Environmental Health Sciences 
Industrial Hygiene
 
 
Protecting and
improving the
health and
well-being
of workers
Each year, thousands of workers throughout the world are killed,
injured, or otherwise adversely affected by chemical, biological,
and/or physical, agents encountered in the workplace. Common hazards
include dusts, gases and vapors, bio-aerosols, pathogens, noise,
and ionizing and non-ionizing radiation. Ergonomic stresses and
safety hazards are also important causes of workplace morbidity
and mortality. The goal of our graduate program is to educate individuals
to anticipate, recognize, evaluate, control, and manage such workplace
health risks.
The
Industrial Hygiene (IH) Program at the University of Michigan (UM)
is one of the longest-standing and most highly regarded IH Programs
in the country. Graduates from our program have gone on to leadership
positions in private industry, government, and academia in the U.S.
and throughout the world.
The
UM IH program is a key
component of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
(NIOSH) Education
and Research Center (ERC) at UM, which also includes accredited graduate
programs in hazardous substances, occupational
safety engineering, and occupational
health nursing. Also complementing the IH Program within the Department
of Environmental Health Sciences are graduate academic programs in toxicology, environmental
sciences, and human
nutrition. Interactions among students and faculty in these complementary
programs contributes significantly to the richness of the educational
experience.
The mission of the industrial hygiene program is to provide outstanding comprehensive graduate-level education in occupational health science, ensuring that graduates are qualified to pursue careers and assume leadership roles in the modern practice of industrial hygiene.
Our emphasis on interdisciplinary coursework,
research, and field experience prepares our Master's (M.S. or M.P.H.) graduates for the challenges of
this exciting profession. Many students opt for a dual major in Industrial
Hygiene and Environmental Health through our Hazardous Substances Academic
Training Program (HSAT).
Doctoral work leading to the Ph.D. degrees engages students in world-class
research at the cutting edge of the field, and prepares graduates
for careers in research and development.
In addition to the residential Master's degree options, we offer a non-residential
executive master's leading to the M.P.H. degree program. Often referred to as the On-Job/On-Campus
(OJOC) program, students attend classes at UM once each month
for four days (Thurs - Sun) while maintaining full-time employment. Students
from around the country have graduated from this unique program without
having to relocate from their permanent residences. Combining classroom
and distance learning elements in this program allows for effective interactions/contacts/connections
among the students and between students and faculty with minimal disruption
to employment and family life.
The Master's degree programs typically require two years of study, including
a 4-month summer internship (for residential students). The doctoral programs
typically require 4 years of study.
Qualified students can receive financial support through grants from
the Rackham Graduate School or the School of Public Health,
traineeships from the NIOSH
ERC, various scholarships, and/or research assistantships from faculty
research grants. Every effort is made to provide financial
aid for admitted students.
Average enrollment in the UM IH Program is 30 students, with approximately
15 graduating each year. With over 700 alumni, the UM IH Program ranks
as the leading institution in the U.S. for graduates with advanced degrees
in this field. This network of proud alumni spans the world and facilitates
internships and employment for students and recent graduates.
We have an active IH student organization, the University of Michigan
Industrial Hygiene Student Association (UMIHSA),
which is a valuable resource for prospective and current students. UMIHSA
sponsors a number of academic, social, and community activities, including:
welcoming and orienting incoming students to the IH Program; providing
liaison with the faculty, other student organizations on campus, and various
external organizations; assisting with continuing education programs;
maintaining a resume book and internship/employment opportunities listing;
planning social functions, and participating in community service (e.g.,
fund raising for local charities).
Internship and employment opportunities abound for our students and graduates.
Potential employers regularly contact the faculty and UMIHSA, providing
an array of career opportunities to consider. |
back to top