Certificate (CERT) Degree Occupational and Environmental Health

12 semester credit hours

Certificate Benefits:

There is a growing need within the state of Arkansas for individuals to be trained in the core elements of environmental and occupational hygiene. This graduate certificate will provide practical knowledge and tools that can be immediately applied in industrial, manufacturing, hospital, and construction settings. This graduate certificate will enhance the individual’s ability to recognize, identify, measure, and control chemical, physical and biological hazards.

The American Board of Industrial Hygiene (ABIH) requires, in addition to a bachelors degree in science and appropriate experience, 12 credit hours in industrial hygiene related coursework for certification as a Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH). This graduate certificate will allow occupational health professionals to meet that 12 credit requirement, should they plan to obtain a CIH through ABIH.

Transferring Credits to other Degree Programs:

All 12 credit hours acquired during the graduate certificate program can be directly applicable to the Master of Science in Occupational and Environmental Health

For the Master of Public Health in Environmental and Occupational Health, 6 credits can be applied.

Course Requirements:

The selection of courses is based on their applicability in fields where human contact with environmental hazards is probable, and sometimes inevitable. The coursework is practical and effective in dealing with environmental and occupational threats.  All classes can be taken online.

Section 1: Students will be required to take the following mandatory classes (each 3 credits):

Total 6 credits

·  Environmental and Occupational Health (OEHM 5023)

·  Environmental Exposure Assessment (OEHM 5263) 

Section 2: Students may select one or both of the following courses (each 3 credits):

Total either 9 or 12 credits.

·  Principles of Toxicology in Public Health (OEHM 5063)

·  Occupational and Environmental Hazard Control (OEHM 5043) 

Section 3: Students must select one of the following courses if only one was selected from Section 2 (each 3 credits):

Total 12 credits

·  Government Regulation of Environmental Health (OEHM 5073)

·  Environmental and Industrial Biological Hazards (OEHM 5153)

Requirements for Entering Program

Students entering this graduate certificate program are required to have a bachelor’s degree with basic math and science coursework.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the coursework in this graduate certificate program, students should be able to:

1. Explain the standard concepts and methods of environmental hazard evaluations, including measurements and prediction techniques, statistical interpretation of sampling results, use of exposure limits and development of sampling plans;
2. Describe the characteristics and effects of potential chemical, physical, biological and ergonomic hazards in community and occupational settings;
3. Describe the general procedures for reducing the impact of potential occupational and environmental hazards, including such techniques as airborne contaminant control, respiratory protection, electrical and mechanical safety, noise reduction and hazardous material remediation;
4. Describe the legislative and scientific basis and the history of government regulation of environmental hazards to public health;
5. Explain the process of assessment of chemical toxicity within the context of a public health framework;
6. Explain the general mechanisms of toxicity in eliciting a toxic response to various environmental exposures.
7. Describe genetic, physiologic and psychosocial factors that affect susceptibility to adverse health outcomes following exposure to environmental hazards.
8. Explain standard risk management and risk communication approaches.