COMMUNICATOR
March 19, 2024

Board of Certified Safety Professionals Recognizes CSU’s Master’s in Occupational Safety and Health as a Qualified Academic Program

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 BCSP—a leader in high-quality credentialing for safety, health and environmental practitioners — acknowledged the degree program and concentration as Qualified Academic Programs (QAP) after a thorough review of each curriculum.

“After reviewing Columbia Southern University’s Master of Science in occupational safety and health and its concentration, 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.”

The Master of Science in occupational safety and health is the university’s latest Qualified Academic Program. In 2017, the BCSP listed CSU’s Bachelor of Science in occupational safety and health as a QAP.

“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. “The GSP designation indicates that you have completed an academic degree program that has met the rigorous quality standards from the BCSP. Having the designation also allows you to waive the ASP examination requirement for Certified Safety Professionals® (CSP®) eligibility.”

Safety professionals who have the GSP designation receive the following benefits:

  • A certificate awarding the GSP designation.
  • A waiver of the ASP examination requirement for CSP eligibility.
  • No GSP application fee.
  • Recognition for being on a path toward the CSP certification.
  • Recognition for the level of preparation for professional safety practice.
  • Recognition within the BCSP credential holder directory.
  • Use of the BCSP Career Center.
  • Use of the BCSP Mentorship Program.

The CSP exam requires four years of professional safety experience, among other requirements.

Disclaimer: These testimonials may not reflect the experience of all CSU students.
Multiple factors, including prior experience, geography, and degree field, affect career outcomes.
CSU does not guarantee a job, promotion, salary increase, eligibility for a position, or other career growth.

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14 Comments

  1. Michael Huff

    My Masters in Health, Safety and Environmental Mgt. had everything I need to pass the CSP exam! While the ASP was a piece of cake, I would not have passed the CSP without CSU.

    1. Libby Reilly

      Good morning, Michael! Thank you for taking the time to leave us your thoughts. We are so glad to hear your masters degree has helped you reach your goals. Good luck in the future!

      Sincerely,

      Libby Reilly
      CSU Marketing

    1. Libby Reilly

      Good morning,

      The BCSP has specified that only students graduating on or after Jan. 1, 2016 are eligible to apply. If you graduated before Jan. 1, 2016 and are interested in earning your CSP®, you are still eligible to sit for the ASP® exam followed by the CSP® exam (once experience requirements are met).

      If you have additional questions, please feel free to reach out.

      Sincerely,

      CSU Marketing

  2. Frank Land

    I am 12 hours short of my BS in Occupational Health and Safety and am planning on getting my MS in Occupational Health and Safety. Could you send me information on how to achieve this?

    1. Libby Reilly

      Good morning, Frank, and congratulations on the hard work you are putting into earning your degree. To best assist you in your individual case, you will need to contact your academic advisor. They will be able to give you the most accurate and personalized insight into your degree progression. If you do not know who your academic advisor is, you can email students@columbiasouthern.edu.

      I hope this helps!

      Sincerely,
      Libby Reilly
      CSU Marketing

  3. Leon Vorters

    What about us dedicated individual who graduated before the deadline. Are there any plans on mini-courses or ability to audit courses of instruction that we pay for to receive the same recognition?

    1. Libby Reilly

      Good morning, Leon. Thank you for your comment.

      Unfortunately, the BCSP has specified that only students graduating on or after Jan. 1, 2016 are eligible to apply. If you graduated before Jan. 1, 2016 and are interested in earning your CSP®, you are still eligible to sit for the ASP® exam followed by the CSP® exam (once experience requirements are met).

      If you have any additional questions, please feel free to reach out.

      Thank you!

      Libby Reilly
      CSU Marketing

  4. Timothy Hulbert

    Although I already have the CSHM certification, I am interested in the GSP (and follow-on CSP).

    1. Libby Reilly

      Hello, Timothy. Thank you for your message.

      Any graduate of the M.S. OSH program, including the environmental management concentration, who graduate on or after 1/1/16 may apply for the GSP. The BCSP describes the process for applying for the GSP designation at BCSP.org/GSP. If you would like more information, you can always reach out to your academic advisor or email students@columbiasouthern.edu.

      I hope that helps!

      Sincerely,

      Libby Reilly
      CSU Marketing

  5. DENNIS J DUDLEY

    I am just completing my Bachelors in EMS Administration and going forward for my Masters in Occupational Safety. Would I qualify for this program?

    1. Libby Reilly

      Hello, Dennis. Thank you for your comment and congratulations on working toward your degree! Any graduate of the M.S. OSH program (including the environmental management concentration) who graduated on or after Jan. 1, 2016 may apply for the GSP. I recommend speaking with your academic advisor to ensure you get the most personalized advice for your degree track and projected courses and outcomes.

      I hope this helps!

      Sincerely,

      Libby Reilly
      Communications Coordinator
      CSU Marketing

  6. Josephine

    hello, i am an alumni wih Masters in Occupational health and safety and environmental management. Please where can i start with the process of applying for the CSP certifation