Online Occupational Health and Safety Degrees: Comparing Schools
Are you a “safety first” kind of person? A career in occupational health and safety (OHS) lets you turn that mindset into meaningful, well-paid work. This guide highlights online degree programs, standout options by level and cost, and the career paths they can lead to.
Expertise: EditorialHigher Ed.Online LearningOnline OHS Degree Programs by Level
Whether you are a recent high school graduate or a seasoned professional with years of experience will dictate which type of degree is right for you.
But should you start with an associate or bachelor’s degree? Or should you level up with a master’s or doctorate?
Read through the details of each degree type below and learn what they each offer.
Undergraduate Certificates
At a Glance: Undergraduate certificates are great for professionals who are already handling safety duties but need formal training.
- They typically take 9-18 months to complete.
- You’ll gain basic knowledge, build a specialty, and decide whether to pursue more education.
- Programs are typically flexible, with some letting you choose only the courses you need.
The University of Alabama
- 4 required courses: OSHA, workplace safety, industrial hygiene, and worker’s compensation.
- 6 electives are available in topics like ergonomics, PPE, health promotion, mine safety, and more.
- Students can start at anytime.
| Cost | Credits | Mode | Accreditation |
|---|---|---|---|
| $385/credit hour | 100 | Online | SACSCOC |
Associate Degrees
At a Glance: Associate degrees are 2-year programs offering an entry point into OHS careers and can be a bridge to a bachelor’s degree. These degrees:
- Cover safety basics, prevention, and compliance.
- Lead to entry-level jobs or transfers into bachelor’s programs.
Edmonds College
- Combines general education (math, sciences, humanities) with OHS requirements.
- Courses include accident prevention, regulatory environment, project management, incident investigation, and ergonomics.
- There is a certification option available.
| Cost | Credits | Mode | Accreditation |
|---|---|---|---|
| $127.59/credit | 99 | Online | NWCCU |
Bachelor’s Degrees
At a Glance: Bachelor’s degrees are 4-year programs that prepare students for a wide range of OHS roles.
- Curriculum: Science, engineering, environmental health, behavioral science, industrial hygiene, etc.
- Some programs prep graduates for the Certified Safety Professional (CSP) exam.
- Specializations are often available.
Southeastern Oklahoma State University
- Prepares graduates to train staff, implement safety measures, and evaluate safety programs.
- Graduates will be qualified to become a facilities manager, OHS specialist, production supervisor, or manufacturing manager.
| Cost | Credits | Mode | Accreditation |
|---|---|---|---|
| $321/credit hour | 124 | Online | BCSP |
Graduate Certificate Programs
At a Glance: Graduate certificates are short, targeted programs for working professionals moving into leadership or management.
- Focus areas: Project management, compliance, emergency management, environmental science.
- Credits may transfer into a master’s degree.
- Prepares graduates for roles like safety engineer, emergency management director, or health educator.
Tulane University
- Curriculum blends OHS principles with business and project management.
- Admission requirements include a bachelor’s degree (preferably in STEM or health), a 2.7 minimum GPA, and 3+ years of professional experience.
| Cost | Credits | Mode | Accreditation |
|---|---|---|---|
| $1,686/credit hour | 16 | Online | CEPH, SACSCOC |
Master’s Degrees
At a Glance: Master’s degrees are 2-year programs designed for experienced professionals ready for leadership or research roles.
- Often includes specializations, capstone projects, and flexible online formats.
- Courses typically cover hazard identification, safety design, investigations, compliance, and training.
West Virginia University
- Prepares students to investigate accidents, design safety systems, and train staff.
- Offered fully online with multiple start dates.
- Admission requirements include a bachelor’s degree and a minimum 3.0 GPA.
| Cost | Credits | Mode | Accreditation |
|---|---|---|---|
| $746/credit hour | 36 | Online | ABET |
Doctoral Degrees
At a Glance: Doctoral degrees are research-driven programs that prepare students to lead large-scale initiatives or teach at the university level.
- Suitable for professionals interested in research, leadership, and policy development.
- Graduates may also qualify for CHES or MCHES certification exams.
Walden University
- Six specializations: Behavioral health, global health, leadership, online teaching, population health, and research.
- Includes four required academic residencies (virtual or in-person).
| Cost | Credits | Mode | Accreditation |
|---|---|---|---|
| $640/credit hour | 109 | Online | HLC |
Careers for Occupational Health and Safety Graduates
Online occupational health and safety degree programs are flexible and allow students to take their career in a direction that interests them.
Instead of being stuck behind a desk, graduates can spend their days problem-solving, leading educational sessions, investigating incidents, and reporting on findings.
