Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Occupational Health and Safety

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Earn a doctorate degree in occupational health and safety, advance both scholarly research and your career

The rapid infusion of new technology, techniques, and materials into every workplace is creating new challenges for occupational health and safety professionals in every work environment. The pressures to identify hazardous conditions and prevent injury or harm to people in the workplace is greater now than at any time in the past. Many employers now view safe workplace practices as a key component of generating and maintaining a strong stream of revenue.

Capitol Technology University’s online PhD program in occupational health and safety is designed to provide industry professionals with an opportunity to conduct the in-depth research and investigation needed to develop solutions to meet a wide variety of industry needs. Through this research-based, online doctorate, you’ll engage quickly in research and publishing without the limitations inherent in traditional coursework models. While completing the program you’ll aid in the creation of new knowledge and ideas and become prepared for a variety of leadership roles in occupational health and safety, or for teaching roles in higher education.

As a doctoral student in occupational health and safety at Capitol Tech, you’ll enter the program with a research idea and a chair will be assigned to develop this into a full research proposal. After enrollment, you’ll work with your chair and research committee to develop further your research proposal. You’ll then work independently to produce a meaningful body of original research of publishable quality. In the process, you’ll also gain valuable insight into the legal, political, ethical, and social dimensions of your field of study.

This is a research based doctorate PhD degree where you will be assigned an academic supervisor almost immediately to guide you through your program and is based on mostly independent study through the entire program. It typically takes a minimum of two years but typically three years to complete if a student works closely with their assigned academic advisor. Under the guidance of your academic supervisor, you will conduct unique research in your chosen field before submitting a Thesis or being published in three academic journals agreed to by the academic supervisor.  If by publication route it will require original contribution to knowledge or understanding in the field you are investigating.

As your PhD progresses, you move through a series of progression points and review stages by your academic supervisor. This ensures that you are engaged in a process of research that will lead to the production of a high-quality Thesis and/or publications and that you are on track to complete this in the time available. Following submission of your PhD Thesis or accepted three academic journal articles, you have an oral presentation assessed by an external expert in your field.