ETSU’s new Master of Science in Environment, Health and Disaster Sciences prepares students for careers in disaster resilience, environmental health and public health.

At East Tennessee State University, a new graduate degree is preparing students to tackle some of the most complex challenges facing communities today – from disaster preparedness and environmental health to water quality, infectious disease and resilience planning. 

Launching in fall 2026, ETSU’s new Master of Science in Environment, Health and Disaster Sciences is the first program of its kind in Tennessee. It brings together public health, geosciences, environmental science and disaster research into one interdisciplinary graduate degree. 

What makes the program distinctive?  

South-Central Appalachia has experienced firsthand the growing impacts of extreme weather, flooding, environmental pressures and public health disparities. At ETSU, students won’t just study those issues in theory. They will examine them in a region where those challenges are deeply real and increasingly important. 

The degree was developed collaboratively by faculty in ETSU’s College of Public Health and College of Arts and Sciences. Students will study topics such as environmental toxicology, epidemiology, GIS (geographic information systems) and remote sensing, air and water quality, hazard modeling and infectious disease dynamics. 

The program is available both online and on campus, giving students flexibility while also creating opportunities for field-based research and applied learning experiences. 

Students can choose between two concentrations: Environmental Health Sciences, preparing graduates to address complex public health challenges, and Disaster Sciences, equipping students to assess risk, interpret environmental data and support environmental problem solving.  

Researcher in a safety vest surveys flood damage along a riverbank while using drone technology to document the environmental impact of Hurricane Helene in East Tennessee.
Dr. Andrew Joyner surveys flood damage following Hurricane Helene.

What jobs can I get? 

Career opportunities connected to the degree are broad and growing. Graduates may pursue careers in environmental health, disaster preparedness, epidemiology, occupational safety, geospatial analysis, public agencies, nonprofit organizations and research institutions. Workforce projections also point to rising demand across many of these fields in Tennessee and nationwide. 

The program also reflects ETSU’s broader mission as the flagship institution of Appalachia. 

Faculty involved in the degree already work alongside organizations and agencies in environmental health, disaster resilience and public health across the region. Students entering the program will have opportunities to engage with real-world challenges while learning from experts whose work extends beyond the classroom. 

How do I apply? 

Any student interested in applying to ETSU can do so at etsu.edu/apply. Once you begin the application process, you can select your program.

If you have questions about the application process for the M.S. in environment, health and disaster sciences, email gradschool@etsu.edu or call (423) 439-4221. 

For program-specific questions, email Dr. Walid Alali at alaliw@etsu.edu.