collageBest Online Occupational Health and Safety Degrees for 2021
If you want to find the best online safety degree options for 2021 but don’t know where to start, we’ve got you covered. Our team pulled together possibilities for the coming academic year. We then weighed them based on factors such as accreditation, affordability, and flexibility to sift out the best online degrees available. Take a look at three of the top options and see how they fit with your needs.
1
Eastern Kentucky University
If you’re looking for online safety degree options at different educational levels, Eastern Kentucky University has you covered. The school’s online division provides a bachelor of science in occupational safety; a master of science in safety, security, and emergency management with a concentration in occupational safety; and a graduate certificate in occupational safety. Each program exists fully online and requires no campus visits.
The bachelor’s degree in occupational safety can be completed in as little as 2 1/2 years and includes opportunities for internships that help you build real-world skills prior to graduating. You’ll learn about topics such as corporate compliance, development of safety programs, and construction safety.
You can finish the master’s degree program in as little as two years and build both skills and knowledge in the areas of workplace risk factors, management techniques, hazard control principles, and risk identification and countermeasures.
Lastly, the graduate certificate requires a year or less. It can help you gain the training needed to take on roles requiring knowledge of industry safety management, regulatory requirements for health and safety, and emergency management.
2
Columbia Southern University
Alabama’s Columbia Southern University (CSU) offers online occupational safety degree programs to meet various learning needs without ever requiring you to travel for learning. Whether just starting your academic journey toward becoming an occupational safety professional or looking for an advanced online safety degree to prepare you for leadership roles, CSU provides options. Programs currently available include:
- A.S. in Occupational Safety & Health
- B.S. in Occupational Safety & Health with concentrations in construction safety, fire science, and oil and gas
- B.S. in Environmental Management
- M.S. in Occupational Safety & Health with a concentration in environmental management
- The department also offers several safety courses designed to meet continuing education requirements.
The school first started offering occupational safety and health degree programs in 1993 and has continued building on its reputation for graduating professionals with the skills and training needed to keep employees and contractors safe. Whether you live in Alabama or elsewhere, you can expect to pay $235 per credit for undergraduate courses and $325 per credit for graduate classes.
3
Waldorf University
Waldorf University offers several different, fully online occupational health and safety programs to help meet your academic needs. Whether just starting out, looking to advance your career, or seeking certification, Waldorf offers options for each of these scenarios. Current programs include:
- A.A. in Occupational Safety
- B.S. in Occupational Safety
- B.A.S. in Occupational Safety
- B.S. in Organizational Leadership with a concentration in occupational safety and health
- Certificate in Occupational Safety and Health
The Board of Certified Safety Professionals has recognized the A.A., B.A., and B.A.S. programs. All online safety degree courses are taught asynchronously, meaning you can watch lectures and turn in assignments at times that work with your schedule. The university also brings together talented professors with real-world experience alongside coaches who ensure you receive the support and resources needed to thrive both in school and once you graduate.
How To Get A Degree In Occupational Health And Safety
Overview of Online Occupational Safety Degrees
Online occupational safety programs can be found at the associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and certificate level. Associate degrees prepare students for some entry-level work in the field, as well as for transfer to a bachelor’s degree program. A bachelor’s degree is necessary for most occupational safety specialist jobs. At the master’s level, graduates will have more opportunities for advancement, as there are some positions which may require a master’s degree. A certificate can add to an individual’s resume and enhance their skill set, and may be enough to qualify them for certain entry-level jobs, depending on the certificate level and their other work experience.
Online Bachelor’s Degrees in Occupational Safety
An online bachelor’s degree in occupational safety is what is most commonly required for occupational safety specialist jobs. A bachelor’s program will provide students with advanced knowledge and skills in the field. Graduates may be qualified for jobs in fields such as construction, fire science, and manufacturing. Interested individuals can find these online occupational safety degrees at colleges and universities across the country.
Program Requirements
Applicants to an online bachelor’s program need to have a high school diploma or equivalent and will need to submit high school transcripts and any college transcripts they may have. Other application requirements may include a personal statement or essay and/or SAT or ACT scores. A bachelor’s degree usually takes four years and 120 credit hours to complete.
Curriculum
Coursework in an online occupational safety bachelor’s degree program will include general education requirements in math, science, humanities, and social sciences. Core classes for the major will cover topics like industrial hygiene, fire safety, industrial ergonomics, toxicology, legal aspects of health and safety, construction safety, workers’ compensation, fire prevention, and handling hazardous materials. Some schools will require a senior capstone project or an internship that must be completed prior to graduation.
The Importance of an Accredited Online Occupational Safety Degree
When deciding which online degree program to apply to, it is important to keep both programmatic and regional accreditation in mind.
If a college or university has been regionally accredited, that means that an independent agency has evaluated that school on several factors, such as strength of curriculum and quality of faculty, and decided that the school meets certain standards of academic excellence. Students want to make sure they choose a regionally accredited school for many reasons, including the ease of which credits transfer between accredited institutions, and because federal financial aid can only be used at accredited schools.
There are also agencies that accredit programs covering specific subjects. The Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) is the predominant accrediting agency for programs in engineering and engineering technology, computers, and applied science. Occupational safety programs fall under ABET’s accreditation jurisdiction. Students should try to choose an online occupational safety program that is accredited by ABET, as this will help to ensure that they are receiving an education that meets a rigorous set of standards and that they will learn the skills relevant to the profession.
Careers in Occupational Safety
Professionals who earn an online occupational safety degree will be equipped with the knowledge necessary to work in various industries. Much of their work will center around making sure businesses and individuals are acting in a safe and responsible manner and that they are following different safety codes and regulations. They may help with the design and implementation of programs and procedures to stop injuries and diseases from occurring in the workplace. Occupational safety specialists might also be involved in coming up with environmentally friendly business practices. Possible job titles include Plant Safety Manager, OSHA Trainer, Construction Site Safety Manager, and Corporate Safety Director.
Depending on the particular job desired, advanced training and education may be needed. For example, some positions require a master’s degree in health physics, industrial hygiene, or similar. Professional certification is also available. It is not usually required to find a job, but it can make an applicant more competitive, and some employers prefer to hire someone who is certified.
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