Continuing Education introduces new online Occupational Health and Safety program

In response to the growing demand for qualified and certified occupational health and safety practitioners, University of Calgary Continuing Education has introduced a new Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) program that can be completed online or on campus. The program’s flexible delivery methods have the potential to attract students nationally and internationally.

The new program includes two certificates that can be laddered into an Occupational Health and Safety Diploma. The program was designed to address the unique and complex needs of Alberta industries and to cater to the diverse learning needs of adult learners.

“Stackable or laddered credentials have gained momentum in higher education,” says Dr. Sheila LeBlanc, DBA, director of Continuing Education. “Giving students multiple entry and exit points in a program is of great benefit to non-traditional learners who are balancing work and professional continuing education needs. This type of responsive programming is reflected in the design of this new program.”

The OHS program replaces Continuing Education’s Health, Safety and Environment Certificate program and meets the changing national (Board of Canadian Registered Safety Professionals - BCRSP) and international (International Network of Safety and Health Practitioner - INSHPO) accreditation requirements.

Online and instructor led

The courses are instructor-led and can be taken 100-per-cent online or in class.

“Having instructors leading our courses means students don’t have to navigate the course content on their own or rely solely on a textbook,” says Aimee Newton, program manager. “All of our occupational health and safety instructors are experts in the field, and, in fact, some have upwards of 20 years’ experience. Our students appreciate that the answers to their real-world questions are backed by years of experience.”

About the program

The Occupational Health and Safety Fundamentals Certificate courses specifically target the fundamental skills needed to embark on a career within OHS or prepare individuals who support a portion of OHS duties within a larger portfolio of responsibilities.

Building on the Fundamentals Certificate, the Occupational Health and Safety Advanced Certificate courses focus on the progressive concepts, theories, and terminology required to advance in a career within the OHS profession, including the management of technical projects. Graduates of this certificate program will have the education requirements to apply for the CRST (Technician) designation within the BCRSP professional association.

The Occupational Health and Safety Diploma courses target the specific skills needed for advanced practice and supporting an organization through leadership and management of OHS regulations and mandates. Students will gain professional practice needed to lead and evolve organizational health and safety practices and work successfully within the OHS environment. Graduates from the diploma will have the education requirements to apply for the CRSP (Professional) designation within the BCRSP professional association.

Certificate applications are now being accepted.

Students taking Continuing Education Health, Safety and Environment courses

Students currently taking courses in the Health, Safety and Environment Certificate program have until June 2020 to complete the HSE certificate and are encouraged to apply for admission to their HSE program. Students currently admitted to the HSE program and HSE certificate graduates, have until December 2019 to move into the new OHS program at no cost and should contact a Continuing Education Program Information Specialist to be placed in the appropriate OHS certificate or diploma.