Master of Science (MS) in Occupational Safety and Health

Earn a Master's of Science in Occupational Safety and Health, meet the industry demand for expertise

With a degree in occupational safety and health, you'll understand the requirements of what it takes for wide range of safety careers. You will acquire a strong foundation in safety, risk management, and management skills.

This program is offered completely online, in an 8 week format.

The Masters of Science in Occupational Safety and Health is recognized as a Qualified Academic Program (QAP) by the Board of Certified Safety Professionals (BCSP), meeting the qualified credential requirement for the Certified Safety Professional (CSP) certification.

What does it mean to be a Qualified Academic Program (QAP)?

A QAP is a bachelors, masters, or PhD academic degree program in safety, health, and the environment (SH&E) whose required course curriculum has been reviewed by BCSP and has been found to be a substantial match to the current Associate Safety Professional® (ASP®) examination blueprint.

Graduates of a QAP are eligible to apply for the Graduate Safety Practitioner® (GSP®), a BCSP-approved credential necessary to apply for the Certified Safety Professional® (CSP®). It is only available to SH&E graduates from degree programs which meet BCSP QAP standards.

What are the benefits to a student who becomes a GSP?

Recognition for the level of preparation for professional safety practice.
Recognition for being on a path toward the CSP certification.
A waiver of the ASP examination requirement for CSP eligibility.
A certificate awarding the GSP designation.
Inclusion in the BCSP Credential Holder Directory and a digital badge.
Access to the BCSP Career Center.(https://www.bcsp.org/GSP)

Why Capitol?

Our location is a magnet for top faculty

The Baltimore/Washington area has one of the largest concentrations of high-tech companies and contractors. Since many of our faculty are currently working in the field, you’re taught up-to-date strategies and best practices from the world’s top practitioners.

Program is 100% Online

Our master’s in occupational safety and health is offered 100% online. Once you are accepted, all you need is an Internet connection and you can attend class. We keep the classes small so you receive personalized attention from faculty who are interested in sharing their knowledge and helping you succeed.

Capitol Tech Opportunities

Capstone Project

You’ll work with faculty mentors to develop a major construction leadership project that demonstrates your mastery of construction safety knowledge.

Key Faculty

Darin Dillow

Program Director

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Dr. Drew Hinton

Adjunct Professor

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Paul Dillow

Adjunct Professor

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Dr. Tyler Asher

Adjunct Professor

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Career Opportunities

Market Demand for Occupational Safety and Health

Graduates with the M.S. in Occupational Safety and Health degree will be expected to fill mid-level to upper-level management positions in existing government organizations and private companies. The job titles include:

Regional Safety Manager
Facilities Safety Manager
Construction Safety Manager
Safety Compliance Manager
Construction Site Safety Manager
Corporate Safety Program Manager

Degree Details

Curriculum

To apply to a graduate degree program, you should have completed a bachelor's degree or be completing a bachelor's degree prior to enrollment and should have a 3.0 cumulative grade point average or higher.

Curriculum

Master of Science in Occupational Safety and Health - 36 credits

SAF-600 Construction Safety Math and Metrics	3
SAF-610 Advanced Industrial Hygiene (Prerequisite: SAF-600)	3
SAF-620 Advanced Hazardous Materials (Prerequisite: SAF-600)	3
SAF-630 Advanced Environmental Management (Prerequisite: SAF-600)	3
SAF-640 Construction Ergonomics (Prerequisite: SAF-600)	3
SAF-650 Specific Construction Hazards	3
SAF-660 Construction Safety Program Development (Prerequisite: SAF-650)	3
SAF-670 Advanced Safety Management Systems (Prerequisite: SAF-660)	3
SAF-680 Construction Risk Management Methods (Prerequisite: SAF-670)	3
SAF-700 Safety in Facilities and Capital Construction	3
SAF-710 Training Performance and Evaluation	3
SAF-720 Construction Safety Leadership (Prerequisites: SAF-610, SAF-620, SAF-630, SAF-640, SAF-680, SAF-700, and SAF-710)	3

Educational Objectives:
1. Prepare students to conduct themselves in full compliance with the standard and requirements of the Board of Certified Safety Professional (BCSP).
2. Prepare students to create and implement occupational health and safety programs within the construction industry.
3. Prepare students to identify the full breadth of safety risks and hazards in a construction environment and establish a hierarch of controls.
4. Prepare students to identify the full breadth of health risks and hazards in a construction environment and establish a hierarch of controls.
5. Prepare students to apply and seek knowledge in construction safety and occupational health and safety and adapt to emerging occupational health and safety trends in construction.
6. Prepare students to lead emergency preparedness and manage emergencies in a construction environment.
7. Prepare students to be effective communicators and ethical leaders within the construction safety profession.
Learning Outcomes:

Upon graduation:
1. Graduates will evaluate the legal and ethical principles applicable to Construction Safety and demonstrate the ability to apply these principles in the leadership decision-making process.
2. Graduates will integrate theory and the practice of Construction Safety in the process of complex problem solving within the occupational health and safety field.
3. Graduate will demonstrate a mastery of traditional and technological techniques of communications ideas effectively and persuasively in the occupational health and safety environment in construction.
4. Graduates will demonstrate and apply in-depth knowledge as it relates to Construction Safety.
5. Graduates will contribute effectively to the achievement of organizational construction safety goals in a team environment.
6. Graduates will demonstrate the highly developed communication and collaboration skills required of effective Construction Safety professionals.

Tuition & Fees

Tuition rates are subject to change.

The following rates are in effect for the 2022-2023 academic year, beginning in Fall 2022 and continuing through Summer 2023:

The per credit charge for graduate courses:
- Online or satellite campus (per credit) - $630, plus fees (information technology and other applicable fees)
- Independent study (per credit) - $877, plus fees (information technology and other applicable fees)
The active duty military tuition rate is $350 per credit, plus fees (additional discounts and scholarships do not apply)
The retired military tuition rate is $530 per credit, plus fees (additional discounts and scholarships do not apply)
There is no charge for online application, $40 fee for paper application

For 2023-2024 masters tuition and fees, click here.

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