Occupational Health and Safety Certificates

Admission Criteria

Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety:

• Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent
  • With six Grade 12 U or M credits

OR

• Mature student status

Certificate in Advanced Safety Management and Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety Leadership:

• Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety or equivalent

OR

• Mature student status and at least three years of professional experience in occupational health and safety.

Financial Support

Awards and Bursaries
The Chang School offers both merit-based awards and need-based financial aid.

Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP)
These certificates are OSAP-eligible. To learn more, visit the Student Financial Assistance website.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is occupational health and safety (OHS)?

OHS is the assessment of a workplace to try to prevent disease and injury from affecting anyone who works there. Knowing about potential hazards lets OHS professionals take steps to control or eliminate danger.

What is advanced safety management?

Advanced safety management is a specialized area of OHS that involves the study of different theories of how accidents occur, international safety systems and best practices, and other knowledge and skills essential for controlling or eliminating workplace hazards.

What is the purpose of the Certificate in OHS Leadership?

The health and safety courses in the OHS Leadership certificate are designed to help mid-career occupational health and safety professionals advance into leadership roles such as Manager of OHS and OHS Director.

Where do graduates of the Certificates in Occupational Health and Safety, Advanced Safety Management, and Occupational Health and Safety Leadership find jobs?

OHS professionals are in high demand across many industries. You might land a job in a hospital, steel mill, university, airport, local government, or any other place that values workers' health and safety.

Is there a particular order in which I should take the occupational health and safety programs?

If you are new to occupational health and safety, you should begin with the OHS Certificate. Afterwards, you can take either the Advanced Safety Management certificate or the OHS Leadership certificate.

Can I register for all three occupational health and safety certificate programs at the same time?

No. University policy doesn’t allow you to be registered in more than one certificate at a time. You can register and complete them one at a time.

Are courses in the Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety, the Certificate in Advanced Safety Management, and the Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety Leadership offered online?

Yes, all courses associated with any of the three certificates are offered online.

Some courses require a prerequisite. What should I do?

Students who are registered in any of the OHS certificates should contact ce@torontomu.ca for further information regarding the requirements for prerequisites.

Since the OHS Certificate is the first one of the three to be completed, is there a particular order in which I should take courses in the OHS Certificate?

You can take courses in any order that suits your interests and schedule. If you’re unfamiliar with the field, we suggest you begin with COHS 208 – Occupational Health and Safety Law or COHS 508 – Occupational Health and Safety. If you want to learn about the legislation that governs occupational health and safety issues, start with COHS 208 – Occupational Health and Safety Law. If you want to learn foundational information that would be beneficial in all other courses in the Occupational Health and Safety certificate, start with COHS 508 – Occupational Health and Safety.

Can I get Transfer Credits for courses I’ve taken at other institutions or for work experience?

You can apply for a Transfer Credit if you have taken the same course at another post-secondary institution. More details regarding the transfer credit process can be found on our website.

Note: There is no guarantee your application for Transfer Credits will be accepted.

I have work experience in OHS but am not formally educated. Can I bypass the OHS Certificate and take the other two certificates?

Yes, it is possible to bypass the OHS Certificate if you have at least three years of professional experience in occupational health and safety. It is up to each student to demonstrate that they have the appropriate level of experience that aligns with the course description. Your review will be done on a case-by-case basis and there are no guarantees that your experience/background will be accepted. Please contact the Program Coordinator, Rose Reid at rosereid@torontomu.ca for information regarding registration in the subsequent certificates.

Are there intern or co-op opportunities available with any of the OHS Certificates?

No, there are no intern or co-op opportunities.

I understand that there are voluntary designations available for Canadian OHS professionals. Can you provide more information?

The Board of Canadian Registered Safety Professionals (BCRSP) has oversight of the two most common designations for Canadian OHS professionals - the Canadian Registered Safety Technician (CRST) and the Canadian Registered Safety Professional (CRSP). Since this is an organization outside of TMU, we suggest that you contact BCRSP directly.

I plan on getting my Canadian Registered Safety Technician (CRST) designation. Which certificates do I need to complete to meet the education requirements?

You only need to complete the OHS Certificate.

I would eventually like to get my Canadian Registered Safety Professional (CRSP) designation. Which certificates do I need to complete in order to meet the education requirements?

You will need to complete all three certificates: Occupational Health and Safety, Advanced Safety Management, and Occupational Health and Safety Leadership.

What is the difference between the OHS Certificate and the BASc in OHS?

The OHS Certificate is a flexible, fully online program designed for working professionals looking to advance or change their careers while managing additional priorities. Completing all three certificates meets the education requirements for the Canadian Registered Safety Professional (CRSP) exam.

The OHS undergraduate degree (BASc) is a full-time, in-person 4-year program with hands-on labs and an optional co-op. It also meets CRSP exam requirements and offers a fast-track 2-year option for those with a prior bachelor’s degree.