Thiel safety program one of only two in Pennsylvania recognized by top credentialing organizations

Posted August 15, 2019 Print

GREENVILLE, Pa.-- Thiel College is one of only two institutions in Pennsylvania to be recognized by two nationally known and audited review boards for its environmental safety management major.

Graduates of Thiel College’s Bachelor of Science in environmental safety management program will be eligible for streamlined advanced certification and advanced professional graduate certification through The Board of Certified Safety Professionals (BCSP) and the Institute for Safety and Health Management (ISHM).

Thiel’s degree is recognized as a Qualified Academic Program (QAP) by the Board of Certified Safety Professionals, meeting the qualified credential requirement for the Certified Safety Professional (CSP) certification. The board examined Thiel’s program and approved it as a Graduate Safety Practitioner Qualified Academic Program. The program’s graduates can apply to the board for the Graduate Safety Practitioner (GSP) designation after graduation.

The designation meets the credential requirement for the Certified Safety Professional, the “gold standard” in safety certification, allowing those who hold the designation to waive the Associate Safety Professional certification examination. It demonstrates accomplishment and commitment to professional development.

According to the Board of Certified Safety Professionals academic database, more than 880 entries for different safety management programs are listed and less than 10 percent of those listed are Qualified Academic Program approved.

“We welcome Thiel College’s exceptional safety program and those who graduate from it,” board chief executive officer Treasa Turnbeaugh, Ph.D., said. “Those who graduate from GSP Qualified Academic Programs have a strong foundation of knowledge that deserves recognition and BCSP looks forward to supporting them in the development of their careers.”

Earlier this year, Thiel College’s program also earned recognition from the Institute for Safety and Health Management. Graduates from Thiel’s program will be immediately eligible for the Associate Safety and Health Manager (ASHM) designation. They will receive a two-year reduction in the waiting period for application for the Certified Safety and Health Manager (CSHM) designation. In addition, graduates who apply within six months of graduation will have their application fee waived.

“I believe our effort to develop and present a program that has been reviewed and approved by nationally-recognized organizations speaks to Thiel College’s commitment to its students to provide an educational opportunity consistent with marketplace requirements and expectations,” Environmental Safety Management program coordinator David Shafer said.