Program Overview
Learn to identify and analyze potential workplace hazards, infractions and risks with the Bachelor of Science in Occupational Safety and Health. In this online degree program, you will explore topics ranging from employee safety education and regulatory compliance to policy and enforcement.
This bachelor's program is also a Qualified Academic Program with the Board of Certified Safety Professionals (BCSP) and entitles graduates to add the Graduate Safety Practitioner (GSP) certification behind their name and the opportunity to skip the Associate Safety Professional (ASP) portion of the CSP (Certified Safety Professional) exam.
Taught by the same faculty who teach on campus, this online program will equip you with the knowledge and skills to design and implement corrective safety measures—while you discover new ways to keep workers safe. This B.S. degree program is a foundation for roles in the occupational safety and compliance sector.
Tuition
Southeastern Oklahoma State University offers its students the opportunity to earn their online degree with affordable, pay-as-you-go tuition that includes fees.
View full tuition breakdown [+]
Additional Fees
Application: $20
International Student Application: $55
Financial Aid
Financial aid is available for those who qualify. The first step in applying for financial aid is to file your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). SOSU's Federal School Code is 003179. If you plan to use federal financial aid, it is recommended that you apply for and have your financial aid awards finalized before enrolling. To expedite this, it is important that you file your FAFSA as soon as possible after applying.
Contact Us
Student Financial Aid Office425 W. University Blvd.
Durant, OK 74701-3347
Phone: 580-745-2186
Fax: 580-745-7469
Email: financialaid@SE.edu
Calendar
At SOSU, we offer multiple start dates throughout the year so you never have to wait long to get started on your online degree program. The chart below shows upcoming start dates, along with important deadlines, such as when your application should be submitted and when payments are due.
| Term | Start Date | Application Deadline | Document Deadline | Registration Deadline | Tuition Deadline | Last Class Day |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer 2019 | 7/1/2019 | 6/17/2019 | 6/17/2019 | 6/27/2019 | 6/27/2019 | 8/18/2019 |
| Fall 2019 | 8/26/2019 | 8/12/2019 | 8/12/2019 | 8/23/2019 | 8/23/2019 | 10/13/2019 |
| Fall 2019 | 10/21/2019 | 10/7/2019 | 10/7/2019 | 10/18/2019 | 10/18/2019 | 12/15/2019 |
| Spring 1 2020 | 1/13/2020 | 1/6/2020 | 1/6/2020 | 1/10/2020 | 1/10/2020 | 3/1/2020 |
| Spring II 2020 | 3/9/2020 | 2/24/2020 | 3/2/2020 | 3/2/2020 | 3/6/2020 | 5/3/2020 |
Admissions
Let's start boosting your career! The admission process is the first step toward earning your online degree. Familiarize yourself with these requirements for this online program, along with information on required documentation.
Online Application
Transcripts
College Placement Test
Online Application
High School Diploma
College Placement Test
View full admission requirements [+]
To meet the admission requirements for the B.S. in Occupational Safety & Health, applicants must meet the following criteria:
Transfer Students: Students who have attempted seven or more semester hours of college credit. Remedial and activity courses are not counted.
- Students are accepted as long as their cumulative GPA is a 2.0 or higher. If the student’s cumulative GPA is less than a 2.0 but it does not indicate a suspension, they can enroll at SOSU for the upcoming semester; however, they would be placed on probation until that cumulative GPA reaches at least a 2.0. If their last semester does indicate a suspension, they would be required to sit out a semester before enrolling at SOSU. If a student has two suspensions, they must attend another school and raise their cumulative GPA to a 2.0 or higher before being accepted to SOSU.
- College placement testing: Students will be required to take a test in each of the three areas (English, Math and Reading) unless they have successfully completed a college course in that area or have provided ACT scores of at least a 19. Students who have not scored high enough in the Science area automatically have a deficiency until they clear the Math & Reading deficiencies. If they do not pass the placement test, they will be required to either complete a remedial course or will have an additional lab component. These deficiencies should be completed within the first 12 credit hours (typically one semester). Our Learning Center can provide more information if you have further questions.
