• Description of Program
• Degree Requirements
• Special Opportunities
• Careers

Description of Program

Protecting America's work force, the general public, and the environment from injury and illness in today's age of technological and scientific advancement has become one of the most challenging and rewarding career fields available. The Safety Science and Safety Management Graduate and Undergraduate Programs in HPER prepare students to respond to the needs of employees and the public, analyze hazardous situations, and research government regulations to determine which problems pose significant hazards. Safety managers recognize and devise methods to control hazards with management skills and techniques needed to administer a department or facility.

Degree Requirements

A minimum of 36 graduate credit hours is required for the safety management program.  A minimum 3.0 cumulative grade point average (GPA) is required for graduation. A minimum grade of C– is required in each course. A minimum of 20 credits must be in the Department of Applied Health Science. All electives for completing the degree must be approved by the advisor.

Complete each of the following courses (12 cr.):

• HPER-S 502 Safety Education and Training Strategies (3 cr.)
• HPER-S 513 Safety Management in Business and Industry (3 cr.)
• HPER-S535 Crisis and Emergency Management (3 cr.)
• HPER-S 552 Principles and Concepts of Workplace Safety Behavior (3 cr.)
• HPER-T 590 Introduction to Research in Health, Kinesiology, and Recreation (3 cr.)

Complete one of the following courses (3 cr.):

• HPER-C 591 Public Health Statistics (3 cr.)
• HPER-T 592 Statistical Techniques of Research in Health, Kinesiology, and Recreation (3 cr.)

Complete one of the following 6 credit tracks:

• (Choose at least one track; students may take two tracks for 12 hours credit, thereby reducing the number of elective course work to 9 credit hours.)

Safety Track (6 cr.)

• HPER-S 514 Safety Standards for Industry and Construction (3 cr.)
• HPER-S 515 Safety Performance Measures and Leadership (3 cr.)

OR

Health Track (6 cr.)

• HPER-S 610 Risk Assessment and Compliance (3 cr.)
• HPER-S 632 Safety and Health Program Design (3 cr.)

OR

Emergency Management Track (6 cr.)

• HPER-S 536 Facility Emergency Planning (3 cr.) P:S535 or permission of instructor
• HPER-S537 Threat Assessment, Mitigation and Security Planning (3 cr.) P: S535 or permission of instructor

Complete courses from the following list to complete the required 36 credits (9 – 15 cr.):

• HPER-H 511 Advanced Emergency Care (3 cr.)
• HPER-S 517 Workshop in Safety Education (1-6 cr.)
• HPER-S 617 Seminar in Safety Education (1-6 cr.)
• HPER-S 640 Research in Safety Education (1-3 cr.)
• HPER-S 641 Readings in Safety Education (1-3 cr.)
• HPER-S 642 Internship in Safety Education (1-6 cr.)

Special Opportunities

Graduate and undergraduate students have access to a state-of-the-art emergency care program and first aid labs located in HPER. Students also have access to research opportunities in the area of first aid and emergency care. In addition, our new industrial hygiene sampling and analysis lab allows students to conduct risk and exposure assessment of noise, radiation, mold, toxic gases, asbestos, lead, and other air contaminates. Students are encouraged to participate in clubs such as Eta Sigma Gamma and the American Society of Safety Engineers. Student organizations provide opportunities for scholarly research and internship opportunities at Fortune 500 companies.

Careers

Safety professionals frequently have responsibility for a variety of functions; thus, they have the chance to use a broad collection of skills. Some of the major functions performed include safety training, accident investigation, audits and inspections, hazard analysis, fire protection, compliance, machine guarding, and emergency preparedness. According to a recent survey of American Society of Safety Engineers members, the largest employer groups are insurance, service industries, health care, construction, manufacturing, nonprofit organizations such as the Red Cross, consulting firms, and the government (OSHA, NIOSH, CDC, FEMA, DOD). Typical job titles include safety specialist, safety inspector, industrial hygienist, compliance officer, safety manager, safety educator, emergency responder, safety director, and safety administrator. Related fields include industrial hygiene, ergonomics, fire protection, risk management, security, environmental engineering, and loss control.

Safety managers recognize and devise methods to control hazards with management skills and techniques needed to administer a department or facility. The safety manager may direct the safety program of a large plant, corporation, or a department within local, state, or the federal government.