Academic Catalog 2024-2025

Slippery Rock University

Safety Management, Bachelor of Science (BS)

The Department of Safety Management offers a hands-on, practical, and applied Bachelor of Science Degree in Safety Management. The B.S. in Safety Management is designed to assure development of competencies which enable innovative approaches in the establishment and direction of comprehensive safety programs in educational, governmental, private business and industrial enterprises. Safety Management involves protecting and preserving people, property, productivity and the environment. The curriculum fosters an education that enables students to become responsible, knowledgeable and accountable safety professionals. The Bachelor of Science degree in Safety Management at Slippery Rock University meets the Board of Certified Safety Professionals (BCSP) requirements as a Qualified Academic Program (QAP). The Bachelor of Science degree in Safety Management is an Institute of Hazardous Materials Management (IHMM) Board approved Degree Program.

The Department of Safety Management also operates a National Resource Center-WVU OSHA Training Institute Education Center Host Site. As part of their coursework, students are required to pursue both the OSHA 30 hour Construction and General Industry cards. The cards provide an additional valuable safety credential.

For Safety Management laboratory courses, the Department of Safety Management attempts to follow the recommendation of both the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) and Laboratory Safety Institute (LSI) which is to have the lesser of 24 students per lab, and the design capacity of the room, or 55 sq. ft. per student for lecture/lab combo rooms and 45 sq. ft. per student for only lab rooms.

GPA Policy

  • Once admitted to the Safety Management major, all students must maintain an overall GPA of 2.0 and a Major GPA of 2.0 in order to graduate with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Safety Management. It is solely the students’ responsibility to monitor and meet this requirement.

Professional Certifications

Board of Certified Safety Professionals

Upon graduation (must apply within one year), Slippery Rock University Safety Majors are eligible for the Graduate Safety Practitioner (GSP) designation which waives the Associate Safety Professionals (ASP) examination and provides a pathway to the professional certification of a Certified Safety Professional (CSP).  Upon four years of qualifying experience, Safety Management graduates are eligible to sit for the CSP examination. Accredited by the American Standards Institute and the National Council on Competency Assessment.

For additional information, visit: www.bcsp.org

The Institute of Hazardous Materials Management (IHMM)

The Bachelor of Science Degree in Safety Management is an IHMM approved Degree Program. Upon graduation, Slippery Rock University Safety Majors are eligible for the Associate Safety and Health Manager Certification (ASHM) designation since the examination is waived. The ASHM provides a pathway to the professional certification of a Certified Safety and Health Manager (CSHM). Upon two years of qualifying experience, Safety Management graduates are eligible to sit for the CSHM examination. Accredited by the Council of Engineering and Scientific Specialty Boards.

For additional information about the ASHM, visit: ihmm.org/ashm/
To set up an account, click here.

Internship Program

The internship offers students the opportunity to obtain firsthand experience in the work place. Students are provided the opportunity to apply concepts and techniques learned in the classroom to the workplace environment. The internship program is administered in cooperation with a variety of organizations, including government, industry, insurance, health care and other related enterprises. The internship is offered only during the summer term, with the majority of interns receiving compensation.

Contact the Department of Safety Management for the most current requirements.

Safety Management Department Attendance Policy

Attend and participate in class. There is no distinction between “excused and unexcused”.  When you are absent from class, you are absent. It is your responsibility to find out what was covered that day. As a Safety major, in order to prepare you for a career as a professional Safety practitioner, you are expected to attend class regularly and promptly. Attendance Policy requirements are noted on course instruction syllabus.

Electronic Device Use In Class

Electronic devices such as cell phones, pagers, video games, etc. are not permitted on and must be put away during class. Student must obtain instructor’s permission to use a laptop or any word processing device in the classroom. Also, no tape recording of class unless permission is given by the instructor. Electronic device use requirements are noted on course instructor syllabus.

