If you enjoy helping others and are interested in a career that helps keep people safe, you may consider earning an occupational health and safety degree.
These bachelors programs teach you how to prevent environmental, safety, and health hazards from infiltrating buildings, workplaces, and other public settings. You may even get the chance to apply your knowledge through internships or capstone projects.
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Occupational health and safety professionals are essential to a wide variety of industries and play an important role in public health.
Occupational Health and Safety Degrees Online
A bachelors in occupational safety and health online degree teaches students to adhere to and enforce regulations that help maintain public health and safety. These programs also cover how to identify and manage risk and how to teach and implement safe procedures.
While enrolled in an occupational health and safety bachelor’s degree online, you may study some of the following subjects:
- Construction Safety
- Pollution prevention
- Industrial materials and hygiene
- Worker safety regulations
- Safety Education
- Safety management
- Risk and hazard assessment
- Public health
- Fire hazards
- Environmental regulations
- Waste management
- Safety engineering
- Workplace illnesses and injuries
In a bachelors program, in addition to your major courses, you’ll also take general education courses that cover foundational subjects in science, math, literature, and more.
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These types of programs are beneficial for students who wish to pursue careers in occupational health and safety. Potential career paths include health and safety engineer, environmental protection specialist, compliance officer, or occupational health and safety specialist.
Some graduates decide to work toward further education in the field, such as getting a master’s degree in occupational health and safety. They may also choose to pursue graduate studies in related areas, such as engineering, compliance, or environmental science.
Occupational Health and Safety Careers and Salaries
Graduates with degrees in safety typically pursue roles analyzing or managing health and safety hazards. They might work as health and safety technicians, specialists, or managers in a range of fields, including healthcare, construction, engineering, and manufacturing.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, here are the median wages for some career paths associated with occupational health and safety.
| Careers | Annual Median Salaries |
| Compliance Managers (Included in Managers, All Other) | $124,650 |
| Health and Safety Engineers | $99,040 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $77,560 |
| Emergency Management Directors | $76,730 |
| Compliance Officers | $71,650 |
| Fire Inspectors | $63,080 |
| Construction and Building Inspectors | $61,640 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Technicians | $51,120 |
| Health Education Specialists and Community Health Workers | $48,860 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians | $47,370 |
Roles in environmental protection may involve inspecting companies and public areas to make sure they don’t pose environmental hazards.
Fire inspectors, construction and building inspectors, and other similar roles are essential to ensuring that buildings are built and maintained according to safety regulations. Fire inspectors may also work to prevent forest or field fires that could instigate a major public safety risk.
Occupational Health and Safety Bachelors Curriculum & Courses
The curriculum for a bachelor’s degree in occupational health and safety online can vary, but here are a few common courses in this field of study:
- Fundamentals of Occupational Safety and Health: You’ll learn the basics of worker safety, regulations, and the issues that arise in this field.
- Emergency Medical Training: This class teaches you the fundamentals of what it takes to be an emergency medical technician, including the operations involved in the role.
- Global Issues in Occupational Safety and Health: You’ll learn the international challenges in occupational safety and how risk assessment can be different between cultures.
- Fundamentals of Industrial Hygiene: This course goes over best practices for the handling of hazardous materials, cleanliness regulations, harmful substance exposure, and more.
- Facility Water Quality and Management: You’ll learn how to monitor, analyze, and manage water quality to avoid public health issues.
- Loss Control Management and Measurement: This class teaches you how to handle any exposure to hazards and everything that these substances can affect.
- Environmental Issues for Safety and Health: You’ll learn methods for preventing environmental hazards and improving conservation efforts.
- Air Contaminants and Industrial Ventilation: This course teaches about EPA regulations and how to monitor and manage air pollution.
- Ergonomics and Biomechanics: You’ll learn about the effect that workplace equipment can have on the body’s muscular and skeletal systems.
- Construction Safety Management: This class dives into best practices for construction workers and managers when it comes to managing risk and implementing safety procedures.
In addition to classes like these, you may have the opportunity to apply for internships or participate in capstone projects.
Online Safety Degree Admissions Requirements
When applying for an occupational health and safety degree online, you may encounter some of the following admissions requirements:
- High school diploma or GED equivalent
- SAT or ACT scores (only some schools require them)
- High school transcripts
- Personal essay
While these may be the most common admissions requirements, some schools may also have a minimum high school GPA requirement that they use your transcript to verify. In place of a high school diploma, some schools accept a GED or credits from an associates program.
Occupational Safety Degrees Accreditation
Much like with an online public safety administration degree program, before choosing a school to get your occupational health and safety degree online from, it’s strategic to verify that it’s regionally accredited. If a school has regional accreditation, it has met a series of standards for academic quality.
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You can check the US Department of Education’s website to learn more about regional accreditation and accredited schools. Receiving your education from a regionally accredited school may help you stand out when looking for jobs after graduation.
ABET Accreditation
The Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) is the preferred accreditation for occupational safety programs. ABET awards accreditation to postsecondary programs that have met the standards necessary to help prepare graduates to work in STEM careers.
