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Bachelor of Science in Environmental Health Science & Sustainability

Department of Environmental & Public Health, Administration & Medical Sciences

College of Health Sciences

Bachelor of Science in Environmental Health Science & Sustainability

Department of Environmental & Public Health, Administration & Medical Sciences

College of Health Sciences

On-Campus

Program

120 Credit Hours

to Graduate

Full-Time, In-State Tuition

$5,010 Per Semester

Low-Cost Textbooks

For All Students

Improve Human Health Through Disease Prevention and Environmental Protection

Gain the knowledge and skills needed to implement engineered barriers and behavioral changes required for protecting and enhancing human health with EKU’s bachelor’s degree in environmental health science and sustainability. Learn about the physical, chemical, and biological threats to human health through a variety of environmental health courses and gain hands-on experience through internships.

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Career Outlook

Eastern Kentucky University’s environmental health science and sustainability graduates are qualified for positions with federal, state, and local government departments of environmental health, as well as public health protection agencies such as the United States Public Health Service, the Environmental Protection Agency, Food and Drug Administration, Department of Energy, and Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Graduates are also qualified for employment in private industry and environmental consulting firms. This work may include quality control, industrial hygiene and safety, loss control and risk assessment, or many other facets of environmental health consultation.

– U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

The demand for qualified environmental health practitioners is currently high and exceeds the number of graduates from accredited programs. This demand is projected to continue to increase over the next decade.

Job Titles Include:

  • Environmental scientist
  • Environmental & occupational health and safety manager
  • Industrial hygienist
  • Permitting engineer
  • Sanitation program manager
  • Food safety manager
  • Specialty crop inspector
  • Consumer safety officer

A bachelor’s of science in environmental health science and sustainability can open the door to a variety of career opportunities and locations.

Employers Include:

  • Centers for Disease Control & Prevention
  • National Park Service
  • Indian Health Service
  • The U.S. Military including: the U.S. Army, U.S. Coast Guard, US Navy Joint Base Charleston, Naval Hospital Oak Harbor
  • Kentucky Department of Environmental Protection
  • Industries including Tesla, Amazon, Toyota, Owens-Corning, Heaven Hill Distillery, Angel Envy, Bullard Distillery, Nissan North America, American Wind Technology, Hitachi, Trane, Siemens
  • Universities including UK, EKU, Indiana University, Kentucky State University and  University of Iowa
  • Local Health Departments  
  • Laboratories including Sandia National Laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory
  • Blue Grass Chemical Agent Destruction Pilot Plant
  • Lockheed Martin
  • Dugway Proving Grounds
  • Bechtel-Parson/Blue Grass Army Depot
  • Kellogg
  • Texas Roadhouse
  • NGOs including the U.S. Peace Corps
  • USDA-Agricultural Plant Health Inspection Service
  • U.S. Food and Drug Administration

The Office of Academic and Career Services is a one-stop shop for all your career and professional development needs.

Services Include:

  • Creating/updating your resume and cover letter
  • Interviewing tips and coaching
  • Career documents review
  • Job search

Why EKU?

  • Low-cost textbooks through EKU BookSmart
  • No application fee
  • Reduced tuition for active-duty military members and their spouses
  • Fast-track opportunities for students with 80 or more credit hours
  • One of the nation’s oldest and most respected programs
  • Small class sizes while being the largest BS-EHS program in the eastern U.S.
  • Accredited by the National Environmental Health Science & Protection Accreditation Council
  • Opportunity to participate in the Commissioned Officer Student Extern Training Program (COSTEP) with the U.S. Public Health Service
  • Graduates of the program are eligible to take state or national certification examinations
  • Recognized by the U.S. Public Health Service, CDC, and others as being among 28 undergraduate programs in the nation that meets eligibility requirements to become a federal environmental health officer with only a four-year degree

Curriculum & Admission

EKU’s environmental health science and sustainability curriculum blends academic and professional preparation through course topics such as air quality, water quality, wastewater disposal and treatment, hazardous and solid waste management, risk assessment and epidemiology, industrial hygiene, control of disease vectors, food hygiene, radiological health, environmental health program planning and law, and toxicology.

Faculty are dedicated to providing opportunities for both education and training that makes EKU graduates highly attractive to public and private employers. Many nationally recognized certificate opportunities are integrated into the curriculum or provided at a discount for EKU students. National licensure exams and preparation courses are also offered.

A minimum of 120 credits are required to graduate, including 42 upper-division credits.

View the degree requirements:

EKU Academic Catalog

Please review the admissions requirements before applying for this or any program. If you have questions about the program or are planning to register for classes, please speak to the program advisor.

