Steven Nash
EKU Occupational Safety StudentI took online classes several years ago and it was really difficult to navigate the program. EKU has really hit it out of the park with the program and how the classes are set up.
Bachelor of Science in Occupational Safety
School of Safety, Security & Emergency Management
College of Justice, Safety & Military Science
Bachelor of Science in Occupational Safety
School of Safety, Security & Emergency Management
College of Justice, Safety & Military Science
On-Campus & Online
Options
120 Credit Hours
to Graduate
On-Campus: $5,010 Per Semester
Online: $443 Per Credit Hour
(On-campus rate is for in-state students)
Low-Cost Textbooks
For All Students
What do Safety and Success Have in Common? Preparation.
Build the foundation you need to become a safety leader
The professional demands of occupational safety specialists are changing rapidly in the modern workforce. Success depends on the ability to adapt to diverse workplace settings, constantly changing codes and regulations, and unforeseen hazards and threats.
EKU’s online bachelor of science in occupational safety degree can help you grow with the industry and cement a career as a safety leader. Expand your knowledge by diving into topics ranging from employee safety education to regulatory compliance to policy and enforcement. You can immediately apply your newfound knowledge in your current position or pursue new career opportunities and increased responsibility.
Learn More
Career Outlook
Employment of occupational health and safety specialists and technicians is projected to grow 5 percent from 2021 to 2031
– U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Why EKU?
3+2 Combination Program
The 3+2 option offers a pathway to complete both the B.S. in occupational safety program and the MS in safety, security, and emergency management degree in as few as five years.
Benefits:
Internship Agreements
An internship can be your gateway to new and exciting professional opportunities. Through our partnerships we’ve been able to place our students with some of the world’s largest companies, including:
In addition, EKU’s Career Development and Placement Office can assist you in identifying and pursuing job opportunities in the safety industry.
Attend Online
Choosing an online program doesn’t mean completing your education alone. EKU Online strives to provide students with unparalleled staff and faculty access, rich engagement opportunities and every resource possible to succeed. We are committed to helping you find success in your coursework, as well as identifying and pursuing employment opportunities upon graduation. We are here to help you every step of the way.
Online students have access to:
Curriculum & Admission
EKU’s occupational safety degree is a comprehensive look at occupational safety concepts and how to implement them. Through the guidance of nationally recognized safety experts from nearly every corner of the industry, you can build the foundation you need to lead. Study the role of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and its rules, regulations and enforcement policy. Learn to identify and analyze potential workplace hazards, infractions and risks. Discover new ways to keep workers safe, and design and implement corrective safety measures. Course topics include occupational safety and health federal and state compliance requirements, hazardous materials, human factors (ergonomics), safety leadership and management, safety training strategies, hazard anticipation, safety performance metrics and evaluation techniques, workers’ compensation, and asset protection.
Enrolling & Advising Information
EKU’s College of Justice, Safety, and Military Science is committed to delivering high-quality enrollment and academic advising for our students. We strive to create an atmosphere of mutual trust and meaningful engagement to help students reach their academic goals and have a rewarding educational experience.
Interested in enrolling? Reach out to your college enrollment counselor.
Jacinda Bertie-Cockerham
College Enrollment Counselor
Call: 859-622-6520
Text: 859-305-1198
jacinda.bertie@eku.edu
Additional Contact Info
Admissions: 859-622-2106
Academic Testing: 859-622-1281
Big E Central (Financial Aid & Student Account Services): 859-622-2361
Military & Veterans Affairs Office: 859-622-2345
Student Stories & Features
Quick Links
Upcoming Events
Calendars
Venues
Days of the Week
Time of Day
List
Grid
Plain
Thu
12
Provost's Leadership Institute
February 12, 2026 at – February 13, 2026 at 
Thu
19
High School Honor Band Festival
February 19, 2026 – February 21, 2026
Mon
02
Tue
03
Fri
10
News & Updates
Mining for Knowledge: EKU Student Turns Real-World Experience into Safer Workplaces
After nearly two decades of working in coal mines, Joshua Vereen knows the meaning of hard work. As an online student at Eastern Kentucky University (EKU), he’s turning that experience into leadership, helping shape safer workplaces for the next generation of miners. “The coal mining industry has long been a part of Appalachia’s economy, and […]
‘Go Here, Go Anywhere’: Fire Engineering Takes EKU Grad Around the World and Back
As a kid, Tony Cole, ’93, never imagined his dream of becoming a firefighter would lead him to Eastern Kentucky University (EKU), then across the world meeting foreign dignitaries as a fire protection engineer for Saudi Aramco, and now operating a fire protection firm in Lexington. When Cole graduated high school in the late 1980s, […]
Igniting a Career: Fire and Arson Student Interns with National Park Service
Towering red rock arches, sweeping canyons and century-old dwellings set the stage for Rachel Dickey’s summer adventure. The Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) Fire, Arson and Explosion Investigation student interned with the National Park Service (NPS), gaining hands-on experience while helping protect the iconic landscapes of Arches, Canyonlands, Hovenweep and Natural Bridges National Parks and Monuments […]
Related Programs
B.S. in Fire Protection & Safety Engineering Technology
Common Job Titles: fire safety director, industrial safety specialist, fire protection & prevention systems designer
Modalities: online and on-campus
Credit Hours: 120
M.S. in Safety, Security & Emergency Management
Common Job Titles: manufacturing manager, environmental health officer, facilities manager
Modalities: online and on-campus
Credit Hours: 36
Contact Information
School of Safety, Security & Emergency Management
Stratton Building
Room 245
4453 Kit Carson Drive
Richmond, Ky 40475
859-622-1978
jus.dean@eku.edu