Adult Freshmen: 21 or older and has earned no more than six hours of college credit after high school graduation. Concurrent work is excluded.
- Provide a completed high school transcript or GED
- College placement testing is required if the student does not provide ACT or SAT scores. See testing information above.
New Freshmen: A student who has earned no more than six hours of college credit after high school graduation. Concurrent work is excluded.
- Minimum ACT of 20 (or SAT equivalent) or 2.7 overall high school GPA and top 50% of graduating class OR 2.7 GPA in the 15-unit core curriculum (four English, three Math, three History, three Science and two Electives)
- College placement testing: There are three tests (English, Math and Reading) that are given to students who do not score at least a 19 on the ACT or equivalent SAT scores in that area. Students who have not scored high enough in the Science area automatically have a deficiency until they clear the Math & Reading deficiency.
If the student does not pass the placement test, they will be required to either complete a remedial course or will have an additional lab component. These deficiencies are required to be completed within the first 24 credit hours (typically two semesters). Our Learning Center can provide more information if you have further questions.
Returning Students: Students who have not attended any other school since leaving SOSU are accepted under the following circumstances:
- The student has a cumulative GPA of at least a 2.0; or
- If the student’s cumulative GPA is under a 2.0 and their final semester with SOSU was on academic probation, they can return on probation. This status will stay in effect until the student raises their cumulative GPA to at least a 2.0.
- For students who have been suspended, university policy states that for the first suspension, a student must sit out at least one semester before returning. If a student has two suspensions, they must attend another school and raise their cumulative GPA to a 2.0 or higher before being accepted to SOSU.
Note: There would not be any placement testing required for these students since they should have already participated in testing; however, they may have some deficiencies that need to be completed.
Courses
For the B.S. in Occupational Safety and Health online, students must complete a minimum of 124 credit hours. The curriculum is comprised of 41 Occupational and Safety Health credit hours, 18-24 credit hours in a minor, 44 General Education credit hours, and Electives selected with an advisor as needed to meet university graduation requirements.
Students must take the following courses.
SFTY 1313: Introduction to Occupational Safety and Health
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
This course is an overview of occupational safety and health in business and industry. It includes program organization, hazard information and program implementation.
SFTY 2003: Introduction to Fire Science
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
This course focuses on principles of fire protection and fire prevention as they apply to business and industry.
SFTY 3133: Drugs in Society
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
A study of drugs and their effects. This course examines physiological, psychological and societal effects of drug misuse and abuse in our society. In addition, the historical development of behavior-altering substances from the early Chinese to the modern drug culture is studied.
SFTY 3173: Acoustics, Vibrations, & Noise Control
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
Fundamentals of sound, vibration, and acoustics. Physical and psychological effects of noise on individuals; measurement and analysis of noise. Control of noise through the application of engineering principles and acoustics. Personal equipment for protection against noise; legal and medical aspects of noise control; effective noise control management. (Prerequisites: SFTY 1313 and 2003)
SFTY 3553: Construction Safety
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
In this course, fundamentals of safety on construction sites (commercial and industrial) will be discussed. Practical application on a simulated construction site will be included.
SFTY 4003: Systems Approach to Hazard Control
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
This course focuses on concepts and methods of systems safety. Failure mode and effect, management oversight risk tree (MORT), cost-benefit analysis, statistical probability and process safety are studied.
SFTY 4113: Safety Training and Instructional Techniques
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
This course covers basic safety and health training concepts, instructional methods and program development with emphasis on the adult learner.
SFTY 4143: Safety Program Management
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
This course addresses safety program organization, administration and management.
SFTY 4353: Industrial Hygiene
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
This course utilizes practical application to explore the concepts and methodology for recognizing, evaluating and controlling hazards and environmental stresses in the workplace that may result in occupational diseases and injuries. The course must be taken the same semester as SFTY 4361: Industrial Hygiene lab. If either class (SFTY 4353 or SFTY 4361) is dropped, BOTH classes must be dropped and retaken.
