What Kind Of Public Safety Administration Degree Should You Get
The most common degree at the undergraduate level is the bachelor of science in public safety administration. Some programs will allow students to specialize in a particular type of public safety . However, most of the time the program will consist of a wide variety of classes.
A very similar degree related to public safety is criminal justice. Some schools combine the two degrees or have the option of taking additional courses in criminal justice for credit. Although both fields focus on public service, criminal justice is more related to the systems that work to analyze patterns and prevent crime.
Click here for a list of College Choices 35 best online criminal justice degrees.
Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania
Bachelors in Safety Management
Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania
Undergraduate Tuition: $9,984
One of the top occupational health and safety schools on our list offering a health and safety degree is Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania. This program prepares students for roles in occupational and safety, including compliance officer, fire safety manager, risk manager, safety administrator, and security manager. In this program, students will gain hands-on experience through a 12-credit internship completed before graduation. Classes required for the program cover topics like contemporary safety topics and issues, construction safety, introduction to safety, and principles of industrial hygiene. Electives include topics like environmental permitting and sustainability and motor transportation fleet safety. In addition to being fully accredited, Slippery Rock ranks with U.S. News and World Report as the 83rd best regional university in the North.
Common Classes In Online Occupational Health And Safety Degree Programs
Occupational health and safety degrees offer a wide variety of courses designed both to familiarize you with the discipline and help you build and hone specialized skills over time. Whether youre working toward an associate degree or post-graduate certificate, the courses listed below are likely to come across your radar.
Fundamentals of Occupational Safety and Health
Typically taken during the first semester of studies, this course provides an overview of historical and contemporary approaches to occupational safety and health, looks at regulatory frameworks and standards within the field, and introduces common hazard assessment tools used by professionals.
OSHA Standards
A government agency, OSHA sets specific and strict rules around compliance this course helps you understand those rules. Topics include common policies and interpretations, common violations, workplace compliance processes, enforcement procedures, and internal training programs.
Industrial Hygiene
This course helps you build the skills needed to anticipate, identify, evaluate, and handle conditions within a workplace that could potentially cause illness or injury. You will learn about scientific principles, evaluate management practices, familiarize yourself with common hazards, and develop the tools needed to identify potential areas of harm.
Occupational Safety Program Development and Management
Advanced Concepts in Environmental Safety Management
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Accreditation For An Aviation Degree
When researching aviation colleges, prospective students should ensure a school possesses proper accreditation. Accreditation functions to regulate colleges and universities, demonstrating that an institution meets nationally and regionally designated education standards. A school that lacks proper accreditation may not adequately prepare students for work in their chosen field.
Accreditation comes in two major forms: national and regional. National accreditation serves trade and vocational schools, while regional accreditation serves traditional four-year colleges. Most colleges offering aviation programs should be regionally accredited by one of the six major regional accreditation agencies. The Council for Higher Education Accreditation provides a list of approved accrediting organizations for more information on these agencies.
While a college as a whole may possess regional or national accreditation, individual programs can also hold programmatic accreditation from industry-specific accreditation agencies. Many aviation programs are accredited by the Aviation Accreditation Board International.
What Is An Online Occupational Safety Degree
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Professionals working in the occupational safety field are some of the unsung heroes of today. They labor relentlessly behind the scenes of everyday life to protect against dangers seen and unseen, prevent accidents, injuries, and damages to life or property, and promote the well-being of our community. Working as a critical line of safety and health defense requires patience, teamwork, physical and mental stamina, critical thinking, and a keen eye basically the same traits as a superhero. But before this fulfilling and rewarding career path can be tread, a degree must be earned.
Occupational Safety Degree
A bachelors degree in occupational safety is the first step towards becoming an authority in the protection of others. It is a comprehensive degree that nurtures growth within the industry through practical, theoretical, and expansive courses. Studies cover topics from employee safety education to regulatory compliance, as well as understanding policies and enforcement. The degree also encompasses occupational safety concepts and their implementation. Crucial aspects of the job such as identifying and analyzing workplace hazards, actual and potential, or design and utilization of safety measures are included in the coursework as well.
Topics of Study
In the degree, topics of study include:
Along with the core studies, supporting courses centralize around specialty areas for people with specific desires such as:
Career Paths
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Overview Of Online Bachelor’s In Occupational Safety Degrees
An OSH bachelor’s degree provides students with the skills and knowledge to make various workplaces hazard-free through foundational training in subjects, such as emergency management and accident investigation. Graduates often enter jobs in manufacturing or governmental sectors to confirm that employees are adhering to strict safety, environmental, and health regulations.
A bachelor’s in OSH typically includes 120-124 credit hours and is designed to be completed in four years by full-time students. However, part-time learners may take between five and seven years to finish their degree. Students who cannot relocate or need to fit classes around a work schedule can pursue an online program in occupational safety.
Are you unsure about pursuing occupational safety? Explore our comprehensive list of online bachelor’s programs.
