Environmental, Health and Safety Management Master of Science Degree
Environmental, Health and Safety Management
Master of Science Degree
A master’s in environmental health and safety where you will acquire a foundation in the managerial aspects of developing and implementing environmental health and safety management systems to help companies meet their sustainability and safety standards.
Overview
Management of environmental, health and safety issues has changed significantly in recent years. 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 integrated environmental and management systems, which are woven into key business processes. The environmental management masters provides students with a solid foundation in the managerial aspects of developing and implementing environmental, health and safety management systems that can move organizations toward a more sustainable and socially responsible future.
Although they are distinct disciplines, environmental management, occupational health, and workplace safety share many technical, regulatory, and organizational characteristics. Today's professionals need to be educated in all three areas. Graduates of the program are employed by Fortune 100 companies, environmental health and safety consultancies, universities, and government agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.
Environmental Health and Safety Courses
The MS degree in environmental, health and safety management provides students with a solid foundation in the managerial aspects of developing and implementing environmental, health and safety management systems that can move organizations toward a more sustainable and socially responsible future. In addition, students gain a solid technical foundation in air emissions, wastewater, solid and hazardous waste, occupational safety and occupational health (industrial hygiene). Elements of sustainability are integrated into most core courses and some electives.
The program may be completed entirely through online learning, or via a combination of online and traditional on-campus courses. The curriculum includes core courses, professional electives, and a choice of a thesis, capstone project, or comprehensive exam.
Professional electives can include courses in topics as diverse as fire protection, occupational health, solid and hazardous waste management, industrial wastewater management, air emissions management, occupational safety, mechanical and electrical controls and standards, environmental health and safety law, accounting and finance, project management, and organizational behavior and leadership. Additional professional electives are available in topics such as business management, quality, sustainability, and other areas.
Students are also interested in: Environmental Science MS, Sustainable Systems MS
Careers and Cooperative Education
Typical Job Titles
| Associate Environmental Engineer | Chemistry Lab Supervisor |
| EHS Specialist | Environmental Health and Safety Coordinator |
| Environmental Health Specialist | Environmental Scientist |
| Lecturer | Risk Control Specialist |
| Senior HSE Representative | Senior Safety Officer |
Salary and Career Information for Environmental, Health and Safety Management MS
Cooperative Education
Cooperative education, or co-op for short, is full-time, paid work experience in your field of study. And it sets RIT graduates apart from their competitors. It’s exposure–early and often–to a variety of professional work environments, career paths, and industries. RIT co-op is designed for your success.
Full-time students are eligible to participate in RIT’s cooperative education program. After completing two semesters (a minimum of 18 credit hours), students may request approval to complete up to one year of cooperative education employment related to their field of study.
Curriculum for Environmental, Health and Safety Management MS
Environmental, Health and Safety Management (thesis option), MS degree, typical course sequence
| Course | Sem. Cr. Hrs. | |
|---|---|---|
| First Year | ||
| ESHS-720 | Environmental, Health and Safety Management 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. (This course is restricted to students in the EHSM-MS program.) Lecture 3 (Fall). |
3 |
| ESHS-740 | EHS Management System Design 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. (Prerequisites: ESHS-720 or equivalent course.) Lecture 3 (Spring). |
3 |
| ESHS-755 | Corporate Social Responsibility 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. (This course is restricted to students in the EHSM-MS program.) Lecture 3 (Fall). |
3 |
| ESHS-760 | Integrating EHS Management 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. (Prerequisites: ESHS-720 or equivalent course.) Lecture 3 (Spring). |
3 |
| GRCS-701 | Research Methods 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. Lecture 3 (Fall, Spring). |
3 |
Professional Electives |
6 | |
| Second Year | ||
| ESHS-780 | EHS Internal Auditing 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. (Prerequisites: ESHS-720 or equivalent course.) Lecture 3 (Fall). |
3 |
| ESHS-788 | Thesis Planning Students will rigorously develop their thesis research ideas, conduct literature reviews, identify and plan methodologies, prepare schedules, and gain a clear understanding of the expectations of the faculty and the discipline. Each student will be required to prepare a committee approved thesis research proposal and may begin work on their thesis. (Enrollment in this course requires permission from the department offering the course.) Lecture 3 (Fall, Spring). |
3 |
| ESHS-790 | Thesis The graduate thesis is a formal research document that empirically relates theory with practice. A formal written thesis and oral defense are required. (Prerequisites: GRCS-701 and ESHS-788 or equivalent courses.) Thesis 5 (Fall, Spring). |
3 |
| Total Semester Credit Hours | 30 |
|
Environmental, Health and Safety Management (capstone project option), MS degree, typical course sequence
| Course | Sem. Cr. Hrs. | |
|---|---|---|
| First Year | ||
| ESHS-720 | Environmental, Health and Safety Management 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. (This course is restricted to students in the EHSM-MS program.) Lecture 3 (Fall). |
3 |
| ESHS-740 | EHS Management System Design 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. (Prerequisites: ESHS-720 or equivalent course.) Lecture 3 (Spring). |
3 |
| ESHS-755 | Corporate Social Responsibility 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. (This course is restricted to students in the EHSM-MS program.) Lecture 3 (Fall). |
3 |
