Cost & earnings at University of Colorado Boulder What students borrow here, and what they go on to earn
The PhD in Environmental Health at the University of Colorado Boulder is a research-led doctoral programme that trains scientists to investigate how environmental factors affect human health. It suits students with a strong quantitative or scientific background who want to pursue independent research in areas such as exposure science, environmental toxicology, epidemiology and risk assessment.
The PhD emphasises original research supported by advanced coursework in core areas of environmental health. Typical topics include exposure assessment and environmental monitoring, environmental toxicology and mechanistic toxicology, environmental epidemiology, fate and transport of contaminants, quantitative risk assessment, biostatistics and data analysis, environmental microbiology, geographic information systems (GIS) and environmental modelling. Students also take research methods and ethics, and participate in regular seminar series where current research, methods and policy implications are discussed.
Programme structure is research-centred: students complete required coursework to build disciplinary breadth and quantitative skills, pass qualifying or comprehensive examinations, prepare and defend a dissertation proposal, and undertake an original, supervised research project culminating in a written dissertation and oral defence. Many students develop interdisciplinary projects in collaboration with faculty across engineering, ecology, public health, chemistry and policy, and take advantage of laboratory, field and modelling opportunities.
Applicants are normally expected to hold a relevant master's degree or a strong bachelor’s degree in a related discipline such as environmental science, public health, environmental engineering, chemistry, biology or epidemiology. A solid quantitative background — including coursework in statistics, calculus and laboratory methods where relevant — is important. Admissions typically consider the applicant's academic record, research experience, statement of research interests, curriculum vitae, letters of recommendation and a match with potential faculty supervisors.
Prospective students should identify faculty whose research aligns with their interests and explain how their experience and proposed research fit the department’s expertise. International applicants must demonstrate proficiency in English. Specific application materials and any institutional requirements should be checked on the university’s official admissions pages.
Graduates with a PhD in Environmental Health pursue careers across academia, government, non‑profit and private sectors. Typical roles include university faculty and postdoctoral researcher positions; research scientists in government agencies and national laboratories; environmental and public health consultants; industrial and corporate scientists responsible for exposure assessment and product safety; and policy advisors for environmental health regulation and risk management.
Alumni also work in environmental monitoring and remediation, epidemiological and community health research, occupational health, environmental law and advocacy, and international health organisations. The programme’s quantitative and interdisciplinary training prepares graduates for roles that require advanced data analysis, experimental design and science‑based decision making.
CU Boulder offers an interdisciplinary research environment with strong links between environmental science, engineering and public health. Students benefit from collaboration across campus units and with the Colorado School of Public Health, access to specialised laboratories and core facilities, and proximity to diverse ecosystems that support field research. Boulder’s research centres and institutes foster interdisciplinary projects in climate, air quality, water resources and ecosystem health.
Faculty at CU Boulder are engaged in nationally and internationally recognised research on exposure science, environmental toxicology, environmental microbiology and policy‑relevant risk assessment, providing ample opportunities for mentorship and collaborative funding. The location also facilitates partnerships with regional and federal agencies, non‑governmental organisations and industry, helping students translate research into practice and policy.
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