ABET focuses on schools that offer programs in engineering, natural science, computing, and engineering technology subjects. With over 2,200 experts in the academic and professional arenas, ABET assesses programs to ensure they’re delivering high-quality education.
Financial Aid and Scholarships
If you want to look into your options for financial aid, you can visit the Federal Student Aid website and review the different types of government aid available for qualifying students.
Varying types of financial aid may be available from the federal government, your state government, public and private organizations, and the school you’re attending. Undergraduate students can often apply for work-study programs, scholarships, grants, and more. You can also look into Direct Unsubsidized Loans, which are granted to qualifying students that demonstrate financial need.
What Is an Occupational Health and Safety Degree?
An occupational health and safety degree is a bachelors program that focuses on teaching you how to assess, enforce, and manage safety regulations in a variety of settings. These programs also show students how to assess risk, respond to disasters, educate others, and more.
Occupational health and safety can be applied to a wide range of fields, so these degrees tend to cover a variety of safety risks. You may learn about everything from fire safety and environmental hazards to water quality and management.
What Can You Do with a Bachelors Degree in Occupational Safety and Health?
Most graduates with an occupational health and safety online degree pursue roles in which they can ensure the safety of buildings, workplaces, or environments.
Many work as compliance officers and occupational health and safety specialists in a range of industries. They may also apply to be health and safety engineers, fire inspectors, construction and building inspectors, environmental protection technicians, and more.
Some graduates pursue teaching or training roles, where they can show others how to perform occupational safety tasks. Others pursue further education, often in the form of a master’s degree in the field or a graduate degree in engineering or management.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Bachelor in Occupational Safety and Health Degree Online?
The timeframe for completing an online degree in occupational health and safety may vary, depending on your school’s academic calendar and your enrollment status.
Most traditional bachelors programs take 4 years to complete. If you attend classes full-time and enroll in a typical 16 week semester, you can most likely graduate in 4 years. If you attend classes full-time, follow an 8 week semester, and enroll in a year-round program, you could likely finish in less time. This accelerated track often involves taking classes during the summer.
What Jobs Can You Get with an Online Occupational Health and Safety Degree?
Professionals with an online degree in occupational health and safety may work in a variety of fields. Occupational health and safety specialists, technicians, and directors are needed in fields such as engineering, construction, healthcare, environmental protection, and more.
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In the engineering arena, they may hold careers as health and safety engineers, such as product safety engineers or fire prevention and protection engineers. Those in the healthcare field may manage risk and enforce regulations in hospitals, community centers, outpatient care centers, and more. Professionals in the field may also act as compliance officers or managers.
Is a Bachelor Degree in Occupational Health and Safety Online Worth It?
Yes, a bachelor degree in occupational health and safety online is worth it for many students. It’s essential for buildings, workplaces, and other public settings to be safe and non-hazardous. Professionals in this line of work perform an essential role in public health and safety.
These roles are necessary in a range of industries, and occupational health and safety majors may pursue work in construction, engineering, environmental protection, manufacturing, and more. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 4% job growth for both compliance officers and occupational health and safety specialists over the next ten years.
Universities Offering Online Bachelors in Occupational Health and Safety Degree Programs
Methodology: The following school list is in alphabetical order. To be included, a college or university must be regionally accredited and offer degree programs online or in a hybrid format.
Arkansas State University offers a Bachelor of Science in Occupational and Environmental Safety and Health program online. Potential courses include Control of Occupational Hazards, Industrial Hygiene Sampling and Analysis, and Epidemiology. The program typically offers accelerated coursework and multiple start dates per year. Up to 90 of the 120 required credit hours may be transferred from outside institutions.
Arkansas State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Athens State University offers a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Health and Safety Management program online. The program is designed to teach skills in risk management, safety and health management, loss control, and environmental health. The program requires the completion of 120 credits, and at least 36 transferable credit hours from a regionally accredited institution must have been earned prior to admission.
Athens State University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Capitol Technology University offers an online program for a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Safety and Health. This program aims to teach skills to support the safety and well-being of employees in a variety of industries. Classes typically teach concepts like safety regulations, ergonomics, industrial hygiene, and hazardous material management. The program requires the completion of 121 credits.
Capitol Technology University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
Columbia Southern University offers a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Safety and Health program online. Courses typically teach topics like health-related theory, safety regulations, and occupational hazards. The program may allow for the transfer of up to 90 of the 120 required credits from outside institutions.
Columbia Southern University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Central Washington University offers a Bachelor of Applied Science in Risk, Insurance, and Safety Management program online. The program seeks to teach skills for occupational health roles through both classroom and technical, experiential learning. The completion of an associate’s degree in occupational safety and health or a closely related area is typically required for admission. The program requires at least 180 credit hours.
CWU is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.
Eastern Kentucky University offers an online program for a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Safety. The curriculum aims to provide skills to manage employee safety and regulatory compliance in the workplace. The program offers internships that typically include hands-on experience in the field. The program may be completed in just 2.5 years.
