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Environmental, Health and Safety Management MS
Program overview
Although they are distinct disciplines, environmental management, occupational health, and safety share many technical, regulatory and organizational characteristics. Faced with pressure to streamline their organizations while improving performance, many companies have chosen to capitalize on synergies among these areas by managing them together. Originally trained in only one discipline, professionals now need to be cross-trained in all three areas.
The master of science degree in environmental, health and safety management prepares students to move toward a more sustainable and socially responsible future by providing technical EHS knowledge and strategic management systems and tools.
The emergence of voluntary standards and codes of conduct, including international standards, coupled with the need to manage costs and limited resources has resulted in a trend to move beyond regulatory compliance. Now, companies work toward sustainability through the use of environmental, health, and safety management systems, which are integrated into key business processes. The curriculum provides a solid foundation in both the technical and managerial aspects of developing, designing, and implementing environmental, health, and safety systems to ensure that students can:
- design and implement effective management systems and programs to move towards a more sustainable and socially responsible future;
- identify and leverage the regulatory, voluntary, and business drivers for environmental, health, and safety programs;
- design and implement effective management systems and programs;
- design and implement performance measurement processes to verify effectiveness; and
- demonstrate how an effective environmental, health, and safety management system adds value to the organization.
The program is primarily designed for EHS professionals or those planning a career move into the field.
Curriculum
The program consists of 33 semester credit hours and is available in both online learning and through on-campus instruction. The curriculum consists of core courses, professional electives, and a graduate thesis, project, or exam.
Environmental, health and safety management (thesis, capstone, and exam options), MS degree, typical course sequence (semesters), effective fall 2013
| Course | Sem. Cr. Hrs. | |
|---|---|---|
| ESHS-720 | EHS Management | 3 |
| ESHS-755 | Corporate Social Responsibility | 3 |
| ESHS-710 | Research Methods | 3 |
| ESHS-740 | EHS Management System Design | 3 |
| ESHS-760 | Integrating EHS Management | 3 |
| Professional Electives | 6 | |
| ESHS-715 | Graduate Writing Strategies | 3 |
| ESHS-780 | EHS Management System Evaluation | 3 |
| Choose one of the following: | 6 | |
| ESHS-797 | Graduate Project* | |
| ESHS-795 | Comprehensive Exam† | |
| ESHS-788, 790 | Thesis Planning, Thesis | |
| Total Semester Credit Hours | 33 | |
* The graduate project option requires students to complete one additional professional elective.
† The comprehensive exam option requires students to complete two additional electives.
Admission requirements
To be considered for admission to the MS program in environmental, health and safety management, candidates must fulfill the following requirements:
- Hold a baccalaureate degree from an accredited university or college,
- Have a minimum undergraduate grade-point average of 3.0 (B) over the junior- and senior-level years;
- Have completed at least 14 semester hours of college-level science course work, with at least 3 semester credit hours in each of the following categories: chemistry, biology, and physics. (Applicants with appropriate professional certification who do not meet the minimum level of science course work will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis to determine if they are eligible for admission.),
- Have completed at least one college-level course in statistics,
- Submit two professional recommendations,
- Submit two writing samples to demonstrate written communication skills,
- Submit official transcripts (in English) of all previously completed undergraduate and graduate course work,
- Submit a clearly written one-page statement of purpose,
- Submit a current resume or curriculum vitae, and
- Complete a graduate application
- International applicants whose native language is not English must submit scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). A minimum score of 570 (paper-based) or 88 (Internet-based) is required. Scores from the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) will be accepted in place of the TOEFL exam. Minimum acceptable scores will vary; however, the absolute minimum score for an unconditional acceptance is 6.5. It is recommended that international students begin the program in the fall semester.
Generally, applicants are expected to have formal academic training or documented experience in the areas of environmental management (air, water, solid, and hazardous waste), occupational health, and occupational safety. Academic and experiential gaps in these areas may be addressed through professional electives and additional courses. Applicants without this experience may be required to complete a graduate cooperative education placement during their program of study.
Graduate Record Examination scores are not required; however, applicants may submit test scores to support their candidacy.
Additional information
Transfer credit
With the permission of the department, relevant graduate course work may be transferred into the program, per the maximum number of credit hours allowed.
Flexible learning options
The program is available on campus or through online learning. With adviser approval students can tailor an individual program of study by complementing core and foundation courses with professional electives that match their academic and career interests. Students completing the degree through online learning are required to come to campus once for an executive leader session.
Career Outcomes
Job TitlesEnvironmental specialist, environmental manager, environmental planner, remediation operations manager, director of environmental health and safety, environmental oversight manager
FunctionsEnvironmental management in public or private sector. Projects might include: management of recycling, safety & compliance, site remediation, hazardous waste management, environmental education and training, environmental planning, pollution prevention management.
Recent EmployersPratt Whitney, Eastman Kodak Co., Ferro Corporation, LMS Engineers, Bergmann Associates, Radian, McNeil Consumer Products, International Paper, Kellogg, General Electric