Environmental, Health and Safety Management Master of Science Degree

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In our master’s in environmental health and safety you'll acquire a foundation in the managerial aspects of developing and implementing environmental health and safety management systems to help companies meet sustainability and safety standards.

100%

Outcomes Rate of RIT Graduates from this degree

89K+

Average Annual Salary for Environmental Health Manager

#3

Fastest growing jobs in US

(LinkedIn ’24)

Overview for Environmental, Health and Safety Management MS

Why Study Environmental Health and Safety Management at RIT?

  • STEM-OPT Visa Eligible: The STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT) program allows full-time, on-campus international students on an F-1 student visa to stay and work in the U.S. for up to three years after graduation.
  • Future-Focused Curriculum: Learn the skills to move organizations toward a more sustainable and socially responsible future.
  • Flexible Learning: Complete your degree entirely online, or via a combination of online and traditional on-campus courses.
  • Career Readiness: Recent graduates are employed by Fortune 100 companies, environmental health and safety consultancies, and government agencies such as the EPA, OSHA, and the NY State Department of Environmental Conservation.
     
In-Demand Careers in Environmental Health and Safety Management for a Sustainable Future
Learn More about in-demand environmental health and safety degrees

Management of environmental, health and safety issues has changed significantly in recent 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 and management systems, which are woven into key business processes. As a result, there is a growing demand for professionals who can manage an organization’s environmental, health, and safety performance successfully. Employment in this field is expected to grow at a faster rate than overall employment growth through 2030.

Although they are distinct disciplines, environmental management, occupational health, and workplace safety share many technical, regulatory, and organizational characteristics. Today's professionals need to be educated in all three areas.

Graduates of RIT's environmental health and safety master's degree are employed by Fortune 100 companies, environmental health and safety consultancies, universities, and government agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.

RIT’s Environmental Health and Safety Management Degree

The master's in environmental, health and safety management provides you 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, you'll 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 core courses and some electives. In the environmental health and safety courses, you will learn:

  • How to create effective integrated environmental, health and safety management systems that conform to national and international consensus standards
  • Strategies and tools for integrating environmental, health and safety into business management that can drive the organization toward sustainability
  • Quality continuous improvement processes to identify and manage environmental, health and safety risk and opportunities
  • How to design and implement an effective environmental, health and safety audit program

The degree in environmental, health, and safety management may be completed entirely online or via a combination of online and traditional on-campus courses. The curriculum includes core courses, professional electives, and a choice of a thesis, capstone project, or comprehensive exam.

Professional electives can include courses in topics as diverse as fire protection, occupational health, solid and hazardous waste management, industrial wastewater management, air emissions management, occupational safety, mechanical and electrical controls and standards, environmental health and safety law, accounting and finance, project management, and organizational behavior and leadership. Additional professional electives are available in topics such as business management, quality, sustainability, and other areas.

This program is offered on-campus or online.

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Careers and Cooperative Education

Typical Job Titles

Associate Environmental Engineer Chemistry Lab Supervisor EHS Specialist
Environmental Health and Safety Coordinator Environmental Health Specialist Environmental Scientist
Lecturer Risk Control Specialist Senior HSE Representative
Senior Safety Officer

Post-Graduation Salary and Career Info for Environmental, Health and Safety Management MS

Cooperative Education

What makes an RIT education exceptional? It’s the ability to complete relevant, hands-on career experience. At the graduate level, and paired with an advanced degree, cooperative education and internships give you the unparalleled credentials that truly set you apart. Learn more about graduate co-op and how it provides you with the career experience employers look for in their next top hires.

Full-time students are eligible to participate in RIT’s cooperative education program. After completing two semesters (a minimum of 18 credit hours), students may request approval to complete up to one year of cooperative education employment related to their field of study.

Featured Work and Profiles

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Curriculum for 2024-2025 for Environmental, Health and Safety Management MS

Current Students: See Curriculum Requirements

View Printable Curriculum

Environmental, Health and Safety Management (thesis option), MS degree, typical course sequence

