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Master in Occupational Health, Safety, and Risk Management

Overview

This postgraduate degree program is a program that will provide in-depth knowledge and advanced "Occupational Health, Safety, and Risk Management" skills. This specialized program is designed for individuals seeking to enhance their expertise in identifying, assessing, and mitigating risks to ensure the safety and security of people, assets, and the environment across various industries.

The curriculum of an MSc in " Occupational Health, Safety, and Risk Management " typically covers a wide range of topics related to safety principles, risk assessment, risk mitigation, and safety management systems. The specific courses and their emphasis may vary depending on the university or institution offering the MSc program. Students in an MSc in " Occupational Health, Safety, and Risk Management " program can typically engage in practical exercises, laboratory work, and research projects to apply the knowledge gained throughout the program and develop hands-on safety engineering and risk management skills.

 

Goals

The MSc in “Occupational Safety, Health, and Risk Management” program aims to give students a deep and comprehensive understanding of the principles, methodologies, and best practices in occupational safety, health, and risk management. They will be proficient in analyzing workplace hazards, assessing risks, and developing effective safety and health programs to prevent accidents and injuries. Graduates will be prepared to assume organizational leadership and management roles, overseeing safety and risk management functions. They will possess the skills to establish safety policies, manage safety teams, and implement strategies that promote a safety culture throughout an organization. Graduates will uphold the highest ethical standards in their professional practice. They will be well-versed in relevant laws, regulations, and industry standards related to occupational safety, health, and risk management. In addition, the program aims to develop the program graduates’ capabilities in critical thinking by analyzing, evaluating, and synthesizing ideas and information gathered through applied research grounded in information literacy through a self-reflective process of conceptualization and design thinking. Thus, the program ensures that graduates are well-prepared to handle the technical aspects of their roles and capable of providing effective leadership, communication, and ethical guidance in their careers.

The program PLOs can be summaries into four primary objectives, including:

  • Offer the program graduates an intensive, solid educational foundation through theoretical and practical applications. 
  • Prepare graduates with the critical thinking skills, applications, and tools needed to plan, prepare, and produce independent and meaningful research that empowers students to become research leaders in the private and public sectors.
  • Prepare graduates to demonstrate effective communication regarding occupational safety and health issues within their organizations and function effectively in a team environment.
  • Provide the program graduates with ethics and life-long professional development practice to improve the urban environment and life standers for current and future generations.

 

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOME

The MSc in “Occupational Safety, Health, and Risk Management” program is a design-led teaching and learning program that enables students to progress toward their careers, depending on integrating both theoretical background and practical application side-by-side.  The program “Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs) meet the top accreditation requirements of such programs “ABET accreditation, USA” - Criteria for Accrediting Applied and Natural Science Programs, 2023-2024 (Sections: “General criteria for master’s level programs” and “Criteria for Master’s Level Programs of Environmental, Health, And Safety and Similarly Named Programs”) and similar accreditation boards, and this is represented in the structure and contents of the program courses. Therefore, upon graduation, graduates of the program of MSc in “Occupational Safety, Health, and Risk Management”  will be able to (according to ABET 2023/2024):

  1. identify, formulate, and solve broadly-defined technical or scientific problems by applying knowledge of mathematics and science and/or technical topics to areas relevant to the discipline.
  2. formulate or design a system, process, procedure, or program to meet desired needs.
  3. develop and conduct experiments or test hypotheses, analyze and interpret data, and use scientific judgment to conclusions.
  4. communicates effectively with a range of audiences.
  5. understand ethical and professional responsibilities and the impact of technical and/or scientific solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts.
  6. function effectively on teams that establish goals, plan tasks, meet deadlines, and analyze risk and uncertainty.

 

Careers of Graduates

The proposed program will prepare the students for various positions and careers in all occupational safety, health, and risk management fields. Program graduates can be employed in private, public, and academic organizations. The available employment opportunities cover a wide range of career options, such as: 

  1. Career opportunities in the Private sector: 
    • Safety Manager: Private companies across various industries hire safety managers to ensure compliance with safety regulations and develop strategies to minimize workplace hazards.
    • Risk Analyst: Professionals in this role assess and analyze potential risks, helping organizations make informed decisions to mitigate them effectively.
    • Occupational Health and Safety Consultant: Consultants advise businesses on safety and health regulations, conduct audits, and suggest improvements to reduce risks.
    • Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) Specialist: EHS specialists work on environmental compliance, managing waste, and ensuring workplace safety.
    • Safety Engineer: Safety engineers design and implement safety measures in products, systems, or processes, preventing accidents and ensuring compliance.
    • Insurance Risk Assessor: In the insurance industry, professionals assess and price business risks, helping insurance companies determine premiums.
       
  2. Career opportunities in the public sector, This includes local, state, regional, and municipal agencies:
    • ​Occupational Safety and Health Inspector: Government agencies employ inspectors to enforce workplace safety regulations and conduct inspections to ensure compliance.
    • Emergency Management Specialist: These specialists work in disaster preparedness and response, helping communities and organizations plan for and mitigate risks.
    • Public Health Officer: Public health professionals may be involved in health and safety campaigns, policy development, and disaster response at the community or national level.
    • Environmental Regulator: Government agencies have regulators who oversee environmental compliance and safety in industries such as manufacturing and construction.
    • Epidemiologist: Epidemiologists in the public sector investigate disease outbreaks and identify health risks in the population, contributing to public health policies.
       
  3. Career opportunities in academic practice include teaching and researching :
    • Professor/Instructor: In academia, individuals can become professors or instructors specializing in occupational safety, health, or risk management, teaching students, and conducting research.
    • Researcher: Researchers in this field explore emerging trends, develop new safety protocols, and contribute to the body of knowledge in occupational safety, health, and risk management.
    • Policy Analyst: Academic institutions often have experts who analyze safety and health policies, recommending improvements. 

Overall, careers in occupational safety, health, and risk management offer a wide array of options, allowing individuals to choose roles that align with their interests and expertise in both the private and public sectors and academia.