Online Master's in Occupational Safety and Health

Getting through the financial aid process can be daunting. We have an office full of people ready to help. Learn all about eligibility, types of aid and how to apply. There are no restrictions for online students. All aid opportunities and processes are the same as on-campus students.

Many scholarship opportunities are available to occupational safety and health students and range from general scholarships for any student who meets basic eligibility requirements to those sponsored by companies and individuals specifically targeted toward occupational safety and health students. Transfer scholarships may be available to first-time transfer students. View Murray State general scholarships and Occupational Safety and Health scholarships for scholarship opportunities.

Veteran Affairs assists veteran students with the transition from military to civilian/university life. Veteran Affairs educational assistance is available under six different programs, which include active duty and National Guard/Selected Reserve status. Contact the Veteran Affairs office at 270.809.6837.

The curriculum includes ten courses, each 3 hours, for a total of 30 credit hours. Students will enroll in two courses per semester for five semesters total. Below are the courses and the order they will be presented.

1st Fall 

• OSH 655 Legal Aspects of Safety and Health
• OSH 621 Industrial Hygiene and Safety Program Development

1st Spring 

• OSH 640 Safety and Health Program Management and Training
• OSH 637 Biostatistics and Probability  

1st Summer 

• OSH 644* Cooperative Education/Internship
• OSH 636 Transportation Safety   

2nd Fall 

• OSH 650 Occupational Safety and Health Organizational Leadership and Management
• OSH 689 Solid and Hazardous Waste Management   

2nd Spring 

• OSH 656 Ergonomics and Biomechanics
• OSH 657 Current Literature and Research in Safety and Health

*Tuition for OSH 644 will be charged based on residency. 

View our online MS Occupational Safety and Health brochure

In order to receive the degree, a candidate must earn a minimum grade point average of 3.00 on all graduate courses taken at Murray State University. Repeating a graduate course does not cancel a previous grade in the course.  

A candidate may not repeat a course in which a previous grade of A or B was earned for credit.

A minimum grade of C is required to receive credit for a graduate course. A candidate is awarded one “quality deficit point” for each grade of C received, two points for each D and three points for each E. Upon receipt of four quality deficit points, a candidate is dropped from the program without opportunity for readmission except by special permission. (Also see Scholastic Probation in Academic Bulletin.) 

A maximum of twelve semester hours of graduate credit taken at a regionally accredited institution with the approval of the academic advisor and collegiate graduate coordinator and/or dean may be transferred toward the fulfillment of core courses or electives, that a grade of B or better was earned and that a 3.00 grade point average is earned in Murray State graduate courses. Transfer courses must fall within the eight-year time limit allowed for completion of the master’s degree. 

Foundation courses may be completed at Murray State University or at any regionally accredited four-year institution or recognized foreign institution, before or after acceptance into the program. Only the 100- and 200-level foundation courses may be completed at a community or junior college. 

A candidate who reapplies after a period of inactivity of 36 months will be subject to the degree requirements in effect at the time of reapplication.

The on campus MS degree in occupational safety and health has three options: safety management, industrial hygiene and environmental. The option offered online is safety management.

Yes! This degree is accredited through the Applied and Natural Science Accreditation Commission of ABET (ANSAC/ABET).

This 100% online degree is designed for working professionals already in the safety field and is especially applicable for those who have a BS degree in occupational safety and health (OSH) or a closely related degree. As a working professional, this ANSAC/ABET accredited degree will provide you with a competitive advantage to enhance your career and lead the way in protecting your workforce. Murray State OSH graduates hold positions in various areas, including government, construction, manufacturing, insurance and petro/chemical industries. Receive more than a degree - receive an education that advances your career!

No GRE is required. 

Twelve hours can be transferred if the student is currently in a similar master’s program. All transfer courses from another institution must have a grade of A or B. A grade of D does not count for graduation but is calculated in the GPA. The second grade does not replace the first. Both/all grades are used in the GPA calculation at the master’s level.

We have designed this program to meet the needs of working safety and health professionals. Please realize that graduate courses are more rigorous and demanding than undergraduate courses. You will take two classes each semester completing the courses just under 24 months.

Students will work in cohorts. What this means is that each August a new class will start and those students will continue through the program together.

No. There are ten courses required with no electives necessary. A specific course will only be offered one semester per year.

No. There is no comprehensive examination. There is an extensive research project that is incorporated into one of the courses.

Yes. An internship is required as per accreditation requirements. For working safety professionals this requirement will be completed during your first summer and can be completed while doing your regular job and submitting specified documentation. 

Tuition for the internship course (OSH 644) will be charged based on residency. View Residency Tuition Rates on the Bursar's website.

At a minimum, you must have a computer with reliable internet access (preferably broadband) and a webcam and microphone. View Racers Online for more helpful information.

Your advisor will be the OSH Online Graduate Program Coordinator, Dr. David Wilbanks. He can be reached at dwilbanks@murraystate.edu.

Visit Racers Online. This website will help online students get started! If you still have questions, e-mail msu.online@murraystate.edu.

Master’s programs are usually writing intensive with research papers required in many classes. As a professional, it is essential that your writing skills are excellent and the courses provide the foundation to enhance your writing skills. If your written department application and/or your submitted writing assignments indicate a lack of proficiency in writing ability, you will need to seek help and document that you are improving your writing. 

Online courses can be much more convenient, but the courses are not designed to be self-paced. Due to semester requirements, courses have specific beginning and ending dates with assignments, projects, exams, etc. due as the course syllabus states.

We strongly discourage doing this, but we realize that life events can force such a move. If you have to drop a semester, you will have to pick up with your cohort the next semester and then complete the missing course with the next cohort when it is offered next (one year later).

To qualify to continue in the program after admission, you must have a 3.0 GPA in the first 9 hours of the program. Graduation from the master’s program requires a 3.0 GPA in Murray State course work. There are 30 hours of course work required to graduate.

Degree applications can be completed through myGate. Be sure to check the academic calendar that posts important dates/deadline each semester. Submit your degree application at the beginning of your last semester of classes or at the beginning of the semester in which you plan to graduate. View additional graduation and commencement information.