Overview
The BCIT Environmental Public Health program is applied learning at its best. Our industry-leading instructors train you to become a health inspector and environmental public health professional.
Through legislation, education, and promotion, our graduates work with people in almost every industry to safeguard public health. It’s an important job. Our students gain current, practical experience to become certified and start working as soon as they graduate.
About The Program
- Two-year, full-time Bachelor of Environmental Public Health program
- Small class size provides you with individual support
- Lectures, field trips, and research deliver a solid theory-based knowledge
- A three-month practical experience at a BC health agency gives you direct field experience
Visit Program Details to learn more about the BCIT Environmental Health program and the features of our practical experience.
Who It’s For
This program is for individuals who:
- Like working with teams to problem solve and manage conflict in a public health setting
- Enjoy a flexible work environment that changes daily
- Have an interest in building strong communication skills
- Have two or more years of post-secondary education
Our selection process helps you start off on the right foot. Click on Entrance Requirements to find out if this program is right for you.
What Grads Can Do
Our grads can work anywhere in Canada. Our program sets students up to thrive from day one of their future career. See Graduating and Jobs to learn what a future in environmental public health looks like.
Watch the Environmental Public Health program video.
Entrance Requirements
Note: In alignment with public health orders, this program requires that students be vaccinated for a number of communicable diseases – including COVID-19.
Application processing
Open to applications beginning October 1st (or next business day).
Indigenous applicants: This program is committed to the recruitment and retention of Indigenous applicants. To support applicants, a dedicated Indigenous admissions process was established, and dedicated seat(s) per intake are reserved for Indigenous students.
To be considered under this admission category, applicants must:
- Self-identify as an Indigenous person of Canada on the admission application
- Have successfully completed the program’s entrance requirements.
Our program also works closely with Indigenous services at BCIT to ensure students receive the best possible support and encouragement while in the program. Please visit Indigenous Initiatives for more information on available resources.
Entrance requirements
This program has a two-step admission process. Applicants must meet all entrance requirements and will be accepted on a first qualified basis as long as space remains.
Step 1: Meet the following entrance requirements
- English: 3.0 credits of post-secondary English, humanities or social sciences (67%) from a recognized institution
- Post-secondary: 60.0 credits that include:
- A minimum 18.0 credits at the second year level in at least two subject areas (67%)
- First year English course (3.0 credits) (67%)
- Biology (67%)
- Chemistry (67%)
- A minimum 6.0 additional credits of science (67%)
- Complete the following form for submission with your online application:
- Self-assessment [PDF]: This form includes questions regarding your post-secondary education and fields to verify that you have completed the following requirements:
- Career discussion with a public health inspector or environmental health officer, and
- Curriculum Vitae:
- Minimum of one year of full-time or accumulated part-time, relevant work or volunteer experience (experience featuring professional settings and interpersonal interactions are preferred)
- Self-assessment [PDF]: This form includes questions regarding your post-secondary education and fields to verify that you have completed the following requirements:
- Valid driver's licence*
*Students will be required to have access to a vehicle. A Class 5 (full) driver's licence is preferred; a Class 7 (novice) licence is the minimum for the practicum in Level 8 but may not be adequate for all practicum locations.
Applicants who have completed post-secondary studies outside of Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia or New Zealand will require a comprehensive evaluation of their credentials by the International Credential Evaluation Service (ICES). Credential evaluation reports from other Canadian services may be considered. These reports must include course-by-course evaluations and GPA calculations.
Read more about how to meet BCIT’s entrance requirements
Step 2: Department assessment
Applications will be reviewed and assessed by the program area when the entrance requirements are complete. Applicants will be contacted for the following:
Clinical requirements
Note: Effective immediately, all health care workers who come into contact with patients at publicly-funded health care facilities or in the community, including at long-term-care facilities, will have to get the influenza vaccine or wear a mask during flu season. This policy affects all students who will be entering a clinical setting.
As such, you will be required to provide proof of your immunization or agree to wear a mask at all times through the flu season prior to being placed in your clinical studies.
- Up-to-date immunization program
Continuation requirements
- Biostatistics or Statistics (strongly recommended prior to program entry however may be taken prior to Level 7)
Recommended for success
Post-secondary English or communication composition course. Good communication skills are important for success in the program.
Post-secondary organic chemistry course.
Strong computer skills in MS Office.
Post-secondary course work completed within the last five years.
Applicants must be in good health with adequate hearing and vision.
The nature of the work in this program and career is physically demanding. If you have questions regarding the physical demands, please contact the program head. Applicants with disabilities should contact Accessibility Services.
International applicants
This program is available to international applicants. A valid study permit is required prior to starting the program.
