The Master of Science in Product Stewardship is an entirely online and interactive, 30 credit distance education program which includes public health fundamentals, environmental health science fundamentals, and specialized product stewardship coursework. All courses are required and a minimum GPA of 3.0 is mandatory to remain in good academic standing and graduate. Although classes will be recorded, regular attendance of all online classes is expected. Applicants are allowed to enroll in the MS as a full-time or part-time student and complete the degree within five years.
Degree Programs
Master of Science in Product Stewardship
This exciting new master’s degree is the first of its kind in the world: it is the only academic degree available today designed to prepare students for leadership roles in the emerging field of product stewardship. Based in the IU Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health’s Environmental Health Science department, the 30-credit degree can be completed as a part-time or full-time student. Students will take six credits of public health fundamentals, nine credits of environmental health science fundamentals and 15 credits of specialized product stewardship coursework that is taught by industry experts who helped invent the field. Classes are delivered online, in real time, as distance education courses.
In a world of rapidly evolving consumer values, society is demanding that products are not only high quality, but environmentally sustainable, safe, and healthy for workers and consumers, and socially responsible. Product stewardship is the “responsible management of the health, safety, and environmental aspects of raw materials, intermediate, and consumer products throughout their life cycle and across the value chain in order to prevent or minimize negative impacts and maximize value." It is an emerging and evolving profession which addresses local, national, and global issues related to the environment, worker health and safety, and social accountability as they relate to the design, use and disposal of everyday products. The product stewardship profession is growing and evolving to meet this societal demand.
The Indiana University Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health’s strong ties with industry, including adjunct faculty who are active in the product stewardship field, assures that students will receive content and skills that are aligned with specific needs of the workforce.
Who Will Benefit from This Degree?
The MS in Product Stewardship is designed for those who would like to advance their careers by meeting the ever-growing demand for product stewardship professionals. Competitive candidates include:
- Working professionals who are already active in the product stewardship field, who seek the formal training that will allow them to move up in their product stewardship organizations.
- Working professionals from a wide range of other backgrounds, including environmental health, regulatory compliance, industrial hygiene, occupational health and safety, sustainability, product development, supply chain, and law.
- Current undergraduates who want to pursue a graduate degree in order to fast-track their careers.
Successful applicants will have strong academic records and proven skills in science and analytical thinking.
A Focus on Meeting Industry Need
The Fairbanks School of Public Health has worked with product stewardship leaders at top companies around the world to develop a curriculum that meets the industry’s need for well-trained product stewardship professionals. Specialized product stewardship courses will include:
- Fundamentals of Product Stewardship
- Product Hazard, Exposure and Risk Assessment
- Regulatory Affairs for Product Stewardship
- Product Improvement and Sustainability
- Product Stewardship Strategy and Management
MS in Product Stewardship Curriculum
Product Stewardship Core Courses
Take all five courses for 15 credits
- A680 Fundamentals of Product Stewardship (3 credits)
- A678 Product Improvement & Sustainability (3 credits)
- A677 Product Hazard, Exposure & Risk Assessment (3 credits)
- A675 Regulatory Affairs for Product Stewardship (3 credits)
- A676 Product Stewardship Strategy & Management (3 credits)
Public Health Courses
Take both courses for six credits
- P510 Introduction to Public Health (3 credits)
- Public Health Elective (3 credits)
Environmental Health Science Courses
Take all three courses for nine credits
- A661 Fundamentals of Toxicology (3 credits)
- A662 Human Health Risk Assessment (3 credits)
- A623 Management & Leadership in Health Protection (3 credits)
Product Stewardship Program Competencies
The goal of the MS Program in Product Stewardship coincides with IUPUI’s Principles of Graduate and Professional Learning. Students will master the knowledge and skills set forth in the Product Stewardship Program Competencies, be able to communicate effectively with peers, clientele, and the public, think creatively and critically to improve practice in the field of product stewardship, and behave in an ethical manner both professionally and personally. The specific competencies for the MS in Product Stewardship are as follows:
- Describe the core functions, values, and principles of environmental and occupational public health.
- Identify and characterize product hazards, exposures, and risk through inherent product characteristics, uses, and misuses of products.
- Select and apply appropriate frameworks to analyze product risks to humans and the environment throughout product supply chains and product lifecycles.
- Identify and evaluate current and emerging societal issues, regulatory requirements, and voluntary frameworks that may affect products throughout their lifecycle.
- Assess and apply best practices to improve product sustainability and competitive advantage while minimizing business risk through management and product development.
- Identify and recommend strategies to improve the capabilities of product stewardship organizations within the larger business construct.
Master of Science in Product Stewardship Admission
Application, admission, and degree-granting requirements and regulations shall be applied equitably to all individuals, applicants, and students regardless of age, gender, race, disability, sexual orientation, religion, or national origin.
All applicants must have a bachelor's degree from an accredited university or college and have an acceptable academic record. There are no mandatory pre-requisites for admission to the MS program; however, previous exposure to physical or life sciences is helpful. If applicants are concerned about being adequately prepared, please contact Sue Hancock, suehanco@iu.edu.
The Product Stewardship MS is officially an academic plan under the Public Health academic program.
Fall Application Deadlines:
- US Application Deadline: August 1
- International Application Deadline: July 1
Applicants must meet the following criteria:
Admission Criteria
- Baccalaureate degree from an accredited university or college with a minimum of 3.0 GPA.
- Competent written and oral communication skills.
- Transcripts from all colleges and universities attended (except Indiana University).
Admission Requirements
- Personal Statement
- Resume
- Transcripts
- Recommendations
International Applicants
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) The Indiana University Fairbanks School of Public Health requires applicants whose native language is not English or whose academic study was done exclusively at non-English speaking institutions to prove English proficiency by providing either official Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) scores. Scores must be under two years old.
Applicants who reside in the U.S. at the time of application must submit TOEFL, ILETS or IUPUI EAP (English for Academic Purposes) exam scores.
Applicants who are admitted with TOEFL score of 100 and IELTS score of 7.5 will not require any additional English test or courses.
Applicants who are admitted and do not meet TOEFL score of 100 or IELTS score of 7.5, must also enroll and successfully complete ENG-G 513 Academic Writing Grad Students through IUPUI during Summer Session II. This course is completely online and designed to meet the academic writing needs of ESL graduate students.
The USMLE and ECFMG do not fulfill the required proof of English proficiency when applying to this program. Applicants who have passed the USMLE or ECFMG must also submit TOEFL, IELTS or EAP Scores.
Applicants must submit:
- TOEFL scores to IUPUI School Code 1325
- IELTS scores can be uploaded to IUPUI application
English Placement Test
International applicants who reside in the U.S. at the time of application must submit TOEFL, ILETS or IUPUI EAP (English for Academic Purposes) exam scores.
International applicants who do not reside in the U.S. at the time of application must submit their TOEFL or IELTS scores with their application and, if admitted to the MSPS Program, must also enroll and successfully complete ENG-G 513 Academic Writing Grad Students through IUPUI during Summer Session II. This course is completely online and designed to meet the academic writing needs of ESL graduate students.
The USMLE and ECFMG do not fulfill the required proof of English proficiency when applying to the MSPS Program. Applicants who have passed the USMLE or ECFMG must also submit TOEFL, IELTS or EAP Scores.
Updated April 12, 2022