Some career paths that graduates can pursue are listed below:
Community Health Worker
If you’d rather work with the public instead of working in the private sector, a community health job could be right for you.
In this field, graduates advocate for healthy habits and behaviors to improve the health of community members.
Graduates might not have the background or training for an intensive medical position such as diabetes educator, but they could be a good fit for leading a program on bike safety. They present information to community groups, work one-on-one with high-risk individuals, develop and distribute educational materials, and maintain client records and results.
A bachelor’s degree is typically required for these roles, including:
- Community Health Program Coordinator
- Community Health Program Representative
- Community Health Promoter
- Community Outreach Worker
Construction and Building Inspector
Safety is paramount in the construction field.
Construction and building inspectors review building plans, visit building sites to ensure that safety protocols are followed, determine whether electrical and plumbing systems meet a required code, interact with construction managers, and use compliance and project management software.
They can issue stop-work orders if safety concerns arise at a construction site.
Potential job titles:
- Building Code Administrator
- Building Inspector
- Code Enforcement Officer
- Construction Inspector
- Public Works Inspector
Environmental Science and Protection Technician
If you prefer to focus on field tests or work with samples in a lab, environmental science might be the right occupational health and safety area for you.
A technician job includes collecting samples of gases, soils, water, wastewater, and/or asbestos products and testing pollutant levels; investigating hazardous conditions, spills, and outbreaks of diseases or food poisoning; recording test data and preparing reports and charts; presenting test results; and using analytical, computer-aided design and geographic information software.
Roles include:
- Environmental Health Officer
- Environmental Technician
- Health Inspector
- Lab Technician
- Water Quality Specialist
Occupational Health and Safety Specialist
This role is a step up from an occupational health and safety technician.
Employees are focused on reviewing, evaluating, and analyzing work environments and designing safety-oriented programs and procedures. They might be the person in charge of suspending activities that threaten workers’ health or safety and investigating accidents. They also use various compliance software and databases.
Job titles include:
- Chemical Hygiene Officer
- Environmental Health and Safety Officer
- Health and Safety Analyst
- Industrial Hygienist
- Risk Control Consultant
Occupational Health and Safety Technician
Day-to-day tasks for these employees include collecting data on work environments for analysis by occupational health and safety specialists; implementing and evaluating workplace programs to limit chemical, physical, biological, and ergonomic risks to workers; operating protective equipment; training workers in safety procedures; using analytical software and databases; and maintaining health and safety records.
Certification or a diploma from a vocational school, an associate degree, or job experience is typically required for the roles listed below:
- Construction Safety Consultant
- Environmental Health and Safety Advisor
- Health and Safety Technician
- Industrial Hygiene Consultant
- Safety Specialist
FIND PROGRAMS NEAR YOU:
Salary and Career Details for Occupational Health and Safety Graduates
| Area | Occupation | 10th Percentile | 90th Percentile | Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. | Health and Safety Engineers | $62,190 | $160,600 | $103,690 |
| U.S. | Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $35,800 | $85,010 | $50,660 |
| U.S. | Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $49,550 | $128,040 | $81,140 |
| U.S. | Fire Inspectors and Investigators | $46,360 | $137,220 | $74,160 |
| U.S. | Construction and Building Inspectors | $43,740 | $106,200 | $67,700 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Data based on national numbers, not school-specific information.
| Area | Occupation | Curr. Jobs | Proj. Jobs | New Jobs | Growth % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | Construction and Building Inspectors | 142,400 | 140,200 | -2,200 | -1.50% |
| United States | Environmental Science and Protection Technicians | 35,000 | 37,100 | 2,100 | 6.00% |
| United States | Fire Inspectors and Investigators | 15,000 | 15,600 | 600 | 4.00% |
| United States | Health and Safety Engineers | 22,000 | 22,800 | 800 | 3.60% |
| United States | Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | 113,800 | 128,900 | 15,100 | 13.30% |
What Program is Right for Me?
Any good education program is a challenge, whether it’s a certificate program designed to get you started in a new field, a doctorate to prepare you to lead a major research project, or anything in between.
You should focus primarily on a program’s specifics to ensure that it matches your career goals. You should also note other important factors, including whether the program offers academic support, whether it is properly accredited, and its price.
The questions below can help start your thought process.
What area of occupational health and safety interests me the most?
Occupational health and safety is a wide-ranging field; it covers everything from technical topics (such as mine safety and construction safety) to broader topics (such as health promotion and wellness). As you evaluate the many standout programs that are available, focus on their curriculum to ensure that the coursework matches your interests.
Do I want to work in the field or in a management role?
