Master of Science in
Occupational Safety Management
Designed for those seeking to advance their current careers or launch new ones, this program features special emphasis on safety challenges in virtually every occupational setting, from aviation/aerospace, manufacturing, healthcare and construction to military and government.
Ensuring Workplace Safety
Adhering to safety regulations is one of the most vital practices any employer can undertake. Mitigating risk in the work environment, whether natural or man-made, is a critical skill. According to the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA), occupational injuries and illness cost companies $170 billion each year.
It’s no wonder that employers need safety professionals to guarantee job site security, administer safety training for employees and protect property and profits.
Safety Management at Embry-Riddle
Whether you are looking to advance in your current position or are seeking a career change, Embry-Riddle’s M.S. in Occupational Safety Management (MSOSM) prepares you to make informed risk assessments, strategize accident prevention strategies and promote a safety culture within any institution.
Through rigorous academic experience, students acquire the knowledge, skills and abilities to succeed as a safety professional or a leader in the safety, health and environmental fields.
Industrial Hygiene Option
The MSOSM also offers an option in the field of Industrial Hygiene, the science and art devoted to the anticipation, recognition, evaluation and control of environmental factors or stresses arising in or from the workplace, which may cause sickness, impaired health and well-being, or significant discomfort among workers or among the citizens of the community. Industrial hygienists use environmental monitoring and analytical methods to detect the extent of worker exposure and employ engineering, work practice controls and other methods to control potential health hazards.
Careers in Occupational Safety
The median salary for full-time safety, health and environmental professionals is $98,000 according to the Board of Certified Safety Professionals (BCSP) and demand for these professionals is projected to grow 13% through 2032.
Professionals who hold graduate degrees in safety and health are in high demand and will be for some time.
Upon completion of the program, the focused skills gained in this specialized degree will distinguish students as knowledgeable safety and health management professionals.
With this distinction, graduates will be ready to take on environmental and occupational safety and health leadership positions, including:
- Director of safety
- Safety manager
- Safety consultant
- Environmental health and safety compliance officer
- Loss-control manager
- Industrial hygienist
- And more
Safety leadership is essential to virtually every occupational setting — from manufacturing, healthcare and construction to military and government.
The master’s degree program in Occupational Safety Management is offered both on campus in Daytona Beach, Florida, or 100% online through the Worldwide/Online Campus.
DETAILS
About Occupational Safety Management at the Worldwide & Online Campus
What is the student experience of learning Occupational Safety Management online?
Embry-Riddle Worldwide’s Master of Science in Occupational Safety Management (MSOSM) is offered 100% online and can be completed from anywhere with internet access. Courses are taught over a nine-week term. For the MSOSM, these are primarily offered during the five major terms that begin in August, October, January, March and May.
Courses are asynchronous, meaning that the students and instructors do not have to be present within the course at the same time. The online delivery provides flexibility for students to complete the work on their own schedule. However, courses are not self-paced. Each class has a set weekly structure and schedule for the assignments.
Worldwide students are a part of the Embry-Riddle family, which means they learn from distinguished faculty members whose professional experience complements their academic backgrounds. The master’s degree program in Occupational Safety Management, in particular, is led by faculty members who have proven expertise in safety or related fields, including:
- Industrial hygiene
- Environmental science/engineering
- Ergonomics/human factors
- Systems safety
Some faculty are also highly credentialed in their specific fields by Certified Safety Professionals (CSPs), Certified Industrial Hygienists (CIHs) and other applicable certifications, such as QEP, CHMM and CPEA.
Are graduates qualified to receive special credentials or designations?
MSOSM coursework prepares students for certification by the Board of Certified Safety Professionals (BCSP), allowing students to apply for Graduate Safety Practitioner ® (GSP)* designation.
Benefits of GSP designation are:
- Recognition for being on a path toward the CSP certification
- Recognition for the level of preparation for professional safety practice
- A waiver of the ASP examination requirement for CSP eligibility
- A certificate awarding the GSP designation.
*BCSP and GSP details provided by http://www.bcsp.org/GSP
The MSOSM degree has also been approved by the Institute of Hazardous Materials Management (IHMM) as an Associate Safety and Health Manager (ASHM) Program. MSOSM graduates may apply for the ASHM credential upon graduation, as the ASHM designation is an important stepping stone to the accredited Certified Safety and Health Manager (CSHM) certification. Students who receive a degree from an approved ASHM institution only have to demonstrate two years of experience instead of four to sit for the CSHM exam.