Course Sem. Cr. Hrs.
First Year
ESHS-720
Environmental, Health and Safety Management
This is the initial course in the curriculum core of RIT's MS degree program in Environmental, Health and Safety (EHS) Management. It defines and profiles EHS management within the organization; explores EHS management history, motivations, and strategies; introduces current and developing systems for managing an organization's EHS aspects; and investigates the elements and implications of developing an organizational EHS vision and policy statement. The course's unique delivery style combines elements of distance-learning and an onsite executive-leader format. (This course is restricted to students in the EHSM-MS program.) Lecture 3 (Fall).
 3
ESHS-740
EHS Management System Design
This course examines the design and development of environmental, health and safety management systems in order to implement an organization's policies and offers strategies for measurement of results in order to assess performance and ensure continual improvement. Significant team project work as well as individual work is required. (Prerequisites: ESHS-720 or equivalent course.) Lecture 3 (Spring).
 3
ESHS-755
Corporate Social Responsibility
This course will introduce social responsibility concepts and approaches presented in key documents like the ISO 26000 Social Responsibility Standard, and will explore strategies for assisting an organization to identify and implement socially responsible initiatives appropriate to the nature and scope of its activities, products, and services. (This course is restricted to students in the EHSM-MS program.) Lecture 3 (Fall).
 3
ESHS-760
Integrating EHS Management
This course examines strategies for integrating EHS systems and processes. Using case studies, the course explores interrelationships between EHS and total quality management, business value, reporting, and approaches for sustainable business development. Students will be prepared to select appropriate quality tools to improve EHS processes; identify opportunities, strategies, and tools for integrating EHS into business management; and identify best practices in EHS/business integration. (Prerequisites: ESHS-720 or equivalent course.) Lecture 3 (Spring).
 3
GRCS-701
Research Methods
Understanding research and academic writing are foundational skills for all graduate students regardless of degree culmination. This is a graduate-level survey course on research design/methods and analysis, with the goal of all students becoming better consumers of research, and preparing those who choose an empirical research degree culmination and future doctoral pursuits. The course provides a broad overview of the process and practices of research in applied contexts. Content includes principles and techniques of research design, sampling, data collection, and analysis including the nature of evidence, types of research, defining research questions, sampling techniques, data collection, data analysis, issues concerning human subjects and research ethics, and challenges associated with conducting research in real-world contexts. Research strategies using library sources, including academic databases and citation management, are emphasized; as are academic writing skills, including adherence to academic style. The analysis component of the course provides an understanding of statistical methodology used to collect and interpret data found in research as well as how to read and interpret data collection instruments. Lecture 3 (Fall, Spring).
 3
 
Professional Electives
 6
Second Year
ESHS-780
EHS Internal Auditing
This course provides an overview of the fundamentals of EHS internal auditing, including EHS internal audit program design and management principles, management system performance evaluation and corrective action techniques, and system improvements. Exercises provide opportunities to apply knowledge. (Prerequisites: ESHS-720 or equivalent course.) Lecture 3 (Fall).
 3
ESHS-788
Thesis Planning
Students will rigorously develop their thesis research ideas, conduct literature reviews, identify and plan methodologies, prepare schedules, and gain a clear understanding of the expectations of the faculty and the discipline. Each student will be required to prepare a committee approved thesis research proposal and may begin work on their thesis. (Enrollment in this course requires permission from the department offering the course.) Lecture 3 (Fall, Spring).
 3
ESHS-790
Thesis
The graduate thesis is a formal research document that empirically relates theory with practice. A formal written thesis and oral defense are required. (Prerequisites: GRCS-701 and ESHS-788 or equivalent courses.) Thesis 5 (Fall, Spring).
 3
Total Semester Credit Hours
30

Environmental, Health and Safety Management (capstone project option), MS degree, typical course sequence

Course Sem. Cr. Hrs.
First Year
ESHS-720
Environmental, Health and Safety Management
This is the initial course in the curriculum core of RIT's MS degree program in Environmental, Health and Safety (EHS) Management. It defines and profiles EHS management within the organization; explores EHS management history, motivations, and strategies; introduces current and developing systems for managing an organization's EHS aspects; and investigates the elements and implications of developing an organizational EHS vision and policy statement. The course's unique delivery style combines elements of distance-learning and an onsite executive-leader format. (This course is restricted to students in the EHSM-MS program.) Lecture 3 (Fall).
 3
ESHS-740
EHS Management System Design
This course examines the design and development of environmental, health and safety management systems in order to implement an organization's policies and offers strategies for measurement of results in order to assess performance and ensure continual improvement. Significant team project work as well as individual work is required. (Prerequisites: ESHS-720 or equivalent course.) Lecture 3 (Spring).
 3
ESHS-755
Corporate Social Responsibility
This course will introduce social responsibility concepts and approaches presented in key documents like the ISO 26000 Social Responsibility Standard, and will explore strategies for assisting an organization to identify and implement socially responsible initiatives appropriate to the nature and scope of its activities, products, and services. (This course is restricted to students in the EHSM-MS program.) Lecture 3 (Fall).
 3
ESHS-760
Integrating EHS Management
This course examines strategies for integrating EHS systems and processes. Using case studies, the course explores interrelationships between EHS and total quality management, business value, reporting, and approaches for sustainable business development. Students will be prepared to select appropriate quality tools to improve EHS processes; identify opportunities, strategies, and tools for integrating EHS into business management; and identify best practices in EHS/business integration. (Prerequisites: ESHS-720 or equivalent course.) Lecture 3 (Spring).
 3
GRCS-701
Research Methods
Understanding research and academic writing are foundational skills for all graduate students regardless of degree culmination. This is a graduate-level survey course on research design/methods and analysis, with the goal of all students becoming better consumers of research, and preparing those who choose an empirical research degree culmination and future doctoral pursuits. The course provides a broad overview of the process and practices of research in applied contexts. Content includes principles and techniques of research design, sampling, data collection, and analysis including the nature of evidence, types of research, defining research questions, sampling techniques, data collection, data analysis, issues concerning human subjects and research ethics, and challenges associated with conducting research in real-world contexts. Research strategies using library sources, including academic databases and citation management, are emphasized; as are academic writing skills, including adherence to academic style. The analysis component of the course provides an understanding of statistical methodology used to collect and interpret data found in research as well as how to read and interpret data collection instruments. Lecture 3 (Fall, Spring).
 3
 
