Occupational Safety
The Occupational Safety degree program at UCO prepares students for practice in the safety, health and environmental (SH&E) profession. Graduates from this program are in high-demand and enjoy very competitive starting salaries. A 2020 survey by Safety+Health magazine (published by the National Safety Council) found the average salary for safety professionals with less than five years of experience was $70,000 (Safety+Health, 2020). UCO Occupational Safety graduates have many roles and responsibilities when they enter the profession and often receive full-time job offers prior to graduation. Companies who have hired our graduates include OG&E, Oklahoma State Department of Labor, Chesapeake, Devon, Federal OSHA and many more.
Student Learning Objectives
Students who successfully complete this degree will be able to:
- Anticipate, recognize, evaluate, and develop control strategies for hazardous conditions and work practices
- Demonstrate the application of business and risk management concepts
- Demonstrate an understanding of the fundamental aspects of safety, industrial hygiene, environmental science, fire science, hazardous materials, emergency management, ergonomics and/or human factors
- Design and evaluate safety, health, and/or environmental programs
- Apply adult learning theory to safety training methodology
- Identify and apply applicable standards, regulations and codes
- Conduct accident investigations and analyses.
Community Opportunities
Take advantage of these opportunities in the metro and in the community, which may spark your interest and even boost your resume.
- Oklahoma Safety Council
- American Society of Safety Professionals OKC
- Oklahoma Department of Labor
- Board of Certified Safety Professionals
Accreditation
The occupational safety program is accredited as a Graduate Safety Practitioner (GSP) Qualified Academic Program (QAP) from the National Board of Certified Safety Professionals (BCSP). This allows safety graduates to apply for the Graduate Safety Practitioner (GSP) designation upon graduation, bypassing the Associate Safety Professional Exam on their path toward the Certified Safety Professional Certification (CSP) later in their career.
Career Opportunities
A few of the career paths awaiting Occupational Safety graduates include:
- Safety Specialist
- Safety and Health Trainer
- Industrial Hygienist
- Environmental Management
- Safety Consultant
- Construction Safety Supervisor
Scholarships & Tuition Waivers
Incoming freshmen are eligible for a variety of scholarships within the General Academic Scholarship Program. There are multiple scholarships specific to the College of Education and Professional Studies.
