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Bachelor of Science in Occupational Safety & Health

bachelor of science in occupational safety & health

Description

Engineering a Safer Tomorrow: The B.S. in Occupational Safety and Health

In an era where industrial landscapes are evolving with unprecedented speed, the gap between traditional safety protocols and modern hazard management is widening. To bridge this divide, The American University has engineered a flagship Bachelor of Science in Occupational Safety and Health—a program designed not merely to study safety, but to master it.

A Curriculum Built for the Modern Professional

The B.S. in Occupational Safety and Health is defined by its agility. Recognizing that the modern safety professional must be as adaptable as the industries they serve, our curriculum balances rigorous theoretical foundations with the cutting-edge technological literacy required to thrive in a real-world environment. Students do not just read about compliance; they engage with a curriculum that is current, relevant, and directly applicable to the complexities of today’s workplace.

Integrating Fire Science: A Dual-Expertise Advantage

What truly sets this program apart is its unique integration of two of The American University’s greatest strengths: Occupational Safety and Fire Science.

For professionals operating in high-risk environments, safety and fire prevention are inextricably linked. By offering a specialized concentration in fire science, we equip students with a dual-threat capability. This curriculum delves deep into the physics of fire, ignition sources, and advanced suppression technology. Whether you are managing chemical storage facilities, navigating large-scale manufacturing, or overseeing critical infrastructure, this program provides the technical mastery needed to mitigate fire-related hazards before they escalate.

Outcomes: From Theory to Action

Our program is engineered to move beyond the textbook. Upon completion, graduates do not just hold a degree; they possess a toolkit for organizational leadership. Our graduates are trained to:

  • Analyze and Identify: Develop a "safety lens" that allows them to scan complex workplaces and pinpoint latent hazards before they become incidents.
  • Formulate Solutions: Apply systematic engineering and administrative controls to neutralize risks at their source.
  • Master the Technology: Execute safety strategies using modern software and monitoring technologies essential to the contemporary safety professional.
  • Lead through Collaboration: Foster a culture of safety by facilitating team-based approaches that unite employees, management, and stakeholders in the shared mission of hazard reduction.

Why Choose The American University?

We understand that the most capable safety professionals are often those currently working in the field. That is why our program is delivered through a flexible, high-quality online format that respects the demands of your professional life while pushing the boundaries of your academic potential.

At The American University, we aren’t just educating students—we are cultivating the next generation of industry defenders. By combining the breadth of general occupational health with the specialized depth of fire science, we empower you to step into the role of a high-level professional, ready to safeguard lives, protect assets, and build a safer future for everyone.

Are you ready to lead from the front? Your career in safety starts here.

Ready to Get Started ?

Curriculum

The Bachelor of Science in Occupational Safety and Health provides students with a versatile, industry-relevant curriculum designed to cultivate the deep theoretical knowledge and technical proficiency required for success as a safety and health professional. As a Board of Certified Safety Professionals (BCSP) Qualified Academic Program (QAP), this degree offers a distinct career advantage by allowing graduates to apply for the Graduate Safety Practitioner (GSP) designation, which grants a waiver for the Associate Safety Professional (ASP) examination requirement on the path to becoming a Certified Safety Professional (CSP). Furthermore, the program integrates specialized coursework in fire-related theory and technology, ensuring that students possess the critical expertise necessary to identify, mitigate, and manage complex fire hazards in diverse professional environments.

Major Requirements | Total Required Semester Hours: 36

Major Requirements

Total Required Semester Hours: 36

  • BEM 4351: Environmental Technology>
  • FIR 4311: Fire Prevention and Code Enforcement>
  • BOS 3651: Total Environmental Health and Safety Management>
  • OSH 4308 Advanced Concepts in Environmental Safety Management>
  • BOS 3401: Construction Safety>
  • BOS 3525: Legal Aspects of Safety and Health>
  • BOS 3701: Industrial Ergonomics>
  • BOS 3640: Interactions of Hazardous Materials>
  • BOS 4301: Industrial Hygiene>
  • BOS 4201: Toxicology>
  • BOS 4025: OSHA Standards>
  • BOS 3001: Fundamentals of Occupational Safety and Health>

General Concentration | Total Required Semester Hours: 12

  • FIR 4313: Terrorism Incident Management and Emergency Procedures>

GENERAL EDUCATION | Total Required Semester Hours: 36

History

  • HY 1020 WESTERN CIVILIZATION II>
  • HY 1120 AMERICAN HISTORY II>

Humanities and Fine Arts

  • ART 1301 ART APPRECIATION I>
  • PHL 1010 CRITICAL THINKING>

English Composition

  • EH 1010: English Composition I>
  • EH 1020: English Composition II>

Mathematics

  • MAT 1302 ALGEBRA I>

Natural Science

  • BIO 1100 – Non-Majors Biology>
  • BIO 1302 ECOLOGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT>

Social and Behavioral Science

  • PS 1010 AMERICAN GOVERNMENT>
  • PS 2010 AMERICAN STATE AND LOCAL POLITICS>

Electives | Total Required Semester Hours: 36

  • BEM 3101: Assessing Environmental Science>
  • BOS 3751 Training and Development>
  • OSH 3306 Workers’ Compensation>
  • ITC 3001: Personal Computer Fundamentals>
  • BOS 3301: Fleet Safety>
  • BOS 4520 Risk Management>
  • BOS 4601: Accident Investigation>
  • BOS 4725 Process Safety Management>
  • BBA 2026 ORGANIZATIONAL COMMUNICATION>
  • BBA 3602 Principles of Management>
  • BBA 3651 Leadership>
bachelor of science in occupational safety & health

Tuition Rates

Our goal is to provide the strongest online academic programs at an affordable rate. On average, our tuition is less than half the cost of our competitors.

Ways to Save

Paying for school is possible. At THE AU, there are many Ways to Save including scholarships, Learning Partnerships and more.
  • Transfer Credits Accepted
  • Textbooks Included
  • Payment Options
  • Learning Partners Discount
  • Scholarships

Flexible Online Learning Options

Giving our students the flexibility they need to fit education into their busy schedules is at the core of our mission. Our courses are designed to accommodate working professionals, moms, dads, and anyone else who is balancing school with other life commitments.

LifePace Learning®

Start anytime with LifePace Learning®. Progress through your course in as early as four weeks or as long as 10 weeks.

  • No Required Login Times
  • No Set Start Dates or Completion Dates
  • Complete Assignments at Your Own Pace
  • Enroll 365 Days a Year

Term Enrollment

Complete assignments at your own pace while working within set course start and end dates. A term lasts approximately nine weeks.

  • No Required Login Times
  • Weekly Assignments Keep You on Track
  • Choose From 11 Term Start Dates Per Year
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THE AMERICAN UNIVERSITY OF HIGHER EDUCATION is an online university that strives to change and improve lives through higher education by enabling students to maximize their professional and personal potential.

THE AMERICAN UNIVERSITY provides student-centered support services that are personal, responsive and geared toward assisting students in achieving their educational goals. Caring, highly-trained faculty and staff create innovative educational programs that incorporate the latest instructional technology with challenging curriculums. THE AMERICAN UNIVERSITY focuses on affordable, quality online instruction with a general education core that promotes lifelong learning and success.

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