Environmental, Health and Safety Management Master of science degree

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Admissions Contact
Paola Pena Rodriguez, Assistant Director
585‑475‑5529, paeges@rit.edu
Program Contact
Joseph Rosenbeck, Professor
5854756469, jmrcem@rit.edu
Offered within the
Department of Civil Engineering Technology, Environmental Management and Safety

An environmental management master's degree where you can 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.

Online Option Available

STEM-OPT Visa Eligible

100%

outcome rate of graduates

$60K

median first-year salary of graduates

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 are employed by Fortune 100 companies, environmental, health and safety consultancies, universities, and government agencies such as the EPA, OSHA, and NYSDEC.

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

Professional electives are subject to availability and include Fire Protection, Occupational Health, Solid and Hazardous Waste Management, Industrial Wastewater Management, Air Emissions Management, Occupational Safety, Mechanical and Electrical Controls and Standards, EHS Law, EHS Accounting and Finance, EHS Project Management, and Organizational Behavior and Leadership. Additional professional electives are available in topics such as business management, quality, sustainability, and other areas.

This program is also offered online. View Online Option.

Industries

  • Aerospace

  • Automotive

  • Biotech and Life Sciences

  • Environmental Services

  • Health Care

  • Higher Education

  • Manufacturing

  • Utilities and Renewable Energy

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. 

Explore salary and career information for Environmental, Health and Safety Management MS 

Curriculum for Environmental, Health and Safety Management MS

View Printable Curriculum

Environmental, Health and Safety Management (thesis option), MS degree, typical course sequence

Course Sem. Cr. Hrs.
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
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 GRCS-702 or equivalent course.) Thesis 5 (Fall, 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
Total Semester Credit Hours
30

Environmental, Health and Safety Management (capstone project option), MS degree, typical course sequence

Course Sem. Cr. Hrs.
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
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
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
 9
Total Semester Credit Hours
30

Environmental, Health and Safety Management (comprehensive exam option), MS degree, typical course sequence

Course Sem. Cr. Hrs.
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
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
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
 12
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 a graduate application. 
  • 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. A minimum TOEFL score of 88 (internet-based) is required. A minimum IELTS score of 6.5 is required. The English language test score requirement of waived for native speakers of English or for those submitting transcripts from degrees earned at American institutions.
  • 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. 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.

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.

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