Master of Occupational Hygiene and Toxicology
Postgraduate
ECU-OHT-MAS 2023Course information for 2023 intake View information for 2025 course intake
Become a workplace health and safety expert
Learn how to identify hazards in high-risk environments, like mining, manufacturing and construction workplaces. Assess chemical, physical and biological dangers, and learn to introduce appropriate safety measures.
- Study method
- Online & on-campus
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Credit available
- Yes
- Duration
- 2 years full time or part time equivalent
- Total subjects
- 12
- Available loans
- Australian Higher Education Loan Program (HELP)
- CSP available
- Yes
Master of Occupational Hygiene and Toxicology
About this degree
At the end of the program, students of the Master of Occupational Hygiene and Toxicology can:
- Reflect critically on a complex body of discipline knowledge, research principles and methods to demonstrate mastery of Occupational Hygiene professional practice or scholarship.
- Apply cognitive, technical and creative skills to investigate, evaluate and synthesise complex occupational hygiene ideas, concepts and theories in workplace situations.
- Apply communication and collaboration skills to design innovative contributions to professional occupational hygiene practice or scholarship.
- Use high level self-management skills to initiate, plan and execute an occupational hygiene project.
Occupational Hygienists aim to identify, manage and control occupational and environmental hazards across all industries including advising organisations and local communities about the potential health impacts as a result of exposure to hazards.
This course will enable you to develop and upgrade your professional and communication skills in the field of occupational and environmental hygiene.
On completion of the program, you’ll be expected to demonstrate a high level of competence in the recognition, evaluation, assessment, and control of potential occupational and environmental hazards, and have a solid foundation of knowledge of the potential impacts of occupational hazards and conditions on exposed populations.
You’ll also be able to recommend and evaluate appropriate control measures to prevent, reduce or eliminate exposures to occupational and/or environmental hazards, and to participate in the development and implementation of appropriate occupational hygiene monitoring programs.
Recommended study pattern
As a guide, subjects in this degree can include:
• Occupational Hygiene 1: Chemical Aspects
• Occupational Hygiene Science
• Occupational Epidemiology
• Occupational Toxicology
As part of your application, you’ll be guided through how to get the right degree structure in place for you.
Open Universities Australia is a not-for-profit organisation. You will not pay any fees for using our services.
Indicative total fee $15,300
The amount shown here is indicative for an Australian citizen studying full-time, which is typically 8 subjects per year.
Fees may vary depending on:
- the subjects you choose
- credit from previous work experience
- your eligibility for government funding loans or subsidies such as HECS-HELP or a Commonwealth supported place.
To learn more, go to Fees or contact a student advisor.
ECU is ranked one of the world’s best young universities and Australia’s best public university for teaching quality. That quality extends to more than 30,000 students, many studying online through Open Universities Australia. ECU offers the same quality of teaching to you, regardless of where you’re studying in the world. Their flexible study solutions include a huge range of online courses, recognising your need to juggle work, family or other commitments.
Learn more about ECU.
Explore ECU courses.
- QS World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:
- 29
- Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:
- 24
How to apply
Edith Cowan University manages enquiries and applications for this degree.
Complete your details and we'll make sure your enquiry is sent to Edith Cowan University who will contact you to discuss this degree.
Don't worry, we're still here to help you - you'll receive a personalised follow-up from an Open Universities Australia student advisor to make sure you have found the right degree for you.
Entry requirements
The following course-specific admission requirements are mandatory and must be satisfied by all applicants. These requirements are in addition to or supersede the minimum requirements outlined within the Academic admission requirements band section below.
All applicants are required to have an appropriate undergraduate degree or postgraduate qualification in relevant sciences such as physics, chemistry, human biology or health and safety management.
Academic admission requirements (Band 8) may be satisfied through completion of one of the following:
- Bachelor degree in a cognate discipline; or
- Where accepted, equivalent prior learning, including at least five years relevant professional experience.
Students can satisfy English competency requirements by showing any of the following:
• An IELTS Academic Overall band minimum score of 6.5 (no individual band less than 6.0).
• Completion of a Bachelor degree from a country specified by ECU.
• Completion of 0.375 EFTSL of study at postgraduate level or higher at an Australian higher education provider (or equivalent).
• Equivalent prior learning courses including at least five years relevant professional experience – as accepted by ECU.
• Completion of other tests, courses or programs as accepted by ECU.
Reduce the time it takes to finish your degree. For eligible students, ECU offers credit and recognition of prior learning (CRPL). There are 2 CRPL options:
• Credit transfer to acknowledge students’ formal learning at uni or TAFE.
• Recognition of students’ informal learning gained outside of the education system (for example workplace experience or volunteer training.)
Study method requirements
Students are required to attend compulsory workshops held at the Joondalup campus for the 3 practical-based units (OHS6144, OHS6159 and OHS6162). The workshops will be held on both weekdays as well as weekends. In these workshops students will undertake typical occupational hygiene assessments dealing with specific issues in workplaces.
Career opportunities
Graduates of this course are in demand to handle the many issues relating to occupational hygiene in both Australia and internationally. Graduates are suitable for roles as occupational hygiene technicians or occupational hygienists in a range of industries including the mining, oil & gas, construction, manufacturing, government and non-government sectors, and consulting.
Possible future job titles:
Occupational Hygienist, Occupational Hygiene Technician, Industrial Hygienist, Industrial Hygiene Technician, Occupational Health.
Professional recognition
Students can apply for membership with Australian Institute of Occupational Hygienists (AIOH). Students can join the AIOH as an Associate member before they graduate.
This course is accredited by both the Australian Institute of Occupational Hygienists (AIOH) and the British Occupational Hygiene Society (BOHS)
Graduates from this course will be exempted from the BOHS Diploma and can apply to take the BOHS Diploma oral examination.
Australian job snapshots
Data sourced from Australian Jobs 2023.
Role | Earnings | Employment change |
---|---|---|
Environmental Health Officers | $93K to $120K | N/A^ |
Occupational and Environmental Health Professionals | $93K to $120K | Up 31.7% |
Occupational Health and Safety Advisers | $93K to $120K | N/A^ |