How to Get a Master's Degree in Occupational Safety and Quality Control
A master's degree in occupational safety can include fields as diverse as occupational safety and health, environmental management, and quality control and safety--all geared to promote a safer workplace. A master's degree can prepare you for a career in a range of engineering, scientific, construction, and governmental fields. Master's degree programs in occupational safety can also include graduate certificate and graduate diploma components.
Occupational Safety Master's Degree Spotlight |
You can earn your occupational safety master's degree in about two years of full-time study. As a type of engineering and construction degree, occupational safety degree programs require focused study of topics as diverse as management and public speaking, biology and chemistry, psychology, environmental education, quality control, health, and engineering.
You can combine a master's degrees in occupational safety or quality control with your own work and educational background. From process improvement to measurement and testing techniques to ergonomics, a master's degree in this field is valuable in a wide range of specialities including:
- Engineering
- Construction
- Transportation
- Emergency Preparedness
- Fire Protection
- Risk Management
- Industrial Hygiene
- Environmental Health
Take your career to the next level or change directions in your current career with a master's degree in occupational safety or quality control. Many occupational health occupations require only a bachelor's degree but for management positions, a master's degree is usually required.
Earning a Master's Degree in Occupational Safety
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How to Get a Master's Degree in Occupational Safety and Quality Control
A master's degree in occupational safety can include fields as diverse as occupational safety and health, environmental management, and quality control and safety--all geared to promote a safer workplace. A master's degree can prepare you for a career in a range of engineering, scientific, construction, and governmental fields. Master's degree programs in occupational safety can also include graduate certificate and graduate diploma components.
Occupational Safety Master's Degree Spotlight |
You can earn your occupational safety master's degree in about two years of full-time study. As a type of engineering and construction degree, occupational safety degree programs require focused study of topics as diverse as management and public speaking, biology and chemistry, psychology, environmental education, quality control, health, and engineering.
You can combine a master's degrees in occupational safety or quality control with your own work and educational background. From process improvement to measurement and testing techniques to ergonomics, a master's degree in this field is valuable in a wide range of specialities including:
- Engineering
- Construction
- Transportation
- Emergency Preparedness
- Fire Protection
- Risk Management
- Industrial Hygiene
- Environmental Health
Take your career to the next level or change directions in your current career with a master's degree in occupational safety or quality control. Many occupational health occupations require only a bachelor's degree but for management positions, a master's degree is usually required.
Earning a Master's Degree in Occupational Safety
Enhance your skills and increase your earning potential with a master's degree in occupational safety. Learn more about the degree itself before you apply. Use this guide to find educational resources, establish a list of potential colleges and universities, weight your choices against some objective criteria, and prepare to submit your application. Use the following resources as you begin your search:
- If you've just begun to think about graduate school and you're looking for some basic facts, check out WorldWideLearn.com's Education Guidance & Advice section.
- Learn more about how you can earn a master's degree online and find the right program.
- Use this master's degree guide to prepare for your future success in a master's degree program.
Whether you hope to work in occupational safety, emergency management, industrial safety, or a related career, the type of degree you earn depends on your career future. Begin the research process by learning the basics of occupational safety and quality control graduate degree programs.
Step 1: Think About Occupational Safety and Quality Control Master's Degree Options
Choose from a range of options for your occupational safety and quality control degree program. Master's degree programs can have different focuses:
- Master of Science (MS): This professional degree combines research training, theoretical instruction, and hands-on work with concepts related to quality control & occupational safety. MS degrees in this field include MS in Occupational Safety and Health/Industrial Management; MS in Safety, Security, and Emergency Management; and MS in Industrial Hygiene.
- Master of Public Health (MPH): This degree can prepare graduates to develop, implement, and manage occupational health and safety programs in the workplace. An example degree is an MPH in Occupational Health & Safety Management.
The master's degree program you ultimately choose should be based on your personal interests and career goals. Careers can include:
- State or federal environmentalists
- Corporate medical directors
- Quality control auditors, managers, and engineers
- Risk managers
- Safety engineers, directors, managers, and compliance officers
You can also find occupational safety and quality control programs as part of specializations within other majors or departments. Make your research comprehensive by focusing on a range of potential categories.
Step 2: Create a List of Potential Schools with Occupational Safety and Quality Control Master's Degree Programs
Make a list of potential colleges and universities once you've thought about the basic distinctions within degree programs. Creating a long list of schools with occupational safety and quality control degree programs can help you learn more program details. Use the following resources to begin your research:
- Ranking Sites: Online and print publications rank top graduate programs based on a range of factors. U.S. News and World Report maintains current rankings of the best engineering schools. Start your search there to get a better idea of programs that might offer occupational safety and quality control & safety specializations.
- Professional Organizations: Learn more about occupational safety and quality control & safety schools by exploring related trade and industry organizations. Begin your research with the American Society for Quality or the American Society of Safety Engineers.
