Environmental Health and Justice.

As part of Boston University’s on-campus Master of Public Health (MPH) degree, you will choose at least one Functional Certificate as your area of concentration, building upon your interests, strengths and career goals.


This certificate is STEM approved. Please visit the ISSO website for details.

Curriculum Focus*

The Environmental Health and Justice Certificate provides students with the skills needed to address the environmental challenges of the 21st century, emphasizing action-oriented approaches and social justice. The certificate welcomes all MPH students regardless of undergraduate major or prior training in science. Students will develop critical career-oriented skills in data analysis, environmental health assessment and policy, environmental health science, and community engagement. The program offers flexibility in course selection, small classes, faculty engagement, and hands-on opportunities to work in the field and in the community.

*Students who matriculated into the MPH program before Fall 2025 and selected the Environmental Health certificate will continue in the EH certificate and will follow the EH Certificate Bulletin/Roadmap associated with their matriculation year. More information can be found in the FAQ section, below.

Comprehensive Course Offerings

The curriculum includes courses that cover essential skills and methodologies in environmental health sciences. All Environmental Health and Justice certificate students will take the foundational course in the program, EH731: Environmental Health and Justice: Essential Skills for Effective Action. In this course, students explore how environmental factors, such as air and water quality, chemical exposures, climate change, housing, and urban development, affect the health of communities and populations. Students will learn interdisciplinary approaches to address complex environmental health challenges and will develop a professional, career-oriented portfolio, including GIS maps, policy and advocacy memos, media communications, and public presentations.

To complete the certificate, students will choose 4 units (1-2 courses) from each of the following skills-based clusters:

  1. applied data analysis;
  2. environmental health assessment; and
  3. equity-informed environmental health policy and practice.

Each cluster includes course options designed to build practical, job-oriented skills for a range of professional applications.

Skills-Based Learning

Students will engage in a variety of skills-based courses within each of the three clusters, with course options including data analysis and statistics, GIS, risk assessment, field exposure assessment methods, strategies for public health advocacy, and much more. This will ensure a comprehensive educational experience targeting the professional needs of each student.

Practicum Experience

A vital part of the certificate, the practicum consists of 240 hours of fieldwork with a public health-related organization, providing students with first-hand exposure to real-world challenges in the field of environmental health. In recent years, students have completed practica at organizations including Health Effects Institute, Project Bread, Boston Medical Center, Massachusetts Reform Law Institute, and the Mayor’s Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs.

Integrative Learning Experience (ILE)

The certificate culminates in a capstone project that involves preparation and participation in a mock public hearing or community meeting, with engagement from faculty, staff, and students across the department. This ILE allows students to synthesize their learning and apply theoretical concepts to practical situations, emphasizing both written and oral communication skills.

Career Preparation

Graduates of the Environmental Health and Justice certificate will be well-prepared for a range of careers and jobs. Students will gain skills in professional data analysis and presentation, environmental health assessment and epidemiologic methods, community engagement, policy, and written and oral communication. Graduates successfully find positions in government agencies, NGOs, consulting firms, academia, and elsewhere.

Headshot of Lindsay Kastner
Featured Story

Certificate Spotlight: Environmental Health with Lindsay Kastner (SPH‘25)

Certificate Director

“The environment is the most enduring, recognized predictor of health. Air pollution, chemicals in consumer products, climate change, lead poisoning, poor housing, sanitation, infectious agents, and contaminated water supplies are just a few of the predictors of the health of communities around the globe. Students in the Environmental Health and Justice Certificate learn the tools and methods needed to investigate and solve problems associated with the environmental health challenges of today and tomorrow. In addition, they work to develop effective communication skills and strategies to clearly articulate the problems and solutions to our environmental health challenges. Our students are closely mentored, engaging with faculty, practitioners, and community/advocacy organizations inside and outside of the classroom.”

Frequently Asked Questions








For students who matriculated prior to Fall 2025 and declared the Environmental Health certificate

For more information about MPH degree requirements and admissions, request information to learn more.