Critical thinking among environmental health undergraduates and implications for the profession.

During a study conducted in 2000-2002, the critical-thinking dispositions of undergraduate environmental health students at Illinois State University were found to have significant shortcomings. The critical-thinking-disposition scores were comparable to those of other undergraduates throughout the United States and Canada; nevertheless, these findings have significant implications for environmental health academic programs and the profession. Environmental health professionals commonly confront "ill-structured" problems, for which critical thiking is an essential skill. In addition, the challenges faced by the profession in terms of recognition, funding, and public support require a high level of critical thinking. This paper provides a number of recommendations for academic programs and professionals.