for roles in government, industry, or academia. Situated in New York City, the program also offers rich opportunities to engage with real-time environmental health challenges. For those committed to protecting health through environmental science, this degree delivers the tools and vision to lead with impact.
Contact Information
For further information, please contact the admissions office at:
Phone: +1 212 854 1754
Email: admissions@columbia.edu
Address: University of Columbia, Admissions Office, New York, NY, United States
