Safety management is a niche field of interest. In fact, there are many who aren't overly familiar with safety management as a field or as a degree.
A Safety Management graduate degree program is designed for students trained in areas of business and economic sciences, animal sciences, chemical and biological sciences, engineering and technology sciences, medical sciences, or the physical sciences.
A safety management degree is ideal for aspiring professionals interested in public safety, health, and environmental management.
Let's explore the safety management career opportunities available to you:
What are the 4 Pillars of Safety Management?
“The essential idea of any SMS — be it a product/service provider's SMS or the SMS of the regulator responsible for safety oversight — is to provide for a systematic approach to achieving acceptable levels of safety risk. SMS is comprised of four functional components, including an intangible, but always critical, aspect called safety culture.”
—Federal Aviation Administration
SMS is composed of four functional components: 1) safety policy, 2) safety assurance, 3) safety risk management, and 4) safety promotion.
*Information taken from Federal Aviation Administration
Safety Management Jobs and Salary:
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that a 4 percent employment increase of occupational health and safety specialists is expected in the next 10 years. This percentage is considered about as fast as average, compared to all other occupations.
Safety professionals all pursue a common mission: to lead efforts to preserve and protect the people, property, and business efficacy of the organization. Whether construction, transportation of on-site manufacturing — even in the military — the safety mission is the same.
Students who graduate with safety management training at the master's degree level are prepared for careers in the field of safety management in industries such as manufacturing, transportation, construction, government, consulting, and aviation.
Some possible safety management careers include:
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Industrial Safety and Health Engineer
Growth: 4-6% | Median Salary: $86,720Emergency Management Director
Growth: 4-6% | Median Salary: $70,500Security Manager
Growth: 4-6% | Median Salary: $104,970Transportation Manager
Growth: 4-6% | Median Salary: $89,190Compliance Manager
Growth: 4-6% | Median Salary: $104,970Occupational Health and Safety Technician
Growth: 4-6% | Median Salary: $70,480
Safety Management Career Opportunities for Driven Professionals:
Upon completion, graduates will be able to identify hazards in the workplace, design and implement procedures to protect workers, investigate workplace accidents, and conduct training on safety procedures.
A safety management graduate will also be able to:
- Efficiently communicate the transmission of safety data to management and employees.
- Demonstrate knowledge and skills in the area of safety management.
- Demonstrate knowledge of ethical and professional responsibilities and knowledge of applicable regulations.
- Demonstrate the ability to apply various research activities through the decision-making process used in safety management.
In short, graduates of the Master of Science in Safety Management lead organizations to ensure that there are quality safety functions in place.
Note: This degree is accredited by the Applied Sciences Accreditation Commission of ABET, www.abet.org.
WVU Safety Management Alumni Experience:
WVU alumni, Bill Smith talks about his experience in the Safety Management online graduate program. He explains that because of what he learned in the Safety Management degree from WVU, he can pursue a fulfilling and meaningful career in the field!
WVU Safety Management Admissions:
WVU students have the option to complete the program either on-campus or online. The Benjamin M. Statler College of Engineering offers the online Master of Science in Safety Management for those seeking careers in occupational health and safety and for those interested in graduate school online.
Applicants must have:
- Apply with the online Graduate Application
- Personal Statement
- Pay graduate application fee
- Request official transcripts from all institutions attended (other than WVU)
- Mail to:
WVU Office of Graduate Admissions
One Waterfront Place
PO Box 6510
Morgantown, WV 26506-6510 - or Email to:
GraduateAdmissions@mail.wvu.edu
- Mail to:
*This program will review unofficial transcripts prior to application submission. Email Julie Thalman (julie.thalman@mail.wvu.edu) for details.
Connect with Safety Management Career Professionals at West Virginia University!
The Master of Science in Safety Management offered by the Benjamin M. Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources prepares you to help companies follow state and federal regulations, while designing programs to prevent disease, injury, or damage to the environment.
Armed with a Safety Management degree, you will be ready to respond to the needs of the public and employers, to inspect hazardous situations, and to investigate and administer government regulations.
If you have any questions about graduate school online at WVU, feel free to request more information or you can start your online application today!
Download our Online Graduate School Toolkit for a comprehensive look at the online offerings at WVU!
