2023 Best Online Occupational Safety Degrees

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.

Common Courses

OSH professionals must know how to identify, communicate, and address safety concerns in various contexts. Therefore, core coursework in an online bachelor's degree program includes classes on fire safety, handling dangerous materials, and ergonomics, to name a few. The curriculum also helps build skills, such as risk management, communication, and problem-solving. Online students learn about the legal, financial, and technical aspects of health and safety while being introduced to emerging challenges in the field.

Explore some of the standard required online courses for this degree below.

• Accident Investigation: Typically listed as an elective, this class teaches students how to analyze hazardous situations in the workplace. Students apply causal theories and models to real-world accident scenarios while being trained in accident investigation in order to develop improved safety practices.
• Construction Safety Management: This course covers safety practices relevant to workers and clients in the construction industry. It introduces students to the tools, metrics, and principles used to measure and manage risk at worksites. Specific topics include safety procedures for machinery, workplace violence, and handling hazardous substances.
• Environmental Issues for Safety and Health: Due to increasing climate change concerns, this class covers how industrial practices can be designed to prevent sea, air, and land pollution. Students learn best practices in the field while preparing for a career in environmental science, particularly as it relates to conservation efforts.
• Fundamentals of Occupational Safety and Health: This class introduces students to the field of OSH. Students learn how legal and regulatory measures about worker safety have historically evolved. They also learn about the role of safety professionals in the workplace, including challenges they face.
• Fundamentals of Industrial Hygiene: In this class, students prepare to become industrial hygienists by learning about OSH practices concerning hazardous materials and substances that cause illnesses. In addition to studying the laws that regulate industrial cleanliness, students also learn about practices that prevent exposure to harmful substances.

Career Paths for Occupational Safety Graduates

A bachelor's degree in occupational safety prepares graduates with the knowledge necessary to work in several industries. For example, OSH professionals ensure businesses and individuals follow procedures to stop injuries and diseases from occurring in hospitals, construction sites, schools, offices, and factories. Given their knowledge of safety practices, health professionals may also be involved in designing and implementing environmentally friendly business practices that align with federally mandated laws and regulations.

In general, employers prefer to hire individuals who have completed coursework in a degree program that has prepared them for the field. In fact, an OSH bachelor's degree is necessary for most occupational safety specialist jobs, and it also prepares students for graduate study in the field. However, only a high school diploma is required to become an OSH safety technician, so it’s possible to acquire a position in this field without prior work experience.

Below are some potential jobs that graduates can apply for with an OSH bachelor's degree:

Accreditation

Students should verify a school's accreditation status when deciding on an online degree program. An accredited college or university has been independently evaluated in areas such as curriculum strength and faculty quality to determine whether it meets the national standards for academic excellence. Accreditation is especially crucial for online learners because it signals a degree’s credibility to potential employers. It also allows all students to transfer credits and receive federal funding.

While institutional accreditation applies to a college or university as a whole, programmatic accreditation evaluates specific degree programs. The Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) is the accrediting agency for occupational safety programs. Therefore, students should choose an online occupational safety program ABET has accredited to ensure that they receive an education that meets a rigorous set of standards. Also, the vast majority of states require applicants to have an ABET-accredited degree when applying for licensure. In cases where this credential is not a requirement, applicants may still have to prove that they have significantly more work experience than an ABET-accredited degree holder.

Licensure and Certification

Aspiring occupational safety professionals can become certified through several professional bodies, many of which specialize in a particular area of health and safety, such as hazardous materials or industrial hygiene. By contrast, the Board of Certified Safety Professionals (BCSP) offers more general safety certifications.

In general, certification requires that individuals meet a particular credential’s eligibility requirements and pass a board exam. Prerequisites for professional certifications vary significantly based on the professional body and type of certificate being offered. Applicants are typically required to have a bachelor's degree and 1-4 years of experience in occupational health. However, some certifications emphasize work experience over education. For instance, the BCSP's Safety Management Specialist certification does not require a bachelor's degree, but applicants must have ten years of experience in OSH. To maintain certification, professionals must pay renewal fees and meet recertification requirements.

Education Alternatives for Online Occupational Safety Students

Though an online bachelor's degree is suitable for those interested in an occupational health and safety career, students can also pursue alternative higher education options depending on their career goals and personal circumstances.

For instance, many schools and community colleges offer an online associate of applied science (AAS) in occupational safety. A two-year associate degree prepares graduates to gain entry-level positions in a variety of industries while qualifying them for certain types of certifications. It can also prepare students for transfer to a bachelor's program. For those who want to work as safety professionals but are unsure or unable to commit to a four-year bachelor's program, an AAS in occupational therapy may be more appropriate. However, a bachelor’s degree is still necessary for most occupational safety specialist jobs, and on top of that, many certifications in this field also require that applicants have a bachelor's degree.

While an associate or bachelor's degree is often sufficient to begin working in the field of occupational safety, students may decide to continue their education with a master's degree in occupational health. This academic program allows for specialization in specific areas, such as industrial hygiene, safety management, or environmental health. In addition, a graduate degree provides students with more chances for career advancement, especially toward leadership positions.