Environmental Health and Safety

The mission of the Bachelor of Science program in Environmental Health and Safety is to encourage our students to use their educational experience and discipline-related knowledge to work productively and efficiently in their area of expertise as well as contributing to the safety and protection, welfare and quality of life of mankind and the community.

Program Educational Objectives
 

1. Employment and Career Advancement

   Graduates will be gainfully employed in the area of Environmental Health and Safety and related fields.

2. Professional Certification:
   

   Graduates will have the knowledge and skills to obtain professional certifications in Environmental Health and Safety (e.g., CSP, CIH, CHMM) suitable to their desired skill sets.

3. Continuing Education and Adaptability
   

   Pursue graduate or continuing education studies to adapt to emerging technologies used by EHS professionals.

4.  Leadership and Community Service
   

   Graduates will demonstrate that they possess the skills and knowledge necessary to function effectively in roles of leadership and service in the communities where they will live and work and that they are productive in the area of Environmental Health and Safety contributing to the welfare, quality of life, protection, and advancement of the community.

Program Specific Student Outcomes (Aligned with ABET student learning outcomes)

1. An ability to identify, formulate, and solve broadly defined technical or scientific problems by applying knowledge of mathematics and science and/or technical topics to areas relevant to the discipline.
2. An ability to formulate or design a system, process, procedure or program to meet desired needs.
3. An ability to develop and conduct experiments or test hypotheses, analyze and interpret data and use scientific judgment to draw conclusions.
4. An ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences.
5. An ability to understand ethical and professional responsibilities and the impact of technical and/or scientific solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts.
6. An ability to function effectively on teams that establish goals, plan tasks, meet deadlines, and analyze risk and uncertainty.

The Bachelor of Science in Environmental Health and Safety is designed to meet the growing demand for well-trained personnel. Manufacturing, agriculture and medical industries are just a few places that require environmental health and safety support for process improvement, environmental compliance reporting, maintaining safety systems, and ensuring a safe and healthy work environment. Control and evaluation of occupational safety and health hazards associated with mechanical systems, material handling, electrical systems, chemical processes, and many others are emphasized in this program.

Careers

Regional Safety Technician
Industrial Hygiene
Protection Services Specialist
Environmental Health and Safety Coordinator
Field Service Project Manager
Compliance Officer

Earning Potential

The salary Range: $60,000 to $112,000

For more information please click here

Contact Information: Dr. Alesia Ferguson - Chair
e-mail: acferguson@ncat.edu
Department Phone: 336-334-7590

Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S) professionals are needed because they protect people, property, and the environment.  In an occupational setting, they enable organizations to conduct business free from recognized hazards that cause or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm.  Additionally, EH&S professionals enable organizations to conduct business in an environmentally sustainable manner.  Ultimately, EH&S professionals value influencing people to work safer, which has a positive impact on the organization's culture. Darius (Director, Environmental Health and Safety, UNC Charlotte)

EHS professionals keep our business operating in a safe, compliant, and environmentally-responsible manner.  We leverage our unique technical expertise in collaboration with all functional areas to achieve business objectives. Benita (Senior Director, Global EHS)

EHS professionals are an important part of this industry where we identify hazards, assess the likelihoods and consequences of those hazards (risks), prioritize the risks, select and implement the appropriate controls to reduce the risk.  Additionally, within this industry, there are many occupational health and safety and environmental requirements that must be addressed.  To outline what this entails, we will trace the specimen from the patient specimen collection to the laboratory for processing, ultimately leading to disposal of that specimen. Nelson (Manager Enterprise EHS - Clinical Laboratory Industry)

The reason EH&S professionals are needed in the manufacturing industry is to protect the organization’s number one asset – human capital. Ronald Graves (Poiema Leadership Institute & The John Maxwell Team)

EH&S professionals are necessary to ensure all EH&S domains (Safety, Ergonomics, Fire, Security, Environment, Medical and Industrial Hygiene) are under control for all facilities, employees, product, customers, and communities in which we are present. Rhonda (Michelin North America Zone – Supply Chain Department)

As an EH&S professional you get to raise awareness and bridge the gap from the CEO to the front line worker, learning every aspect of the business. As a safety professional in the insurance industry, you get to do this for hundreds of companies, and provide impactful analysis that helps those businesses control loss. Technology plays an important role in reducing losses and as an insurance safety professional, you will be presented the opportunity to utilize the newest hardware, software and artificial intelligence, to help ensure the safety and health of employees and their environment.  The insurance industry relies on safety professionals to analyze the type of risk they have before they extend millions of dollars in coverages, and then rely on them to manage relationships and mitigate losses through consultation. Karyn (Hartford Group-Risk Engineering)

I graduated from NC A&T back in May 2019. Since then I have worked in GA doing construction safety before returning to NC as an employee of Jacobs Technology in the role of an Occupational Safety Coordinator contractor to the EPA. Some of my daily tasks can range from ensuring all employees are caught up with their medical physicals, to overseeing confined space entries, to reviewing Health & Safety Plans for each project that is about to start to ensure that all safety aspects have been addressed. I have always been a hands on person but have understood that physical labor can go only so far before it takes a toll on your body that is why I decided to go back to school and make the career change that not only allows me to be out in the field but at the same time allows me to work without the extreme physical stain that HVAC work can put on oneself. Cody (Jacobs Technology, Occupational Safety Coordinator)

A strong safety culture is critical to overall business success. Safe companies perform better holistically.  When researchers compared long term stock performance of a “Safe Company Index” versus the S&P 500, safe companies had 3 times better results.  As a result, EHS professionals are highly sought after and viewed as key members of business leadership teams around the world.  Businesses rely on EHS professionals’ technical and leadership skills and strategic guidance to address compliance issues and ensure safe and healthy work environments for their employees, and the communities they operate in.  EHS positions are generally paid at a higher rate than similar level jobs in other professions.  EHS is an exciting field to work in, especially for those who enjoy fast-paced, dynamic, and challenging environments. You rarely do the same thing two days in a row.  But the best reward of an EHS career is knowing that you are helping ensure people return home from work to their loved ones each day.  You will truly save lives and prevent serious injuries. Wendy (VP for Safety, Walmart EHS)

Interdisciplinary Graduate Environmental Health and Safety Certificate (IEHC)(click link)
Coordinator: Alesia Ferguson, PhD Email: acferguson@ncat.edu Phone 336 285 3101
Admission Requirements: Earned BS Degree and Application for Admission Through Graduate College
Courses (15 Credit Hours)
EHS 708, EHS 711, WMI 617, EHS 600, WMI 747* and EHS 704**
Required Core Courses:
CIEN 700*, WMI 747* and EHS 704**
Optional/Substitute Courses
MEEN 685, EHS 613 and ENVS 622

You can apply here for this graduate certificate here.