Safety, Security, and Emergency Management, Master of Science with a Concentration in Occupational Safety (M.S.)
General Information
The School of Safety, Security, and Emergency Management offers the Master of Science degree in Safety, Security, and Emergency Management. The M.S. degree program is designed to provide students with a broad background in safety, security, and emergency management, in addition to the option for more in-depth knowledge of at least one area of Occupational Safety, Corporate Security Operations, Emergency Management, and Disaster Resilience, Healthcare Safety, Construction Safety, Safety Leadership and Management, and Supply Chain Safety and Security. The program is directed to preparing students for responsible careers in safety, security, and emergency management. Students are prepared to draw logically sound conclusions, to think creatively, to communicate effectively, and to appreciate the role and responsibilities of the safety, security, and emergency management administration/professionals.
The objectives of the graduate Safety, Security, and Emergency Management program are:
- To provide a broad based program that affords the depth of education, the specialized skills, and the sense of creativity that will allow the graduate to practice in and contribute to the field of safety, security, and emergency management.
- To provide an avenue for a highly mobile and marketable career to individuals wishing to pursue graduate education in the Safety, Security and Emergency Management discipline.
- To add to the body of knowledge through scholarly activity, research, and advanced professional training.
- To provide safety, security, and emergency management practitioners with leadership skills needed for the planning and delivery of loss prevention and safety services at the state, regional, and national levels.
Admission Requirements
Students seeking clear admission should hold a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution of higher learning with a 2.5 grade point average overall. Students with an undergraduate grade point below 2.5 may be considered for Probationary Admission but are required to sit for the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) and acquire a target score in three categories: Verbal 149, Quantitative 141 and Analytical Writing 3.0. Students who have previously earned advanced degrees including, but not limited to M.S., M.A., M.B.A., J.D. or other recognized graduate degrees from an accredited university will be exempt from the GRE requirement.
Applicants without an academic and/or experiential background in a related discipline or field of study including, but not limited to: occupational safety, security, fire, homeland security, emergency management, emergency medical, insurance, and risk management may be accepted into the program with departmental approval. When deficiencies are deemed to exist, applicants may be required to satisfy all designated deficiencies prior to admission to candidacy. Students must also meet general requirements of the EKU Graduate School.
Online Learning Option
The Master of Science degree in Safety, Security and Emergency Management is offered online. The M.S. degree program also offers classes each semester online including options in Corporate Security Operations, Emergency Management and Disaster Resilience, Occupational Safety, Construction Safety, Healthcare Safety, Supply Chain Safety and Security, and Safety Leadership and Management.
Program Requirements
CIP Code: 43.9999
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | ||
| SSE 815 | SSE Administration | 3 |
| SSE 826 | Emergency Prep/Response | 3 |
| SSE 827 | Issues in Security Management | 3 |
| SSE 833 | Legislation & Regulatory Comp | 3 |
| SSE 865 | SSE Auditing | 3 |
| SSE 880 | SSE Research/Planning | 3 |
| Concentrations | ||
| Students must select one of the following Concentrations: | 9-12 | |
General Concentration | ||
Emergency Management and Disaster Resilience | ||
Corporate Security Operations | ||
Occupational Safety | ||
Construction Safety | ||
Healthcare Safety | ||
Safety Leadership and Management | ||
Supply Chain Safety and Security | ||
| Exit Requirements | ||
| Choose from one of the following: | 6 | |
| Comprehensive Examination | ||
Choose from six hours of 800-level SSE/HLS electives | ||
| MS SSEM Written Comp Exam | ||
| Capstone Applied Research Project | ||
Choose from three hours of 800-level SSE/HLS service | ||
| SSEM Capstone | ||
| Total Hours | 33-36 | |
Concentration
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Concentration Courses | ||
| SSE 828 | Industrial Safety Management | 3 |
| SSE 832 | Construction Safety | 3 |
| SSE 834 | Corporate Compliance | 3 |
| SSE 845 | Personal/Environmental Hazards | 3 |
| Total Hours | 12 | |
Exit Requirements
Select one of the two options below:
- Comprehensive Examination – Prerequisites: Candidate must have completed all core classes before scheduling to sit for the comprehensive examination. Candidate shall perform satisfactorily on the written comprehensive examination on their program of study and primarily focused on the core program requirements.
- Capstone Applied Research Project – Prerequisites: Completion of 30 hours in MSSEM and SSE 880 SSE Research/Planning or department approval. Students must earn a grade of “A” or “B” in order to satisfactorily pass the Capstone. A lower grade will result in the student being given only one additional opportunity to pass the Capstone within one year following an unsatisfactory grade.