Program overview
Management of environmental, health and safety issues has changed significantly in the past twenty years. The emergence of voluntary standards and codes of conduct, including international standards, coupled with the need to manage costs and limited resources has resulted in a trend to move beyond regulatory compliance. Now, companies work toward sustainability through the use of integrated environmental, health and safety management systems, which are woven into key business processes. Although they are distinct disciplines, environmental management, occupational health, and workplace safety share many technical, regulatory, and organizational characteristics. Today's professionals now need to be educated in all three areas.
Graduates are employed by Fortune 100 companies, environmental, health and safety consultancies, universities, and government agencies such as the EPA, OSHA, and NYSDEC.
Plan of study
The MS degree in environmental, health and safety management provides students with a solid foundation in the managerial aspects of developing and implementing environmental, health and safety management systems that can move organizations toward a more sustainable and socially responsible future. In addition, students gain a solid technical foundation in air emissions, wastewater, solid and hazardous waste, occupational safety and occupational health (industrial hygiene). Elements of sustainability are integrated into most of the core courses and some electives
The program consists of 33 credit hours and may be completed entirely through online learning, or via a combination of online and traditional on-campus courses. The curriculum consists of core courses, professional electives, and a choice of a graduate thesis, project, or exam.
Professional electives
Professional electives are subject to availability and include Fire Protection, Occupational Health, Solid and Hazardous Waste Management, Industrial Wastewater Management, Air Emissions Management, Occupational Safety, Mechanical and Electrical Controls and Standards, EHS Law, EHS Accounting and Finance, EHS Project Management, and Organizational Behavior and Leadership. Additional professional electives are available in topics such as business management, quality, sustainability, and other areas.
Curriculum
Course sequences differs according to thesis/project/exam option, see website for a particular option's module details:
http://www.rit.edu/programs/environmental-health-and-safety-management-ms Other admission requirements
-Have completed at least 9 semester hours of college-level course work in the sciences, with at least 3 semester credit hours in each of the following categories: chemistry, biology, and physics.
-Submit two professional recommendations.
-Submit two writing samples to demonstrate written communication skills.
-Submit official transcripts (in English) of all previously completed undergraduate and graduate course work.
-Submit a clearly written one-page statement of purpose.
-Submit a current resume or curriculum vitae.
-Complete a graduate application.
-International applicants whose native language is not English must submit scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). A minimum score of 570 (paper-based) or 88 (Internet-based) is required. Scores from the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) will be accepted in place of the TOEFL exam. Minimum acceptable scores will vary; however, the absolute minimum score for an unconditional acceptance is 6.5. It is recommended that international students begin the program in the fall semester.
Applicants with acceptable professional certification(s) and/or work experience may have pre-requisite science course work waived.
Applicants without formal academic training or documented experience in air emmisions, waste water, solid and hazardous waste, occupational health, or occupational safety may be required to take professional electives in these areas.
Students without related work experience may complete a graduate cooperative education placement during their program of study. Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores are not required; however, applicants may submit test scores to support their candidacy.
Additional information
Transfer credit:
With the permission of the department, relevant graduate course work may be transferred into the program, per the maximum number of credit hours allowed.
International students:
International students enrolled in courses at the RIT campus are required to take at least two traditional classroom courses and one or two online courses per semester. In addition, international students are solely responsible for meeting the requirements of their government and other sponsors, as applicable.
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