Master of Science in Environmental Safety and Health

Advance in a high-demand field.

The consequences of business activities, both private and public sector, have an enormous effect on employers and employees. This is evident in the increase in demand for safety professionals. Our curriculum goes above and beyond regulatory compliance and examines risk management, environmental stewardship, economic impact, and other critical issues. Designed for working professionals, the MS Environmental Safety and Health degree is offered 100 percent online and uses an innovative part-time model.

BCSP-approved curriculum from a respected institution

The Online MS in Environmental Safety and Health has been reviewed by the Board of Certified Safety Professionals and approved as a GSP Qualified Academic Program. This ensures the curriculum is a substantial match for the Associate Safety Professional exam blueprint, and graduates can apply to receive the GSP designation. You will learn from full-time, Ph.D. faculty with advanced degrees, industry certifications, and extensive experience in industry, government, and academia. Furthermore, the college’s reputation and regional accreditation are acknowledged by employers and other higher education institutions.

Mission to protect

The Department of Occupational and Environmental Safety and Health at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater is committed to providing a high quality, collaborative and fully online Master of Science in Environmental Safety and Health to working professionals around the world. The goal of the MS ESH program is to deliver an interdisciplinary curriculum that integrates previous and new learning experiences, which enhances the student’s intellect, scientific expertise and professional integrity. Our academically and professionally qualified faculty is dedicated to the advancement of the Environmental Safety and Health field and assisting students to achieve their personal learning goals.

The MS in Environmental Safety and Health program requires a total of 30 or 36 credits of coursework, depending on the program option selected. Most courses are delivered in sequential 8-week class sessions. Students typically complete their studies in about two to two and a half years.

Select from either the 30-credit plus research paper or 36-credit coursework option.

Environmental Safety and Health professionals with advanced credentials are in high demand.

With job titles such as Corporate Safety Officer, EHS Specialist, Liability Claims Specialist, Safety Director, or Worker’s Compensation Specialist, the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook reports that these positions earned a 2022 median pay of $100,660 per year.

To ensure a high quality graduate student group, all MS Environmental Safety and Health students must have a bachelor’s degree from a recognized institution and and meet graduate admission criteria, in addition to the MS in Environmental Safety and Health admission criteria provided below.

Admission to the Master of Science in Environmental Safety and Health requires:

• A bachelor’s degree from a regionally-accredited university or college
• Successful completion of twenty or more undergraduate credits in science, business, math or engineering
• The equivalent of at least one year of full-time professional experience in environmental safety and health as documented by work history (i.e., resume) and approved by the College of Business and Economics
• Computer skills proficiency including the ability to navigate the Internet, manipulate and organize computer files and email, and to use Microsoft Office applications

Exceptions

If you do not meet the graduate admission criteria, please email us to determine if you could be admitted on a conditional basis.

International students must meet additional criteria and will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Contact us for information and assistance.

Individuals who do not have the required one year of full-time professional experience in environmental safety and health can be enrolled in the program by enrolling in the additional ESH Common Body of Knowledge (CBK). Please reach out to our graduate office to learn more by email.