Mar 28, 2024  
2021-2022 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2021-2022 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Environmental Health and Safety, B.S.


Contact:

Dr. Thomas Schenk 
Assistant Professor and Director 
schenk2@oakland.edu   

Lisa Staudt 
Office Assistant 
lstaudt@oakland.edu    

Program Educational Objectives

The Environmental Health and Safety program contributes to the institution’s mission by offering a high-quality baccalaureate degree that meets and exceeds the educational outcomes-based criteria established by the American Society of Safety Professionals for a B.S. degree in a safety-related career field. The graduates of the Environmental Health and Safety program are prepared to become effective safety and health professionals. During their first five years after graduation, graduates will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate effective technical competencies in recognizing, evaluating & controlling workplace EHS risks and hazardous.
  2. Analyze, develop and evaluate cost effective EHS programs and safe operating procedures.
  3. Work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders including labor, management, and the community to build a safe and productive organization.
  4. Apply sound design methodology in multidisciplinary areas to measure, evaluate and analyze EHS performance.
  5. Uphold professional, environmental, cultural, diversity, and ethical standards in EHS practice.
  6. Continue professional advancement through life-long learning opportunities such as graduate study and certification.
  7. Effectively apply appropriate scientific methodologies when utilizing EHS standards, regulations, and codes.
  8. Demonstrate effective oral and written communication skills.
  9. Demonstrate commitment to the profession through active participation in EHS organizations.

Student Outcomes

Baccalaureate degree students graduating from the Environmental Health and Safety program at Oakland University will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate competency in applying concepts and creating programs related to environmental safety, compliance, and stewardship. 
  2. Utilize the techniques, skills and modern scientific and technical tools necessary for professional practice.
  3. Demonstrate proficiency in written composition and oral communications.
  4. Apply science knowledge to solve problems using algebra, statistics, human physiology and anatomy, physics, chemistry, and engineering technology as it pertains to EHS practice.
  5. Anticipate, recognize, evaluate, and develop control strategies for hazardous conditions and work practices.
  6. Identify and apply appropriate standards, regulations, and codes, and best practices for hazard control and work programs.
  7. Work effectively in  on diverse teams or team projects.
  8. Design, conduct experiments, analyze and interpret data to provide control solutions to EHS issues.
  9. Know and demonstrate ethical responsibilities of EHS professionals.
  10. Integrate contemporary EHS issues and the impacts of their solutions within a global and societal context.

Grade-Point Policy

Environmental Health and Safety majors must achieve minimum course grades of (C) in all math and science courses. Environmental Health and Safety majors and minors must achieve minimum course grades of (C+) in all required EHS courses. If a student earns a final course grade below the minimum, they should meet with their academic adviser and must repeat the course in which the unsatisfactory grade was earned. 

Transfer Courses

Individuals who already have a degree from a regionally accredited associate or bachelor degree program may transfer a maximum of 62 credits that apply to the B.S. in Environmental Health and Safety degree program requirements.

Requirements for the B.S. degree with a major in Environmental Health and Safety


Students seeking the Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Environmental Health and Safety must complete a minimum of 120 credits, including the following requirements:

1. Meet the university general education requirements


(see Undergraduate degree requirements). Note that several courses under requirement number three below satisfy general education requirements and Environmental Health and Safety degree requirements. See courses marked with “*”.

2. Complete the university U.S. diversity requirement


For Environmental Health and Safety majors, this requirement is satisfied by completing PH 3000 - Introduction to Public Health (3) or any other course under the diversity category.

Internship


An internship is recommended to enhance job placement.  The internship may be taken on a for-credit or not for-credit basis.  If taken for credit, the student must register for EHS 4950 - Environmental Health and Safety Capstone Course Internship (4).  