Students may transfer up to 90 hours of credit from accredited institutions. Please note that a minimum of 30 credit hours in this degree program must be completed at Eastern Kentucky University.

Previously earned credits must be reviewed upon admission to EKU for appropriate articulation.

TermApplication
Deadline		Classes
Begin
FallAugust 1August
SpringDecember 1January
SummerMay 1May

All applicants must provide an application and evidence of appropriate scholastic achievement through prior educational experience.

Please note that certain degree programs have special admission requirements. Admission to the University does not mean automatic admission to all degree programs.

The completed application and all required supporting documentation must be received by the University no later than:

• August 1 for fall enrollment
• December 1 for spring enrollment
• May 1 for summer enrollment

To apply for undergraduate admission to Eastern Kentucky University (EKU), submit an application at apply.eku.edu and submit your materials noted below electronically or by mail to:

Office of Admissions
Eastern Kentucky University
Whitlock Bldg. 112, CPO 54
521 Lancaster Avenue
Richmond, KY 40475-3154.

The Environmental Health Science (EHS) department at Eastern Kentucky University is accredited by the National Environmental Health Science & Protection Accreditation Council (EHAC).

EKU’s Bachelor of Science in EHS program is 1 of ONLY 2 accredited programs in Kentucky. One of ONLY 31 accredited programs nationally. Accreditation by this Council is stringent, in being so it assures that a program meets or exceeds all national standards for excellence.

All Environmental Health Science programs must be reaccredited every six years.

Enrolling & Advising Information

EKU’s College of Health Sciences is committed to delivering high-quality enrollment and academic advising for our students. We strive to create an atmosphere of mutual trust and meaningful engagement to help students reach their academic goals and have a rewarding educational experience.

Interested in enrolling? Reach out to your enrollment advisor.

Photo of Gabby Thurman

Gabriella Thurman

College Enrollment Counselor

Call: 859-622-2798
Text: 859-376-4652

chs.recruitment@eku.edu

Schedule an Appointment
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Misty Bailey

Enrollment Advisor

859-622-2628
misty.bailey@eku.edu

Schedule an Appointment

Additional Contact Info

Admissions: 859-622-2106
Academic Testing: 859-622-1281
Big E Central (Financial Aid & Student Account Services): 859-622-2361
Military & Veterans Affairs Office: 859-622-2345

Student Stories & Features

  • Ronnie “Travis” Cook

    EKU Health Care Administration Student
    If you are someone who is thinking of furthering your education, and need the flexibility of working online, EKU Online is a great way to continue your education. Everyone has been very helpful and the courses are challenging, but in good way.

  • Matthew Quansah

    EKU Environmental Health Science & Sustainability Student
    Attending EKU has truly been a game-changer for me. The supportive faculty and staff have helped me discover my passions and strengths, leading me to pursue a major that I am truly passionate about. The opportunities for hands-on learning experiences and internships have allowed me to gain real-world skills and make valuable connections in my field.

  • Elizabeth Carter

    EKU Environmental Health Science & Sustainability Student
    The alumni in the EHS program are amazing! I was able to connect with an alumni who works for Seagate Technology in Longmont, CO. Through her, I was able to get an internship with the company which has lasted for a year now. I’m so lucky to be able to continue working with Seagate post graduation as well. My EHS staff are also the BEST people ever! Every single one of them is so passionate about the field and strive everyday to help us succeed.

Quick Links

Upcoming Events

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Fall 2025 Graduation

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High School Honor Band Festival

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News & Updates

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More Kentuckians screened. Lung cancer detected earlier. Longer, healthier lives. Put simply, that’s the goal of a research project in Eastern Kentucky University’s (EKU) College of Health Sciences.  November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month, which puts the spotlight on the prevention and education measures being implemented across the country. Kentucky has the highest incidence and […]

Public Health and Kindness

In recognition of Suicide Prevention Awareness Month in September and World Mental Health Day on October 10th, EKU Public Health continued its outreach with a Kindness Tabling Event focused on promoting mental health awareness and fostering compassion across campus. The event featured “kindness gumballs” each containing an encouraging action to brighten someone’s day—such as “call […]

Enrich Needs Fair

In the spring 2025 semester, Dr. Molly McKinney’s HEA 485 Community Organization & Advocacy class collaborated with Enrich, a local non-profit, to plan and implement a needs fair for Richmond community members in recovery or seeking recovery. EKU Public Health students planned and implemented the entire event with guidance from Enrich staff and Dr. McKinney. […]

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Contact Information

Department of Environmental & Public Health, Administration, and Medical Sciences

Dizney Building
Room 220
4377 Kit Carson Drive
Richmond, KY 40475

859-622-3078
Fax: 859-622-1939
ephams@eku.edu

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