Bachelor of Science in Occupational Safety
Online
DURATION
120 Hours
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Request application deadline
EARLIEST START DATE
Request earliest startdate
TUITION FEES
USD 443 / per credit *
STUDY FORMAT
Distance Learning
* per credit hour
Introduction
The professional demands of occupational safety specialists are changing rapidly in the modern workforce. Success depends on the ability to adapt to diverse workplace settings, constantly changing codes and regulations, and unforeseen hazards and threats.
EKU’s online bachelor of science in occupational safety degree can help you grow with the industry and cement a career as a safety leader. Expand your knowledge by diving into topics ranging from employee safety education to regulatory compliance to policy and enforcement. You can immediately apply your newfound knowledge in your current position or pursue new career opportunities and increased responsibility.
Benefits of EKU Online
EKU is a Qualified Academic Program (QAP) of the Board of Certified Safety Professionals. Graduates of our bachelor’s program are eligible to apply for the Graduate Safety Practitioner (GSP) credential, which is a necessary requirement for earning a Certified Safety Professional (CSP) certification. With EKU Online, you can learn leadership skills, preventive strategies, and response tactics, and do more than just meet industry standards — you can set them.
Program benefits include:
- Accelerated 8-week terms
- Courses begin 6 times per year
- Free textbooks through EKU BookSmart
- No application fee
- No campus visits are required
- Gain a competitive advantage from EKU’s internship agreements, industry affiliations, and Career Development and Placement Office
- Graduate in as few as 2.5 years
- Learn from expert public and private sector safety professionals
- Earn credit for prior safety experience through our credit for prior learning portfolio process
- Reduced tuition for active duty service members and their spouses
- Advance your education while remaining active as a safety professional
- Personalized graduation plan
- Free online tutoring and career services assistance
- Ranked by U.S. News & World Report among the best universities offering online degrees
Admissions
Scholarships and Funding
EKU Online offers a range of scholarships designed to address the financial needs of our students, lower the overall cost of attendance, and reward a student’s scholastic achievements. In addition to the scholarship programs listed below, EKU has other privately funded awards available through the EKU Foundation. Follow the links below to learn more about scholarship opportunities.
EKU University Scholarships
Start Strong Scholarship Fund
The Start Strong Scholarship provides up to $2,000 per year of need-based scholarship funds for newly admitted undergraduate students. Candidates must have a completed FAFSA application but are not required to be eligible for FAFSA-awarded funding.
Stay Strong Scholarship Fund
The Stay Strong Scholarship provides up to $1,000 per year of need-based scholarship funds for qualified undergraduate students who have completed two semesters with EKU Online and have earned a 3.5 GPA or higher than their previous semester. Candidates must have a completed FAFSA application but are not required to be eligible for FAFSA-awarded funding. While funds last
Omega Nu Lambda Honor Society Scholarship Fund
In recognition of your accomplishments as an online student, the Omega Nu Lambda Honor Society provides members with an opportunity to apply for a scholarship in both fall and spring. Fall scholarships are announced in November and spring are announced in April.
EKU Foundation Scholarship
The Eastern Kentucky University Foundation, through the generosity of its donors, offers a variety of scholarship opportunities to deserving students. EKU Foundation scholarships are awarded through the University Scholarship Office and at college and department levels. New and renewable awards of EKU Foundation scholarships are subject to available funds each year.
Departmental Scholarships
Departmental scholarships are awarded by specific EKU departments. The type, amount, and criteria for these scholarships will vary by department. Unless otherwise noted, you can apply for departmental scholarships using the foundation scholarship page. You will need to create an account if you have not already done so, in order to submit applications.
Curriculum
EKU’s online occupational safety degree is a comprehensive look at occupational safety concepts and how to implement them. Through the guidance of nationally recognized safety experts from nearly every corner of the industry, you can build the foundation you need to lead. Study the role of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and its rules, regulations, and enforcement policy. Learn to identify and analyze potential workplace hazards, infractions, and risks. Discover new ways to keep workers safe, and design and implement corrective safety measures.
Major Requirements
Major
- General Education
- JSO 100 Student Success Seminar (waived for transfers with 30+ hrs.)
Core Courses
- OSH 110 Introduction to Safety Studies
- OSH 261 Principles of Occupational Safety and Health
- OSH 262 Principles of Occupational Safety and Health Legislation
- OSH 300 Safety Training Strategies
- OSH 350 Measures of Safety Performance
- OSH 366 Hazard Identification and Control
- OSH 367 Human Factors in Occupational Safety
- OSH 379 Construction Safety
- OSH 390 Workers Compensation
- OSH 410 Safety Management Systems
- OSH 412 Safety Management Systems
- OSH 495 Senior Capstone
Fire Prevention/Protection:
- FSE 101 Fire Prevention
- FSE 120 Fire Behavior and Combustion
- FSE 221 Fire Detection and Suppression Systems
- FSE 224 Human Behavior In Fire
- FSE 349 Applied Learning in Fire and Safety Engineering
- OSH 225 Legal Aspects of Occupational Safety
- OSH 305 Hazardous Materials
- OSH 489 Topical Seminar
Industrial Risk Management:
- EHS 280 One Health: Global Environmental Public Health
- EHS 340 Total Worker Health Principles
- HLS 210 Cyber and Physical Security
- OSH 349 Applied Learning in Occupational Safety 1
- OSH 370 Process Safety Management
- OSH 420 Environmental Law and Management
- OSH 489 Topical Seminar: 1
- OSH 498 Independent Study
- TRS 225 Basic Fleet Management
- or TRS 395 Marine Transportation Safety
- CHE 101 Introductory Chemistry (or higher) (Element 4) G
- CHE 101L Introductory Chemistry Lab (or higher) (Element 4) G
- MAT 112 Algebra with Applications (or higher) (Element 2) G
- PHY 101 Conceptual Physics (or higher) (Element 4) G
Free Electives - 38
Choose from 20 hours of free electives 20
Total Hours - 120
Career Opportunities
Common Job Titles for Occupational Safety Graduates
Occupational health and safety specialists and technicians are needed to work in a variety of industries and government agencies.
Job Titles Include:
- Manufacturing Manager
- Environmental Health Officer
- Health and Safety Advisor
- Facilities Manager
Where Have EKU Occupational Safety Graduates Worked?
Earning an occupational safety and health degree from Eastern Kentucky University can be a step on your path to learning and leadership.
Employers Include:
- Toyota
- Ceco Concrete Construction, L.L.C
- Fairfax County (VA) Government
- Southeast Kentucky Community & Technical College
EKU Online Career Services
The EKU Office of Academic and Career Services is a one-stop shop for all of your career and professional development needs.
Services include:
- Creating/Updating Your Resume and Cover Letter
- Interviewing Tips and Coaching
- Career Documents Review
- Job Search
English Language Requirements
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