Online Master of Science in Environmental Safety and Health
Advance in a high-demand field.
The consequences of business activities, both private and public sector, have an enormous effect on employers and employees. This is evident in the increase in demand for safety professionals. Our curriculum goes above and beyond regulatory compliance and examines risk management, environmental stewardship, economic impact, and other critical issues.
Why UW-Whitewater Online?
- Flexible and convenient for your schedule
- Top-notch, 100% doctoral instructors
- Strong alumni network
Fully Online
No requirements to come to campus.
100% graduate employment rate
Based on 2018 survey data.
BCSP
Qualified Academic Program.
Online Master of Science in Environmental Safety and Health
Program Overview
Designed for working professionals, the MS Environmental Safety and Health degree is offered 100 percent online and uses an innovative part-time model.
BCSP-approved curriculum from a respected institution
The Online MS in Environmental Safety and Health has been reviewed by the Board of Certified Safety Professionals and approved as a GSP Qualified Academic Program. This ensures the curriculum is a substantial match for the Associate Safety Professional exam blueprint, and graduates can apply to receive the GSP designation. You will learn from full-time, Ph.D. faculty with advanced degrees, industry certifications, and extensive experience in industry, government, and academia. Furthermore, the college's reputation and regional accreditation are acknowledged by employers and other higher education institutions.
Mission to protect
The Department of Occupational and Environmental Safety and Health at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater is committed to providing a high quality, collaborative and fully online Master of Science in Environmental Safety and Health to working professionals around the world. The goal of the MS ESH program is to deliver an interdisciplinary curriculum that integrates previous and new learning experiences, which enhances the student's intellect, scientific expertise and professional integrity. Our academically and professionally qualified faculty is dedicated to the advancement of the Environmental Safety and Health field and assisting students to achieve their personal learning goals.
Curriculum
The MS in Environmental Safety and Health program requires a total of 30 or 36 credits of coursework, depending on the program option selected. Most courses are delivered in sequential 8-week class sessions. Students typically complete their studies in about two to two and a half years.
Select from either the 30-credit plus research paper or 36-credit coursework option.
30-credit research option
- Breadth (24 graduate credits of required courses)
- Elective (3-credit graduate elective)
- Research (3-credit capstone course requiring successful completion of a research paper)
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Students must maintain a grade point average of at least 3.0
36-credit coursework option
- Breadth (24 graduate credits of required courses)
- Electives (12 credits of graduate electives)
- At least 6 credits from SAFETY
- Up to six credits may be completed from the graduate MBA courses numbered 730 and be beyond the MBA Common Body of Knowledge.
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Students must maintain a grade point average of at least 3.0
Breadth Courses for the MS Environmental Safety and Health may include;
- SAFETY 701: Research Methods in ESH
- SAFETY 712: Disaster Planning and Response
- SAFETY 753: Environmental Law
- SAFETY 757: Principles of Occupational Epidemiology
- SAFETY 779: Advanced Topics in Industrial Hygiene
- SAFETY 783: Environmental and Safety Management
- SAFETY 784: Advanced Ergonomics
- SAFETY 787: System Safety Analysis
Elective Courses for the MS Environmental Safety and Health may include;
- SAFETY 582: Safety in the Construction Industry
- SAFETY 679: Principles and Methods of Industrial Hygiene
- SAFTEY 683: Occupational Safety Management
- SAFETY 685: Fire Protection/Prevention
- SAFETY 687: Product Safety
- SAFETY 710: Healthcare Safety
- SAFETY 737: Ergonomics in Construction
- SAFETY 780: Prevention and Control of Airborne Hazards in the Workplace
Admission Requirements
To ensure a high quality graduate student group, all MS Environmental Safety and Health students must have a bachelor's degree from a recognized institution and and meet graduate admission criteria, in addition to the MS in Environmental Safety and Health admission criteria provided below.
Admission to the Master of Science in Environmental Safety and Health requires:
- A bachelor's degree from a regionally-accredited university or college
- Successful completion of twenty or more undergraduate credits in science, business, math or engineering
- The equivalent of at least one year of full-time professional experience in environmental safety and health as documented by work history (i.e., resume) and approved by the College of Business and Economics (Resume required)
- Computer skills proficiency including the ability to navigate the Internet, manipulate and organize computer files and email, and to use Microsoft Office applications
Exceptions
If you do not meet the graduate admission criteria, please email us to determine if you could be admitted on a conditional basis.
International students must meet additional criteria and will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Contact us for information and assistance.
Individuals who do not have the required one year of full-time professional experience in environmental safety and health can be enrolled in the program by enrolling in the additional ESH Common Body of Knowledge (CBK). Please reach out to our graduate office to learn more by email.
You may consider the Master of Business Administration with Environmental Health and Safety emphasis as an alternative.
Career Outcomes
Environmental Safety and Health professionals with advanced credentials are in high demand.
Based on a 2018 survey by the American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP) and the Board of Certified Safety Professionals (BCSP),1 the median base salary for full-time professionals is $97,000 and 22 percent of respondents earn $125,000 or more. Environmental Safety and Health professionals with a master's degree earn an average of $9,000 more per year than those with a bachelor's degree, and those with an industry-specific licensure/certification such as CSP can earn $20,000 more per year than those without. Information from surveyed UW-Whitewater graduates is shared below, along with the industry-reported salary data.
MS Environmental Safety and Health Placement Rate2
100%
Highlighted Employers2
AECOM, Alliant Energy, ConAgra Foods, First in Rescue Safety & Training, Gundersen Health System, M3 Insurance, Oshkosh Corporation, Wisconsin Dept. of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection
Common Titles2
Corporate Safety Officer, EHS Specialist, Liability Claims Specialist, Safety Director, Worker's Compensation Specialist
Industry Salary1
$105,000 in US & Canada- and $108,000 in the US alone.
1 Board of Certified Safety Professionals - 2023 Safety Salary Survey
2 Based on 2017 - 2018 survey data (national average with median industry tenure of 16 years)
Tuition
Online business graduate programs at UW-Whitewater are a superior value at $678 USD per credit for the 2023-24 academic year — whether you are a Wisconsin resident, an out-of-state student, or an international student.
What creates this value?
- Full-time faculty with doctoral degrees teach all classes.
- Faculty complete specific training for online teaching.
- Faculty lectures are recorded in a state-of-the-art media studio and included with each course.
- An external team reviews online courses.
- High levels of student/faculty interaction are standard.
- Helpdesk technical staff are dedicated to assisting master's students with online technology.
Course materials
Graduate students can purchase textbooks and other instructional materials through the University Bookstore or elsewhere online. Students should verify what materials are needed with their instructor.
Financial aid
UW-Whitewater students may apply for financial aid in the form of grants, loans, scholarships, or employment. All of these make up a “Financial Aid Package” and may be offered singly or in various combinations. Since funds are limited, priority for aid is based on financial need and how promptly applications are filed.
