ID
ENPH students on Banbury roof

Environmental Public Health

Improve public health, safety, and well-being and protect environmental quality through the practical application of scientific skills and knowledge.

Available as
Major
Description

Study the Connections Between Our Health and the Environment

One of only 30 programs in the country accredited by the National Environmental Health Science and Protection Accreditation Council, this highly-regarded program will prepare you to control biological, chemical, and physical health hazards and preserve the environment.

Learn how to collect and process samples, analyze data, and discover solutions to real-world problems. Laboratory and field-based courses, transformational research experiences, and immersion programs will allow you to make life-changing contributions — even before you graduate.

With the growing population and climate change, environmental public health majors are in high demand. Many grads find employment in regulatory agencies, industries, or consulting firms concerned with environmental quality and protection.

Degree Types

Program Details

Degree Types
Bachelor of Science (BS)
Degree Level undergraduate
Available asMajor
Program Length 4 years
Campus
Eau Claire
Offered
On Campus
Requires a minor No
Authored on

Accreditation Information

UW-Eau Claire's environmental public health program is accredited by the National Environmental Health Science and Protection Accreditation Council (EHAC). We are proud to offer one of only a few accredited undergraduate environmental health programs in the Midwest, and one of only 30 accredited undergraduate environmental health programs in the country.

Badge with text that reads "Promote, Support, Evaluate. EHAC since 1967.
Hallmarks
Banbury rooftop study for ENPH
Real-World Learning

Your learning won't be confined to a classroom. Collaborative projects allow you to connect and network with area professionals and apply what you've learned in real-world scenarios. You'll also have opportunities to attend local and national conferences and secure a paid summer practicum or internship!

Students testing Boundary Waters for microplastics
Lead Research — Make a Difference

UW-Eau Claire strives to provide opportunities that push you to think critically, step outside your comfort zone and change the world for the better. Many student-faculty research programs and projects are readily available to environmental public health majors. Recently, students have studied frac sand mining, air quality, and climate change. Dive in deeper to these issues or explore a different topic that interests you!

Crispin Pierce and students in ENPH research
Student-Focused Faculty

Our faculty make students a top priority so they feel inspired to do their best. Professors are knowledgeable, accessible, and passionate about what you can bring to the industry. Smaller class sizes allow for a more personalized, cohort-style education. Jump into group discussions, go on field trips, participate in debates, and hear from experts and potential employers during guest presentations.

Career Fair
Connection to Local Employers

Meeting potential employers and gaining a better understanding of different career opportunities is a critical component of the environmental public health program. To help you explore career paths, we host several annual career fairs, including the Nursing & Health Care Professional Fair and the Non-Profit and Government Career Fair. These events are an excellent opportunity to make connections and submit your resume for current and future job openings.

Facts List

Just
the
facts

"Green" Job Skills in High Demand
The need for sustainability jobs currently exceeds the number of candidates with the right skillsets — making our grads highly desirable.
World Economic Forum
Silver Rating in Sustainability
The STARS global sustainability standard is measured by assessing sustainability practices in academics, engagement, operations, innovation, and leadership.
Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System (STARS)
Investing in the Health Sciences
UWEC was awarded $340.3 million to build a state-of-the-art Science and Health Sciences Building for students pursuing STEM careers.
Real-World Experience Before You Graduate
100% of Blugolds in this major complete an internship prior to graduating.
Surrounded By Nature
Our campus is surrounded by Putnam Park, a peaceful 230-acre natural area right out your back door.
Outcomes Image
ENPH students visit water local treatment plant
What can I do

Where can the environmental public health program lead me after graduation?

UW-Eau Claire's environmental public health program provides you with many opportunities to go beyond the classroom and prepare for a successful career. Combine transformative curriculum with this experiential learning, and you'll be empowered to take on any challenge after graduation. 

Example Careers

  • Air pollution analyst
  • Disaster management specialist
  • Environmental sanitation engineer
  • Health and safety specialist
  • Environmental toxicologist
  • Wastewater treatment operator

Recent Graduates

Consumer Safety Office Investigator
USDA
Wisconsin

U.S. Public Health Services
Indian Health Service
Minnesota

Environmental Health Sanitarian
Marathon County
Wisconsin

 

Graduate Student
University of Iowa Industrial Hygiene Program
Iowa

Courses information
SampleCourses

The environmental public health program will set you up for success through a paid practicum or internship, which is typically taken the summer between junior and senior year. This resume-building learning opportunity will prepare you for employment in your field after graduation.

Here are a few courses in Environmental Public Health at UW-Eau Claire.

ENPH 110

Introduction to Environmental Health

Health-oriented problems in the environment with attention directed to air and water pollution, solid waste, housing, occupational health and safety, food sanitation, animal zoonoses, ecology of health and disease, radiological health, energy, and global environmental health.

ENPH 443

Microbial Safety of Food

Principles of food microbiology including common foodborne pathogens, strategies to protect the food supply, environmental sanitation, regulations, and HACCP. Environmental sampling of food and milk, common laboratory tests.

ENPH 490

Environmental Toxicology and Risk Assessment

Examination of the principles, theories, and applications of human environmental toxicology through investigation of chemical, cellular, physiological, environmental, and ecological levels. Introduction to contemporary health risk assessment methods.

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Meet the Faculty

James Boulter headshot
Public Health and Environmental Studies Department
Chemistry and Biochemistry Department
Professor and Department Chairperson
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