Students enrolled in this program must complete the mandatory work component to qualify for graduation. A co-op work permit is required prior to starting the work component.
Apply to program
To submit your application:
- Include proof of meeting all entrance requirements.
- Convert all transcripts and supporting documents to PDF files.
- Have a credit card ready to pay the application fee.
Apply Now
Scheduled Intakes
September each year.
myCommunication
Within two business days of submitting your completed application, BCIT will send a message to your personal and myBCIT email addresses. All correspondence regarding your application will be posted to your online myCommunication account at my.bcit.ca. We will send you an email when a new message is posted. It is important to watch for these emails or regularly check your account online.
You can expect to receive communication concerning the status of your application within four weeks.
Costs & Supplies
Tuition fees
Use our tuition estimator to find tuition and fees for this program.
For more information on full-time tuition and fees, visit:
Books & supplies
Level 5: $558; Level 6: $370; Level 7: $499; Level 8: $478
(general estimated cost, subject to change)
CSA approved safety boots are required; details will be provided in Level 5.
A laptop with MS Office is highly recommended.
Financial assistance
Financial assistance may be available for this program. For more information, please contact Student Financial Aid and Awards.
Courses
Program matrix
| Level 5 | Credits | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| BHSC 1125 | Introduction to Environmental Health Microbiology | 3.0 | |
| CHEM 3321 | Toxicology for Environmental Health | 3.0 | |
| COMM 3282 | Professional and Intercultural Communication for Environmental Health | 4.0 | |
| ENVH 1100 | Introduction to Environmental Public Health | 4.0 | |
| ENVH 1270 | Hydrogeology and Water Sources | 4.0 | |
| ENVH 2210 | Liquid and Solid Wastes | 5.0 | |
| ENVH 3600 | Environmental Assessment | 4.0 | |
| Level 6 | Credits | ||
| BHSC 7423 | Communicable Disease Control | 5.5 | |
| ENVH 1300 | Food Hygiene | 8.0 | |
| ENVH 2270 | Water Systems and Management | 5.5 | |
| ENVH 3100 | Applied Law | 5.5 | |
| ENVH 3570 | Human Relations | 2.0 | |
| ENVH 4600 | Indoor Air Quality | 3.5 | |
| ENVH 7002 | Outdoor Air Quality | 2.5 | |
| LIBS 7002 | Applied Ethics | 3.0 | |
| * indicates a half-term course Biostatistics or Statistics (strongly recommended prior to program entry however may be taken prior to Level 7) |
|||
| Level 7 | Credits | ||
| ENVH 1143 | Pools and Recreational Water | 5.0 | |
| ENVH 4100 | Environmental Health Applications | 5.0 | |
| ENVH 4350 | Food Equipment and Processing | 3.0 | |
| ENVH 7266 | Epidemiology | 5.0 | |
| ENVH 7600 | Health Education and Promotion | 3.0 | |
| ENVH 8400 | Research Methods | 3.0 | |
| Level 8 | Credits | ||
| CHEM 8442 | Environmental Chemistry | 2.5 | |
| ENVH 1124 | Pest Management | 2.5 | |
| ENVH 8100 | Environmental Health Risk Assessment | 2.5 | |
| ENVH 8200 | Healthy Communities | 2.5 | |
| ENVH 8410 | Applied Research Project | 4.0 | |
| ENVH 8600 | Practicum** | 17.0 | |
| *indicates a half-term course **12 weeks (to be completed either March-June or June-Aug) |
|||
| Liberal Studies Component: (9.0 credits required) | |||
| Core Courses: (3.0 credits) LIBS 7002 - to be completed in Level 6 (above) Elective Courses: (6.0 credits) All students will be required to achieve these credits in accordance with the BCIT policy on Liberal Studies course requirements. |
|||
| Total Credits: | 126.5 | ||
Transfer credit
Do you have credits from another BC/Yukon post-secondary school? Do you want to know if they transfer to courses here at BCIT? Check out BCIT's Transfer Equivalency Database to find out.
Program Details
The Public Health Inspector/Environmental Health Officer (PHI/EHO) is a vital member of the public health team and delivery system. The role of the PHI/EHO includes preventing disease, promoting health and improving the environment through the use of education, consultation, inspection and monitoring techniques and, if necessary, by the enforcement of health legislation. The scope of interest covers food hygiene, insect and rodent control, communicable disease investigation, public accommodation, community care facilities, public recreational facilities, water supply and waste disposal systems, occupational health and safety and environmental pollution – air, water, soil and noise. The graduate provides leadership and technical expertise in the development of long-range planning to protect and improve the public’s health. To meet these demands, the candidate must be a mature, practical person and possess excellent communication skills, as well as considerable tact and discretion in working with people at all levels within the community. Proficiency is required in problem-solving and decision-making.