Environmental Health and Safety, B.S. completion sequence for Certified Safety Professionals


The School of Health Sciences offers the Certified Safety Professional (CSP) an opportunity to earn a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) through a CSP to BS EHS completion program.  The student outcomes and educational objectives established for the BS EHS program are the same for traditional and CSP students, including course objectives and teaching methodologies.  Students who have satisfactorily completed a regionally accredited associate or baccalaureate degree and who possess a valid, current CSP certification may apply for admission to the CSP to BS EHS degree completion program.  A cumulative GPA of C+ or better is required for admission to the CSP to BS EHS degree completion sequence. Certified safety professionals with a grade below C+ may be admitted to the University under pre-CSP EHS status and change to CSP BS EHS status upon completion of a minimum of 12 credits (applicable to the EHS program) at Oakland University with a grade of C+ or higher. Certified safety professionals must complete all credits and/or courses required in the BS EHS degree program.  Completion may be achieved in the following manner:

1. Graduates from a regionally accredited associate or bachelor degree program


May transfer a maximum of 62 credits from community colleges that apply to the BS EHS degree program requirements.  In addition, 22 Environmental Health and Safety credits will be granted through a course competency process.  This process includes:

  • Successful completion of the CSP examination
  • Evidence of a valid, current CSP certification
  • Registration for competency credits as per the OU Undergraduate Catalog
  • Registration for approved competency credit courses to include EHS 1100, EHS 2250, EHS 2350, EHS 3300, EHS 3380, EHS 4410, and EHS 4420

2. Students seeking a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Environmental Health and Safety


Must complete a minimum of 120 credits as outlined in the official Oakland University catalog.  The minimum required courses may be satisfied through a combination of credits delivered by Oakland University, transfer credits from regionally accredited institutions of higher education, and CSP competency credits.  A minimum of 32 credits must be upper division credits from Oakland University.

Environmental Health and Safety, B.S. completion sequence for MIOSHA Training Institute Certificate holders


The Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) and Oakland University formed a new alliance establishing the MIOSHA Training Institute (MTI) to Bachelor of Science in Environmental Health and Safety Degree Program. This new program is available to those students who have a valid MTI Level 2 Safety and Health Management Systems (SHMS) certificate. Students who have the aforementioned certificate from MTI are eligible to receive up to 12 credits toward the Bachelor of Science in Environmental Health and Safety at Oakland University.

Students seeking a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) must complete a minimum of 120 credits as outlined above. The minimum required courses may be satisfied through a combination of credits delivered by Oakland University, transfer credits from regionally accredited institutions of higher education, and MTI competency credits. A minimum of 32 credits must be upper division credits from Oakland University.

In order to receive a B.S. in EHS degree, each student must meet all the requirements of the program published in this catalog.

Courses for which are eligible for competency credit through the MTI-OU program are:


*In lieu of EHS 1100 (3), students may substitute EHS 1000 (1) and EHS 1150 (2)

Environmental Health and Safety, B.S. completion agreement for Trinidad State Junior College Associate Degree holders


The School of Health Sciences offers holders of an associate degree in Occupational Safety and Health from Trinidad State Junior College (TSJC) an opportunity to earn a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) through an articulation agreement.  The student outcomes and educational objectives established for the BS EHS program are the same for traditional and TSJC students, including course objectives and teaching methodologies.

Students seeking a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) must complete a minimum of 120 credits as outlined above. The minimum required courses may be satisfied through a combination of credits delivered by Oakland University and up to 70 transfer credits Trinidad State Junior College. A minimum of 32 credits must be upper division credits from Oakland University.

Students who have satisfactorily completed an Associate Degree in Occupational Health and Safety (OSH) at TSJC may apply for admission to the BS EHS degree completion program at Oakland University.  These students will have the following benefits:

  1. PSY 1000  - Introduction to Psychology will count in Oakland University’s Social Science General Education category
  2. EHS 1100  - Healthy Workplaces: Protecting People and the Environment requirement will be satisfied
  3. HS 2000  - Introduction to Health and Health Behaviors will be satisfied

EHS elective credits requirement will be satisfied.