SFTY 4361: Lab Industrial Hygiene
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
This lab course is designed to put into practice the tests, lab requirements and procedures outlined and instructed in the Industrial Hygiene course (SFTY 4353). Must be taken the same semester as SFTY 4353. If either class (SFTY 4353 or SFTY 4361) is dropped, BOTH classes must be dropped and retaken.
SFTY 4163: Fundamentals of Safety Engineering and Human Factors
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
This course gives an overview of current engineering principles including facility and work status, material handling, work place exposures and protection, and production operations. Emphasis is on human and ergonomic factors.
SFTY 4173: Legal Liability in Safety and Health Legislation
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
This course addresses safety and health legal liability, regulatory compliance, and workers compensation.
SFTY 4183: Hazardous Materials and Waste Management
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
This course is a study of hazardous materials and waste management in relation to legislation, handling, storage, transportation and emergency response.
SFTY 4951: Senior Seminar
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
Required for all seniors. Emphasis is on career planning and program assessment.
Choose one from the following:
BLAW 3123: Legal Environment of Business
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
This course will consist of three main units of instruction. The first unit will cover an introduction to legal theory, legal and deductive reasoning, constitutional law, administrative law, the court system, civil and criminal procedures, alternative dispute resolution, criminal law, and the concepts of tort and strict liability. The second unit will consist of the study of common law contract theory and an introduction to the Uniform Commercial Code. The basic elements of contracts will be examined, along with remedies, statute of frauds and third party rights. The final unit will consist of the application of property, bailments, agency, employment law, business structures, intellectual property, E-commerce, international law and other topics. The concept of ethics and proper business conduct will be emphasized throughout the course.
MNGT 3113: Management and Organizational Behavior
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
This course includes the study of planning, leadership, organization and control in order to effectively manage organizations in a dynamic environment. Includes a heavy emphasis on human behavior in organizations.
SFTY 3103: General Safety
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
This course provides students with information related to numerous safety disciplines and how to relate this information to living safely in today's complex society. The curriculum is designed to familiarize the student with general knowledge about school, traffic, community, personal, environmental and occupational safety.
SFTY 3663: Oil and Gas Safety and Production
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
This course provides an entry-level analysis of the safety aspects of oil and gas exploration, on and offshore drilling (to include fracking), refinement, and distribution of oil and gas products. Prerequisites: SFTY 1313 and SFTY 2003
SFTY 4603: Internship
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
The internship provides supervised on-site experience in safety gained through work. Term report required. (Prerequisites: 15 semester hours of safety and approval of advisor)
SFTY 4973: Special Studies
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
This is an individualized project selected in consultation with professor. (Permission required)
In consultation with an advisor, students must select a minor, which will range between 18-24 credit hours.
Students must complete 44 credit hours of General Education courses from the following categories.
Communications (9 hours)
- English (ENG 1113 and ENG 1213)
- Speech Communication (COMM 1233 or COMM 2213)
Social Behavioral Sciences (12 hours)
- Political Science (POSC 1513)
- American History (HIST 1513 or 1523)
- Social Science (ECON 2113, SOC 1113, or GEOG 2723)
- Mental and Physical Health (KIN 1113 or PSY 1113)
Science and Mathematics (14 hours)
- Biological Sciences (BIOL 1114)
- Physical Sciences (PSCI 1114 or 1414)
- Mathematics (MATH 1543 or 1513)
- Computer Proficiency Requirement (BIM 1553 or CIS 1003)
Humanities (9 hours)
- Humanities, Philosophy, and Lit (ENG 2313, 3893; HUM 2113; or PHIL 2113)
- Fine Arts (ART 1103, 3013, 3083; MUS 1113, 3133; or THTR 1183, 3183)
- Foreign Language (SPAN 1113 or NS 1213)
Electives selected with an advisor as needed to meet university graduation requirements.
