Master of Science in Safety Management

Course requirements for the Master of Science in Safety Management can be found in the Graduate Catalog.

Applicants lacking appropriate experience or education in the field of safety and health may be required to take prerequisite undergraduate courses before being granted full admittance to the Master of Science in Safety Management program. The prerequisite undergraduate courses are as follows:

EHS 2250 Environmental Health and Safety Methods

EHS 2350 Occupational Safety and Health Standards

EHS 3300 Safety and Health Administration and Programs

EHS 3380 Environmental Health and Safety Engineering and Technology

EHS 3350 Fundamentals of Occupational Hygiene

EHS 4410 Accident/Incident Investigation and Analysis

Recommended Course Sequence

Program Educational Objectives

Baseline rational question: What should a safety professional be able to accomplish three-years after graduation from the MSSM program? (Revised February 5, 2021)

1. Collaborate with executive management in an ethical, cost-effective and business oriented manner, and serve as a key contributor to the management team.
2. Analyze available data and propose effective controls to identify and reduce safety and health risks associated with business systems.
3. Research, identify and apply leading and lagging EHS indicators to measure and analyze organizational performance.
4. Effectively analyze loss incidents/hazardous exposures to identify root causes and recommend effective control measure to prevent future events/exposures.
5. Demonstrate effective oral and written communication skills at all levels of the organization and the community.
6. Develop and manage safety and health programs including support for the surrounding community in promoting a safe and healthy environment.
7. Practice and promote professional standards of personal conduct when interacting with others and hold others accountable to do the same.
8. Continue their professional advancement by practicing life-long continuous learning.
9. Recognize, analyze and apply where necessary state-of-the art best practices across an organization in both domestic and international locations.

Student Learning Outcomes

In order to meet program Educational Objectives of the Master of Safety Management program, students must be able to meet the following outcomes at the time of their graduation: (Revised February 5, 2021)

1. Communicate effectively with top management or senior executives and cost justify interventions necessary to protect employees or community, property, and the environment.
2. Enhance management commitment to workplace improvements in safety and health by increasing management’s understanding of safety and health concerns.
3. Develop increased employee involvement in development of safety and health interventions through better understanding of the business ramifications and needs for safety and health.
4. Implement safety and health programs/interventions that optimize business and safety performance in unison.
5. Develop return of investment evaluations that demonstrate understanding for the financial and operational impacts of safety.
6. Effectively integrate occupational safety and health programs that enhance operational efficiency, productivity, and operational sustainability.
7. Translate moral, ethical, legal, and operational needs for safety and health program/interventions into terms that enable a business CEO or government agency director to recognize a valid business requirement or public policy.
8. Identify strategies that align safety and health improvements with organizational priorities.
9. Demonstrate that safety in the workplace makes good business sense beyond legal requirements and is sound public policy.

Graduates of the MSSM program are in high demand, attracting employers from all industries, nationally and internationally.

Safety professionals with a master’s degree have higher earning potential. Published every two to three years by the American Society of Safety Professionals — in collaboration with Board of Certified Safety Professionals — the industry salary survey assesses the compensation trends of approximately 10,000 occupational safety and health (OSH) professionals. 

The Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) Program Industry Advisory Board is composed of EHS professionals from various industries and private sectors who provide input, guidance, and support for the EHS program and its students. These members are key constituents in the continuous improvement process for the program.

Jessica Jannaman, Executive Director, EHS and Quality, Global Automotive Systems; Chair, Industry Advisory Board

Dave Andrews, CSP, ARM, Risk Manager, Amerisure

Aubrey Arain, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Environmental Health and Safety, Oakland University

Joshua Boyce, Fire Inspector, Auburn Hills Fire Department

Wendy Burkett, Director, Global Manufacturing Safety, Ford Motor Company

Kenneth Carson, Graduate Student Representative, M.S. in Safety Management

Tara Diesbourg, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Environmental Health and Safety, Oakland University

Malcom E. Dunbar, CSP, Vice President & Chief Safety Officer, Edward C. LEVY Co; past Chair, Industry Advisory Board

Patrick R. Frazee, CIH, CSP, past EHS Program Director, Oakland University; Industry Advisory Board Executive Committee; Manager (retired), Health & Safety North America, General Motors

Kathy Glodich, CSP, Senior Loss Control Consultant, Accident Fund Insurance Company; Secretary, Industry Advisory Board

Darryl C. Hill, Ph.D., MBA, CSP, Senior Vice President of Safety and Security, FirstGroup America

John Hoffman, CEO, Safety Engineering Laboratories

Thomas J. Martin, CIH, CSP, Manager, Safety & Industrial Hygiene, Ramboll Environmental

Charles W. McGlothlin Jr., Ph.D., P.E., Special Instructor in the EHS Program, Oakland University

Karen McGuire, Deputy Safety Director (retired), U.S. Army Tank-Automotive and Armaments Command (TACOM)

Aaron Munoz, Managing Director, ARM Cultural Safety Consulting

Stephen Perrott, Corporate EHS Manager, Stellantis

Thomas W. Schenk, Ph.D., MPH, EHS Program Director, Oakland University; Director, Global Medical Operations and Corporate Epidemiologist (retired), General Motors

Karly St. Aubin, Undergraduate Student Representative, B.S. in EHS

Dr. Thomas Schenk
Assistant Professor and Director
Environmental Health and Safety
1029 Human Health Building
schenk2@oakland.edu

Dean's Office
Human Health Building
(248) 370-3562
inhealth@oakland.edu