- School Listings: Browse lists of schools at WorldWideLearn.com and simplify the process of contacting programs. See listings for occupational safety and quality control degrees and explore broader listings for engineering & construction degree programs.
Keep your options broad and create a long list of potential schools. In the following steps, you begin to narrow your list based on your interests and career goals and consider whether you would prefer to earn your master's degree online or on campus.
Step 3: Consider Campus and Online Occupational Safety or Quality Control Master's Degrees
As you browsed the resources above, you may have found both online and campus degree programs. Use these resources to find out more about online master's degree programs and the online education process:
- Learn more about different styles of learning and think about how your learning style can affect the way you earn your master's degree.
- Get the facts about different types of degree programs online and find out which one is right for you.
- Would you rather earn a master's degree online or on campus? Help determine your personal preferences with a preference quiz.
Whether you're looking for the flexibility and convenience of an online master's degree program or the hands-on benefits of the campus classroom, it's your choice. Adult learners benefit from both styles of education; think about which style suits you best for your occupational safety or quality control & safety degree.
Step 4: Determine School and Degree Program Accreditation
Help to determine the quality of your education by making sure that your school and educational program is accredited by a third-party agency that examines each school and program to make sure they meet certain quality standards. You benefit from an accredited degree program because:
- You are eligible to apply for federal financial aid
- Potential employers and other schools recognize your credits and transcripts
- You can enjoy the confidence that your degree will be valued
Search the U.S. Department of Education's database for each occupational safety and quality control school on your list. Searching is simple and ensuring that each school has current accreditation is essential. Find more facts on the accreditation process by viewing WorldWideLearn.com's guide.
Step 5: Narrow Down Your List of Schools With Occupational Safety and Quality Control Programs
At this point, you should have a lot of options to choose from in terms of master's degrees in occupational safety and quality control. Narrow your long list of potential programs down to a focused few by examining them in terms of the following categories:
- Admission Standards: Each school comes with its own admissions standards. Most schools require that you submit resumes, transcripts, and test scores, and the most selective schools usually have the highest requirements. See WorldWideLearn.com's guide for more information on preparing for graduate exams like the TOEFL and GMAT.
- Technology: If you hope to earn your master's degree online, consider the benefits of each school's technology. One program could present course material in an interesting format, while another might offer a virtual library for occupational safety or quality control & safety students. Think about what you value the most in terms of accessibility. See WorldWideLearn.com's article on how online classrooms work.
- Location: If you're considering campus-based programs for you occupational safety and quality control master's degree, think about each school's location. Look for local businesses and organizations that align with your career path, examining each city as if you were looking for work. The more potential jobs you find, the more success you may have locally with jobs and internships later on.
- Cost: Look at what each school can offer you in terms of financial aid to pursue your master's degree. Balance tuition and cost of living with possible federal financial aid and scholarships. Think about how your potential salary after graduation will stack up against the debt you will incur. Find out more about financial aid for schools in the U.S. by browsing WorldWideLearn.com.
- Reputation: Ranking information can determine how employers view a particular school. Take ranking information seriously, but keep in mind that schools at the top of the list may have stringent requirements that make school admission highly competitive.
- Faculty: Seek out information on faculty members. Find out where professors are publishing and researching by reading biographies on department Web sites. Look for programs where professors share your research interests, and look for programs with strong faculty teams.
Considering each occupational safety and quality control master's degree program against these criteria can help you learn more about each school, more about your individual preferences as a student, and more about the degree itself. Once you narrow your options, you can start the application process with a manageable number of schools that fit your educational requirements.
How to Apply for an Occupational Safety and Quality Control Master's Degree Program
After you create your short list of programs, it's time to apply for your occupational safety and quality control master's degree at your top school choices. Whether your goal is to earn a master's degree online or find a campus program, you're required to submit a different application for each school. Keep the following in mind as you begin the process:
- Get Educated: During the application process, take the time to learn more about occupational safety as a profession. Find more information from professional organizations like the American Society for Quality or the American Society of Safety Engineers.
- Meet Requirements: Each master's degree program comes with different requirements. Be prepared to provide resumes, letters of recommendation, test scores, and undergraduate transcripts. Contact individual schools for their requirements.
- Observe Deadlines: Each school application has application deadlines. Improve your organization by using a calendar or day planner to meet individual deadlines for transcripts, testing, and completed applications.
Take the time to research occupational safety and quality control master's degree programs. You can learn about different schools and save time and money during the application process. This research takes some effort, but you can be confident that the occupational safety and quality control master's degree programs that you apply to are the right choices for you.
Sources
- ASQ: Networking American Society for Quality
- ASSE: American Society of Safety Engineers
- Best Engineering Schools, U.S. News & World Report
- Master of Science Quality Assurance, California State University, Dominguez Hills
- Search Institutional Accreditation System, U.S. Department of Education
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