Skip to Content

Occupational Safety and Health

UC San Diego Extended Studies Osha Training Institute Education Centers UC San Diego logo

Safety and Health Officer

For professionals with 5 years’ or more of experience in the occupational safety and heatlh industry.

About the Safety and Health Officer Program

The Professional Safety and Health Officer certificate will help existing safety professionals achieve their career goals. This program enables students to apply new leadership and training skills which will encourage a safe environment in their workplace.

Certificate Benefits

With a Professional Safety and Health Officer certificate students will acquire the skills needed for experienced safety professionals to be hired and promoted.

  • OSHA 10- and 30-hour Outreach Trainer authorization
  • How to create a safety culture in the workplace that includes leadership commitment, organization-wide safety communication and safety training as an investment for the organization
  • The knowledge, skills and tools needed to conduct accident and incident investigations
  • Leadership and communication skills including constructive intervention, fostering two-way dialogue, setting and maintaining expectations and alignment of values around safety
  • How to minimize the threat of illnesses by learning industrial hygiene practices and related OSHA regulations and procedures

Target Audience

The curriculum is directed at existing safety professionals with at least five (5) years’ experience in the field – a minimum requirement to complete the OSHA Outreach Trainer courses. Professionals with the desire to excel in mid-level management and leadership positions in safety with the need for skills used to implement safety standards in their workplace are highly encouraged to apply.

Demand and Job Prospects

Certificate graduates may qualify for positions such as:

  • Safety Consultant
  • Environmental, Health, and Safety EHS Leader
  • Plant Safety Leader
  • Safety Manager
  • Senior Safety Technician

Students may choose any of the specializations (Construction, General Industry or Cal/OSHA). They may also choose to complete multiple tracks, by fulfilling all of the required units within each area of specialization.

In-Person, Live Online
9-12 Months
Students have five years to complete the certificate from the date of the first class taken.
$7,665*
*Excludes the $125 certificate fee. Approximate cost is for one track/specialization.

Required for Completion

  1. One Prerequisite Course (OSHA 510 or OSHA 511)
  2. One Trainer Course (OSHA 500 or OSHA 501)
    • IMPORTANT: Applicants who are current authorized outreach trainers may satisfy these first two requirements with the OSHA 502 or OSHA 503 trainer update courses. They must be a UC San Diego authorized outreach trainer in order to complete the certificate program.
  3. All Other Required Courses
  4. One Specialty track (Construction, General Industry or Cal/OSHA), which equals a minimum of 8 units.
    • NOTE: If an applicant chooses to complete more than one Specialty track, they must request an Award Letter of Completion to unex-certificate@ucsd.edu. "Dual" or "Triple" certificates are not awarded, but rather one certificate that designates the completion of the PSHO.

Substitutions

Applicants may substitute up to two (2) OTI Education Center courses from another OTI Education Center for the PSHO program. Only OTIEC courses will be allowed for this substitution and may only be used for one Specialty track.
Classroom type:
Live Online
In-Person
Online
Hybrid
Download Course List
Quarter availability reflects when courses are most commonly scheduled. Actual availability may vary.

Required Prerequisites

Complete one course from each of the following categories.

General Prerequisite Courses

Prerequisite Trainer Courses

Required Courses

Students must complete all of the following courses.

Elective Track- Construction

Students must complete a minimum of 8 units for this track.

Elective Track- General Industry

Students must complete a minimum of 8 units for this track.

Elective Track- Cal/OSHA

Students must complete a minimum of 8 units for this track.

Visit The Virtual Career Hub Today To Unlock Your Benefits!

It's your one-stop shop for professional development and completely free.
Explore Careers

Advisory Board

Rachael Jones

Center Director, Continuing Education and Outreach
UCLA Fielding School of Public Health

Ani Adzhemyan

Program Director; Continuing Education and Outreach
UCLA Fielding School of Public Health, Southern California Education & Research Center

Harold Gribow

Curriculum Manager; Occupational Safety and Health Department
UC San Diego Division of Extended Studies

Ken Keberle

Certified Safety Professional and Construction Health and Safety Technician
611 Resource Group

Suzy Shamsky

Occupational Health Program Manager
County of San Diego

Ernie Smith

Strategic Partnerships
Columbia Southern University

Tim Page

Director at Large
ASSP Board of Directors

Related Programs

Professional Certificate

Event Safety

This comprehensive safety training program is designed to equip individuals with the knowledge and skills necessary to ensure the safety and well-being of everyone involved in organizing, attending, and participating in live events.

Specialized Certificate

Safety and Health Specialist