Environmental, Health and Safety Management M.S. - Major Code 8430

OSRHE Program Code: 096
CIP Code: 151501

(36 Semester Hours)

Purpose

The purpose of the EHSM program is to graduate professionals who:

1. Use an analytical and systems approach in problem solving and decision making;
2. Communicate effectively;
3. Have current, relevant knowledge in federal, state and international regulations addressing environmental, health and safety management;
4. Understand the economic, social, political, legal and technological environment of business and industry in a global context;
5. Are prepared to be dynamic leaders and effective team members;
6. Are professional in their attitude and approach to a career; and
7. Appreciate the civic, social and ethical responsibilities of business and industrial organizations.

Admission

Admission to the Environmental, Health and Safety Management program includes:

1. An earned bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university;
2. Scores no more than five years old on either the Miller Analogies Test (MAT) or the general aptitude portion of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE);
3. An approved Application for Graduate Admission;
4. One official transcript of all previous college course work. Transcripts must be sent directly from the schools attended to the Graduate College Office.
5. A 2.5 overall undergraduate grade point average (based on a 4.0 scale), or a 2.75 undergraduate grade point average in the last 60 semester hours attempted, or a score in the upper three-fourths of national norms on either the MAT or the GRE (verbal plus quantitative);

Advisement

An advisor is assigned to the student by the Graduate College when the student is admitted to graduate studies. The student should schedule an appointment with the advisor prior to the first enrollment. The advisor counsels with the student and assists in the selection of classes each semester.

Program Admission

Students must meet the following criteria for formal admittance to the Master of Science in Environmental, Health and Safety Management program:

1. An earned bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
2. Student has taken (within last 5 years) the appropriate entrance exam (GRE or MAT) and has satisfied the minimum score required or has met the minimum GPA requirements specified in the Graduate Catalog.
3. Student was accepted for Graduate Admission.
4. Student has completed all required prerequisite courses that were assigned based on undergraduate degree and work experience.

Plan of Study/Statement of Understanding

The advisor in conference with the student develops a plan of study and prepares a degree plan in the student’s degree program. The advisor familiarizes the student with the Statement of Understanding after which both parties sign it. All copies of the signed degree plan and the signed Statement of Understanding are sent to the Graduate College for the Dean’s approval and for distribution.

Any changes made in the student’s degree plan require prior written approval of the advisor and Dean of the Graduate College.

Admission to Candidacy

Admission to the Environmental, Health and Safety Management program at the master’s level does not imply admission to candidacy. Students will be admitted to candidacy if they have met the following requirements:

1. Been formally admitted to the Environmental, Health and Safety Management program;
2. Been assigned a graduate advisor in the Environmental, Health and Safety Management program;
3. Completed any and all prerequisites which were deficient upon admission;
4. Filed a plan of study (degree plan) approved by the advisor and the Dean of the Graduate College;
5. Filed a Statement of Understanding signed by the student and advisor with the Graduate College;
6. Completed a minimum of nine semester hours as prescribed by the degree plan;
7. Maintained a “B” average in all graduate course work completed since admission to graduate study.

Students should meet candidacy requirements within the first 16 semester hours of the program. They must meet these requirements within the first 24 semester hours. In any event, students must earn 16 semester hours toward the master’s degree after being admitted to candidacy.

Requirements for Graduation

In addition to the requirements for admission to candidacy and the regulations in the Academic Information Section of the Graduate Catalog, the candidate for the Master of Science in Environmental, Health and Safety Management must satisfy the following requirements.

1. Complete the approved 36 semester hour program in Environmental, Health and Safety Management;
2. Maintain an overall graduate grade point average of 3.0;
3. Achieve a grade point average of 3.0 in all Northeastern State University graduate course work attempted;
4. Achieve a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 in 5000 only courses;
5. Maintain a 3.0 grade point average in all 5000 level courses applicable to the program;
6. Complete the Synergistic Experience/Thesis. The problem and its solution must be submitted to the Dean of the Graduate College for final approval at least 30 days prior to the expected date of graduation.

Capstone Experience

Enrollment in EHSM 5993, Synergistic Experience/Thesis is required. Synergistic, in this context means a cooperative effort between the educational institution and a cooperating industry or business establishment. It is preferred that the student seek a special problem within one’s work area, department, group, assignment, or responsibility and proceed to develop a workable solution to the problem.

The appropriate company officials should be contacted well in advance and their approval gained before beginning the study. The academic program advisor must be kept informed on the various options and the final selection or recommended problem. An outline of the problem should be developed and submitted to the advisor for approval no later than the second week of the semester.

Select a topic or problem in your area and narrow the topic to fit within a semester’s work. The findings or solution may be done in written report form, video presentation, and verbal presentation to a committee, working models of any electronic or mechanical devices designed for a specific purpose, or a combination of report forms may be necessary to clearly and satisfactorily present the findings to those involved.

Students who cannot identify a cooperating industry may choose the thesis option. The student will identify a research topic and write a thesis under the direction of a graduate faculty member

The problem and its solution/thesis must be submitted to the Dean of the Graduate College for final approval at least 30 days prior to the expected date of graduation. Complete instructions for preparing the synergistic experience/thesis may be obtained from the student’s advisor or the Program Chair.

Program Checklist

1. Apply for admission 30 days prior to first enrollment for graduate studies.
2. Receive advisor assignment when admission is complete.
3. Interview with advisor prior to each enrollment.
4. Enroll for classes per class schedule.
5. Take GRE or MAT within first semester enrolled.
6. Complete program admission requirements.
7. Develop and file an approved degree plan within the first 16 semester hours of graduate studies.
8. Meet candidacy requirements within the first 16 semester hours of graduate studies.
9. Request degree check prior to the semester of graduation.
10. Apply for degree at beginning of semester of final enrollment.
11. Complete synergistic experience/thesis. Final copy must be presented to the Graduate College 30 days prior to the end of the semester.
12. Receive notification of graduation two weeks prior to date of ceremony.