Degrees and Certificates

Undergraduate Training

Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies in Occupational and Environmental Health and Safety (Weber State University)

This degree trains graduates to meet the tremendous need for bachelor’s-trained occupational and environmental health and safety professionals. Students who complete this degree will be equipped for careers in a number of fields within occupational and environmental health and safety or advance to a graduate program, including those at RMCOEH. The degree, part of Weber State's Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies program, allows students to attend classes at both Weber State and the University of Utah, creating opportunities to engage in interdisciplinary collaboration with other students.

Minor (University of Utah)

Undergraduate students at the University of Utah may seek a minor in Occupational Safety and Health. They will learn foundational principles that are beneficial in a range of careers or that could serve as a springboard to pursuing a graduate degree at RMCOEH. To receive the minor, students must complete six courses, as well as an internship, totaling 21 credit hours.

Other Undergraduate Programs

RMCOEH is partnering with Brigham Young University and Utah State University, which also boast world-class undergraduate occupational and environmental health and safety programs, on an initiative to raise awareness among high schoolers and early-stage undergraduates about educational opportunities and careers. 

Learn more   

Graduate Degrees

Master of Science in Occupational Health (MSOH) (University of Utah)

The MSOH degree program is designed to train students for professional careers in occupational health or for further research training. This degree is often considered a terminal degree, although some students choose to subsequently pursue doctoral training. The degree is intended to be completed in two years of full-time study and requires a research-based thesis or non-thesis project.

Students can select the following MSOH emphases:

• Ergonomics
• General Occupational Health
• Industrial Hygiene
• Mining Safety 
• Occupational Health Psychology 
• Occupational Injury Prevention
• Occupational Safety

Each emphasis involves major components involving the University of Utah Division of Occupational and Environmental Health and Department of Mechanical Engineering. Students must complete at least 42 credit hours, including a research-based thesis and oral defense, and pass a summative examination.

Full-time students may receive full or partial National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) stipend support, as well as possible tuition assistance from the University of Utah.

Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering (MSME) (University of Utah)

Students with engineering backgrounds in our Ergonomics and Safety and Occupational Injury Prevention programs may also pursue a PhD through the Department of Mechanical Engineering. Students must have an engineering background. The degree is designed to be completed in two years and requires 36 credits, including a research-based thesis and oral defense.

Full-time students may receive full or partial National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) stipend support, as well as possible tuition assistance from the University of Utah.

Master of Occupational Health (MOH) (University of Utah)

The MOH is designed for professionals who either 1) already have a terminal degree or 2) are currently working in occupational health and safety. The degree may help a professional advance his or her career and may allow students to complete it while maintaining full-time employment. Students are required to complete 30 or more credit hours and pass a summative exam but do not need to complete a research project.

Students can select the following MOH emphases:

• Ergonomics
• General Occupational Health
• Industrial Hygiene
• Occupational Health Psychology 
• Occupational Injury Prevention
• Occupational Medicine (also offered in an online, distanced-based format)
• Occupational Safety (also offered in an online, distanced-based format)

Residents in our Occupational Medicine Residency program complete the MOH in the first year of their training.

With the exception of physicians in the Occupational Medicine Residency, MOH students do not typically receive National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) stipend support, but may apply for scholarships through RMCOEH.

PhD in Mechanical Engineering (University of Utah)

Students in our Ergonomics and Safety and Occupational Injury Prevention programs may pursue a PhD through the Department of Mechanical Engineering. All students must complete a research project and dissertation, including an oral defense.

Full-time students may receive full or partial National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) stipend support, as well as possible tuition assistance from the University of Utah.

PhD in Occupational and Environmental Health (University of Utah)

The PhD in OEH program trains students who are interested in advanced-level OEHS problem solving, furthering professional occupational health practice through coursework applicable to research, attaining higher placement in a desired career area, or academia.

