Online Master's in Occupational Safety and Health
100% Online Program
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Take your safety career to the next level
The 100% online MS in occupational safety and health at Murray State University is accredited by the Applied and Natural Science Accreditation Commission of ABET, under the commission’s General Criteria and Program Criteria for Safety. This program is designed to advance the safety careers of working professionals. The curriculum can be completed in two years. You will be eligible for the Graduate Safety Practitioner (GSP) designation through the Board of Certified Safety Professionals (BCSP) upon graduation.
Why choose Murray State?
The 100% online degree program is offered by Murray State's Department of Occupational Safety and Health and is equivalent to the on-campus program. Murray State graduates hold positions in various areas, including manufacturing, construction, insurance and petro/chemical industries, government and academia. We have over 40 years’ experience preparing individuals to take their place in organizations as effective practicing professionals.
Admission to the program
- No GRE required!
- Related work experience may satisfy a prerequisite class.
- Meet the Murray State University admission requirements.
Checklist for admission
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Review the Graduate Admission Checklist and check to see that you meet the minimum requirements for admission.
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Submit an admission application online by creating a new account. Click on "Create Account" to get started. It is very important that you are admitted as an online student. On the application make sure “Your primary class location” on question 15 is marked as “Online.” If you have questions, call Graduate Admissions at 270.809.3779.
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The application will be reviewed for an admission status decision by Graduate Admissions and the Department of Occupational Safety and Health. You will be notified by email of the admission decision.
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Admissions are fall, spring, and summer. Students participate in a synchronous/live lecture format.
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The following courses are the minimum accepted requirements for pursuing a master's degree in occupational safety and health:
- One (1) science course with lab
- One (1) math course
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Students admitted from a different undergraduate field/discipline must complete the following coursework in addition to the above GPA requirements.
- OSH 599 - Occupational Safety & Health Foundations (4)
- Minimum grade of B or higher
- OSH 599 - Occupational Safety & Health Foundations (4)
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Alternatively, provide proof of at least one of the following:
- BS Occupational Safety and Health or related field from a regionally accredited university or
- Current professional certification approved by graduate program coordinator
Additional requirements for unconditional and conditional admission are as follows.
Unconditional admission
Unconditional admission status is granted only to students who graduate from Murray State University with a BS degree with a minimum overall GPA of 3.00.
Conditional admission
Conditional admission status is granted to students with an undergraduate GPA of 2.75 but less than 3.00. To change to unconditional status, the student must meet the university requirement of obtaining a 3.00 in the first nine hours of graduate work and additional criteria set forth by the Department of Occupational Safety and Health.
How much does it cost?
Our online students pay the same as our in-state students, no matter where you live. We pride ourselves on providing a high quality education at a competitive price.
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.
Curriculum
VIEW THE OSH MS ONLINE CURRICULUM
VIEW THE OSH COURSE LIST AND DESCRIPTIONS
Graduation requirements
Within departmental guidelines, the individual student's program is developed in consultation with advisor.
Contact us to begin the 100% Online MS OSH program
Samantha Ezell
OSH Graduate Program Coordinator/Instructor
Department of Occupational Safety and Health
270.809.3630
157H Industry and Technology Center
Please be sure to review our frequently asked questions section below.
Frequently asked questions
You can register for classes as soon as the next fall, spring, or summer semester following your application's approval.
You can select one of three concentrations.
- Risk Management
- Industrial Hygiene
- Environmental Safety and Health
Yes! This degree is accredited by the Applied and Natural Science Accreditation Commission of ABET, under the commission’s General Criteria and Program Criteria for Safety and Similarly Named Programs.
This 100% online degree is designed for working professionals. 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.
No. There is no comprehensive examination. There is an extensive research project that is incorporated into one of the courses.
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 Graduate Program Coordinator, Samantha Ezell. She can be reached at sezell3@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 can be writing intensive with research papers required in some classes. Below are helpful links to improve your writing proficiency.
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Murray State on-campus resources: Racer Writing Center is in Murray State's Waterfield Library. Staffed by faculty and graduate students, the writing center gives students one-on-one instruction during directed appointments where students can receive guidance on how to improve their writing skills. They offer a grammar hotline at 1-877-900-0114.
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A great writing/grammar resource is available at The Purdue OWL.
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The University of Delaware has information on topics like citation styles, utilizing sources, etc.
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Another resource is from the Capital Community College Foundation and includes PowerPoints, interactive exercises, etc.
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.
Life Happens! We discourage dropping our for any period, but we realize life events may make course participation unfeasible. If you have to drop a semester, you can begin again the next semester or whenever life circumstances permit. However, students who have not enrolled for more than two years will be required to reapply to the program. Please talk with your academic advisor to best assure your personal success!
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 normally are 30-33 hours of course work required to graduate, depending on prior related education and demonstrated experience.
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.