Master of Occupational Health

Rationale and Objectives

The Master of Occupational Health (MOH) program is intended to prepare students for careers and responsibilities dealing with health and safety problems in the workplace. It is designed for professionals with diverse academic backgrounds. Emphasis is on principles and methods of occupational health and safety and their application in the provision of health care to workers in all occupations or workplaces. The curriculum is also designed to provide in-depth knowledge and skills in specific areas or work in occupational health and public health relevant to the student's career goals. At the end of the MOH program, the students should be able to attain the following objectives:

an understanding of the various factors influencing the health and safety of workers in relation to the work and work environment;

an understanding of the effects of work and work environment on the health, safety and productivity of workers and points of intervention;

an appreciation of the dynamics of labor and management relationship and the roles of occupational health and safety professionals in attaining the goals of occupational health;

the ability to recognize/identify and evaluate environmental factors/stresses affecting the health and safety of workers;

the ability to determine appropriate preventive and control measures to ensure safe and healthful work environment;

the ability to utilize statistical and epidemiological concepts and principles in the study of occupational health and safety problems;

the ability to plan, implement and evaluate occupational health and safety programs; and

the ability to coordinate and collaborate with other professionals in the community on matters pertaining to occupational health and safety.

A. Admission Requirements

Graduates with professional training in medicine and those with a baccalaureate degree in nursing, dentistry, engineering, and related fields, preferably with one year work experience.

B. Graduation Requirements

The degree of Master of Occupational Health (MOH) shall be awarded upon fulfillment of the following requirements:

1. The student shall have been in residence for at least one full academic year previous to the granting of the degree.

2. The student must complete either:

a. Plan “A”: at least 36 units (30 units of academic courses and 6 units of thesis); or

b. Plan “B”: at least 36 units of academic courses and pass a written comprehensive examination to be given by an examining committee [only one (1) re-exam is allowed].

3. Grade requirements: A weighted average of at least “2.00” in all courses taken provided there is no grade of “5.0”.

C. Curriculum

1. Required or “Core” Courses

Course Number Course Title Number of Units
OH 201 Principles and Methods of Occupational Health 2
OH 202 Industrial Hygiene Technology 2
OH 203 Industrial Toxicology 2
OH 204 Environmental Physiology 2
OH 205 Environmental Pollution 1
OH 206 Workplace Surveys 2
OH 207 Health Maintenance in the Workplace 2
BioStat 201 Fundamentals of Biostatistics I 3
Epi 201 Principles of Epidemiology I 3
HPAd 201 Principles of Health Administration 2
HPAd 202 Practice of Health Administration 2
OH 280 Occupational Health Field Practice 3
  TOTAL 26

2. Elective Courses

The minimum number of units for electives is as follows:

a. Plan "A": 4 units

b. Plan "B": 10 units

Course Number Course Title Number of Units
OH 208 Occupational Diseases 2
OH 209 Disability Evaluation, Labor Legislation and Forensic Medicine 2
OH 210 Workplace Sanitation 1
OH 211 Industrial Safety 2
OH 213 Occupational Lung Diseases 2
OH 214 Fundamentals and Principles of Ergonomics 2
OH 214.1 Applied Ergonomics 2
OH 297 Seminars in Occupational Health and Safety 1
OH 299 Special Studies and Research 3

Other elective courses shall be taken from related graduate courses offered in CPH and other UP Units to complete the unit requirements for the Master’s program as approved by the adviser.

3. Master’s Thesis (Plan “A”) 6 units, Comprehensive Examination (Plan “B”)

D. Maximum Credit Load

A maximum of 40 units credit load may be allowed depending on the ability or needs of the student for additional competencies.

E. Duration of the Program

1. At least one full academic year for regular full time students.

2. At least four (4) semesters for those in the MOH flexi time program (evening and Saturday classes).

Course Description