The Master of Science in Occupational Safety (MSOS) at East Carolina University prepares graduates for leadership positions in occupational safety and related fields. An academic experience in the design and management of enterprise-wide safety systems is provided. The focus of this Program is in occupational safety (OS), a core discipline of public health that focuses on research and prevention programs to foster safe and healthful working environments. Foundational principles and overarching academic goals of the MSOS program include ensuring effective communications skills, the ability to think critically and solve occupational safety issues, and to develop applied research skills. Long term goals of the program are to grow the number of enrolled students by 10% by 2007. A dedicated focus will be made through in-state partnerships with HBCUs, North Carolina A&T and Elizabeth City State. Furthermore, it is ECU'S goal that each trainee present or publish their research in a peer-reviewed journal or at a regional or national conference. Our MSOS program is congruent with CDC's mission statement in that we provide a graduate academic experience that promotes health and quality of life by preventing and controlling disease, injury, and disability stemming from occupational hazards and risks. There remains a lack of graduate level training programs that concentrate specifically on the science and management aspects in the field occupational safety. This graduate training fulfills a need, both regionally and nationally, for graduate level trained safety practitioners. ? ? ?
