The International Labor Organization estimates that 2.3 million men and women worldwide lose their lives to illnesses or occupational accidents yearly. So, online occupational health and safety degrees are a great choice if you’re looking to go into a field that helps keep people safe and healthy. In addition, there are many jobs available in this field. These include auditing and inspecting facilities working with employees on their safety needs, and helping them avoid work-related injuries. In this list, we’ll explore some of the best options for an OHS degree program, as well as some other resources for learning more about how you can get started in this exciting field.
Rutgers University Newark
Rutgers University Newark offers an online Master of Science in Occupational Health and Safety. It is designed to help students develop a complete understanding of the interplay between environmental and occupational health. The program aims to prepare graduates for careers as safety managers, risk assessors, health officers, and industrial hygienists.
The 30-credit program has three core courses: Environmental Health Sciences, Workplace Injury Prevention, and Workplace Safety Management Systems. Students can also choose elective courses such as ergonomics, health surveillance systems, and risk assessment.
The Rutgers University Newark MOSHS degree is accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH). Students must earn a B or higher in each course to be eligible for graduation from this accredited program.
Western Kentucky University
Western Kentucky University is one of the best online schools for pursuing an occupational safety and health degree. Western Kentucky University offers a B.S. in Occupational Safety and Health that can complete entirely online. The program is designed to prepare students for occupational safety and health careers. It provides knowledge of the many disciplines that make up OSH, including industrial hygiene, ergonomics, nutrition/biological monitoring, and industrial hygiene. It also includes compensatory strategies and training techniques.
Students will also learn to identify work site hazards and develop strategies to mitigate those hazards. The Bachelor’s in Occupational Safety & Health program is accredited by the Council on Occupational Education (COE).
Wilmington University
Wilmington University is an online university that offers both undergraduate and graduate degrees. The occupational health and safety degree online at Wilmington University prepares students to enter the respective field, focusing on developing skills in workplace practices and compliance with regulations. It also educates on risk management, environmental protection, and resource conservation.
The program is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), which means it meets rigorous standards across the nation’s accrediting agencies. In addition to this status as a fully accredited program by MSCHE, Wilmington University has also been recognized as one of the best online colleges in America.
San Jose State University
San Jose State University (SJSU) is a public institution located in California. It has four campuses, one of which is in San Jose. It offers an online Master of Science in Occupational Safety and Health Degree Program for students who wish to pursue careers as related professionals. Students learn how to conduct risk assessments and develop plans of action based on those assessments. It also helps them understand the implementation of strategies that reduce workplace hazards and perform inspections using appropriate methods.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services report claims that over 12 million individuals die yearly from living or working in an unhealthy environment. Therefore, the curriculum also covers environmental health issues, lead exposure prevention strategies, and asthma control measures. Students can complete this degree program in two years full-time or three years part-time by taking courses through an accelerated schedule option. However, depending on personal circumstances, such as course availability or financial aid status, it may take longer.
East Carolina University
East Carolina University has the sixth-best occupational health and safety degree program on our list. This program enrolls students each year and boasts a reasonable graduation rate.
The school offers five programs in this field to provide students with the necessary skills to succeed in the area. In addition, the university offers a Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial Hygiene (B.S.) Graduate Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety Management (GCR). It also offers a Master of Occupational Safety and Health (MS), Occupational Safety Specialist Certificate (OSC) & Professional Resume Writing Certificate Program. Students can complete any of these courses entirely online or on campus.
The requirements for each program vary depending on your specialization, but most require completion of at least 40 credit hours with an overall good GPA, the higher, the better. Some may require additional prerequisites such as mathematics coursework or internships before admission.
Eastern Kentucky University
Eastern Kentucky University is a public university located in Richmond, Kentucky. It was founded in 1876 and had an enrollment of 11,000 students.
Eastern Kentucky University offers a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Health and Safety degree (B.S. OHS) program for students who want to pursue careers in occupational health and safety. The program is offered entirely online; therefore, staying connected with your classmates and faculty is accessible.
The curriculum focuses on applying health and safety education concepts to real-world situations and preparing graduates for careers as professionals in the field. Students can choose from multiple concentration options. These include Chemical Dependency Services; Environment, Health & Safety; Industrial Hygiene; or Generalist Studies, which combines all four.
University of Cincinnati
The University of Cincinnati is a public university located in Cincinnati, Ohio. The school’s online degree program in health and safety has received a rating above 4.0 out of 5.0 on College Review.
This top-ranking institution offers students the opportunity to earn an online master’s degree in occupational and environmental health and safety or occupational medicine. The curriculum covers injury prevention and business continuity plans. It also covers risk management strategies for businesses that handle hazardous materials or chemicals on site. Students also learn how to perform workplace inspections and analyze data from accident reports to implement better policies. These policies are then applied within their organizations.
These Schools Offer Online Degrees for Health and Safety
These schools offer the best options if you’re looking for an online degree program in health and safety. While there is no one-size-fits-all solution to getting an online degree in occupational health and safety, some programs stand out above the rest. The schools listed above have years of experience delivering online degrees. It means they’ve perfected their craft by creating lessons with a strong focus on practical knowledge and skills. They also provide students with opportunities for hands-on learning through internships or other programs that allow students to apply what they’ve learned in class.