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Master of Science (MS) in Industrial Hygiene

The industrial hygiene program is designed for students with undergraduate training in the areas of engineering, chemistry, biology, medical sciences, animal sciences or the physical sciences who have an interest in occupational and environmental health and safety.

Through this program, working professionals and full time students can obtain education in industrial hygiene with the overall goal of providing the technical competence to anticipate, recognize, evaluate and control occupational health hazards. This degree is structured to encourage participatory, collaborative and applied problem-solving strategies to address modern day occupational health issues.

Program Overview

Drawing from the university's mission, the program mission, the needs of our constituents, and the Applied Science Accreditation Commission Criteria of ABET, the following educational objectives (PEOs) were developed for the Masters of Science program in Industrial Hygiene:

  1. Practice Industrial Hygiene and to initiate and develop leadership roles in business, industry, and/or government.
  2. Continue professional development and life-long learning.
  3. Interact in society and business in a professional, ethical manner to promote occupational and environmental health.
  4. Be proficient in written and oral communication and to utilize people-oriented skills in individual and team environments.
  5. Apply the skills from Industrial Hygiene to be proficient in his or her chosen field or doctoral studies.

The master of science degree in industrial hygiene is accredited by the Applied and Natural Sciences Accreditation Commission of ABET.

Learning Goals

In order to meet the Program Educational Objectives of the Industrial Hygiene program, students must be able to meet the following educational outcomes (SOs) at the time of their graduation:

  1. An ability to identify, formulate, and solve broadly defined technical or scientific problems by applying knowledge of mathematics and science and/or technical topics to areas relevant to industrial hygiene.
  2. An ability to formulate or design a system, process, procedure or program to meet desired needs.
  3. An ability to develop and conduct experiments or test hypotheses, analyze and interpret data and use scientific judgment to draw conclusions.
  4. An ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences.
  5. An ability to understand ethical and professional responsibilities and the impact of technical and/or scientific solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts.
  6. An ability to function effectively on teams that establish goals, plan tasks, meet deadlines, and analyze risk and uncertainty.

Industrial Hygiene Specific Outcomes

  • Physiological and/or toxicological interactions of physical, chemical, biological and ergonomic agents, factors and/or stressors with the human body;
  • Anticipation, recognition, evaluation and control of potentially hazardous agents, conditions and practices;
  • Fundamental exposure assessment techniques (both qualitative and quantitative);
  • Industrial hygiene data interpretation including statistical and epidemiological principles;
  • Applicable business and managerial practices; 
  • Occupational and environmental standards and regulations; and 
  • Fundamental aspects of safety and environmental health.

Annual Student Enrollment and Graduation Data* 

Academic Year (AY) 2016-2017 

  • Enrolled Headcount (Fall): 18
  • Enrolled Degree (Fall): 18
  • Number Graduated (AY): 4

AY 2017-2018

  • Enrolled Headcount (Fall): 18
  • Enrolled Degree (Fall): 21
  • Number Graduated (Academic Year): 11

AY 2018-2019

  • Enrolled Headcount (Fall): 16
  • Enrolled Degree (Fall): 16
  • Number Graduated (Academic Year): 12

AY 2019-2020

  • Enrolled Headcount (Fall): 7
  • Enrolled Degree (Fall): 9
  • Number Graduated (Academic Year): 4

AY 2020-2021

  • Enrolled Headcount (Fall): 3
  • Enrolled Degree (Fall): 5
  • Number Graduated (Academic Year): 3

AY 2021-2022

  • Enrolled Headcount (Fall): 2
  • Enrolled Degree (Fall): 2
  • Number Graduated (Academic Year): 3

AY 2022-2023:

  • Enrolled Headcount: 5
  • Enrolled Degree: 5
  • Number Graduated: 1

*For all AYs: Number enrolled is based on head count data, and number graduated is based on degree count data. Dual degree students will count once in head count data, and twice in degree count data.

 

Admissions Guidelines

Applicants to graduate programs in the industrial hygiene program are required to provide the following:

  • Applicants must have earned a grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or better (out of a possible 4.0)
  • International applicants must submit proof of English language proficiency
  • A completed application submitted to the WVU Admissions Office
  • Official transcripts of all previous college course work
  • GRE General Test scores
  • ABET-ANSAC prerequisite course requirements:
    • sixty-three credit hours of approved science, mathematics, and other technical courses. Of these, at least fifteen credit hours must be junior or senior level.
    • Specific pre/corequisite course requirements include two semesters of general/inorganic chemistry and two semesters of physics.
    • On an individual basis, the faculty may identify additional pre/corequisite coursework, often including organic chemistry and biology. Applicants will be advised about their specific requirements at the time of admission.

To see additional details regarding admission requirements, courses and learning goals, please visit the WVU Catalog. (Please note: Due to the program's recent transition to the School of Public Health, the M.S. in Industrial Hygiene program is currently listed under the Department of Industrial and Management Systems Engineering in the Catalog.)

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