The program
This program prepares students to enter the field of environmental public health as professional, effective members of a multi-disciplinary health team. Graduates will be able to recognize, evaluate, and manage environmental factors that impact on human health. They will have the knowledge and skills needed to meet a growing range of environmental health roles and responsibilities, specifically:
- expanded knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to meet the current and evolving needs of employers, the profession, and the community;
- a commitment to life-long learning and professional growth;
- an appropriate combination of specialty, research, and multi-disciplinary courses that will promote the development of critical thinking, problem solving, decision making, and communication skills.
General studies in health and the health engineering sciences, liberal studies, health care management, math, and the physical and social sciences are included. Instructional modes include lectures, labs, guided learning, field trips, directed studies, and practical experiences.
Industry (practical) experience
Practical experience is a significant component of this educational program. It consists of field trips, projects, hands-on activities, and a three month practicum off-campus at an appropriate health agency. The Practicum may require relocation due to limited Vancouver-area positions. In addition, the Practicum:
- is required for graduation.
- requires a valid driver’s license and access to a vehicle. A Class 5 (full) driver’s license is preferred; a Class 7 (novice) license is the minimum, but may not be adequate for all practicum locations.
- sites are usually assigned to student by the program area.
- positions are unpaid; students are responsible for all relocation costs (if applicable).
- requires up-to-date immunizations prior to the practicum.
- may require the student to purchase workplace insurance if the practicum is done outside BC.
Additional Information:
Program length
The program spans two years and begins in September of each year. The first year consists of full-time studies on campus. The second year consists of on-campus studies followed by a combination of practical experience, directed studies and guided learning (distance education).
Program delivery
In person: This program is delivered on campus.
Program location
Burnaby Campus
3700 Willingdon Avenue
Burnaby, BC
Program structure
| A. Technical Component | Credits | ||
| 1. Specialty Courses | 99.0 | ||
| 2. Management Courses | 3.0 | ||
| 3. Practical Experience | 17.0 | ||
| B. Liberal Studies | 9.0 | ||
| Total | 128.0 | ||
Continue your education
Post Baccalaureate Opportunities
Students who graduate with a Bachelor of Environmental Public Health (BENVH) can pursue a variety of employment opportunities or post-baccalaureate studies including:
- The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) accepts a BENVH as equivalent to a university degree in Biological Sciences; graduates can apply for "specialist" (science based) positions in CFIA.
- Graduates who have a competitive cumulative grade point average will be considered for Master of Science or Master of Public Health programs at Simon Fraser University.
- The BENVH meets the Bachelor requirement for the Master of Public Health program at the University of British Columbia. Preference is given to applicants with excellent academic grades, experience in the field of public health or related fields, and research or teaching experience.
Graduating & Jobs
Our graduates are ready
The need for environmental public health is everywhere. From law enforcement, consulting, and legislation to government and quality assurance, public health jobs are critical to keeping people safe – day in, day out.
Career opportunities
Entry level position salaries start at approximately $66,000 and go to approximately $95,000 after a few years. They include:
- Public health inspector (PHI)
- Environmental health officer (EHO)
- Specialist positions with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA)
Think outside the box and career opportunities in public health can be found in almost any industry. Find out more about the work we do on the Environmental Health Related Links page.
Keep learning
Want more education? This program meets the bachelor’s degree requirement for the Master of Public Health program at the University of British Columbia and at Simon Fraser University.
Graduate employment outcomes
The BCIT student outcomes report presents summary findings from the annual survey of former students administered by BC Stats one to two years after graduation. These reports combine the last three years of available results for the 2021-2023 BCIT Outcomes Surveys of 2020-2022 graduates and for Degree 2019-2021 graduates. The reports are organized into three-page summaries containing information on graduates’ labour market experiences and opinions regarding their education. More detailed information can be accessed at the BC Student Outcomes website.
To view these results, you may need to have the Adobe Acrobat Reader installed in your Web browser.
Faculty, Advisors & Staff
Dale Chen, MSc, CPHI(C)
Program Head
Tara Abraham, MHA, CPHI(C)
Instructor
Keith Herle, BA, BSc, CPHI(C)
Instructor
Amardeep Kambo, M.Sc., CPHI(C)
Instructor
Vanessa Karakilic, BSc, BTech, CPHI(C)
Assistant Instructor
Frequently Asked Questions
Requirements
- Why are some entrance requirements required and others recommended?
- How do I contact a Public Health Inspector/EHO?
- What if I don’t have Biostatistics or Statistics?
- What is meant by six additional credits of Science?
- What if my transcript has letter grades rather than percentages?
- When should I apply for transfer credits?
Course equivalents
Liberal studies
Application processing
Requirements
Why are some entrance requirements required and others recommended?
