ISHM Board Approves Pittsburg State’s EHS Curriculum

YUMA, Ariz. (October 15, 2015) - The newest university EHS degree program to join ISHM’s Board Approved list is the Environmental & Safety Management Program from Pittsburg State University’s School of Construction in Pittsburg, Kansas. To be approved for BS level credit, the major must have a minimum of 36 semester hours of safety specific courses and must include a minimum of nine semester hours of management-exclusive safety courses. Pitt State offers a Bachelor of Science in Technology (BST) requiring three hours in safety management, plus another three hours within an emphasis area. Students also take a leadership course as one of their electives. A student earning a BST in Environmental & Safety Management from Pittsburg State is automatically qualified for the Associate Safety and Health Manager (ASHM) credential offered by Institute for Safety and Health Management (ISHM). If application is made within six months of graduation the application fee is waived. In addition, it fast tracks the student toward becoming a Certified Safety and Health Manager (CSHM). Instead of the requirement for four years of experience, EHS professionals with a degree from an approved institution, such as Pittsburg State University, only have to demonstrate two years of experience in order to sit for the CSHM exam. “Although our students complete at least one internship prior to graduation, their work experience will be minimal. ASHM can be earned by graduates in the short term, while other certifications require years of experience,” said Ann Petersen, CSMP, assistant professor, Environmental & Safety Management, Pittsburg State University. “Potential employers will see this designation and know the rigor of study students have accomplished.” ISHM currently recognizes degree programs from more than a dozen other higher education institutions in Alabama, West Virginia, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Michigan, Missouri and Texas. ASHM credentials help potential employers know that the individual has been formally educated to address safety and health issues and are ready to step into an entry level position. It is an important stepping stone to achieving accredited CSHM certification. This credential acknowledges that the individual has a broad understanding of business and financial principles, hazard analyses, accident investigation, environmental law and other safety principles, and can apply a variety of safety tools. For more information, visit ISHM.