Columbia Southern University’s updated Bachelor of Science in occupational safety and health was recently included as a Graduate Safety Practitioner Qualified Academic Program by the Board of Certified Safety Professionals (BCSP).
The BCSP—a leader in high quality credentialing for safety, health and environmental practitioners—acknowledged the degree program as a Qualified Academic Program (QAP) after a thorough review of its curriculum.
“After reviewing Columbia Southern University’s Bachelor of Science in occupational safety and health, the program showed a substantial match to the Associate Safety Professional® (ASP®) examination blueprint,” said the CEO of BCSP, Dr. Treasa Turnbeaugh, CSP, ASP, CET, CAE. “BCSP looks forward to recognizing the program’s graduates and supporting them in the development of their careers.”
By earning the Graduate Safety Professional designation, CSU students who have graduated from the updated program after April 12, 2017 do not have to take the Associate Safety Professional exam.
“Students graduating from our updated bachelor’s degree in occupational safety and health program will be able to place the GSP designation after their names and will not have to sit for the Associate Safety Professional exam prior to sitting for the Certified Safety Professional® (CSP) exam,” explained Dan Corcoran, CSU’s academic program director for occupational safety and health and emergency management.
Corcoran added that the Graduate Safety Practitioner® designation is a strong testament of the rigor and quality of CSU’s occupational safety and health academic programs. Overall, CSU graduates from the updated bachelor’s degree program receive the following benefits from the Graduate Safety Practitioner designation:
- A certificate awarding the GSP designation.
- A waiver of the ASP examination requirement for CSP eligibility.
- No GSP application fee.
- Recognition for being in a path toward the CSP certification.
- Recognition for the level of preparation for professional safety practice.
The Certified Safety Professional exam requires four years of professional safety experience, among other requirements.
“By passing the Certified Safety Professional exam, safety professionals earn perhaps the most respected certification in their field nationwide,” said Corcoran.
Update: Columbia Southern University’s Master of Science in occupational safety and health degree program, and its environmental management concentration, was recently named as a Graduate Safety Practitioner® Qualified Academic Program by the Board of Certified Safety Professionals (BCSP). The Master of Science in occupational safety and health is the university’s latest Qualified Academic Program. “Students who graduated on or after Jan. 1, 2016 from our master’s in occupational safety and health or its environmental management concentration will be able to apply for the Graduate Safety Practitioner designation through the BCSP,” said CSU’s academic program director for occupational safety and health and environmental management Dr. Dan Corcoran, CIH, CSP. You can find more information here.
I just graduated with my BS in Occupational Safety and Health this September. Do I qualify as Graduate Safety Practitioner? And if so, how do I get the certification? Any info would be helpful.
Good afternoon, Rudy. Thank you for reaching out.
To best answer your question, please reach out to your academic advisor. They will be able to look at your individual degree program and advise you on next steps, if necessary.
Thank you!
Thank you!
I just graduated with my B.S. on 10/7/17 and do not qualify for this certification so, I would highly suggest you change your wording in the statement that says “By earning the Graduate Safety Practitioner designation, CSU students who have graduated after April 12, 2017 do not have to take the Associate Safety Professional exam”. This is extremely misleading and incorrect with such a blanket statement. I am highly disappointed in CSU.
Hello, Russell. We have worked to ensure clarity in our language regarding the changes to this degree program. We hope the provides better understanding. If you have any questions or need further clarification, please reach out to your academic advisor.
Well I received my B.S. in September of 2016 so that rules me out but what about the M.S. program? Did they determine the M.S. was not sufficient for the GSP designation?
Hello, Alex. Thank you for your comment. At this time, CSU’s master’s degree is not a qualifier for GSP, nor has it been submitted for approval. Please reach out to the BCSP to understand alternate pathways to qualify. You can also reach out to your academic advisor with any questions you may have.
Thank you for your understanding.
I would caution students and alumni to explore the Board of Certified Safety Professionals company before spending their hard earned money. The Board of Certified Safety Professionals is one of numerous organizations that profit from issuing non-academic certificates and proprietary designations for a fee. A designation purchased is no replacement for education and experience.
I recall not having to sit for the ASP as a 2012 graduate. Somewhere between 2012 and 2014 this changed with the BCSP. Of course, CSU now qualifies for the GSP qualified program. Go figure. The “updated” Occupational Safety and Health program sure does make me feel like I received less than adequate education. Luckily, I was able to complete a graduate program at a Regionally accredited institution and subsequently sit for a Quality professional exam (CMQ/OE). CSU’s graduate program not qualifying for GSP designation is also a travesty. I was briefly re-energized by the article until hitting the wall dead-center in the piece where it announced the part about graduating after April 12, 2017. C’est la vie.
Hi, I obtained my B.S. in September of 2013. What do I need to do to qualify for the GSP?
Good morning, Rhadames. Thank you for reaching out.
At this time, a student must be enrolled in the approved and updated program, which will require one to complete the following courses: FIR 4311, BEM 4351, and OSH 4308. Students who elected to remain in the previous program will have needed to complete these courses as electives in order to be considered. We are seeking guidance with the BCSP regarding students who are applying for GSP who have already graduated in the previous CSU OSH program who enroll in the courses post-graduation. Students who graduated in the previous program and did not enroll in the 3 courses mentioned above will not qualify for GSP.
For further clarification on your unique situation, please reach out to your academic advisor or a CSU representative.
I hope that helps!
Libby Reilly
CSU Communications Coordinator
Why is there a date for this certification? It should not matter when you graduated as long as you have the degree it should be accepted for the ASP. This is something CSU administrators need to fix with the BCSP.
Good morning, Angela. Thank you for your question.
At this time, a student must be enrolled in the approved and updated program, which will require one to complete the following courses: FIR 4311, BEM 4351, and OSH 4308. Students who elected to remain in the previous program will have needed to complete these courses as electives in order to be considered. We are seeking guidance with the BCSP regarding students who are applying for GSP who have already graduated in the previous CSU OSH program who enroll in the courses post-graduation. Students who graduated in the previous program and did not enroll in the 3 courses mentioned above will not qualify for GSP.
If you have any further questions or need clarification, please reach out to your academic advisor.
I hope that helps. Have a great day!
Libby Reilly
CSU Communications Coordinator