Bachelor of Science in Occupational Safety, Health, and Environment
Department
Department of Computer Science and Industrial Technology
College
College of Science and Technology
Overview of the program
The Bachelor of Science in Occupational Safety, Health, and Environment (OSH&E) degree program is designed to provide an academically comprehensive curriculum that prepares graduates with the ability and competency to become highly qualified safety, industrial hygiene, and environmental professionals.
The OSH&E Bachelor degree program is undergoing a preparation for the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) accreditation. The OSH&E two-year Associate of Applied Science degree program has been accepted for the National Association of Industrial Technology (NAIT) accreditation. Because of these, students have access to both the highly-qualified courses and the most technologically advanced equipment in the state.
Mission Statement
The educational objectives of the OSH&E program are to prepare students who:
- Apply knowledge and principles of mathematics, science, technology, and management in industry, business, or other related areas of employment as occupational safety, health, and environmental professionals;
- Apply practical-oriented knowledge and skills in safety, health, and environment to anticipate, identify, and evaluate hazardous conditions and practices, to develop hazard control designs, methods, procedures, and programs, and to implement and manage effective safety, health, and environment programs;
- Become effective communicators and ethical facilitators within the practice of safety, health, and environment;
- Continue professional development to address the need of applying principles of safety, health, and environment within a constantly changing and increasingly diverse environment.
Strengths of the program
Southeastern's OSH&E program emphasizes both the technical and managerial skills to assure that its graduates are ready to enter the workforce to make significant contributions from their very first day. Their education has been drawn from a variety of disciplines to provide knowledge with both the depth and breadth necessary for this very complex profession. Some of the salient aspects of the program are:
- Qualified full-time and adjunct faculty with not only outstanding academic qualification but also real-world experience.
- A sound foundation in the physical and biological sciences essential to the application of workplace safety and health, and environmental preservation.
- Established communication skills, both written and oral.
- Ability to direct safety, health, and environment programs within the overall context of the management organization.
- Close association with professional safety and health organizations, both on and off-campus, to provide support and additional educational opportunities.
- Required internships and guided learning experiences.
Preparing for a job in the program
The OSH&E program prepares students to succeed as occupational safety, health, and environment professionals with a broad technical and managerial background. Typically included in this background are a functional knowledge and understanding of safety, health, and environment fundamentals; legal aspects of safety, health, and environmental practices; interactions of physical, chemical, biological, and ergonomic agents, factors, and/or stressors on the human body; basic principles of fire prevention and protection in the workplace; industrial and construction safety throughout work processes; industrial management and human relations; communication skills, mathematics, sciences, and statistics; and practical skills of basic laboratory techniques associated with industrial hygiene and basic sciences; fundamental exposure assessment techniques; accident/incident investigation and analysis; measurement of safety performance; safety, health, and environment program management; performance of education and training for safety.
Careers in the program
The OSH&E major prepares students for work in a wide variety of employments including, but not limited to, the following:
- Industry, both heavy and light
- Commercial and retail organizations
- Regulatory and other governmental organizations
- Insurance carriers
- Health care
- Consulting
Starting Salaries after completing the program (estimates only)
Starting salaries of the OSH&E graduate are commensurate with those of other 4-year technical and engineering graduates.
Campus organizations and activities affiliated with the program
- American Society of Safety Engineers
- National Association of Industrial Technology
- Epsilon Pi Tau
How do I know this is the degree for me?
Common Strengths and interests of students in the program
A degree in Occupational Safety, Health, and Environment is right for you if you want a career that is challenging and requires application of your extensive technical knowledge in real life situations. As the result of your work, workers will find significant improvements in conditions affecting their own safety and health, and the environment will be better protected. In addition, the organizations for which you work will operate more effectively and efficiently.
Contact Information
Department of Computer Science and Industrial Technology
College of Science and Technology
Lawrence Mauerman, MAS, PE, CSP
Coordinator, OSH&E Program
SLU 10847
Hammond, LA 70402
On Campus: Anzalone Hall, Room 110-3
Telephone: 985-549-2189
Fax: 985-549-5532
E-mail: lmauerman@selu.edu