Students with a prior master's degree that includes core occupational and environmental health courses must complete 40 credit hours. Valid degrees include a Master of Science in Occupational Health (MSOH), Master of Occupational Health (MOH), or a related area (e.g., Master of Public Health). The RMCOEH Faculty Admissions Committee will consider equivalent degree transcripts for transferable credit on a case-by-case basis.

Students without a prior master’s degree or who have a degree that lacks the core occupational and environmental health courses must complete 64 credit hours. The RMCOEH Faculty Admissions Committee may award students partial credit for previous courses upon evaluation of transcripts.

All students must complete a research project and dissertation, including an oral defense.

Students can select the following PhD emphases:

• General Occupational and Environmental Health
• Industrial Hygiene
• Occupational Health Psychology 
• Occupational Injury Prevention (students select one of two tracks: Occupational Injury Epidemiology or Occupational Safety Engineering through UU Department of Mechanical Engineering)

Full-time students may receive full or partial National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) stipend support, as well as possible tuition assistance from the University of Utah.

Graduate Certificates

RMCOEH has two graduate certificate programs:

The Graduate Certificate of Occupational Health Nursing (Weber State University) is offered online and is designed for nurses working within the field who are interested in pursuing the tremendous career opportunities available in occupational health. It will prepare students to pass the Certified Occupational Health Nurse (COHN) exam. The certificate requires a minimum of five graduate-level courses totaling 15 credits.

The Graduate Certificate of Occupational Safety and Health (COSH) (University of Utah) is designed to help meet graduate-level regional and national needs for personnel trained in various areas related to occupational safety and health. Students typically have a bachelor’s degree and are often working within the industry. The certificate provides them the training and knowledge to advance their careers. Some may pursue graduate degrees after obtaining the certificate. Students must complete at least 15 credit hours of graduate-level coursework. The following emphases are available: Industrial Hygiene, Ergonomics and Safety, Occupational Health, General.

Post-Doctoral Training

People with doctoral degrees who are interested in gaining more experience in research related to occupational and environmental health and safety may wish to join our Targeted Research Training program. Post-doctoral trainees may complete graduate-level coursework but have additional opportunities for professional development and independent research experiences, especially focused on: exposure science, occupational biomechanics, transportation safety, occupational safety and health economics, and workplace mental health.

Online Degrees and Certificates

RMCOEH offers online, distance-based degrees and certificates to provide students the flexibility to complete their training from anywhere and on their own schedule. That dynamic is particularly geared toward professionals who are already employed in occupational safety and health positions and are seeking additional education to advance in their careers. 

What’s unique about our online training is that students have the same opportunity as their in-person peers to interact with and receive mentoring from our accomplished faculty, many of whom are nationally regarded in their disciplines. 

Online Master of Occupational Health (University of Utah)

Students can pursue an online Master of Occupational Health in one of two emphases, both of which require 30 credits and may be completed in one year of full-time study. 

• The Occupational Safety emphasis, part of our Ergonomics and Safety program, provides students with the training to utilize engineering principles to evaluate workplace hazards and design preventive solutions. An occupational safety professional’s work may be as simple as creating a system to hide wires at a manufacturing firm to prevent trips and falls or as complex as designing a ventilation system to ensure workers at a chemical plant aren’t exposed to dangerous vapors. Students will complete coursework related to ergonomics, product safety, systems safety, industrial and environmental toxicology, and the administration of health and safety programs. 
• The Occupational Medicine emphasis, part of our Occupational Medicine program, is intended for students who wish to further their careers in occupational health practice or research and prepares them to evaluate work-related injuries, illness care, case management, and workplace wellness. Students will complete coursework related to clinical aspects of occupational injuries and diseases, epidemiology, toxicology and physiology, biostatistics, occupational health psychology, and the administration and management of health and safety programs

Online Occupational Health Nursing Graduate Certificate (Weber State University)

The Occupational Health Nursing Graduate Certificate provides BSN-level nurses with the education to pass the American Board for Occupational Health Nurses, Inc. certifying board examination and to enter the field of occupational health. The certificate requires 15 credits and is designed to be completed in as few as two semesters.