The required entrance requirements provide the minimum background information for you to be successful in the program. The recommended entrance requirements will increase your background knowledge and improve your chances of being successful.
How do I contact a Public Health Inspector/EHO?
Select the agency you wish to contact and locate the contact phone number at health.gov.bc.ca/socsec. Or, if you live in the Greater Vancouver area, you can contact a practicing health inspector by referring to the blue pages at the back of the White Pages telephone directory. Under the heading “Health Authorities” there are listings for Vancouver Coastal Health and Fraser Health. For those who live outside the Greater Vancouver area, similar listings may be available in your local phone book. Look for the subheadings for “Public Health Inspection” or “Environmental Health”. These search terms may also yield results in your local Yellow Pages telephone directory.
What if I don’t have Biostatistics or Statistics?
It is strongly encouraged that you complete this entrance requirement in advance of entering the program. If you don’t have time, you must complete an approved Biostats/Stats course prior to entering Level 7. The workload is such that most students in the program are not usually able to complete this course during the academic year and therefore end up taking it over the summer between Level 6 and 7. Applicants who have completed a course with less than a 67% may be required to upgrade their mark to a 67% or higher prior to Level 7.
What is meant by six additional credits of science?
These can be any courses deemed to be ‘science’ by the post-secondary institution you attended. These include HSCI courses at SFU. Note that you cannot list the same courses here that you used on the first section.
What if my transcript has letter grades rather than percentages?
Include the back pages of your official transcript containing letter grade/percent conversion information for your post-secondary institution when you submit your application.
When should I apply for transfer credits?
For courses other than Liberal Studies, you must first be accepted into the program. At that point you can complete a course credit application form which will go to the instructor for a decision. This will be explained in more detail once you are in the program.
Course equivalents
Is there a list of approved entrance requirement equivalency courses available at other institutions?
Yes, Environmental Public Health has prepared a list of approved equivalency courses [PDF].
If a course you are planning to take doesn’t appear on this list of approved courses, please seek approval prior to registration. Contact Dale_Chen@bcit.ca with the institution name and the course date, name, number and outline/description.
Liberal studies
Should I take Liberal Studies elective courses prior to entering the Environmental Public Health program?
If you have not completed any LIBS electives, we strongly recommend that you complete at least one LIBS elective prior to entering the program. LIBS courses are not entrance requirements, but it is difficult to complete the two LIBS elective credits while you are in the program.
Tuition fees are waived for BCIT LIBS elective courses if taken while you are a full-time student in our program (subject to change), but we feel it is advantageous to take LIBS elective courses in advance if you can afford to do so.
View BCIT’s list of Liberal Studies core courses.
If you are intending to apply to the Environmental Public Health program and are seeking pre-approval for an acceptable non-BCIT liberal studies elective prior to submitting your application, send an email to Michael_Bourke@bcit.ca with the following information:
- Your name and BCIT student number. If you have never had a BCIT number, create a BCIT ID. Note: approvals will NOT be processed unless an applicant has a BCIT student number.
- Post secondary institution name, course number, credit value, and a complete detailed course outline.
Requests may take 2-4 weeks to process and you will receive your approval/disapproval by email. Please save your email approval information and submit it with your application
Application processing
I am on a waitlist; what does this mean?
If you have been advised that you are on a waitlist it means that the program is full to capacity. If a student drops out, you may be contacted and offered a seat in the program.
Indigenous Student Support
This program is committed to the recruitment and retention of Indigenous applicants. To support applicants a dedicated Indigenous admissions process was established and dedicated seat(s) per intake are reserved for Indigenous students.
To be considered under this admission category applicants must:
- Self-identify as an Indigenous person of Canada on the admission application.
- Have successfully completed the program’s entrance requirements.
Our program also works closely with Indigenous Initiatives at BCIT to ensure students receive the best possible support and encouragement while in the program. Please visit Indigenous Initiatives for more information on available resources.
Environmental Public Health Bursary for Indigenous Students
Bursary Overview
The Environmental Public Health Bursary for Indigenous Students provides financial support to Indigenous students pursuing an education in the field of Environmental Public Health at a program accredited by the Canadian Institute of Public Health Inspectors (CIPHI). The bursary is intended to cover tuition and partial living costs and will be renewable for each year of a student’s program subject to funding availability and proof of satisfactory completion of the previous year Submission requirements include completion of the online application. Shortlisted applicants will then be contacted for a short interview conducted by phone or virtual platform. Students are required to apply to schools offering CIPHI accredited programs independently and separate from the bursary application. If awarded the bursary, students will be required to provide proof of acceptance/enrolment prior to funds being transferred.
For more information and online application: Environmental Health Foundations of Canada
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