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Environmental Safety Management (B.S.)

About the program

Did you know that Ohio and Pennsylvania are in the nation’s top five states for employment in the growing environmental safety management field*? To meet this growing demand, Thiel’s environmental safety management program has been designed to prepare students for internships and exciting jobs.

Your Thiel College environmental safety management degree is the first step toward a variety of great paying jobs in manufacturing, construction, energy, healthcare and government. Career opportunities range from EHS consultants and industrial hygienists to safety specialists and managers.  Built on three pillars of strength: business administration, environmental science and safety management, Thiel College students graduate with a balanced background needed for success in a business environment.

Students enrolled in other majors can benefit from the ESM program by earning a minor in environmental safety management.

Download the Departmental Overview with course information!

Visit our Academic Catalog (2019-2020) for course listings.

Major Features

The title "Environmental Safety Management" distinguishes Thiel's program from other academic EHS programs in the region. It also reflects the intent and philosophy that shapes the ESM Program. Environmental refers to the where employees work – indoors, outdoors, natural or constructed work areas. Safety encompasses the protection of employees and public from dangers that could injure or cause illness by using preventive measures and protecting the environment. Management refers to effectively guiding and directing employees in the objectives of the business.

Simply stated, the ESM program is all about the management of workplace activities with the express goal of protecting employees and public from the dangers of the workplace environment.

Nationally Recognized

The environmental safety management program has been reviewed and officially approved by both the Board of Certified Safety Professionals (BCSP) and the Institute for Safety and Health Management (ISHM). Thiel College students who earn a B.S. in Environmental Safety Management are eligible to apply for the GSP – Graduate Safety Professional (BCSP) and the ASHM - Associate Safety and Health Manager designations.

Scholarship Opportunities

Thiel College offers scholarships to students for reasons such as academic success, community service or involvement, exemplary leadership and more! The scholarships available to environmental safety management majors are:

• Marion G. Resch Science Scholarship at Thiel College
• Thomas J. Brazelton Memorial Geology Award
• The Dr. Judith A Crissman '64 Endowed Scholarship Fund
• The Maenpa Family Biotechnology Endowed Scholarship Fund at Thiel College
• Elizabeth McElhaney Scholarship
• Jim Miller Scholarship
• J. Scott Morrison Endowment for Science and Religion
• Arthur E. Smith Scholarship Fund
• TWC Amelia Earhart Scholarship
• Irene Wintersteen Memorial Science Scholarship
• ACEC/PA Eric J. Gennuso and LeRoy D. (Bud) Loy, Jr. Scholarship

Scholarships are also available from other sources including:

• ASSP Foundation (American Society of Safety Professionals)
• National Safety Council

Visit our Financial Aid page to learn more about the types of aid available to students.

Clubs & Organizations

It's easy to get involved on campus! Joining a student club or organization is an excellent way to meet others and gain leadership experience. An environmental safety management major might be interested in the following clubs and orgs:

• American Society of Safety Professionals Student Section, NWPA Chapter
• Environmental Club
• Sigma Xi (Scientific Research Society)

Visit our Campus Life page to see a full list of student clubs and organizations.

Careers

Here are just a few post-graduation opportunities available to environmental safety management majors:

• Work with senior management as a corporate health and safety director – earn a median salary of $126,800.*
• Health and safety engineers merge the knowledge of systems engineering and health and safety to assure chemicals, machinery, software and all other consumer products will not harm people or property – earn a median salary of $84,600.*
• Environmental health and safety specialist – earn a median salary of $77,946.*
• OSHA inspectors are hired through the U.S. Department of Labor. Career paths include industrial hygienists, safety engineers and safety/occupational health specialists – earn a media salary up to $72,000.*
• The mean annual base salary for safety professionals is $97,000.**

Entry level opportunities for EHS  specialists can be found in state and local government, manufacturing, construction, healthcare, truck and rail transportation, waste treatment and disposal, scientific research, energy development, agriculture and education.

*Job and salary information from the 2017 Bureau of Labor Statistics
**Board of Certified Safety Professionals (BCSP.org)