The Master of Science in Environmental Health Sciences program gives you the opportunity to work closely with faculty actively working on major environmental public health research projects.

Learn how to collect and analyze environmental public health data and gain advanced skills through hands-on research on the Health Sciences Campus and in the Wadsworth Center labs of the New York State Department of Health.
Applicants to the M.S. program are expected to hold a baccalaureate with a combined total of at least 42 credits in biology, chemistry, mathematics, and physics. A minimum of 18 credits in one of these areas is required, with at least 6 credits in each of the other areas. Applicants are required to submit official scores of the Graduate Record Examination aptitude test and an advanced test in chemistry, biology, or physics. A minimum of 38 graduate credits is required for the M.S. degree.

As a graduate of this environmental health sciences program, you’ll be prepared for academic, technical, professional, and supervisory careers in higher education institutions, public health organizations, NGOs, government research agencies, medical centers and hospitals, and pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies.

Sample job titles: consumer safety officer; sanitary engineer; health and safety manager; toxicologist; environmental scientist; water and soil analyst.

Alumni of the MS in Environmental Health Sciences program work for prestigious organizations such as:

Albany Molecular Research, Inc.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
NYS Department of Environmental Conservation
Harvard University
Los Alamos National Laboratory
Pfizer, Inc.
National Institute of Standards and Technology

You can customize your studies by pursuing a research specialization in your area of professional interest.

Core Courses
Principles of Public Health
Principles of Environmental Chemistry
Principles of Toxicology
Introduction to Environmental Health
Responsible Conduct of Scientific Research
Current Literature in Environmental Health and Toxicology
Basic Principles of Statistical Interference
Environmental Health Sciences Seminar
Research Rotations in Environmental Health and Toxicology

Admission Requirements

Deadlines

Priority: January 15
General: March 1
Final: Rolling until August 1 on space available basis

Applicants who wish to be considered for a scholarship must submit their application by the priority deadline. Some scholarships require that applications be received earlier than the published priority deadline. Students who wish to be considered for one of the early submission scholarships should consult our Financing Your Degree page and must submit the degree application and any additional required documents by the stated date for that scholarship.

Fee waivers are available for the first program you apply to in SOPHAS to cover the initial $140 application fee. There are three types of fee waivers: financial-based, service-based, and international-based. You may only apply for one type of fee waiver, and the waiver request must be submitted before you submit your SOPHAS application. Fee waivers are granted on a first come, first served basis, so applicants are strongly encouraged to apply before the priority deadline when requesting a waiver. For more information, visit SOPHAS Fees and Fee Waivers.

Applications are accepted for all programs on a space available basis after the published deadlines. Contact us at sphadmissions@albany.edu or 518-402-0361 with any questions.

MS Environmental Health Sciences Degree Application

The application and all supporting materials for the MS in Environmental Health Sciences must be submitted through SOPHAS.

Visit the SOPHAS Applicant Help Center for help with starting your SOPHAS application.

Application Requirements

• Must hold a bachelor’s degree from a college or university of recognized standing
• Grade point average of 3.00 or better
• A combined total of at least 42 credits in biology, chemistry, mathematics, and physics
• Suggested minimum GRE score of 300 combined verbal and quantitative; 4.0 writing*
• Applicants are reviewed in the context of academic preparation and performance, potential for success, fit for the graduate program, as well as potential match with mentor

For application specific questions, contact us at ehsdept@albany.edu.

*The GRE will be waived through Fall 2022 admissions.

International Requirements

• International students must submit a minimum TOEFL score of 98 or IELTS score of 7.0. We will only accept official scores sent by the testing institution.
• UAlbany SOPHAS TOEFL code is 5688. We do not use department codes. For electronic IELTS score results reporting, provide the following information to your test center:
  University at Albany (SUNY)
  1400 Washington Avenue
  Albany, NY 12222
• The TOEFL or IELTS is not required for international students who have completed at least four semesters of full-time study within a four-year time frame from time of application, and maintained at least a B average at a college or university in the United States or a country from an approved list.  For questions regarding English Language Proficiency waivers, please email Soha Acosta at szacosta@albany.edu.
• International students must request a transcript evaluation from World Education Services (WES). The WES evaluation must be sent directly to SOPHAS, NOT the University at Albany or the School of Public Health.

Required Application Materials

Official Transcripts

• Official transcripts from EVERY post-secondary academic institution attended, including college coursework completed during high school, must be sent directly from the institution to SOPHAS. You must report all colleges and universities attended and submit official transcripts, even if your transfer credits are listed on your primary transcript. See Sending Official Transcripts for more guidelines.
• UAlbany students must have an official UAlbany transcript sent directly to SOPHAS.
• Applicants who use the transcript entry service provided by SOPHAS should note that the entry process adds TWO FULL WEEKS to the time it takes for an application to be verified and considered complete by the admissions committee.

Standardized Exam

• Official GRE (institution code: 4216) or MCAT scores  
• The standardized test requirement may be waived for applicants who have completed a graduate degree program from an accredited US institution and received a minimum GPA of 3.0 in the program. Applicants should consult directly with the department to determine waiver eligibility.

Three letters of recommendation

• A minimum of two letters must be from academic faculty 
• At least one letter must be from a university faculty member in the major field of study
• Applicants who have been out of school for five or more years may submit professional references
• Letters must be signed and on institutional/organizational letterhead

Personal Statement

• Why do you wish to pursue a career in public health and why are you interested in your chosen area of study?
• 2-page limit
• The personal statement must have well-defined research interests and should be very specific in nature

CV/Resume

Application Submission

Applicants should submit their application as soon as the items you have control over are complete (personal statement, resume/CV, institutions attended, coursework entry, and all other required sections of the online application). Test scores, transcripts and letters of recommendation will be added as they are received, after which SOPHAS will begin verifying your application.

Applications will not be reviewed until all required items, including official transcripts, official test scores, and required letters of recommendation, have been received and your application has been verified.  Please note that once SOPHAS has received all of your application materials, it may take up to 4 full weeks to be verified by SOPHAS.  Be sure to request all transcripts, recommendations, and standardized test scores in advance so that your application can be completed and verified by the specified application deadline.

Tuition-$56,000 for 2 years