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The Department of Environmental Health was formed in 1964. The B.S.E.H degree program is fully accredited by the National Environmental Health Science and Protection and Accreditation Council and was the first in the nation to be professionally accredited and reaccredited.The purpose of our department is to prepare environmental specialists by increasing understanding of interrelationships between environmental factors and human health.

Environmental health service needs are complex and increasing because of changes brought about by economic and technological advances. Technical specialists in environmental health require a comprehensive education in basic and applied sciences. The B.S.E.H. also provides strong preparation for graduate studies.

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What is Environmental Health?

Environmental health is the study of how environmental factors can impact human health, and how to identify, prevent, and control these effects.Environmental health specialists use a broad background of scientific, technical, and behavioral knowledge and skills to investigate, evaluate, and eliminate environmental conditions that may be harmful to people or communities. After studying the health problems and needs of the community, they plan and implement control programs in a variety of areas including ambient noise, hazardous substances, solid wastes, land use, pests, and housing.

Environmental Health Professionals protect human health and safety by:

• Maintaining a safe supply of food and drinking water; Degree Competencies
• Discovering the mechanisms of environmentally related diseases such as insects, rodents and other animal carriers of disease;
• Treating and disposing of solid and toxic wastes;
• Reducing air, water, food and noise pollution;
• Ensuring safe schools, playgrounds and workplaces by controlling physical, biological, and chemical hazards.

Where Do Graduates Work?

• Federal government
• State and local government
• Industry
• Education
• Armed Forces

The Bachelor of Science in Health Administration prepares students for the fast-paced healthcare environment; an industry that is quickly growing. Students develop the skills necessary to pursue employment in for-profit, nonprofit, and government sectors, including hospital systems, medical practices, clinics, nursing homes, long-term care facilities, public health agencies, and other health-related organizations. The curriculum provides key concepts and understanding of healthcare administration in the U.S. Students develop strong leadership skills, communication and management strategies, team development, healthcare strategy, operations, quality and process improvement, legal and ethical issues, budgeting and financial skills, and revenue cycle management concepts.

 

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The purpose of the Health Sciences degree is to provide a “human-centric” program with exposure to current concepts, laboratory techniques, and disease prevention/health care recommendations and protocols.

The concentration emphasizes anatomy, physiology, disease, and human health. Graduates with a Human Health concentration are qualified to be employed as technicians in academic or industrial research laboratories or pursue advanced degrees in graduate or professional schools.

Degree Requirements (Catalog)

Career Options

Bachelor of Science in Public Health

The B.S. Public Health degree program prepares graduates for careers in community health and other public health disciplines, as well as for graduate study. The program includes one concentration in Community Health.  All students complete the public health major requirements and pursue additional training in their concentration area. Before declaring Public Health as a major, students must first apply and be accepted to East Tennessee State University.

The curriculum has been recently re-structured to infuse the program with several additional applied/hands-on lea rning opportunities including the ESSENTIALS course and Skills and Encounters courses. The culminating experience for the program is a semester-long internship that is designed to advance the practical skills of students and to prepare them to enter the workforce.

The program enjoys exceptionally high student and alumni satisfaction rates and remarkable job placement rates. As one of the most established B.S. Public Health degree programs in the nation, our program serves as a model for undergraduate training in public health. 

If you are interested in pursuing this degree, but are not yet eligible to apply, we strongly urge you to contact Taylor Dula, Academic Coordinator. 

Health educators teach people about behaviors that promote wellness. They develop and implement strategies to improve the health of individuals and communities. Community health workers collect data and discuss health concerns with members of specific populations or communities. Students completing the community health concentration are eligible to sit for the national Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) credentialing exam.

Degree Requirements (Catalog)

Career Options

The purpose of a Microbiology major is to produce graduates with a fundamental knowledge of the major fields of microbiology. The graduates with a Microbiology degree are qualified to be employed as technicians in academic or industrial research laboratories or pursue advanced degrees in graduate or professional schools.

Degree Requirements (Catalog)

Career Options