| ESHS-760 | Integrating EHS Management 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. (Prerequisites: ESHS-720 or equivalent course.) Lecture 3 (Spring). |
3 |
| GRCS-701 | Research Methods 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. Lecture 3 (Fall, Spring). |
3 |
Professional Electives |
6 | |
| Second Year | ||
| ESHS-780 | EHS Internal Auditing 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. (Prerequisites: ESHS-720 or equivalent course.) Lecture 3 (Fall). |
3 |
| ESHS-797 | Graduate Project This course provides an opportunity for students to demonstrate their capabilities developed through their course of study to design, develop, and/or evaluate an EHS management related project culminating in a written report or manuscript and presentation. (Prerequisite: GRCS-701 or equivalent course.) Project 3 (Fall, Spring). |
3 |
Professional Elective |
3 | |
| Total Semester Credit Hours | 30 |
|
Environmental, Health and Safety Management (comprehensive exam option), MS degree, typical course sequence
| Course | Sem. Cr. Hrs. | |
|---|---|---|
| First Year | ||
| ESHS-720 | Environmental, Health and Safety Management 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. (This course is restricted to students in the EHSM-MS program.) Lecture 3 (Fall). |
3 |
| ESHS-740 | EHS Management System Design 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. (Prerequisites: ESHS-720 or equivalent course.) Lecture 3 (Spring). |
3 |
| ESHS-755 | Corporate Social Responsibility 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. (This course is restricted to students in the EHSM-MS program.) Lecture 3 (Fall). |
3 |
| ESHS-760 | Integrating EHS Management 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. (Prerequisites: ESHS-720 or equivalent course.) Lecture 3 (Spring). |
3 |
| GRCS-701 | Research Methods 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. Lecture 3 (Fall, Spring). |
3 |
Professional Electives |
6 | |
| Second Year | ||
| ESHS-780 | EHS Internal Auditing 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. (Prerequisites: ESHS-720 or equivalent course.) Lecture 3 (Fall). |
3 |
| ESHS-795 | Comprehensive Exam A written comprehensive exam is one of the non-thesis methodologies for completion of the MS degree. This course will provide a forum for independent review of the main concepts of the program core subject areas. The student will take a written examination at the conclusion of the course and must receive a passing grade of at least 80 percent to be successful. Students will have one additional opportunity to pass this examination if their initial attempt is unsuccessful. (Enrollment in this course requires permission from the department offering the course.) Comp Exam 3 (Fall, Spring). |
0 |
Professional Electives |
6 | |
| Total Semester Credit Hours | 30 |
|
Admission Requirements
To be considered for admission to the MS program in environmental, health and safety management, candidates must fulfill the following requirements:
- Complete an online graduate application. Refer to Graduate Admission Deadlines and Requirements for information on application deadlines, entry terms, and more.
- Submit copies of official transcript(s) (in English) of all previously completed undergraduate and graduate course work, including any transfer credit earned.
- Hold a baccalaureate degree (or US equivalent) from an accredited university or college.
- Recommended minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 (or equivalent).
- Submit a current resume or curriculum vitae.
- Two letters of recommendation are required. Refer to Application Instructions and Requirements for additional information.
- Not all programs require the submission of scores from entrance exams (GMAT or GRE). Please refer to the Graduate Admission Deadlines and Requirements page for more information.
- Submit two writing samples to demonstrate written communication skills. Writing samples may include, but are not limited to reports, memos, investigations, procedures, position papers, essays and term papers
- Submit a personal statement of educational objectives. Refer to Application Instructions and Requirements for additional information.
- Applicants with acceptable professional certification(s) and/or work experience may have prerequisite science course work 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.
- 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.
- International applicants whose native language is not English must submit official test scores from the TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE. Students below the minimum requirement may be considered for conditional admission. Refer to Graduate Admission Deadlines and Requirements for additional information on English requirements. International applicants may be considered for an English test requirement waiver. Refer to Additional Requirements for International Applicants to review waiver eligibility.
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.
International Students
International students enrolled in courses at the RIT campus are required to take at least two traditional classroom courses and one or two online courses per semester. In addition, international students are solely responsible for meeting the requirements of their government and other sponsors, as applicable.
Learn about admissions, cost, and financial aid
Latest News
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December 1, 2021
![Christopher Vollaro standing next to the Pfizer logo.]()
Alumnus at Pfizer contributes to vaccine development process
All eyes were on international pharmaceutical giant Pfizer this past year as it raced to produce needed COVID-19 vaccines. Staff across the company—including Christopher Vollaro ’21 MS—played a role in the development and distribution process.
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October 19, 2021
![COVID-19 patient receiving care from nurses wearing protective gear.]()
Covid-19 Safety Fight Heats Up Between Biden Administration and States
The Wall Street Journal talks to Jim Frederick ’03 MS (environmental, health, and safety management), OSHA’s acting assistant secretary of labor for occupational safety and health.
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July 29, 2021
![portrait of James Frederick.]()
Getting the job done right—and safely
RIT alumnus James Frederick has not only held the position of deputy assistant secretary for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) since January, but he has managed the day-to-day operations of OSHA while the agency’s incoming nominee for assistant secretary awaits confirmation by Congress.