What Is Our Role
We consult with various departments and groups concerning compliance with laws, regulations and policy regarding environmental health and safety. We assist with developing compliance strategies in several common areas: hazardous waste management, fire and life safety, biological safety, chemical hygiene, recycling, environmental compliance, and other relevant areas.
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Featured Online Colleges For Quality Control And Safety In 2018
When enrolling in a school, it is important to choose a college that suits your educational and financial needs. To help with your decision, we’ve put together this list of five featured online colleges offering online programs in quality control and safety. Data for this list came from the National Center for Education Statistics’ Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System , which we analyzed using our proprietary methodology. Check out these schools as you decide which program is right for you.
Degree Overview: Quality Control & Safety
Quality control and safety can be a rewarding field, particularly when it results in food, healthcare, or manufactured items that are safer for their consumers. Quality assurance is an important part of the career and will be addressed in many different degree programs. The section below describes the coursework that a student might explore in online quality control safety programs, as well as the work-relevant skills that coursework may foster.
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Best Values In Occupational Safety Degree Programs Methodology
We reviewed approximately 65 colleges and universities listed by the Center for Educational Statistics College Navigator and reputable online sources that offer affordable occupational safety degree programs for less than $15,000 per year. We narrowed our original pool of schools by applying the following criteria: regional or national accreditation, full- or part-time completion pathways, program and/or school rankings with U.S. News and World Report, and tuition/fees less than $15,000 per year. We then ranked the top 20 occupational safety degree programs according to raw affordability.
Below is our list of 20 best values in occupational safety degree programs of 2021.
Earn Your Safety Degree Online
San Juan Colleges online Occupational Safety Degree and Commercial Construction Safety Degree is designed to prepare students for entry-level safety positions in the growing field of environmental, health, occupational and commercial construction safety. Seasoned safety professionals will gain an academic credential to help advance their career.
Upon graduation youll be knowledgeable in:
- Hazard assessment in the workplace
- Applying regulatory requirements and industry best practices
- Safety training
- Cost analysis and budgeting
- General safety management
The online Occupational Safety program meets the requirements for the industry recognized Board of Certified Safety Professionals. The online Commercial Construction Safety program positions you to gain the designation of Construction Safety and Health Technician .
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What Can You Do With A Degree In Public Safety Administration
An undergraduate degree in this field prepares graduates for entry-level positions in public safety agencies. This can include federal government bureaus, police departments, fire departments, or wildlife protection agencies. In general, once graduates determine the specific area they would like to work in, they may study for any certificates necessary to perform their job.
Other careers within public safety are correctional officers, health educators, counselors, or security guards. Because the curriculum is very broad, students may wish to pursue a masters in public safety administration after working a few years to gain upper management positions.
North Carolina A & T State University
Online Bachelors in Environmental Health and Safety
Greensboro, North Carolina
Undergraduate Tuition: $6,657
The North Carolina A & T State University occupational health and safety degree programs online are accredited by the Association of Technology, Management, and Applied Engineering . Companies that have hired NCAT graduates include ConAgra, Department of Labor, Miller Brewing, and Toyota. All of the programs within the Built Environment Department boast an 80%-90% employment rate among graduates. North Carolina A& T is also the first university in the United States to offer a fully online bachelors degree in environmental health and safety. In addition to accreditation, NC A& T State ranks #272 in best national universities and #68 in most innovative schools.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Bachelor’s In Environmental Health And Safety Programs
Considering the fact that people with a bachelor’s in environmental health and safety earn an average base salary of $70,000 per year according to December 2021 Payscale data, most people would probably agree that it is a worthwhile degree.
However, you should also consider the cost of the degree. If you attend a private college, the tuition is often much higher, so you will have to earn more to recoup your investment in the degree. It may be a good idea to choose a low-cost college to keep your investment to a minimum.
Common job titles for someone with a bachelor’s in environmental health and safety include environmental health and safety specialist, environmental health and safety manager, safety manager, safety specialist, and safety coordinator.
Many companies hire environmental health and safety professionals to evaluate their safety guidelines and ensure that they are sufficient to keep employees safe from harm. Environmental health and safety professionals also ensure that the company follows the necessary procedures to keep from harming the environment.
The demand for environmental health and safety professionals is about average. The BLS projects that jobs for these professionals will increase 7% from 2020-30. This growth rate should result in approximately 8,800 new jobs for occupational health and safety specialists by 2030.
How We Determined The Best Occupational Safety And Health Colleges
We looked at the following data from the NCES and College Scorecard data from ED.gov to understand what Occupational Safety And Health departments offer the best career opportunities:
- Percentage of Graduating Class That Are Business Majors
- Mean Earnings After 10 Years
- Mean Earnings After 6 Years
- Admission Rate
- Average cost of attendance
- Median amount of debt
- Ratio of people working to not working after 10 years
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What Else Can I Expect From A Bachelor’s In Public Safety Administration Program
Your undergraduate experience depends largely on the program you choose. For example, some programs may feature specializations within the broader field of public safety, allowing you the opportunity to prepare for specific careers. Other programs may offer electives, giving students the chance to customize their learning as they see fit. Tuition and the time required to graduate can also vary considerably across programs.
