Two more occupational safety and health academic programs have recently been awarded ABET accreditation. Receiving the accreditation for the first time are East Carolina University’s MS in Occupational Safety and Illinois State University’s BS in Safety.

Also newly accredited and of interest to ASSE members is Eastern Kentucky University’s BS in Fire Protection and Safety.

ABET accreditation is proof that a collegiate program has met standards essential to produce graduates ready to enter the applied sciences and other STEM fields. Graduates have a solid educational foundation and are capable of leading innovation, emerging technologies, and in anticipating the welfare and safety needs of the public.

Programs accredited by ABET are considered the gold standard in occupational safety and health education. While ASSE works with Applied Science Accreditation Commission (ASAC) of ABET as the lead society for safety and similarly named applied science programs, it also works with the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) to jointly sponsor accreditation process for environmental health and safety and fire protection technology programs.  AIHA is the lead society that works with ABET-ASAC to accredit industrial hygiene programs.

“ASSE applauds these programs for taking the next step in guaranteeing a competitive, rigorously evaluated program for their students,” said ASSE President Michael Belcher. “These students will graduate knowing they can be confident in the value of their education in the marketplace.” 

Programs currently accredited by ABET in either the safety, EHS or fire protection areas include Fairmount State (BS), Indiana University of Pennsylvania (BS), Marshall University (BS), Millersville University (BS), Montana Tech (BS), Murray State (BS and MS), Oakland University (BS), Oklahoma State (BS), Southeastern Louisiana (BS), University of Findlay (BS), Trinidad State Junior College (AAS), University of Central Missouri (BS), University of Houston-Clear Lake (BS), and West Virginia University (MS). Three new safety-related programs are currently seeking initial accreditation, and if successful, will be accredited next fall.

Founded in 1911, the Park Ridge, Illinois-based ASSE has more than 37,000 occupational safety, health and environmental professional members from around the globe who lead, manage, supervise, research and consult on safety, health, transportation and environmental issues in all industries, government, labor, health care and education. For more information please go to www.asse.org/newsroom.