Professional Electives
 6
Second Year
ESHS-780
EHS Internal Auditing
This course provides an overview of the fundamentals of EHS internal auditing, including EHS internal audit program design and management principles, management system performance evaluation and corrective action techniques, and system improvements. Exercises provide opportunities to apply knowledge. (Prerequisites: ESHS-720 or equivalent course.) Lecture 3 (Fall).
 3
ESHS-797
Graduate Project
This course provides an opportunity for students to demonstrate their capabilities developed through their course of study to design, develop, and/or evaluate an EHS management related project culminating in a written report or manuscript and presentation. (Prerequisite: GRCS-701 or equivalent course.) Project 3 (Fall, Spring).
 3
 
Professional Elective
 3
Total Semester Credit Hours
30

Environmental, Health and Safety Management (comprehensive exam option), MS degree, typical course sequence

Course Sem. Cr. Hrs.
First Year
ESHS-720
Environmental, Health and Safety Management
This is the initial course in the curriculum core of RIT's MS degree program in Environmental, Health and Safety (EHS) Management. It defines and profiles EHS management within the organization; explores EHS management history, motivations, and strategies; introduces current and developing systems for managing an organization's EHS aspects; and investigates the elements and implications of developing an organizational EHS vision and policy statement. The course's unique delivery style combines elements of distance-learning and an onsite executive-leader format. (This course is restricted to students in the EHSM-MS program.) Lecture 3 (Fall).
 3
ESHS-740
EHS Management System Design
This course examines the design and development of environmental, health and safety management systems in order to implement an organization's policies and offers strategies for measurement of results in order to assess performance and ensure continual improvement. Significant team project work as well as individual work is required. (Prerequisites: ESHS-720 or equivalent course.) Lecture 3 (Spring).
 3
ESHS-755
Corporate Social Responsibility
This course will introduce social responsibility concepts and approaches presented in key documents like the ISO 26000 Social Responsibility Standard, and will explore strategies for assisting an organization to identify and implement socially responsible initiatives appropriate to the nature and scope of its activities, products, and services. (This course is restricted to students in the EHSM-MS program.) Lecture 3 (Fall).
 3
ESHS-760
Integrating EHS Management
This course examines strategies for integrating EHS systems and processes. Using case studies, the course explores interrelationships between EHS and total quality management, business value, reporting, and approaches for sustainable business development. Students will be prepared to select appropriate quality tools to improve EHS processes; identify opportunities, strategies, and tools for integrating EHS into business management; and identify best practices in EHS/business integration. (Prerequisites: ESHS-720 or equivalent course.) Lecture 3 (Spring).
 3
GRCS-701
Research Methods
Understanding research and academic writing are foundational skills for all graduate students regardless of degree culmination. This is a graduate-level survey course on research design/methods and analysis, with the goal of all students becoming better consumers of research, and preparing those who choose an empirical research degree culmination and future doctoral pursuits. The course provides a broad overview of the process and practices of research in applied contexts. Content includes principles and techniques of research design, sampling, data collection, and analysis including the nature of evidence, types of research, defining research questions, sampling techniques, data collection, data analysis, issues concerning human subjects and research ethics, and challenges associated with conducting research in real-world contexts. Research strategies using library sources, including academic databases and citation management, are emphasized; as are academic writing skills, including adherence to academic style. The analysis component of the course provides an understanding of statistical methodology used to collect and interpret data found in research as well as how to read and interpret data collection instruments. Lecture 3 (Fall, Spring).
 3
 
