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Occupational Safety and Health Management, B.S.

As business, service, and health care industries continue to grow, the need for well-trained professionals in the occupational safety and health management (OSHM) field grows as well. And a career in OSHM is more than just safety, it's about protecting individuals as well as the environment, promising something new every day.

Visit the program website for more information.

This program requires a secondary admission process.
Available as a minor.

Program Overview

OSHM provides you with a balance of safety management and scientific training required in the field. You will be immersed in a curriculum combining psychology, health sciences, engineering, design thinking, and problem-solving. You will be exposed to a wide range of experiences and opportunities, and the program provides professional certification credentials upon graduation.

There is secondary admission to this program.

Why Study OSHM at Grand Valley?

  • Embark on a career path that is varied and interesting, with above-average job growth, leadership potential, and nearly 100% job placement.
  • Learn practical, marketable skills taught in a combination of hands-on and theoretical learning that includes paid internship opportunities.
  • Earn the Graduate Safety Practitioner® designation from the Board of Certified Safety Professionals, as well as Associate Safety and Health Management certification from the Institute of Safety and Health Management.
  • Learn from knowledgeable, board-certified faculty members with industry experience.
  • Accredited by the Applied and Natural Science Accreditation Commission of ABET, www.abet.org, under the General Criteria and the Safety Program Criteria bachelor's program.

Career Insights

This tool shows an overview of potential career opportunities for this major. Actual salaries, employment opportunities, and job titles may change over time.

Location & Format

Undergraduate students in this major study at the Grand Valley Allendale Campus.

Format:
  • Face To Face

Coursework

You will study a variety of topics:

  • Administration
  • Behavior and safety
  • Chemistry
  • Critical incident analysis
  • Environmental science
  • Fire science
  • Hazard control
  • Industrial hygiene
  • Physics
  • Safety program development

In addition, you will complete experiential learning via paid internships, gaining valuable job experience before graduation.

Combined Degree Programs

Many GVSU undergraduate programs can be combined with an existing master’s degree program to save on tuition and get you into the workforce sooner. On average, you can save $8,500 by pursuing a combined degree and take up to four fewer courses than if earning the degrees separately.

Talk with an advisor about how you can build your combined degree from existing programs to further personalize your education and create your own niche area of expertise.

REAL-WORLD EXPERIENCE

Hands-on learning and other fieldwork not only deepen your mastery of your discipline but also give you the edge employers seek. Visit our experience matters page to see the work GVSU students are doing in their co-ops and internships.

Admission Requirements

The B.S. in (OSHM) is a secondary admission program. A student who has declared an OSH major is assigned an academic advisor from the professional advising staff in student services for the first two years and then from the faculty of the OSH Department after secondary admission. Click here for requirements and application. 

For More Information

Seymour and Esther Padnos College of Engineering
Occupational Safety and Health Management

gvsu.edu/osh
618 L.V. Eberhard Center
(616) 331-5596

Admissions and Recruitment Office

gvsu.edu/admissions

 

"OSHM is an incredible program, providing hands-on learning experience and exceptional classroom learning opportunities. The program provided me with all the correct tools, resources, and knowledge needed to be a successful professional in the environmental health and safety field."

ZACH MIKULEC
OSHM ALUMNI