Program Learning Outcomes

  • Professional Interaction: To interact and communicate with managerial, supervisory, labor and external public using a combination of communication, training, and technological skills for a clear exchange of ideas and information. These skills include: integrating different media in a variety of professional settings, using computers and other informational technology, using data, listening and comprehending the viewpoints of others, and effectively presenting information in oral and written formats. (UO 1, 2)
  • Professional Decision Making: To use critical and creative thinking in preserving enterprise resources, solving problems, making decisions and gaining new insights in professional decision-making. These skills include: clarifying and justifying assumptions, reasoning with considerations of implications and consequences, inferring and drawing conclusions, and evaluating the historical, financial, legal and political decisions that impact on the safety function. (UO 2, 3, 4)
  • Professional Ethics and Responsibility: To value the need for lifelong personal and professional development and mandate for ethical, responsible, and accountable professional practice or performance which includes a sensitivity to and affirmation of moral values in an evolving technologic and litigious society. (UO 8, 9)
  • Professional Competence and Application: To synthesize the body of knowledge of safety and environmental management as a basis for the performance of the skills and abilities required for an entry-level professional. This ability includes applying research findings to assure currency in the practice and the advancement of theoretical knowledge and practice within the profession. (UO 5)

Related Links

Safety Management, BS Program Page

Professional Licensure/Certification Page

Curriculum Guide

GPA Requirement

Overall GPA: 2.00 or higher
Major GPA: 2.00 or higher

Summary*

Rock Studies 2 Requirements42-43
Other Basic Requirements0-3
Major Requirements60
Electives17-18

* All undergraduate degree programs require a minimum of 120 credits.  Some courses meet multiple requirements, but are only counted once toward the 120 credit total required to graduate.

Rock Studies 2 Requirements

The Rock
SUBJ 139Foundations of Academic Discovery 13
ENGL 102Critical Writing3
ENGL 104Critical Reading3
Select one of the following:3-4
Elementary Statistics I
Precalculus
Calculus I
Select one of the following:3
Civil Discourse: Theory & Practice
Ethics and Civil Discourse
Civil Discourse and Democracy
Subtotal15-16
Integrated Inquiry
Creative and Aesthetic Inquiry
Select 3 Credits3
Humanities Inquiry
Select 3 Credits3
Social Science Inquiry
Select 3 Credits3
Natural Sciences Inquiry
CHEM 106Introductory Chemistry II3
or CHEM 108 General Chemistry II
Physical Sciences Inquiry
CHEM 104Introduction Chemistry I3
or CHEM 107 General Chemistry I
Subtotal15
Thematic Thread
Select 12 Credits 212
Total Hours42-43
1

Course offered in multiple subjects; cannot take course in first major subject.

2

One course from each category; six credits must be 300-level or above; no more than 4 credits from one subject area; specific courses required in first major, regardless of prefix of course, cannot be used to satisfy thread requirements; any course with same prefix as first major cannot be used to satisfy thread requirements, even if it is not a course in the first major.

Basic Math Requirement

Check with your adviser or a current degree audit report to see if you have been exempted from this course. The credit earned in this course will not be counted toward the 120 credit hour minimum needed to earn a degree.

Complete one of the following:0-3
Meet required minimum SAT or ACT math score OR
Beginning Algebra
Total Hours0-3

DIVERSITY,  EQUITY,  AND INCLUSION REQUIREMENT

Students must take and pass a course with the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) designation prior to graduation.  Students can meet this requirement by taking any DEI - designated course in any program at any time during their undergraduate career. 

Major Requirements 

  • 30 major credits must be taken at SRU or PASSHE
  • 30 major credits must be taken at the 300 level or above
Required Professional Courses
SAFE 118Introduction to Safety 13
SAFE 218Legislative Compliance-General Industry 13
SAFE 248Hazardous Materials & Waste Management 13
SAFE 258Construction Safety 13
SAFE 318Principles of Industrial Hygiene 13
SAFE 319Principles of Industrial Hygiene II 13
SAFE 328Comprehensive Emergency Management and Fire Services 13
SAFE 338Ergonomics and Human Factors 13
SAFE 368Injury and Damage Incidents Evaluation 13
SAFE 408Contemporary Safety Topics and Issues 13
SAFE 448Management and Integration of Safety 13
SAFE 450Internship 1,33
SAFE 488Safety Training and Development 13
Subtotal39
Select 5 of the following (15 credits)
Motor Transportation Fleet Safety 1
Energy Exploration and Generation 1
Safety Measurement, Evaluation, and Research 1
Insurance Risk and Loss Control Management 1
Security in the Workplace 1
Internship 1, 3
Environmental Permitting and Sustainability 1
Subtotal15
Required Support Courses
MGMT 351Organizational Behavior 23
MGMT 354Human Resources Management 23
Subtotal6
Total Hours60
1

Course counts for 50% of Major and Major GPA

2

Course counts for 50% of Major requirements but not for Major GPA

3

Student must complete one 3 credit internship. Students may complete an additional internship for credit in the Safety Elective block.