Professional Electives
 6
Second Year
ESHS-780
EHS Internal Auditing
This course provides an overview of the fundamentals of EHS internal auditing, including EHS internal audit program design and management principles, management system performance evaluation and corrective action techniques, and system improvements. Exercises provide opportunities to apply knowledge. (Prerequisites: ESHS-720 or equivalent course.) Lecture 3 (Fall).
 3
ESHS-795
Comprehensive Exam
A written comprehensive exam is one of the non-thesis methodologies for completion of the MS degree. This course will provide a forum for independent review of the main concepts of the program core subject areas. The student will take a written examination at the conclusion of the course and must receive a passing grade of at least 80 percent to be successful. Students will have one additional opportunity to pass this examination if their initial attempt is unsuccessful. (Enrollment in this course requires permission from the department offering the course.) Comp Exam 3 (Fall, Spring).
 0
 
Professional Electives
 6
Total Semester Credit Hours
30

Note for online students

The frequency of required and elective course offerings in the online program will vary, semester by semester, and will not always match the information presented here. Online students are advised to seek guidance from the listed program contact when developing their individual program course schedule.

Admissions and Financial Aid

This program is available on-campus or online.

On Campus

Offered Admit Term(s) Application Deadline STEM Designated
Full-time Fall or Spring Fall - February 1 priority deadline, rolling thereafter; Spring - rolling Yes
Part-time Fall or Spring Rolling No

Online

Offered Admit Term(s) Application Deadline STEM Designated
Full-time Fall or Spring Rolling No
Part-time Fall or Spring Rolling No

Full-time study is 9+ semester credit hours. Part-time study is 1‑8 semester credit hours. International students requiring a visa to study at the RIT Rochester campus must study full‑time.

Application Details

To be considered for admission to the Environmental, Health and Safety Management MS program, candidates must fulfill the following requirements:

English Language Test Scores

International applicants whose native language is not English must submit one of the following official English language test scores. Some international applicants may be considered for an English test requirement waiver.

TOEFL IELTS PTE Academic
79 6.5 56

International students below the minimum requirement may be considered for conditional admission. Each program requires balanced sub-scores when determining an applicant’s need for additional English language courses.

How to Apply Start or Manage Your Application

Cost and Financial Aid

An RIT graduate degree is an investment with lifelong returns. Graduate tuition varies by degree, the number of credits taken per semester, and delivery method. View the general cost of attendance or estimate the cost of your graduate degree.

A combination of sources can help fund your graduate degree. Learn how to fund your degree

Additional Information

Prerequisites

  • Applicants without formal academic training or documented experience in air emissions, waste water, solid and hazardous waste, occupational health, or occupational safety may be required to take professional electives in these areas.
  • Applicants must 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.
  • Applicants with acceptable professional certification(s) and/or work experience may have prerequisite science course work waived.

Online Degree Information

The online program may be completed entirely through online asynchronous or synchronous courses, or a blend of both. There are no in-person requirements. All core courses are asynchronous and offer flexibility for students in different time zones and varying work schedules. Any synchronous courses would be clearly conveyed at the time of enrollment/registration. The EHS Management degree can be culminated by a thesis, capstone project, or exam. Most students complete the comprehensive examination. Some are able to complete a capstone project or a thesis with program permission. You do not need to choose your completion option at the time of enrollment. For specific details about the delivery format and learning experience, contact the Program Contact listed on this page. RIT does not offer student visas for online study. 

Online Tuition Eligibility
The online Environmental, Health and Safety Management MS is a designated online degree program that is billed at a 43% discount from our on-campus rate. View the current online tuition rate.

Online Study Restrictions for Some International Students

Certain countries are subject to comprehensive embargoes under US Export Controls, which prohibit virtually ALL exports, imports, and other transactions without a license or other US Government authorization. Learners from the Crimea region of the Ukraine, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, and Syria may not register for RIT online courses. Nor may individuals on the United States Treasury Department’s list of Specially Designated Nationals or the United States Commerce Department’s table of Deny Orders. By registering for RIT online courses, you represent and warrant that you are not located in, under the control of, or a national or resident of any such country or on any such list.

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Contact

Program Contact
  • Joseph Rosenbeck
  • Professor
  • Department of Civil Engineering Technology, Environmental Management and Safety
  • College of Engineering Technology
  • 5854756469
  • jmrcem@rit.edu
Offered within the
Department of Civil Engineering Technology, Environmental Management and Safety