What are the Occupational Safety Management Program Student Outcomes?
Upon graduation, students in the Master of Science in Occupational Safety Management program will have the ability to:
- Identify, formulate, and solve broadly-defined technical or scientific problems by applying knowledge of mathematics and science and/or technical topics to areas relevant to the discipline.
- Formulate or design a system, process, procedure, or program to meet desired needs.
- Function effectively on teams that establish goals, plan tasks, meet deadlines, and analyze risk and uncertainty.
- Anticipate, recognize, evaluate, prevent, and control workplace safety and occupational health hazards within numerous industries to protect people, property, the environment, and organizational operations.
- Effectively manage occupational safety and health functions within a variety of industries.
- Justify occupational safety and health programs, initiatives, and control efforts through the use of business and risk management metrics, by maintaining compliance with applicable standards and regulations or through scientific evaluation of outcomes.
- Effectively communicate and interact with persons at all levels within an organization and externally about occupational safety, health, and environmental management.
- Practice and perform in an ethical, moral, responsible, and accountable manner in all aspects, but especially in the practice of safety, understanding the impact of technical and/or scientific solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts.
- Identify an occupational safety and health research problem; complete a thorough review of the scholarly literature; formulate and test hypotheses or research questions; collect and appropriately analyze qualitative or quantitative data; and interpret and report research findings using scientific judgment to improve the field of occupational safety and health or to provide solutions to occupational safety and health problem.
Upon completing the program, these focused skills and specialized degrees will distinguish graduates as astute and knowledgeable safety management professionals. With this distinction, graduates will be ready to take on occupational safety and health leadership positions – including director of safety, safety manager, safety consultant, compliance officer, and loss-control manager – in virtually every professional setting.
What are the Program Educational Objectives of the M.S. in Occupational Safety Management?
Program Educational Objectives are "broad statements that describe what graduates are expected to attain within a few years of graduation." Graduates from the Master of Science in Occupational Safety Management program can:- Apply a broad educational background combined with strong critical thinking, analytical, and time management skills to lead, influence, and achieve the OSH goals and objectives of their employers.
- Effectively communicate, collaborate, and manage a diverse work environment.
- Manage and lead OSH organizations ethically and professionally.
- Engage in professional development and mentor others to demonstrate competency; ensure relevancy in knowledge, skills, and new technologies; and maintain currency in changing industry trends.
- Anticipate, recognize, evaluate, prevent, and control hazards to better ensure safe workplaces and develop best practices.
What prerequisite knowledge is required before enrollment?
Subject knowledge for a specific graduate course must be satisfied before enrollment in that course is permitted. Students may enroll in graduate level courses only if they meet prerequisite knowledge requirements.
Applicants for admission to the MSOSM program must have prerequisite knowledge in the following areas:
- Quantitative Methods
Students should assume responsibility to see that prerequisites are satisfied. The prerequisite subject knowledge for a specific graduate course must be satisfied before enrollment in that specific course is permitted. Students may enroll in other graduate-level courses as they meet any specific prerequisite knowledge required.
The prerequisite knowledge can be validated through one of the following:
- Completed an undergraduate or graduate course in each of the specific subject areas and upon validation of the course from an official transcript; or
- Completed a course listed in either the National or ACE Guide for which academic credit in one of the specific subject areas is recommended; or
- Received at least the minimum recommended score on a CLEP, DSST/DANTES, PEP, etc. exam in each of the subject areas as required.
Professional Accreditation
The MS in Occupational Safety Management program is accredited by the ANSAC Accreditation Commission of ABET, https://www.abet.org, under the General Criteria and the Safety and Similarly Named Programs Program Criteria.DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
Core/Major
SFTY 530 | Safety, Health and Environmental Legislation, Litigation & Compliance | 3 |
SFTY 540 | Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Response | 3 |
SFTY 570 | Fire Safety Management | 3 |
SFTY 580 | Environmental Protection for the Safety, Health and Environmental Manager | 3 |
SFTY 590 | Hazard Control Methods in Occupational Safety and Health | 3 |
SFTY 600 | Occupational Safety and Health Management | 3 |
SFTY 611 | Industrial Hygiene and Toxicology | 3 |
SFTY 619 | Human Factors and Ergonomics | 3 |
RSCH 650 | Research Methods and Analysis | 3 |
SFTY 691 | Graduate Capstone Course | 3 |
Total Degree Requirements | 30 |
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Summary
30 Credits
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