Turn Passion into Purpose — and a Career

Environmental Public Health is about protecting community health by addressing risks in our natural and built environments. At Alaska Pacific University, our program trains students to tackle Alaska’s unique public health challenges — from clean water access to disease prevention — with a focus on rural and Alaska Native communities.

Through hands-on learning, field practicums, and real-world experience, students build the skills and connections that often lead directly to jobs after graduation. With a strong focus on service and community impact, this program prepares you to make a meaningful difference. If you’re passionate about helping others and creating healthier futures, APU’s Environmental Public Health degree is your path forward!

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Environmental Public Health

Undergraduate Certificate

Our program blends scientific rigor with community focus, preparing students to address challenges where they matter most. This multifaceted field gives students the tools to work at the intersection of human health, environmental science, and community protection. Classes cover essential topics like water quality, air quality, waste management, epidemiology, toxicology, infectious disease prevention, and disaster preparedness — all with an emphasis on rural and village-based solutions that work for Alaska’s unique landscape.

Our faculty understand the challenges firsthand and are committed to helping students develop the practical tools to tackle real-world problems. Whether you’re passionate about ensuring safe water systems, investigating and preventing disease outbreaks, or responding to natural disasters — this program helps you turn that passion into purpose while building the expertise needed for this rapidly growing field.

The Certificate in Environmental Public Health prepares students to fill entry-level public health professional positions as environmental health technicians. The Programs offer a logical and consistent transition for students who would like to pursue the Associate of Applied Science in Environmental Public Health (A.A.S.) or the Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Environmental Public Health along a path that gives the student the opportunity and the choice to advance to the next level.

Students who graduate from the program will engage with underserved communities in a culturally safe manner to perform inspections, propose remediation, and implement actions to ensure the fundamental public health required to protect human health and the environment. Students attain the critical knowledge to address environmental public health challenges in the areas of drinking water quality and sanitation, air quality, solid and hazardous waste management, occupational health and safety, food safety and security, and applied health sciences.

Upon successful completion of the Environmental Public Health program, graduates will be ready to fulfill the demand for entry-level technician environmental public health positions in State, Tribal, and local organizations tasked to address these challenges.

Besides APU’s Foundational Studies coursework, Environmental Public Health students can expect to enroll in the following Major Studies courses:

Environmental Health I
Environmental Health II
Select from other courses within the Environmental Public Health catalogue

The courses above are not a complete listing of the coursework required to complete the EPH degree.

Application
Application Fee*
Official High School Transcript**
Official College Transcript(s)

*Fee waiver available for those who qualify.
**If less than 24 college credits earned.

Minimum GPA: 2.5 or higher – If you have a GPA lower than 2.5, there is an additional step in the admissions process, and we are happy to work with you to complete your application.

Environmental Public Health

Associate of Applied Science

Alaska is one of the most environmentally diverse places on Earth — with resource extraction, commercial and subsistence fishing, and countless other activities shaping both the land and the people who live here. At Alaska Pacific University, we recognize that environmental factors directly impact human health — especially in rural and Alaska Native communities. From access to clean water to soil conditions that affect food quality and nutrition to our homes and workplaces, this profession works to prevent diseases and improve community health & wellbeing.

That’s exactly why APU’s Environmental Public Health degree was created: To train students to meet the unique public health challenges found across our state, where environmental health professionals actively work to improve public health by addressing environmental risk factors and putting in a concerted effort to mitigate the risks around us.

The Associate of Applied Science in Environmental Public Health (A.A.S.) prepares students to fill entry-level public health professional positions as environmental health technicians. The Programs offer a logical and consistent transition for students who would like to pursue the Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Environmental Public Health (EPH) along a path that gives the student the opportunity and the choice to advance to the next level.

Upon successful completion of the Environmental Public Health program, graduates will be ready fulfill the demand for technician-level environmental public health positions in State, Tribal, and local organizations tasked to address these challenges.

Besides APU’s Foundational Studies coursework, Environmental Public Health students can expect to enroll in the following Major Studies courses:

Environmental Health I & II
Occupational Health & Safety
Water Quality & Treatment

The courses above are not a complete listing of the coursework required to complete the EPH degree.

Application
Application Fee*
Official High School Transcript**
Official College Transcript(s)

*Fee waiver available for those who qualify.
**If less than 24 college credits earned.

Minimum GPA: 2.5 or higher – If you have a GPA lower than 2.5, there is an additional step in the admissions process, and we are happy to work with you to complete your application.