*

Some courses may require pre-requisites. Please see course descriptions to determine if there are any pre-requisites for that specific course.

Additional Required Courses

CHEM 104Introduction Chemistry I3
or CHEM 107 General Chemistry I
CHEM 106Introductory Chemistry II3
or CHEM 108 General Chemistry II
Select one of the following:3-4
Elementary Statistics I
Precalculus
Calculus I
Total Hours9-10

Important Curriculum Guide Notes

This Curriculum Guide is provided to help SRU students and prospective students better understand their intended major curriculum. Enrolled SRU students should note that the My Rock Audit may place already-earned and/or in progress courses in different, yet valid, curriculum categories. Enrolled SRU students should use the My Rock Audit Report and materials and information provided by their faculty advisers to ensure accurate progress towards degree completion. The information on this guide is current as of the date listed. Students are responsible for curriculum requirements at the time of enrollment at the University.

PASSHE - Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education Institutions

SAFETY MANAGEMENT - BS (2176)
This program is effective as of Summer 2023
Revised 07.01.2024
UCC 04.18.2023

Recommended Four-Year Plan

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
FallHours
SAFE 118 Introduction to Safety 3
CHEM 104 Introduction Chemistry I 3
ENGL 102 Critical Writing 3
ESAP 101 FYRST Seminar * 1
SUBJ 139Foundations of Academic Discovery 1 3
Creative & Aesthetic Inquiry 3
 Hours16
Spring
CHEM 106 Introductory Chemistry II 3
ENGL 104 Critical Reading 3
STAT 152 Elementary Statistics I 3
Humanities Inquiry 3
Social Science Inquiry 3
 Hours15
Second Year
Fall
SAFE 218 Legislative Compliance-General Industry 3
SAFE 228 Motor Transportation Fleet Safety 4 3
Select one of the following: 3
Civil Discourse: Theory & Practice
Ethics and Civil Discourse
Civil Discourse and Democracy
Thematic Thread Requirement 3
Free Elective 3
Declare a Thematic Thread 2
 Hours15
Spring
MGMT 351 Organizational Behavior 3
SAFE 248 Hazardous Materials & Waste Management 3
SAFE 258 Construction Safety 3
Thematic Thread Requirement 3
Thematic Thread Requirement 3
 Hours15
Summer
SAFE 450 Internship (Optional Internship) 0-3
 Hours0-3
Third Year
Fall
MGMT 354 Human Resources Management 3
SAFE 318 Principles of Industrial Hygiene 3
SAFE 328 Comprehensive Emergency Management and Fire Services 3
SAFE 338 Ergonomics and Human Factors 3
SAFE 368 Injury and Damage Incidents Evaluation 3
 Hours15
Spring
SAFE 319 Principles of Industrial Hygiene II 3
SAFE 408 Contemporary Safety Topics and Issues 3
SAFE 448 Management and Integration of Safety 3
SAFE 488 Safety Training and Development 3
Thematic Thread Requirement 3
 Hours15
Summer
SAFE 450 Internship (3 credits required; additional Internship credits count towards Select 5 category) 3
 Hours3
Fourth Year
Fall
SAFE 378 Energy Exploration and Generation 4 3
SAFE 385 Safety Measurement, Evaluation, and Research 4 3
SAFE 388 Insurance Risk and Loss Control Management 4 3
SAFE 478 Environmental Permitting and Sustainability 4 3
Free Elective 3 3
 Hours15
Spring
SAFE 418 Security in the Workplace 4 3
Free Elective 3
Free Elective 3
Free Elective 3
 Hours12
 Total Hours**121-124
1

Course offered in multiple subjects; cannot take course in first major subject.

2

Work with your Academic Adviser to declare a Thematic Thread by the end of your fall semester in your second year.

3

Free Elective not required if Internship was completed in Summer of second year.

4

Meets Safety Elective (Select 5) requirement; additional coursework counts toward 120 credit graduation requirement.

*

Students are encouraged to take ESAP 101 as a Free Elective.

** This document is meant to serve as a guide. Some planners may show more than 120 credits because faculty have created flexibility in choosing courses.  However, only 120 credits are required to obtain a degree. Please consult with your academic adviser and refer to your curriculum guide prior to registering for courses. This plan should be reviewed, and verified, by you and your academic adviser at least once each academic year. 

Major Code: 2176
Revised: 05.15.2024