Indiana University Bloomington

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B.S. IN SAFETY SCIENCE

REDUCING RISK ON THE JOB

DOES THIS SOUND LIKE YOU?
You want to protect people, property, and the environment.
You want to help people work safely and efficiently, to reach their potential without risking injury.
You like finding solutions and making them happen.

In today’s technological workplace, safety is an increasing concern. Safety professionals fill leadership roles to protect corporate resources and workers’ lives. There are a variety of career opportunities that are challenging and rewarding in the public and private sectors, business and industry, government, and the armed services.

group of safety science students polling other students on campus

“I took a Violence in the Workplace course and was amazed at how relevant it was to the work environment. The instructor was truly encouraging and invited me to an IU American Society of Safety Engineers meeting. Being a nontraditional student made me hesitate, but the advisor and professors shared the possibilities and my passion for training and convinced me to seek the credentials to make a dream a reality; it was the best decision I have ever made!”
—Sharon Nejfelt, certifi cate in safety management ’05, entered master’s program in safety science in ’07

About the Program

Our Safety Science Program promotes safety and health in the workplace through education; hazard identification, evaluation, and control; and risk management. The course work includes psychology, science, and communication classes as well as courses in safety science, safety management, ergonomics, and industrial hygiene.

Options and Experience

The Safety Science Program ensures that you have the experience, confi dence, and the skills you need for jobs ranging from providing consultation services to small companies to managing safety on a multimillion-dollar project.

  • Enter the job market with significant hands-on experience gained from our advanced industrial hygiene lab.
  • Benefit from small classes and close working relationships with students and professors.
  • Gain workplace experience through a required 6 credit hour internship.
  • Take advantage of the program’s flexibility to choose a minor in business, public and environmental affairs, psychology, or gerontology.

Educational and Professional Requirements

Students must complete 26 credit hours and have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.3 to be admitted to the Safety Science Program. A minimum of 124 credit hours is required to complete this program. Volunteer work is strongly encouraged, and the Safety Science Program requires a 6 credit internship.

Tab sheet for major and tab sheet for minor (PDF)

Sample of Early Critical Courses

HPER-S 101 Introduction to Safety Science
HPER-S 210 OSHA General Industry Standards
HPER-H 160 First Aid and Emergency Care
PSY-P 101 Introduction to Psychology

Sample of Upper-Division Core Courses

HPER-S 332 Ergonomics
HPER-S 345 Safety Program Management
HPER-S 410 Advanced Industrial Hygiene
HPER-S 444 Safety Internship
SPEA-H 316 Environmental Health

Job Outlook and Salaries

According to a 2006 National Safety Council survey, “the role of the safety professional is expected to increase in the next five years,” thanks to the retirement of safety professionals of the baby boom generation.

Currently, safety science is one of the higher-paying health areas, with mid-career salaries averaging between $50,000 and $60,000 annually. Entry-level salaries for graduates with a B.S. typically start around $35,000, but move into the $40,000 to $50,000 range.

Career Skills

Safety professionals have opportunities to make a real difference in the workplace. As a safety professional, you may:

  • Improve safety awareness and safe behavior in your organization
  • Serve in a leadership role in protecting corporate resources and saving lives
  • Assist your company in preventing and reducing risks
  • Provide education for employees and management in all aspects of safety
  • Research ways to keep workers safe in various environments
  • Help your organization comply with OSHA and other safety-related standards
  • Contribute to the profit and performance of your organization

For More Information

For more information about this program or the Department of Applied Health Science, please contact:

Department of Applied Health Science
Indiana University
HPER Building 116
1025 E. Seventh Street
Bloomington, IN 47405-7109
Telephone: (812) 855-3627
E-mail: ahsinfo@indiana.edu 

If you want to know more about careers or issues in safety science, check out:

Program Brochure (PDF)