Environmental Public Health

Bachelor of Science

Environmental Public Health is about understanding how the natural and built environments affect human health — and doing something about it. At Alaska Pacific University, we know this work is critical, especially in a place as ecologically complex as Alaska. From clean water access to the safety of our homes and workplaces, environmental factors shape the health of communities — particularly in rural and Alaska Native regions. That’s why APU created the Environmental Public Health degree: to prepare students to tackle Alaska’s unique public health challenges with knowledge, purpose, and compassion. Our students are trained to identify, evaluate, and address environmental risks that impact real people’s lives.

This program blends scientific rigor with a deep commitment to community service. Students explore topics like water and air quality, infectious disease prevention, and disaster preparedness — all within a rural and village-based context. Hands-on learning is at the heart of the program, with field-based practicums designed to meet local health needs and often leading directly to full-time jobs. Graduates are equipped to work across Alaska and beyond, contributing to a growing and vital field that protects both people and the environment. If you’re passionate about serving your community and creating healthier futures, this program offers the path to turn that passion into action.

The Bachelor of Science in Environmental Public Health at APU is a uniquely structured program as it combines distance, campus-based, and independent learning opportunities. Initially, EPH coursework is campus-based here in Anchorage with options of both daytime and evening courses. After successful completion of initial EPH coursework, students are involved in 2-3 semesters of off-campus practicum serving the needs of rural or urban Alaskan communities.

Offering both Fall and Spring entry term options, the Bachelor of Science in Environmental Public Health can be completed in 8 semesters across four academic years, based on full-time enrollment.

The B.S. in Environmental Public Health (EPH) at APU prepares students to be environmental health professionals who investigate, report, and address environmental hazards in the built and natural environment. APU’s program focuses on applied environmental health science complemented by field-work in Alaska’s urban and rural communities.

This program’s emphasis on applied science, the environment, health and wellness, and rural and urban Alaska reflects APU’s current mission of active learning in the field utilizing Alaska as its classroom.

Upon successful completion of the Environmental Public Health program, graduates pursue careers in Federal, State, Tribal, and private organizations. These organizations and careers support the promotion of public health and the environment through topic areas that include:

Air & Water Quality Control
Food Safety
Solid and Hazardous Waste Management
Climate Change
Industrial Hygiene
Occupational Health and Safety
Environmental Health Planning
Zoonotic and Vector Borne Diseases

Besides APU’s Foundational Studies coursework, Environmental Public Health students can expect to enroll in the following Major Studies courses:

Environmental Health I & II
Epidemiology
Environmental Toxicology
Occupational Health & Safety
Water Quality & Treatment
Environmental Physics
Human Anatomy & Physiology

The courses above are not a complete listing of the coursework required to complete the EPH degree.

Foundational Studies

Written Communication (4)
Presentation & Media Literacy (3-4)
Critical Thinking (3-4)
Computation (3-4)
Intellectual Traditions (4)
Creative Endeavors (4)
Intercultural & Spiritual Understandings (3-4)
Biological/Physical Scientific Inquiry (4)
Social/Behavioral Scientific Inquiry (3-4)
Social Responsibility (2)
Personal Responsibility (1-2)

Major Studies

Principles of Biology II (4)
Principles of Chemistry I (4)& II (4)
Applied Statistics for Environmental Science (4)
Environmental Physics (4)
Essentials of Human Anatomy & Physiology (4)
Organic Chemistry I (4)
Environmental Health I (4) & II (4)
Environmental Toxicology (4)
Epidemiology (4)
Practicum I (4) & II (8)

Self-Determined Studies

Students must complete an additional 16 elective credits and can choose from options such as Air Quality Control, Food Safety & Security, Occupational Health & Safety, Environmental Law, Climate Change, and Water Quality & Treatment.

Application
Application Fee*
Official Final High School Transcript**
Official College Transcript(s)

*Fee waiver available for those who qualify
**If less than 24 college credits earned

Minimum GPA: 2.5 or higher – If you have a GPA lower than 2.5, there is an additional step in the admissions process, and we are happy to work with you to complete your application.

APU’s Environmental Public Health minor provides students with essential skills to assess and address environmental hazards in Alaska’s built and natural environments. Through place-based instruction, fieldwork, and applied science, students explore climate-related challenges affecting Arctic communities while gaining knowledge applicable to diverse careers in public health and environmental fields.

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