Four world-class universities.
Four incredible programs.
Virtual Info Session
Join us Monday, Dec. 9, to learn about careers and salaries in Occupational and Environmental Health and Safety and hear from the undergraduate programs at BYU, the University of Utah, Utah State University, and Weber State University.
We will give away four scholarships as part of the session. The only requirement is that recipients be prospective students interested in our programs. No strings attached!
When: Dec. 9, 6-6:30 p.m. (Mountain Time)
Where: Zoom (link will be sent upon registration)
Contact Information
Tori Joy, M.S.
OEHS Program Coordinator
Build your future. Make a difference. A simple slogan — but one that reflects the motivations of nearly everyone who pursues an undergraduate degree in occupational and environmental health and safety (OEHS).
Some join these programs because they envision themselves at a manufacturing site as a safety professional or in a corporate office as an occupational health psychologist. Some use it as a springboard to medical school, with their unique training setting them apart from the hordes of applicants who pursue more traditional pre-med majors. Others view it as an opportunity to marry their passion for science with their desire to work with people, something that is rare in many scientific fields.
But whatever it is that fuels your interest, you’re in luck. Utah is home to four of the top undergraduate OEHS programs in the nation. They each offer a unique experience but have the same aim: protecting workers and the environment by helping you unlock your potential.
Perks of Careers in OEHS
Perhaps you’ll become an industrial hygienist and design solutions to better limit workers’ silica exposures at commercial renovation firms. Or you’ll be a researcher on the front lines of studying an infectious disease that’s endangering the lives of workers throughout the world. Maybe you’ll be part of a team that is engineering cutting-edge robotics technology to reinvent the way workers in high-risk industries approach their jobs. Whatever your desired path, there are plentiful reasons to pursue a career in OEHS, including:
- Wide Range of Career Opportunities: OEHS encompasses a diverse array of industries and sectors, including manufacturing, construction, healthcare, oil and gas, environmental consulting, government agencies, and more. The day-to-day challenges OEHS professionals face can be entirely different depending on the industry, or even the employer, meaning there is
- Plentiful Availability of High-Paying Jobs: With an increasing emphasis on workplace safety and environmental protection, the demand for qualified OEHS professionals is steadily growing across industries worldwide.
- Opportunity to Meaningfully Improve People’s Lives: By identifying workplace hazards and implementing safety protocols, OEHS professionals help prevent accidents, injuries, and illnesses.
"I have really enjoyed my time in the University of Utah's Bionics and OEHS research lab! It's exciting to see how my research can significantly improve someone's quality of life."
"I graduated with my Bachelor’s in Occupational and Environmental Health from BYU in 2023 and it was the best decision I could have made for myself and my career."
“I highly recommend USU’s industrial hygiene program, and I’m grateful for the experiences and career preparation I’ve received from
being part of it.”
After Graduation
Once you've earned your degree, there's the natural question: Now what? It depends on your ambitions.
- Begin your career: The good news is that there is massive demand for bachelor's-trained OEHS jobs in Utah and the West. What’s more, salaries typically start in the high five figures, stretching into the six figures, and there are early-career opportunities to rise into management positions. You can have a long, successful career with only an undergraduate degree.
- Further your education in OEHS: Continuing your training in OEHS is another tremendous option. In Utah, the Rocky Mountain Center for Occupational and Environmental Health (RMCOEH), jointly operated by the University of Utah and Weber State University, offers master’s and PhD training in several disciplines and is recognized as one of the top centers of its kind in the world. RMCOEH’s graduates often become leaders in their disciplines and are highly sought by employers across the country.
- Pursue medical, dental, or pharmacy school: A bachelor's degree in OEHS is a great launching pad into medical, dental, or pharmacy school or a similar path. Not only is the coursework relevant, earning an OEHS degree is a tried-and-true way to stand out from the pack in the competitive application process. There is even a specialty within medicine dedicated to OEHS -- occupational medicine, which is rated as one of the highest specialties in physician job satisfaction.
Minor Offered
Beyond the degree programs detailed above, the University of Utah offers a minor in occupational safety and health that can serve as an entry point to a career or further training.
© 2024 Rocky Mountain Center for Occupational and Environmental Health