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Occupational Safety and Health

Overview

Occupational safety and health programs prepare people to monitor and inspect work places to ensure health and safety standards are met.

Occupational safety and health programs prepare people to make sure health and safety standards are met in the workplace. Students learn safety standards and how to test for health hazards. They also learn to train workers in on-the-job safety.

Occupational safety and health programs include topics such as:

Schools

A few community colleges offer associate degree programs in occupational safety and health. An associate degree program usually takes two years of full-time study. After earning an associate degree students can transfer to a college or university for further study.

A few colleges and universities offer a bachelor's degree in occupational safety and health. A bachelor’s degree usually takes four years of full-time study to complete.

A few universities offer graduate degrees in occupational safety and health. A master’s degree typically requires two years of study beyond a bachelor’s degree. Doctoral (PhD) degree programs usually require two or more years of study beyond the master’s degree.

See schools that offer this program.

Related Educational Programs

Related Careers

Careers Directly Related to this Program of Study

Other Careers Related to this Program of Study

Program Admission

You can prepare for this program by taking courses in high school that prepare you for college. This typically includes four years of English, three years of math, three years of social studies, and two years of science. Some colleges also require two years of a second language.

Below is a list of high school courses that will help prepare you for this program of study:

Graduate Admissions

Admission to graduate programs is competitive. You need a bachelor's degree in a relevant field (science, math, or engineering), good grades, and good test scores. Your math skills should include calculus, and you should have some background in statistics.

Additional requirements at some schools include:

Typical Course Work

Program Courses

An associate degree program in this field typically includes courses in the following subjects:

A bachelor's degree program often assumes that you have taken most of the math courses listed above while in high school. It typically includes the other courses listed above, plus the following:

Graduate Program Courses

A master's degree program includes courses similar to those listed for the bachelor's, but you are more likely to specialize in one of those subjects. It typically includes the following:

Things to Know

With an associate degree, you can work as a research technician gathering data.

With a bachelor's degree and a few years of experience on the job, you may be able to apply for certification. Certification can help advance your career. To learn more, contact some of the agencies listed among the Resources for this program.

You need good communications skills to succeed in this field. Consider taking courses in writing and public speaking even if they are not required in your program.

Schools

East Side Area

Central Washington University

King-Snohomish Area

Edmonds Community College

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Everett

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Renton

University of Washington - Seattle

Kitsap Area

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Whidbey Island

Spokane Area

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Fairchild AFB

Tacoma Area

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Joint Base Lewis-McChord

Pierce College Fort Steilacoom

Tri-Cities Area

Columbia Basin College

West Side Area

Evergreen State College, The