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About the program

In our increasingly complex work environment, organizations are realizing the health and safety of employees is paramount and the services of competent health and safety professionals are highly valued. The part-time, online Occupational Health, Safety and Wellness (OHSW) graduate program provides a focused body of knowledge and skills required to monitor and assess the safety of people at work and related workplace hazards. In addition to the fundamentals, you will explore the management skills required to lead the development, implementation and evaluation of workplace safety, health and wellness programs across all sectors. You will learn about existing health, safety and wellness trends, analyze best practices, and utilize that learning to develop programs that address health, safety and wellness concerns within the workplace.

The OHSW post grad certificate program prepares you to pursue the Canadian Registered Safety Technician (CRST) certification offered by the Board of Canadian Registered Safety Professionals (BCRSP). The program meets the education requirements for the CRST certification (i.e., one-year certificate program in occupational health and safety). The program exceeds the CRST competencies by including courses in organizational effectiveness, project management, disability management and consulting skills.

This program is offered in full-time and part-time delivery.

Program information

All courses must be successfully completed within 5 years of enrollment in the program.

Admission requirements

  • A two - or three-year diploma or a degree from an accredited college or university
  • Applicants with 5+ years of experience in the Health & Safety field with no post-secondary credential will be considered.

Note re: admission requirements

  • Applicants possessing degrees/diplomas from institutions where the language of instruction was not English will be required to provide test scores as evidence of their English language proficiency. Test scores, if required, would be a minimum of TOEFL iBT 88 with no individual skill less than 22; IELTS 6.5 with no bands less than 6.0; CAEL 70 with no sub-test band scores less than 60; PTE Academic 58; Cambridge Exams 180 with no individual score less than 170; or equivalent scores in other recognized standard tests of English.

  • We offer a language program for students whose English language skills are below the standard required for admission but who have met all other admission criteria. You will be eligible for admission to the degree program after completion of level 4 of the General Arts and Science-English Language Studies (ELS) program with an overall grade average of 80% and no grade less than 75%. Your placement in the ELS program is determined by scores on an in-house English language test or TOEFL or IELTS.

Admission procedures

  • Apply at Ontario Colleges - www.ontariocolleges.ca
  • Final selection is made following an assessment of the admission requirements.

Program requirements

To effectively participate in this program, students must have reliable Internet access and a device that meets these requirements.

Graduate opportunities

Graduates are prepared for entry-level positions in occupational health, safety, wellness, and health promotion in manufacturing, community organizations, private practices, learning institutions, government departments, and consulting firms. Career opportunities may include Health and Safety coordinator, program specialist, wellness coordinator, health promotion consultant and roles involving wellness program management.

Unsure of which program best suits your long-term career goals? Student Recruitment Advisors can provide one to one advising for prospective domestic students looking to take a program at Conestoga College. Please reach out to SRA@conestogac.on.ca to book an appointment.

For more details on related occupations, job market information and career opportunities, see the Government of Canada website: https://www.jobbank.gc.ca/home

Program outcomes

  • Assess risk for harm to workers within the workplace in order to identify opportunities for promoting and protecting individual and organizational well-being.
  • Design and evaluate the effectiveness of OHSW programs, referring to relevant and validated health, safety and wellness theories and evidence-informed best practices.
  • Develop and evaluate OHSW policies, procedures, and practices to ensure compliance with Canadian legislation, regulations, standards and guidelines.
  • Propose solutions for issues related to disability management, return to work, and health and safety through the interpretation and application of relevant legislation, regulations, standards, and related benefits programs.
  • Employ effective interpersonal communication and problem solving skills, and ethical and professional conduct, in working with stakeholders to resolve health, safety and wellness challenges within organizations.
  • Promote a strong safety and wellness culture within organizations by incorporating the biopsychosocial model of health into human resource and OHSW initiatives.
  • Recommend controls, interventions, and/or emergency response plans to mitigate workplace risks and hazards that emerge as a result of inspections, investigations, compliance and management system audits.
  • Apply human resource management principles appropriate for diverse workplace environments that support organizational business decisions.
  • Evaluate business propositions and promotional strategies developed to address HSW initiatives, ensuring alignment with business goals.

Program related resources

Program contact

Continuing Education
Upcoming registrations

Mark your calendar with our registration dates, so you can plan your future.

Winter registration: Opened November 4, 2024
Spring registration: Opens March 17, 2025