Overview

Columbia Southern University's bachelor’s in occupational safety and health with a sustainability concentration is designed to provide students with a deep understanding of the ways in which sustainability is linked to environmental, social and workplace issues. The program’s practical lessons are formatted to equip students for sustainability-related responsibilities in their professional roles. Subjects include the impact of industrial production on climate change, the benefits of biodiverse ecosystems and the opportunities provided by renewable resources. Critically, the program draws connections between these topics and workplace safety, corporate ethics and public health.

This degree program has been granted the Graduate Safety Practitioner® Qualified Academic Program designation by the Board of Certified Safety Professionals, allowing graduates to apply for the GSP® designation through the BCSP. This designation eliminates the need to sit for the Associate Safety Professional (ASP®) exam prior to taking the Certified Safety Professional (CSP®) exam. It meets the educational requirements mandated by the Board of Certified Safety Professionals for the ASP® and the CSP® and is also board-approved through the Institute of Hazardous Materials Management (IHMM).

Multiple factors, including prior experience, geography and degree field, affect career outcomes. CSU does not guarantee a job, promotion, salary increase, eligibility for a position, or other career growth.

Program Description

The Bachelor of Science in Occupational Safety and Health degree program provides students with a flexible, relevant, and current curriculum that includes opportunities for students to demonstrate a depth and breadth of knowledge in safety and health theory and technology necessary to function at the safety and health professional level in industry. This degree program has been identified as Qualified Academic Program (QAP) by the Board of Certified Safety Professionals (BCSP). Individuals who graduate with a BS in the current program may apply to the BCSP for their Graduate Safety Practitioner (GSP) designation. This designation will allow graduates to obtain a waiver for the Associate Safety Professional (ASP) examination requirement in pursuit of their Certified Safety Professional (CSP) designation.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the program, students should be able to do the following:

• Formulate solutions to control occupational hazards.
• Develop team-based approaches to minimize occupational hazards.
• Analyze workplaces to identify occupational hazards.
• Apply safety and health-related theory and technology.

Sustainability Concentration

Provides students with a helpful background in the field of sustainability that includes a focus on both environmental and social issues tied to sustainability. The program will help provide useful learning opportunities for individuals who are required to take on responsibilities related to sustainability in their jobs.

Concentration Outcomes

• Examine sustainability from a social perspective
• Evaluate environmental issues as they relate to sustainability