Master of Science in Safety Management
The Master of Science in Safety Management (MSSM) degree was developed through a
cooperative effort between the School of Health Sciences and the School of Business
Administration at Oakland University. This master’s degree program focuses on the business
aspects of safety management in the workplace and combines an effective balance of core MBA
coursework with application of these business skills to safety-related case studies in risk
assessment, loss control, risk management, and safety program planning, administration, and
management.
This master’s degree is intended to benefit college graduates and in-service safety professionals
with a safety-related bachelor’s degree or other bachelor’s degree coupled with safety-related
work experience or required prerequisite safety courses. The goal of the MSSM degree program
is to provide the business analytical tools and skills necessary for making sound management
decisions in business and industry as they relate to occupational safety, health, and
environmental issues in the workplace. Upon completion of this program of study, the graduate
should be able to:
. Communicate effectively with top management and cost-justify interventions necessary
to protect employees, property, and the environment.
. Enhance management commitment to workplace improvements in safety and health
through development of better management understanding of the safety and health impact
on bottom line performance.
. Develop increased employee involvement in development of safety and health
interventions through better understanding of the business ramifications and needs for
safety and health improvements in the workplace.
. Implement safety and health programs/interventions that optimize business and safety
performance in unison.
. Develop return of investment evaluations that demonstrate understanding for the financial
and operational impacts of safety interventions on a business operation.
. Effectively integrate occupational safety and health programs that play a significant role
in business total quality management efforts and that enhance operational efficiency and
productivity.
. Translate moral, ethical, legal, and operational needs for safety and health
programs/interventions into terms that enable a business CEO or other corporate manager
to recognize as a valid business need.
. Identify strategies that align safety and health improvements with organizational priorities.
. Demonstrate that safety in the workplace makes good business sense.
. Contribute as a key member of an organizational management team.
Master of Science in Safety Management
To earn the Master of Science in Safety Management the student must:
1. Successfully complete a minimum of 32 credits of graduate level work as specified
below.
2. Earn an overall grade point average of at least 3.00 in all courses taken at Oakland
University as a graduate student.
School of Health Sciences Courses: (17 credits)
OSH 500 Introduction to Research (4)
OSH 520 Advanced Safety and Health Administration (3)
OSH 540 Risk Assessment and Loss Control (3)
OSH 560 Applied System Safety Analysis (3)
OSH 699 Capstone Course (4)
School of Business Administration Courses: (15 credits minimum)
QMM 510 Statistical Analysis for Managers (3)*
ACC 511 Financial Accounting (3)
POM 521 Operations Management (3)
ORG 530 Organizational Behavior (3)
ORG 631 Human Resources Management (3)
MGT 55O Legal Environment of Business (3)
* May be waived based on student undergraduate/graduate statistics courses.
Course Descriptions
OSH 500 - Introduction to Research
An introductory graduate-level course in research methods for students pursuing graduate
degrees in health sciences. Topics include: scientific methods, ethics, research design,
interpretation of existing research, statistical concepts, computer resources, conceptualization of
research problems, instrumentation, and proposal preparation and presentation.
OSH 520 - Advanced Safety and Health Administration
This course emphasizes the administrative steps necessary to implement and manage a
comprehensive safety and health program. Employer/employee roles, responsibilities, and
accountability are discussed with emphasis on management commitment and employee
involvement. Administrative law and employer citation defenses are discussed and applied in
case studies.
OSH 540 - Risk Assessment and Loss Control
Advanced study of methods to analyze workplace hazards and assess the probability and
severity of adverse effects of identified hazards. These risk assessments are used to determine
cost effective use of resources to avoid, eliminate, or control hazards to attain a workplace for
which risks are judged to be reasonably acceptable.
OSH 560 - Applied System Safety Analysis
System safety provides disciplined approaches to hazard identification and risk analysis.
The analytical techniques in this course can be used to assess risk to employees, facilities,
equipment, production, quality, and the environment. System safety analytical techniques will
be applied to case studies drawn from professional practice.
OSH 699 - Capstone Course
This course is a capstone experience that applies business management and safety and
health program analytical and administrative course knowledge skills to a comprehensive case
study situation.
QMM 510 - Statistical Analysis for Managers
Statistical methods useful in management. Includes describing and exploring data, visual
presentation of data, discrete and continuous probability models, estimation, hypothesis testing,
quality control, regression, and time-series models and forecasts. Real-world applications and
use of computer workstation tools are stressed.
ACC 511 - Financial Accounting
Focus is on financial accounting for external reporting: communications addressed to
shareholders, government agencies, potential investors and the public.
POM 521 - Operations Management
Study of operations of manufacturing and service organizations. Introduction to
operational design and control issues such as forecasting, capacity planning, facility location and
layout, production control, material requirements planning, scheduling and quality assurance.
Includes international, legal and ethical aspects, as well as computer exercises.
ORG 530 - Organizational Behavior
Organizational behavior is analyzed at individual, group and organizational levels.
Individual and group processes such as perception, learning, motivation, communication, and
conflict are studied in depth. Organizational-level topics include size, structure, complexity and
effectiveness. Where appropriate, cross-cultural issues will be discussed.
ORG 631 - Human Resources Management
Theoretical and empirical issues of the personnel function in modern organizations.
Includes job analysis and design, employee recruiting, compensation policies and practices,
research techniques, government policy, law, and social and environmental factors related to
decision making.
MGT 550 - Legal Environment of Business
Examination of the legal environment as it affects business, emphasizing the U.S. and
international legal systems, ethical analysis of public policy and managerial decisions, functions
and powers of regulatory agencies, and the laws relating to securities, business organizations,
employment practices, antitrust and the environment.
Recommended Course Scheduling
First Year:
Fall Winter Summer
QMM 510 POM 521 ORG 530
ACC 511 OSH 500 OSH 520
Second Year:
Fall Winter Summer
OSH 540 OSH 560
MGT 550 ORG 631 OSH 699
For additional information, please contact:
Charles W. McGlothlin, Jr., Ph.D., P.E.
Program Director, MSSM
Occupational Safety & Health Program
School of Health Sciences
Oakland University
Rochester, MI 48309-4482
mcglothl@oakland.edu