Environmental, Health, and Safety Management MS

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Environmental, Health, and Safety Management: Online
Master of science degree

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Online Admissions Contact

Karen Palmer, Associate Director Combined Accelerated Programs
585-475-5656,

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Offered within the
Department of Civil Engineering Technology, Environmental Management and Safety

A degree driven by real-time employer demand

Environmental health and safety jobs will grow 8% by 2030, outpacing overall labor market growth. Search our curriculum and you’ll find the expertise and skills posted by employers in this growing field.

The environmental health and safety job market

89k+

Average Annual Salary for Environmental Health Manager

8%

Employment Growth for this Field

97%

Graduate Outcomes Rate

40%

Growth in Quality Control Skills Demand

Program Highlights

There is growing demand for professionals who can manage an organization’s environmental, health, and safety performance successfully. Employment in this field is expected to grow at a faster rate than overall employment growth through 2030.

Today’s organizations are increasingly concerned with environmental, health, and safety (EHS) regulatory compliance, EHS risk management, and EHS sustainability opportunities aligned with business process, strategy, and objectives. Companies manage these concerns through the use of integrated EHS management systems, which are woven into key business processes. The EHS management masters provides students with a solid foundation in the EHS technical and managerial aspects of developing and implementing EHS management systems that can move organizations toward a more sustainable and socially responsible future.

This degree is versatile in that there is employer demand in nearly every industry, and in both the private and public sectors. Designed for working professionals, you may continue to work full-time and take classes with this flexible program. The curriculum includes core courses, professional electives, and a choice of a thesis, capstone project, or comprehensive exam.

What you will learn

  • How to create effective integrated environmental, health and safety management systems that conform to national and international consensus standards
  • Strategies and tools for integrating EHS into business management that can drive the organization towards sustainability 
  • Quality continuous improvement processes to identify and manage EHS risk and opportunities
  • How to design and implement an effective EHS audit program

Curriculum packed with high-demand skills

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Health and Safety

Demand for environmental health skills is growing by 19%.

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Quality

Demand for quality assurance and control skills is growing by 40%.

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Industry-adjacent skills

Demand for construction management skills is growing by 18%.

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Management

Demand for safety management is growing by 14%.

Curriculum

ESHS-720
Environmental, Health and Safety Management
Credits 3
This is the initial course in the curriculum core of RIT's MS degree program in Environmental, Health and Safety (EHS) Management. It defines and profiles EHS management within the organization; explores EHS management history, motivations, and strategies; introduces current and developing systems for managing an organization's EHS aspects; and investigates the elements and implications of developing an organizational EHS vision and policy statement. The course's unique delivery style combines elements of distance-learning and an onsite executive-leader format.
ESHS-740
EHS Management System Design
Credits 3
This course examines the design and development of environmental, health and safety management systems in order to implement an organization's policies and offers strategies for measurement of results in order to assess performance and ensure continual improvement. Significant team project work as well as individual work is required.
ESHS-755
Corporate Social Responsibility
Credits 3
This course will introduce social responsibility concepts and approaches presented in key documents like the ISO 26000 Social Responsibility Standard, and will explore strategies for assisting an organization to identify and implement socially responsible initiatives appropriate to the nature and scope of its activities, products, and services.
ESHS-760
Integrating EHS Management
Credits 3
This course examines strategies for integrating EHS systems and processes. Using case studies, the course explores interrelationships between EHS and total quality management, business value, reporting, and approaches for sustainable business development. Students will be prepared to select appropriate quality tools to improve EHS processes; identify opportunities, strategies, and tools for integrating EHS into business management; and identify best practices in EHS/business integration.
ESHS-780
EHS Internal Auditing
Credits 3
This course provides an overview of the fundamentals of EHS internal auditing, including EHS internal audit program design and management principles, management system performance evaluation and corrective action techniques, and system improvements. Exercises provide opportunities to apply knowledge.
GRCS-701
Research Methods
Credits 3
This is an introductory graduate-level survey course on research design/methods and analysis. The course provides a broad overview of the process and practices of research in applied contexts. Content includes principles and techniques of research design, sampling, data collection, and analysis including the nature of evidence, types of research, defining research questions, sampling techniques, data collection, data analysis, issues concerning human subjects and research ethics, and challenges associated with conducting research in real-world contexts. The analysis component of the course provides an understanding of statistical methodology used to collect and interpret data found in research as well as how to read and interpret data collection instruments.

Electives and Final Assessment

 
Professional Electives
Credits 6-12
 
Comprehensive Exam, Graduate Project, or Thesis
Credits 0-6

Admission Requirements

  • Hold a baccalaureate degree (or equivalent) from an accredited university or college.
  • Submit official transcripts (in English) of all previously completed undergraduate and graduate course work.
  • Have a minimum grade point average of 3.0 (or equivalent) over the junior- and senior-level years.
  • Have completed at least 9 semester hours of college-level course work in the sciences, with at least 3 semester credit hours in each of the following categories: chemistry, biology, and physics.
  • Submit a one-page personal statement of educational objectives.
  • Submit a current resume or curriculum vitae.
  • Submit two professional letters of recommendations.
  • Submit two writing samples to demonstrate written communication skills.
  • International applicants whose native language is not English must submit scores from the TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE. 
  • Applicants with acceptable professional certification(s) and/or work experience may have prerequisite science coursework waived.
  • Applicants without formal academic training or documented experience in air emissions, waste water, solid and hazardous waste, occupational health, or occupational safety may be required to take professional electives in these areas. 
  • Students may complete a graduate cooperative education placement during their program of study.
  • Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores are not required; however, applicants may submit test scores to support their candidacy.

Cost

The online MS in Environmental Health and Safety requires 30 credits and costs $1,237 per credit hour (Academic Year 2021 – 2022). This tuition reflects the RIT Online discount of 43% off the campus-based program cost.

Keep in mind that there are many options available that may help you lower your costs including:

  • Military tuition benefits
  • Support from employers 
  • Private scholarships 
  • Financing 
  • Payment plans

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