Certifications And Licenses A Bachelor’s In Public Safety Administration Prepares For
While the exact requirements vary from state to state, all law enforcement officers must complete some form of professional training in addition to their education. Typically, police and peace officer cadets take classes in areas like constitutional law, civil rights, and police ethics. They also receive specialized training in the use of firearms, first aid, and emergency response.
Offered by the International Association of Emergency Managers , the CEM credential signals expertise in planning for and responding to a variety of natural and man-made disasters. To become certified, candidates must meet experience and education requirements, submit professional references and an essay, and pass a multiple-choice exam. IAEM requires that this credential be renewed every five years.
Offered by the Disaster Recovery Institute International , the CBCP credential recognizes individuals who have demonstrated advanced knowledge and skill in the area of business continuity and disaster recovery. Candidates for certification must have at least two years of relevant professional experience and pass a qualifying exam. You must renew this credential every two years.
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Missouri Southern State University
Missouri Southern State University was established in 1937 with the original name Joplin Community College. It was not until 1968 that they became a four-year institution of higher learning, and officially took on the name Missouri State University in 1977. Their campus is situated on 373 acres of land in the town of Joplin, Missouri. The campus includes a massive stadium and softball fields, accommodating their sports programming. Their mascot is known as the Lions. Their student life is active, with over 70 clubs and organizations that cater to their diverse student population. Their total enrollment is close to 5,700 students.
Missouri Southern State University offers a Bachelors of Science in Environmental Health and Safety. This course of study trains students to control and contain potential hazards in the workplace and beyond. This particular program is among 30 others in the country who are accredited by the National Environmental Health and Science Accreditation Council. Graduates of the program might go on to serve public health departments with the purpose of ensuring water and restaurants are safe for consumers and workers. Students will also train for careers as safety and health inspectors. Students will also be qualified to work for environmental protection agencies.
- Program Cost:$$$$$
- Degree:Environmental Health and Safety, BS
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Grand Valley State University
Grand Valley State University was officially founded in 1960, though the vision of this four-year institution that would serve the Grand Rapids region began in 1958. Their primary campus sits on 1,322 acres of land in the town of Allendale, Michigan, just 15 minutes from Grand Rapids. They host additional classes at a site in downtown Grand Rapids and also have an international campus in Holland. Their total student enrollment exceeds 25,000, placing them into the category of one of the largest 100 universities in the country. Their program offerings include over 200 disciplines. They are classified as more selective concerning admissions by the US News and World Report.
Grand Valley State University offers a bachelors of science degree program in occupational safety and health management . This program not only prepares students to achieve their professional certification, but it also positions participants to be able to obtain entry-level positions in safety management. The education at Grand Valley is steeped in values concerning ethical and professional behavior, as well as social responsibility, respect, and a commitment to lifelong learning. Students in the program will have the opportunity to participate in an internship that provides hands-on career-based training and experience. Students will have access to advisors that will support them throughout their academic experience.
- Program Cost:$$$$$
- Degree:Occupational Safety & Health Management, BS
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Why Get An Occupational Safety And Health Degree
The field of Occupational Health and Safety as a focus represents a variety of majors youll find these in engineering departments alongside mechanical engineering and civil engineering. The field of Industrial Hygiene is also a similar field. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is the governmental body that works closely with the Department of Labor to ensure the safety of workers. Given the growth of global business, as well as the increasing technology and use of machines high-tech machines, the need for people who specialize in worker wellness, and safe industry growth will only increase as time goes on.
As mentioned above, there are several options for people who are already committed to a line of work and are looking to enhance their ability to influence that line of work in the direction of safety for others who do what they do. Anyone thinking about enhancing their career from this angle, ought to look no further than Value Colleges 25 Best Value Occupational Safety and Health Degrees. The Bureau of Labor Statistics puts the growth of the field of Health and Safety Engineers at 9% between 2016 and 2026. Some other careers that fall into this category include Construction and Building Inspectors, Fire Inspectors, Industrial Engineers, Mining and Geological Engineers, and Occupational Health and Safety Specialists and Technicians. Each of these is growing at a bit of a faster pace, a projected 10% by 2026.
What Can I Do With A Degree In Occupational Health And Safety
Careers in OHS are many and expected to grow by 7%, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, which is as fast as average for all occupations. Employment in manufacturing/industry, construction, hospitals/health systems, local, state, and federal government agencies, consulting services, are examples of employment for entry-level positions and more.
As described by the Occupational Health and Safety Administration , a BS in this field will qualify you as a specialist or technician. As such, youll be responsible to employ and enforce safety regulations develop processes, analyze and write reports, investigate accidents, incidents, or complaints, and more.
Other careers, as listed by the BLS, include Health and Safety Engineers, Construction and Building Inspectors, Environmental Science and Protection, Fire Inspectors, Environmental Scientists and Specialists, or Emergency Management Directors, etc. Some job titles include: Risk Manager, Compliance Officer, Industrial Hygienist, Safety Engineer, Environmental Health and Safety Director or Manager, Safety Coordinator, etc.
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