Eastern Kentucky University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University offers a Bachelor of Science in Safety Management program online. Potential courses include Industrial Hygiene and Toxicology, System Safety Management, and Ergonomics. The program is designed to provide practical and analytical knowledge required for roles in occupational safety and requires the completion of 121 credit hours.
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Indiana State University offers a Bachelor of Science in Safety Management program online. A required 1 week on-campus summer lab is designed to provide hands-on experience. The program aims to teach the skills necessary for careers such as safety manager, industrial hygienist, loss control specialist, and environmental health manager.
Indiana State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Missouri Southern State University offers an online program for a Bachelor of Applied Science in Environmental Health and Safety. The program aims to teach skills and knowledge needed for industry certification and entry- level roles. The completion of at least 120 credits is required and an associate degree in a related discipline must have been earned prior to admission.
MSSU is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
North Carolina A&T State University offers an online program for a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Health and Safety. Specializations include Safety and Health Specialist, Industrial Hygiene Manager, Corporate Industrial Hygienist, and Compliance Specialist. The program commonly combines key concepts from disciplines like engineering, business, health sciences, and mathematics.
North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Oakland University offers a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Health and Safety program online. Potential courses include Fire Prevention and Protection, Environmental Standards, Ergonomics, and Industrial Toxicology.
The program is designed to teach skills and knowledge necessary to work in heavy industry, light manufacturing, service industries, health care, insurance companies, labor organizations, and government service.
Oakland University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Pittsburg State University offers a Bachelor of Science in Workforce Development program online. Emphases include Supervision and Leadership, Human Resources, and Hospitality Management. The program is designed to prepare for careers such as human resource coordinator, risk analyst, director of safety, training manager, and manufacturing engineer.
Pittsburg State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
Southeastern Oklahoma State University offers a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Safety and Health program online. Classes typically teach topics like construction safety, compliance, epidemiology, hazard control, and liability. The program commonly offers several start dates throughout fall, spring, and summer. Up to 90 of the 124 required credits required by the program may be transferred in from other institutions.
Southeastern Oklahoma State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Texas A&M University–Commerce offers an online program for a Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences in Safety and Health.
The program is designed to teach skills required to apply for the Graduate Safety Practitioner certification offered by the Board of Certified Safety Professionals. Classes are typically 7 weeks long and the program may be completed 2 years of full-time study when entering with an earned associate’s degree.
Texas A&M University-Commerce is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Trident University International offers an online program for a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences with a concentration in Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety.
Potential courses include Ethics in Healthcare, Cross Cultural Health Perspectives, and Health Behavior. The program is designed to teach skills and knowledge needed in health departments, government institutions, health agencies, clinics, hospitals, and businesses.
Trident University International is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
The University of Alaska–Anchorage offers a Bachelor of Science in Safety and Health program online. Concentrations include Construction Safety Management, Process Safety, Incident Investigation and Analysis, and Legal Aspects of Occupational Safety and Health.
The program aims to provide knowledge and skills needed as safety engineers, environmental safety specialists, fire protection engineers, and general health specialists.
UAA is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.
The University of Arizona offers an online program for a Bachelor of Science in Public Health with an emphasis in Environmental and Occupational Health. Additional specializations are typically available in areas like agriculture, engineering, data science, sustainability, and biomedical science. A second-semester proficiency in a language other than English is required to graduate.
The University of Arizona is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
The University of Central Missouri offers a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Safety partially online. Summer courses are commonly offered entirely online, but some fall and spring semester courses may require on-campus work.
Potential classes include Elementary Biochemistry, Noise Measurements, and Industrial Ventilation for Environmental Safety. The program is designed to teach skills in mitigating environmental hazards, supporting employee safety, and working in healthcare.
The University of Central Missouri is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
The University of Maryland Global Campus offers a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Management program online. The program seeks to teach research, analysis, leadership, and problem-solving skills. Up to 90 of the program’s 120 required credit hours may be transferred in from a previously attended institution.
UMGC is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
The University of Wisconsin–Whitewater offers an online program for a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Safety. The program typically teaches concepts like customer safety, health, productivity, regulatory compliance, and environmental hazards. Completion of the program may lead to eligibility to earn a Graduate Safety Practitioner certification offered by the Board of Certified Safety Professionals.
UW-Whitewater is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Waldorf University offers a Bachelor of Arts in Occupational Safety program online. Potential courses include Fundamentals of Occupational Safety and Health, Environmental, Health, and Safety Management, Fundamentals of Industrial Hygiene, and Introduction to Fire Prevention. The program is designed to teach skills needed to manage industrial hygiene, construction safety, fire safety, and risk.
Waldorf University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Getting Your Bachelors in Occupational Health and Safety Degree Online
Professionals in the field of occupational health and safety have the essential job of keeping the public safe from physical, environmental, and chemical hazards.
If you enjoy helping people, you might consider earning an online occupational health and safety degree to study these topics and have opportunities to practice them. Graduates may pursue roles in a range of industries, depending on their interests and skills. They might spend their days inspecting buildings, enforcing workplace safety regulations, preventing forest fires, or teaching occupational safety to others.
You can explore accredited universities that offer occupational health and safety degrees online to start working toward a career in this growing field.
