Program Overview

Engineering Technology, Occupational Health and Safety Concentration, M.S.

The Occupational Health and Safety Concentration in the Engineering Technology M.S. program is offered through the College of Basic and Applied Sciences. This program is geared toward full-time professionals with night classes, addressing dynamic changes in business and industry. Technically competent professionals can improve their skills to help them successfully transition into leadership positions in their field of expertise and into a general leadership role outside their area of technical expertise as their careers grow.

Program Description

Occupational health and safety specialists analyze workplaces to help prevent disease and injury to workers and damage to the environment related to biological, chemical, ergonomic, and physical factors. They may inspect work environments for potential hazards, design new programs and procedures, and enforce public health and safety regulations. MTSU's graduate degree includes both thesis and non-thesis options. Courses cover a range of topics such as industrial hygiene, fire safety, federal and state safety and environmental laws, safety psychology, ergonomics, toxicology, industrial safety, and safety planning.

Careers

The median annual wage for occupational health and safety specialists was $70,210 in May 2015, and the job outlook is expected to grow by 7.4% in Tennessee—almost double the national projection. The majority of graduates are employed by industry or government. Some pursue other advanced degrees. Federal agencies include the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Occupational health and safety specialists also work in management, scientific, and technical consulting services; education services; hospitals; and manufacturing.

• Certified industrial hygienist
  • Chief safety officer
  • Corporate safety director
  • Director of employee safety and health
  • Energy management specialist
  • Environmental health and safety (EHS) officer or manager
  • Environmental management specialist
  • Environmental protection officers
  • Environmental scientist or specialist
  • Health and safety engineer
  • Health and safety manager
  • Occupational health and safety technician
  • Risk control consultant
  • Safety and health consultant
  • Safety director
  • Safety specialist

Employers of MTSU Alumni

• Amazon
  • Bridgestone
  • Coca-Cola
  • ERS-USA
  • Feintool Tennessee
  • General Mills
  • General Motors
  • Lockheed Martin
  • Middle Tennessee State University
  • Murfreesboro Water and Sewer Dept.
  • Nissan
  • Occupational Safety and Health Administration
  • Select Staffing
  • State of Washington
  • Tennessee Dept. of Environment and Conservation
  • United Technologies
  • Vi-Jon, Inc.

Requirements

Admission Requirements

Admission to the Master of Science in Engineering Technology with a concentration in Occupational Health and Safety requires an earned bachelor's degree from an accredited university or college.

Application Procedures

• submit an application with the appropriate application fee
• submit official transcripts of all previous college work

Degree Requirements

The Master of Science in Engineering Technology with a concentration in Occupational Health and Safety requires completion of 30-36 semester hours (thesis option), with at least 21 hours at the 6000 level. The non-thesis option requires completion of 36 hours, with at least 26 hours at the 6000 level.

Curriculum

Thesis Option (30-36 hours)

Core Courses (18 hours)

• ET 6010 - Safety Planning
• ET 6190 - Six Sigma
• ET 6300 - PMI Project Management
• ET 6390 - Productivity Strategies/Lean Systems
• ET 6620 - Methods of Research
• ET 6710 - Current and Future Trends in Engineering and Technology

Concentration Courses (9 hours)

• ET 6020 - Safety Technology and Engineering
• ET 6040 - Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
• ET 6070 - Anthropometric Factors in Accident Prevention

Thesis Course (3-9 hours)

• ET 6640 - Thesis Research

Non-thesis Option (36 hours)

Core Courses (18 hours)

• ET 6010 - Safety Planning
• ET 6190 - Six Sigma
• ET 6300 - PMI Project Management
• ET 6390 - Productivity Strategies/Lean Systems
• ET 6620 - Methods of Research
• ET 6710 - Current and Future Trends in Engineering and Technology

Concentration Courses (9 hours)

• ET 6020 - Safety Technology and Engineering
• ET 6040 - Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
• ET 6070 - Anthropometric Factors in Accident Prevention

Individualized Study Course (3 hours)

• ET 6510 - Advanced Topics in Technology
• ET 6910 - Problems in Engineering Technology

Advisor-Approved Electives (6 hours)

Complete 6 semester hours from approved courses (could include a minor).

Faculty

• Dr. Vishwas N Bedekar, Professor
• Dr. Lei Miao, Professor
• Dr. Mina Mohebbi, Associate Professor
• Dr. Saleh M. Sbenaty, Professor