http://www.rit.edu/cast/cetems/

Program overview

The last decade has seen significant changes in how organizations view and manage environmental, health, and safety (EHS) issues. Increasingly, companies are capitalizing on the synergies among these three areas by managing them together creating a need for professionals who are cross-trained in all three functions. The emergence of voluntary standards and codes of conduct, including international standards, coupled with the need to manage costs and limit resources has resulted in a trend to go 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 master of science degree in environmental, health, and safety management was developed by experienced professionals and designed to provide students with a solid foundation in both the technical and managerial aspects of developing, designing, and implementing environmental, health, and safety systems. The program utilizes an integrated systems focus to ensure that students can:

• 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 EHS field.

Curriculum

The MS program in environmental, health and safety management consists of 48 quarter credit hours of graduate study. The program is available in both classroom and online learning formats, with some courses only available online. The curriculum consists of a sequence of core courses, professional electives, and a graduate thesis or project. Students have the option of completing an applied research graduate project or a traditional graduate thesis.

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 20 credit hours (or 14 semester hours) of college-level science course work, with at least 4 credit hours (or 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 official transcripts (in English) of all previously completed undergraduate and graduate course work, 
• Submit a clearly written one-page statement of purpose,
• Complete a graduate application, and
• Submit a current resume or curriculum vitae.
• 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), 230 (computer-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 quarter.

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 any documented, relevant work experience in the EHS profession 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

Up to 12 quarter credit hours of relevant graduate course work may be transferred into the program with the permission of the department.

Flexible learning options

The program is available on campus or through online learning, and may be completed in four quarters of full-time study, or in six quarters of part-time study. 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.