New bachelor’s degree at Weber State will help protect Utah’s workforce

July 20, 2026

OGDEN, Utah — With more than 200 workplace safety positions opening in Utah each year, Weber State University has launched a degree to help students enter the field. 

The new bachelor’s in occupational and environmental health and safety provides comprehensive training in areas like risk management, occupational psychology, epidemiology, and more. 

Offered primarily online to accommodate working professionals, the program will equip graduates with critical skills and knowledge that can save lives. 

“There’s a big need for safety in the workplace to prevent fatalities and keep people healthy and safe,” said Justin Thygerson, OEHS program director. “Employers are looking for well-rounded professionals who can protect workers across all industries, from healthcare and manufacturing to hospitality and construction.” 

The OEHS program is offered in collaboration with the University of Utah and the Rocky Mountain Center for Occupational and Environmental Health. Students benefit from WSU’s low tuition rate while gaining direct access to networking, opportunities, and support from partnering institutions. 

This degree expands on a prior Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies track. After confirming demand over several years, WSU received approval in spring 2026 to replace the track with a standalone Bachelor of Science, adding greater academic rigor through courses such as occupational psychology, microbiology, and others.

How can I enter the occupational and environmental health and safety field?

In the OEHS program, students learn how to meet the growing need for trained safety professionals. 

We built this program to be flexible because we see a massive population of nontraditional students and working professionals who’ve simply reached a cap on how far they can advance without a degree,” Thygerson said. “The beauty of this field is that employers are actively looking for this exact skillset, so much so that many are willing to help pay for their employees’ schooling to get these safety managers and directors into their workplace.

WSU student Joe Barlow recently decided to pursue an OEHS degree. Barlow’s wife works full-time as a medical laboratory scientist at Primary Children’s Hospital, and they have a 3-year-old daughter and 7-year-old son. The program’s flexibility made it possible for him to enroll. 

Barlow previously worked in industrial maintenance, which is where he learned about a career in workplace safety. 

“When I heard about this bachelor’s program, I knew it was time to make the switch,” he said.

Barlow received WSU’s CATalyst scholarship, an award meant to help adult students earn their college degree. He expects to graduate in spring 2028 and is currently exploring future career paths and opportunities. 

“I’m getting exposure to different people in the different sides of the industry, and it shows me all the paths we can go down,” Barlow said. “As I’m learning more, I’m seeing all these doors that will be opened as I move forward through the program.”

What jobs are available with a degree in occupational and environmental health and safety?

Graduates of the OEHS program can step into roles such as safety directors, risk managers, and industrial hygienists. Driven by strong industry demand, starting salaries for these positions often range between $85,000 and $100,000. 

Upon graduation, students can earn the Graduate Safety Practitioner credential, which qualifies them to pursue the industry’s highest certification, Certified Safety Professional. 

Graduates could also choose to continue their education with a graduate degree at the Rocky Mountain Center.

“There are a lot of avenues to continue to advance in this career,” Thygerson said. “Our graduates become great professionals who could go into many industries.”

Author:

Rachel Badali, Public Relations Director
801-626-7948, rachelbadali@weber.edu

Contact:

Rachel Badali, Public Relations Director
801-626-7948, rachelbadali@weber.edu