Career Paths in Safety

A career in safety can be as rewarding personally as it is financially. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average yearly salary in safety careers starts at around $80,000. With the proper degrees, training, and certifications, the financial opportunities only increase.

Take your education into your own hands by discovering the certificate courses OR certifications that give you an advantage in any career in safety. The National Association of Safety Professionals (NASP) offers many certificate courses that prepare you for your career in the safety industry as well as two well-recognized safety certifications. Whether you’re a hands-on learner or you’re ready to hit the books, our courses offer a comprehensive overview of how to start on any path you’re exploring.

Health and Safety Degrees

For many safety professionals, a college degree is the first step in their safety career. Before you can begin one of our certifications, you must meet one of our eligibility tracks. Three out of four of these tracks require an associate degree or higher. 

While there are numerous safety degree programs throughout the country, the NASP highly recommends our partners at Columbia Southern University and Waldorf University. Once you have your degree and/or some work experience, we will be happy to welcome you to one of our certifications to help you advance in your career.

Certifications differ from certificate courses in that they are closed-book, third-party proctored exams that one must qualify to sit for.  Our two most popular ANAB (ANSI National Accreditation Board) – accredited certifications are:

• Master Safety Professional: An MSP is often involved in the development and implementation of site-wide health and safety programs. Preparation courses include Master Safety Professional (MSP) Preparation, Safety Professional Certificate (SPC), and Safety Director Certificate (SDC).
• Certified Safety Director: CSDs are the problem solvers of health and safety regulations. They use their experience and expertise to evaluate and adjust regulations as necessary. Preparation courses include Certified Safety Director (CSD) Preparation, Certified Safety Manager (CSM), SPC, and SDC.

Safety Work Experience

Whether you’re looking to advance your existing safety career or you’re coming from another field entirely, there’s something to gain from NASP’s selection of certificate courses. By the end of our classes, you’ll gain knowledge of the latest trends in regulatory compliance, all while earning valuable Continuing Education Units (CEUs) that can also be transferred to academic credits through CSU or Waldorf. Click here for the transfer grid.

Our instructor-led and online certificate courses help prepare you for a career in the OHS fieldand our certifications provide a wealth of benefits to those who obtain them, as they help establish your professional credibility in the safety industry. 

 You can find a full list of available certificate courses in our online catalog and find out more regarding our certifications by clicking here. (hyperlink to CSD/MSP landing page)

View Our Job Mart for Open Safety Employment Opportunities

Once you have one of our certificates and/or certifications, finding a job becomes that much easier. And with NASP’s job mart constantly updating with new opportunities, all you have to do is keep your eye out for your dream job. Start your safety career today by creating an account to start a certificate course, apply for a certification, or apply to jobs across the country. However you build your path, the team at NASP is here to answer your questions and send you on your way.