Master of Science in
Occupational Safety Management

Upon completing the program, focused skills and this specialized degree 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. 

MSOSM coursework prepares students for certification by the Board of Certified Safety Professionals (BCSP), allowing students to apply for Graduate Safety Practitioner ® (GSP)* designation. 

The 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 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 must demonstrate two years of experience instead of four to sit for the CSHM exam. 

Program Educational Objectives

• 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 professionally diverse and inclusive 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. 

Student Learning 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. 
• Have the ability to formulate or design a system, process, procedure or program to meet desired needs. 
• Have the ability to function effectively on teams that establish goals, plan tasks, meet deadlines and analyze risk and uncertainty. 
• Have the ability to anticipate, recognize, evaluate, prevent and control workplace safety and occupational health hazards within numerous industries to protect people, property, the environment, and organizational operations. 
• Have an ability to effectively manage occupational safety and health functions within a variety of industries. 
• Have an ability to 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. 
• Have an ability to effectively communicate and interact with persons at all levels within an organization and externally about occupational safety, health and environmental management. 
• Have the ability to 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. 
• Have the ability to 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. 

Professional Accreditation

The MS in Occupational Safety Management program is accredited by the ANSAC Accreditation Commission of ABET, under the commission’s General Criteria and Program Criteria for Safety and Similarly Named Programs. 

Occupational Safety Management Degree Information

• Credits: 30 
• Online or In-Person: Fully online 

Related Certification Programs

The Graduate Certificate in Occupational Safety Management is for students who desire to build core competencies in safety and health management. The certificate of completion program consists of 12 credits (four courses) of graduate study that can be completed concurrently with or separate from the MS in Occupational Safety Program.

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