Career pathways in Environmental Public Health

Kai and Allison two undergraduate students smiling at the camera in high vis vests
Prepare for careers in the private sector, health care, government or pre-med and graduate school

Our Bachelor of Science in Environmental Public Health program is your pathway to careers in public health, health care, occupational safety and environmental public health. This versatile STEM degree paves the way for careers with highly competitive salaries.

Graduate job-ready after completing up to 400 hours of practical work experience through structured student internships, with opportunities for internship placements at the local, state or national levels. Along the way, you'll have the support of a dedicated career counselor, networking opportunities and skill-building workshops.

Many graduates go directly to work, starting careers as environmental public health specialists, workplace safety managers, public health consultants and policy advisers. Others enter graduate or professional programs, including medical school.

The growing field of environmental public health encompasses everything from emergency preparedness to food safety to infectious disease prevention and control. Our alumni work at Public Health--Seattle & King County and other public health departments; the Washington State Department of Health and other state agencies; the Environmental Protection Agency and other federal departments; and in the private and nonprofit sectors. Career opportunities in this field are projected to grow rapidly, with an average salary of $78,440.

Environmental Public Health course options

Graduates who specialize in occupational health and safety enter a growing field that ensures workers remain safe on the job. Our alumni work for public employers, such as the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries, and for private employers, including Amazon, Boeing and Starbucks. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects above-average growth in this field, with an average salary of $77,110.

Occupational Health & Safety course options

The Environmental Public Health degree prepares students to pursue health care careers in fields including medicine, pharmacy, dentistry and nursing. Our graduates attend medical programs at the University of Washington, the University of California, San Francisco, Johns Hopkins University and other top-rated schools. They provide health care to patients and communities ranging from farmworkers to veterans to expectant parents.

Pre-med & graduate program course options

Most of our foundational science courses serve as elective requirements for Environmental Public Health as well as fulfilling prerequisite requirements for professional programs such as Medicine, Pharmacy and Dentistry. Please refer to the UW's pre-health website for a full list of recommended courses.

  • PHYS 116/119
  • CHEM 239/242
  • MATH 125
  • BIOC 405/406

Environmental public health professionals play a leading role in addressing the connection between climate change, sustainability and human health. These can be individuals from government agencies, private industries, consulting firms or non-profit organizations. Some graduates are primarily field-based and spend time in the field collecting samples to analyze. Others concentrate their efforts on policy work, legislation, and other areas of environmental health protection and regulation. They often collaborate directly with impacted communities to create educational programs, build local networks, and advocate for health equity and positive change.

Climate & Sustainability Course Options:

  • ENV H 220 Global Environmental Change and Public Health
  • ENV H 306 Health and Sustainability
  • ENV H 418 Understanding and Managing the Health Risks of Climate Change
  • ENV H 445 Solid Waste Management
  • ENV H 447 Environmental Change and Infectious Disease