Safety and Health Management, MS

The Master of Science in Safety and Health Management (MS-SHM) degree program provides a two-year professional learning experience (45 credits) for post-baccalaureate students with at least four years of full-time experience in the safety and health management field. It is anticipated this fully online degree program will be in high demand by busy, career-driven environmental health and safety (EHS) professionals who will take up to two courses per quarter in a cohort model, with admission every other year.

The MS-SHM degree program highlights operational aspects of EHS in the workplace and their impact on risk assessment and management, loss prevention, and EHS program audits and administration. This degree is intended to benefit practicing EHS professionals with an EHS-related bachelor’s degree or other bachelor’s degree combined with EHS-related work experience. The goal of the MS-SHM degree program is to provide students with assessment, analytical, and administrative tools and skills needed to advise management about EHS issues in the workplace.

This program has been designed to prepare students with executive-level skills and knowledge to administer and assess EHS programs in a variety of industries. The program focuses on the advanced technical, risk management, ethical leadership, and organizational skills and knowledge needed to interpret, develop, direct, and provide oversight for corporate EHS programs. The MS-SHM degree equips students with competencies to fill mid-career and leadership positions and to engage in lifelong learning in the EHS discipline.

Admission Requirements

The Master of Science in Safety and Health Management (MS-SHM) degree will use a cohort format, where all admitted students begin their program during the Fall quarter of every other year, participate in all required courses together, and complete the degree as a group. To be considered for admission to the MS-SHM degree program, prospective students must meet all the application requirements of the School of Graduate Studies and Research (SGSR) requirements and additional SHM program-specific requirements by the published Fall quarter SGSR application deadline.

Please note GRE or GMAT standardized tests are not required for admission into the MS-SHM program.

Please note that applications completed after the deadline will be reviewed based on remaining cohort space. Students must be accepted to both the SGSR and the MS-SHM degree program. The SGSR application requirements are:

1. Application ($50.00 fee/can apply online)
2. Statement of Educational and Professional Objectives. 
3. Three letters of recommendation.
4. Official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended
5. 3.0 GPA or above on your last 90 quarter credits/60 semester credits.

Visit SGSR website for more information about how to apply: www.cwu.edu/masters.

In making admission recommendations, the SHM program faculty assesses the potential of applicants for success in the program by examining their undergraduate records, work experience, education and professional objective statement, letters of recommendation, and any other admission requirements established by the MS-SHM degree program. For details about the MS-SHM degree program and application procedures, contact the SHM Program Director. All applicants must meet the following requirements.

1. Applicants must have an earned a bachelor’s degree and have at least four (4) years of full-time environmental, health, and safety (EHS) related work experience.
2. A written verification from applicant employer confirming years of full-time experience in EHS.
3. Earned bachelor’s degrees considered for admission must be from regionally-accredited institutions of higher education.
4. Provide a curriculum vitae or resume.

Graduation Requirements

1. A MS-SHM student must satisfy all the CWU/SGSR requirements for the degree that are in force at the time of admission to the program.
2. Attainment of a cumulative grade point average of 3. 0 (B) or higher for all courses taken since admission to the graduate program and all work included in the course of study.

Program Requirements
A minimum grade of “B” (3.0) is required in each of the courses used to satisfy the MS-SHM degree program.

Program Learner Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:

• Perform research about identified hazards and risks using appropriate tools and references
• Evaluate data and compare it to national or industry standards to anticipate, recognize, and define risks
• Design surveys and audits in accordance with accepted methodologies in order to recognize hazards and recommend controls
• Communicate the results of surveys and audits to management with appropriate documentation
• Educate management about risks, including recommendations for controls or other actions to manage current and potential losses
• Evaluate risks and prioritize corrective actions
• Apply hazard control measures by reviewing available options and choosing the most appropriate in order to manage risk
• Communicate the identified hazard control measures with identification of essential resources
• Align implementation strategies for control measures with the strategic plan for an organization
• Design and implement controls as appropriate in order to manage risk
• Design safety training using adult learning theories
• Conduct incident investigations and analyses
• Recognize the importance of maintaining high standards of professional and ethical conduct
• Recognize the need for lifelong learning in the safety and health profession
• Demonstrate mastery of safety and health management subject matter through an applied project or research activity that includes a written report and oral presentation