r/industrialhygiene • u/StayFreshByBeinSilly • Sep 08 '19
How to choose IH Master's programs?
I've decided to apply for Master's in Industrial Hygiene programs.
How should I choose one?
I started with a list of all the ABET-accredited IH programs and all the NIOSH ERCs. Should one be prioritized over the other? Ideally, the school would be both, but I'm leaning toward ABET programs so I can take the CIH sooner.
Also, should I do an MS or MPH? Research is currently not an interest for me. I've been comparing the coursework if the school has both programs, and they seem pretty similar.
Finally, what do you think of accredited online programs compared to in-person programs (Johns Hopkins, Tulane, Montana Tech)?
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u/TheSteezy CIH Sep 24 '19
Do not do an online program. Industrial Hygiene is confusing and there are a lot of nitty gritty details that you can only get in a classroom. Particle statistics and stokes equations are tough to figure out on your own. It really depends on what kind of IH you want to do. If you want to be in industry, be a consultant, or do research.
Different programs will help you to network in different industries depending on where the professors do their research and the industry in that area. You want to pick a program that has professors that are good at what you're interested in.
As far as the ABET accreditation goes... If the school is a high caliber university they may scoff at needing an ABET accreditation because "the academic rigor of the school exceeds accreditation criteria".
I just graduated from the MPH in IH at Berkeley and feel it has prepared me for what I need to be a good Industrial Hygienist (and beat IH math into me enough where it won't be tough to go back and look at notes when it comes time to take the CIH). Don't let the ABET accreditation be the factor that makes you decide on a school. Look at what research the faculty has done, look at their CV/Resume, ask yourself if they are the kind of people you want to learn from. I believe the NIOSH traineeship grant only applies to residents of that state so i would reccomend applying to the one in your state if there is one. Also, the NIOSH thing pays for everything: Tuition, Health Insurance, Fee's and a meager to okay stipend (Berkeley gave me $1873 a month).
Ultimately, pick the program that is going to fast track you to the sector where you want to end up. This means you should pick a school near a place you'll get hired (good market) and with professors that know people in those businesses. I'd HIGHLY recommend you attend some AIHA local section meetings and talk with local IHs.
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u/travelnman85 CIH, CSP Sep 09 '19
The MS or MPH does not really matter. There are MS degrees that don't require research and some MPH that do, so just pay attention to the requirements of the degree and not the letters.
The ERCs are good because they offer some funding to some students. How they divide it up varies greatly by school. With some taking fewer students so they can be more generous. The best thing to do is find the graduate program coordinators for each school and email them asking what the funding is like.
I did my degree 10 years ago but picked Iowa because they offered me full scholarship and stipend and let me start in January. Other things to consider are what is the experience of the faculty do they have the CIH and do they have experience outside of academia.
Online programs can be good if you have experience or moving isn't an option. What you will miss out on is some hands on training /labs and building a network with both current students and alumni.
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u/StayFreshByBeinSilly Sep 12 '19
Thanks for clarifying!
I plan to contact program coordinators and will be sure to ask about funding too.
Would you recommend your experience at Iowa? What other schools did you consider?
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u/travelnman85 CIH, CSP Sep 12 '19
Keep in mind my experience was 10 years ago and I don't know how things have changed elsewhere. I enjoyed my time at Iowa and learned a lot. I am now back working for the university in another capacity now so have frequent contact with the program. They do a good job of striking a good balance between IH research and IH practice more so than many other places.
I looked at a lot of schools and ruled them out because of the following reasons Utah, Cincinnati, and Washington would not give me January admittance, Johns Hopkins and UNC wouldn't have funding for me, and UT Houston was going make me take a physics class because I didn't take one in undergrad. I stopped contacting places after this as Iowa let me start in January with tuition paid and a $20,000 stipend.
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u/moosealoose11690 MS, CIH Oct 29 '19
So I'm going to add my 2 cents in. I'm finishing up Montana tech's distance program. I was in a position where I did not want to put myself in further debt nor did I want to quit my job. Experience is a must. I did my undergrad in IH, so I had a good base but its bar none when you hit the real world. Maybe it's just me, but I was top of my class in undergrad but school never really prepares you for applying those concepts in the real world. I chose to pursue mtechs distance program because it was abet accredited, I didnt have to lose my income source, and I can still gain experience. Yeah there is no substitute for in class education but there is also no substitute for on the job experience. That being said you get out what you put into online classes. Mtech has many classes where if you dont follow the online lectures, take notes and study you will fail. It also has the bs PowerPoint lectures. It all depends on your teacher. I've also experienced both in the classroom. I think it all depends where your priorities lie. I have an abet accredited degree that was partially paid for by work and I've been very successful in my career only 6 years into it. Mtech Tulane and JH are not university of Phoenix (sorry if I sound like an ass), they are well respected schools with well respected programs, including distance. That being said, if you're looking to do research, you won't be able to do that with a distance program.
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u/Suitable-Fennel-5346 Apr 12 '24
Currently considering MTech, JHU, and Central Missouri. Do you know why the JHU program is so much longer than the others (76 credits)? Are there any clear strengths or weaknesses to these programs?
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u/WardenCommCousland CIH Sep 08 '19
I went to my state school that was ABET but not an ERC, though I did get a NIOSH training grant as part of my funding. For me it was a purely financial decision; going to my state university let me continue living in the same city and keep my job, as well as keeping costs manageable.
I would only recommend the online programs if you're actively working full time as an IH. One of my friends did Montana Tech, which worked for him as a full time IH and, starting his second semester, a new parent. But he'd been working full time as an IH for a decade at that point and already had a CIH and CSP, so that was what worked best for him.
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u/StayFreshByBeinSilly Sep 09 '19
Oh, I didn't know that schools that weren't ERCs offered NIOSH funding - that's good to know! Do you know how funding is determined? Is this up to the program or require a separate application to NIOSH?
Funding/cost is the main reason I'm considering an online program. I'm currently doing general safety work (not an an IH).
Thanks for your response!
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u/WardenCommCousland CIH Sep 09 '19
It was a school that was receiving NIOSH funding for research and IH training, so I was offered a small grant (we're talking on the order of about $3000 for the year) since I was going in to the school's IH program and it was a very small cohort that year. I guess as part of their NIOSH funding they had to award a few per year.
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u/hawkfan9 Sep 21 '19
I'll chip in late because I'm in a first year program that receives NIOSH funding and all the certs you listed. At U Iowa, they offer thesis, and non thesis MS options where you either do research or they set you up with an internship. Its fully funded tuition and a stipend, but I got into it through my undergrad research where it overlapped. I love it thus far, and the faculty, and small class sizes make it so that the 20 or so students and faculty in IH are tight knit. I highly recommend.
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u/rosalinds-cat Sep 08 '19
I’m in my second year of an MS in IH at an ABET-accredited school that is also a NIOSH ERC. I chose this school based on strength of faculty and options of coursework, as well as an additional internship option that my school offers because I didn’t want to do research. I also liked this school the most out of all the ones I visited when I was comparing them.
I would not personally want to do an online program - having in-person interaction with professors and classmates is amazing and invaluable and I think a program without that would lack a lot.