Fire and Safety Engineering Technology, Occupational Safety Concentration, B.S.E.T.

Occupational safety is important to every workplace as it recognizes, evaluates and controls the hazards present. The increased demand for safety professionals by employers is due to recognition that almost every industry has hazards that can impact the health and safety of its workers and communities.

The Occupational Safety Concentration in the Fire and Safety Engineering Technology B.S.E.T. prepares you with a strong background in the physical and life sciences as well as fire science. Coursework, experiential learning, quantitative analysis, and computer skills are heavily emphasized throughout the program, and a capstone experience is required.

You are encouraged to receive on-the-job experience through internships or by completing research projects in the program. Past student internship employers include Walt Disney World and Siemens. Past research projects include firefighter mental health resources, food truck worker safety and upcycling hard to recycle materials.

The curriculum in the program has been approved by two organizations to help graduates meet certification standards after graduation:

• The Board of Certified Safety Professionals has approved the UNC Charlotte Occupational Safety Major as a Qualified Academic Program (QAP) so that students can apply for a Graduate Safety Practitioner (GSP) designation after graduation.
• The Institute for Hazardous Materials (IHMM) has approved the UNC Charlotte Occupational Safety Major as an Associate Safety and Health Manager (ASHM) program so that graduates can apply for the Certified Safety and Health Manager (CSHM) certification.

As a graduate of this program, you may pursue a variety of careers including construction safety manager, environmental health and safety officer, OSHA compliance officer, environmental service technician and more. As a professional, you will recognize, evaluate and control workplace hazards, which exist in almost every industry.