Occupational Safety and Health Technology

Semester Sequence

This is a suggested full-time schedule for a student who has completed any developmental course work and has no transfer credits. Refer to the College catalog for specific requirements in selecting General Education courses .

General Education Requirements and Electives - 19 Credits

Program Requirements and Electives - 41 Credits

Total Credits Required for Degree: 60*

*Credit students who are new to college (no successfully completed college coursework at other institutions) are required to take ACDV 101  in the first semester at CCBC. This is a 1-credit class, and it does not count towards the number of credits required for a degree or certificate. Students are required to provide an official transcript(s) to document successful completion of college coursework at another institution(s) for this requirement to be waived.

Program Description

This program prepares students for employment as safety and occupational health professionals in the general, construction, and service industries; in insurance accident prevention; in government agencies; and in non-profit organizations. The program provides students with a strong foundation in essential safety management principles and practices that permits them to work effectively as professionals and paraprofessionals in diverse work environments. Students interested in transferring to a bachelors program (or higher) are well prepared for success in the 4-year and graduate-level university setting.

Graduates should expect to find employment as safety and health technicians, safety and health specialists, accident investigators, and occupational safety and health program staff assistants. Such positions are found in general industry, service organizations, the construction industry, and in loss control organizations. Similar positions are found in federal, state, and local governments.

A degree in Occupational Safety and Health is the minimum educational requirement to sit for the associate safety professional and certified safety professional designation exams. The OSHT program is also excellent preparation for these and lesser certification exams.

Students who choose this curriculum and desire to transfer courses to a four-year college should check with the program coordinator and/or an academic advisor. While many courses will transfer, certain specialized courses may not. Higher level chemistry and math course work may also be advised.

Program Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this degree, students will be able to:

1. advise organizational management regarding the establishment of an effective, cost saving occupational injury and illness prevention program via the :
   1. establishment of a safety management system,
   2. development of a positive safety culture, and
   3. application of proven safety principles and practices;
2. provide effective safety and health training to all levels of an organization based upon recognized training methods;
3. conduct hazard analyses to identify workplace hazards and develop cost effective control strategies for the identified hazards;
4. apply basic industrial hygiene principles to conduct preliminary health hazard assessment to determine appropriate plans of action;
5. function effectively in construction safety, either as a safety professional working for contractors or as safety representatives of the property owner;
6. apply regulatory and voluntary safety standards to ensure compliance;
7. continue on towards higher degrees in safety, industrial hygiene, science, business management, fire science, environmental management, homeland security, human resource management, and other areas of interest to the student; and
8. sit for the terminal professional certification, after the requisite years of experience, of Certified Safety Professional.