Understanding this can help you choose the right path and help determine what level of education you need. If you’re happiest out of the office – visiting work sites, conducting evaluations, and gathering data – a certificate or associate degree might be enough to get you started. But, if you like sitting at a computer and planning, researching, and creating presentations, you should consider a bachelor’s degree or higher.
Am I comfortable with public speaking and presentations?
While you won’t have to lead community information sessions at a construction site, you might find yourself in front of a crowd at an employee or community education session. Some people get a charge out of leading these sessions, and others are filled with dread. Knowing your comfort level will help you choose the program that’s right for you.
What level of education do I truly need?
If you want to be in charge of other employees, you’ll need at least a bachelor’s degree. If you want to lead research projects or teach college classes, you should plan to continue your education to the doctoral level.
If you’re not sure, look for programs that allow you to transfer credits to the next educational level. For example, the associate degree program offered by Edmonds College can set you up to transfer into a bachelor’s degree program.
Am I comfortable with online learning?
Online learning has many benefits; if your classes are asynchronous, you can complete your coursework anywhere and at any time. This is a big plus for a working student who might also have family responsibilities. But, if you don’t like to sit at a computer, consider either a hybrid program that combines online convenience with in-person learning or a traditional on-campus program.
How Much Does an Occupational Health and Safety Degree Program Cost?
The amount you’ll spend on an online occupational health and safety degree program depends on several factors. Is the program shorter, like a certificate program, or longer, like a master’s degree program? Does your employer offer tuition reimbursement? Are you attending a public or private school? And finally, have you submitted a FAFSA form and investigated financial aid and scholarships? After all of those pieces are in place, you’ll have a clearer picture of the price of your degree program.
Online degrees have a powerful advantage regarding cost – and some drawbacks, too. As you decide if online college is right for you, you might think about flexible schedules. With an online degree program, you can continue working in your current job and study during off-hours.
Also, you won’t need to pay to move to the area where your school is located. Plus, some programs allow you to speed up the process if you’re eager to finish a degree program and move on to a new role (or slow down if life or finances dictate it).
You’ll need to invest in a good computer and reliable internet service, which comes at a cost, to be successful. The bottom line? Salaries in the occupational health and safety field are good, so the money you spend on your degree should come back to you in the form of a higher salary and opportunities for advancement.
FAQs from Occupational Health and Safety Students
What type of accreditation should I look for?
Several programmatic accrediting agencies exist within the world of occupational health and safety. The Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET)’s Applied and Natural Science Accreditation Commission (ANSAC) is one name to know.
You should also consider the Board of Certified Safety Professionals (BCSP) and the National Environmental Health, Science, and Protection Accreditation Council (EHAC).
Institutional accreditation should also play an important role in your decision. Both regional and national accreditation exists; the former is viewed as the more desirable of the two. If you’re unsure whether a prospective school holds regional accreditation, search the Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs (DAPIP).
What are the admissions requirements for an online occupational health and safety degree program?
Admissions requirements depend on what level of education you’re pursuing. For the associate degree program at Edmonds College, you’ll need only a high school diploma or the equivalent; if you’re over the age of 18, you might be able to enroll without a diploma.
For the master’s degree program at West Virginia University, you’ll need a minimum 3.0 GPA; 63 credits of science, math, engineering, and technology courses; 21 credits of communications, humanities, and social sciences courses; and a personal statement to apply.
What types of classes will I take in an online occupational health and safety degree program?
Occupational health and safety degree programs offer a variety of courses to familiarize you with the discipline and help you hone specialized skills. You should expect to start with a Fundamentals of Occupational Safety and Health class and an OSHA standards class; these standards should be followed in most aspects of the occupational health and safety field.
Beyond that, you can choose courses that match your area of interest, so you can finish a degree program with a high level of expertise.
Will I need a license after I complete an online occupational health and safety degree program?
Licensure and certification requirements vary based on both where you live and the job you want. For example, most states require construction and building inspectors to hold licensure or certification. If you plan to work as a health and safety engineer, you might need a professional engineering license. Ensure that you understand what licenses or certifications you might need when deciding whether a specific program is right for you.
Can an occupational health and safety degree program be offered fully online?
Yes; many programs require no campus visits. For example, both The University of Alabama’s Health and Safety Management Online Certificate program and Southeastern Oklahoma State University’s Bachelor of Science in Occupational Safety and Health degree program are offered fully online.
Top Online Occupational Health and Safety Degree Programs
As your knowledge of online occupational health and safety degree programs grows, you might find yourself focusing on a particular program. Or you might be completely overwhelmed, with too many options to choose from. That’s where our rankings come in.