Master of Science in Safety Science

The Master of Science in Safety Science program at Embry-Riddle’s Prescott Campus provides students with technical skills and practical experience, equipping them to address industry compliance standards or providing expertise in aircraft accident investigations. ERAU’s highly regarded graduate program in Safety Science is the only one of its type to offer both Aviation Safety and Occupational Health & Safety in one program.

Positions within the safety science career are expected to grow 14 percent through 2019, which is faster than the average for all occupations. And the Bureau of Labor Statistics states that prospects are especially strong for graduates whose broad knowledge lies in more than one health and safety specialty.

The federal government also continues to be a leading employer of safety science professionals.

At the Prescott Campus, students learn with experts in the Robertson Aircraft Accident Investigation Lab, the most complete facility of its kind in the nation, and the only one at any university. This “crash lab” enables students to get hands-on experience in select aircraft accident scenarios.

Students will have opportunities for full immersion in the program through diverse internships and a variety of clubs and professional organizations, like the American Society of Safety Engineers, Flight Safety Foundation, and International Society of Air Safety Investigators.

About Safety Science at the Prescott, AZ Campus

The Master of Science in Safety Science degree program qualifies students for specialized positions in a rapidly growing, highly paid, and exciting field and provides job placement assistance upon graduation. Safety is a critical part of aviation, manufacturing, and industrial design. This program provides the knowledge and skills necessary to practice occupational health and safety programs in any workplace.

Our flexible Executive Master of Science hybrid program allows students to study from the comfort of their homes, at their own pace. Travel to attend hands-on training experiences at the ERAU Prescott, Arizona campus is required only three weekends per semester.

The Master of Science in Safety Science degree is housed in the College of Aviation and is recognized by the Associate Safety and Health Manager (ASHM) program and approved by the Institute of Hazardous Materials Management (IHMM). Graduating students from the program can apply for the ASHM credential without an exam requirement or application fee. The ASHM designation is an important step to gaining Certified Safety and Health Manager (CSHM) certification, often leading to executive career opportunities.

Students can concentrate on safety in an aviation environment or a more general occupational safety.

The degree program produces safety professionals who are skilled in providing safety management expertise in aviation/aerospace, military, and numerous other industries.

Graduates will be able to provide leadership, training, and guidance in safety implementation and compliance issues involving EPA, OSHA, DOD, FAA, DOE, NTSB, and state health and workplace standards.

Assistantships are available for well-qualified applicants.

Requirements and Courses

The Master of Science in Safety Science (MS-SFS) degree program is designed to provide students with a practical course of study in aviation safety as well as occupational health and safety. The degree program produces safety professionals who are skilled in providing safety management expertise in a variety of industries. Graduates will be able to provide leadership, training, and guidance in safety implementation and compliance issues involving EPA, OSHA, DOD, FAA, DOE, NTSB, and state health and workplace standards and will be prepared for service in aviation/aerospace, military, and numerous other industries.

The MS-SFS degree prepares graduates for professional safety positions in a variety of organizational settings, including aviation. Students will qualify for jobs such as aircraft accident investigator, aviation or general safety manager, operations safety coordinator, and safety designer. The degree offers the opportunity for students to explore both the theoretical and pragmatic discipline that occupational health and safety has become. Particularly in light of extensive interest by the private sector and by government entities, this degree offers occupational health and safety professionals, as well as aviation safety professionals, the advanced education and credentials necessary to succeed in the practice of safety.

The MS-SFS is a 36 credit hour program of study. Elective coursework must be selected from the elective list below. All elective courses may not be offered every year.

Preference will be given to applicants with an undergraduate background that includes college-level mathematics, social, behavioral, and physical sciences, aviation, engineering, or other related disciplines.

Degree Requirements

Occupational Safety Core

• MSF 580 Individual Hygiene & Environmental Protection
• MSF 600 Quantitative Methods
• MSF 601 Ergonomics
• MSF 602 Human Factors

Aviation Safety Core

• MSF 613 Aviation Safety
• MSF 695G Aviation Human Factors
• MSF 695H Research in Aviation Safety

Safety Science Research Core (Required for Both Areas of Concentration)

• MSF 603 Occupational Safety
• MSF 612 Research Methods
• MSF 616 Safety Training & Leadership

Select one of the following options:

Option I

• MSF 700 Thesis ** 6 credits

Option II

• MSF 691 Graduate Capstone Course ** 3 credits

Electives

Select three to five of the following:

• MSA 602 The Air Transportation System
• MSA 613 Airport Operations Safety
• MSF 530 Aircraft Accident Investigation
• MSF 605 Industrial Hygiene Measurement
• MSF 606 Cntrl Mthds Occptnl Sfty Hlth
• MSF 607 Epidemiology † *
• MSF 609 System Safety † *
• MSF 610 Industrial Security
• MSF 611 Case Studies in Safety ‡ *
• MSF 614 Safety Ethics
• MSF 630 Aircraft Accident Analysis ‡
• MSF 635 Adv Aircraft Survivability ‡ ****
• MSF 655 Airline & Ops Safety Management ‡
• MSF 675 Aviation Maintenance Safety ‡
• MSF 680 Integrated Safety Ops Capstone
• MSF 685 Aviation Security ‡
• MSF 686 Emergency Preparedness
• MSF 696 Internship in Safety Science
• MSF 699 Special Topics in Safety Science