12 Courses + Electives
14–39 Hours Per Course
Online
Diploma in as little as 18 Months
Program Description
Understanding the Occupational Health and Safety field means you know how rewarding it is to help people be safer, happier and more productive at work. You also understand that the industry is changing and growing. The Professional Diploma in Occupational Health & Safety was developed to meet modern needs expressed by the health and safety industry. It expands and builds on the OHS Certificate program, taking your knowledge and skills to another level.
Is This Program Right For You?
This program is designed for individuals who are:
- 🗸Busy people juggling career and personal commitments
- 🗸Professionals looking for a direct path to build their career by getting their Canadian Registered Safety Professionals (CRSP) accreditation
- 🗸People working in OHS across a wide range of industry sectors, including oil and gas, aviation, construction, education, health care, manufacturing, mining, forestry, municipalities, and government agencies
Questions? Contact us at ohs@ualberta.ca
What You'll Learn
- 🗸Grow as a leader and increase your knowledge of essential business processes and protocols
- 🗸Build skills in critical thinking, effective decision making, communication, and teamwork
- 🗸Network with industry peers and widen your circle of professional connections
- 🗸Meet education requirements for CRSP certification
What You'll Earn
- 🗸You’ll earn an Occupational Health and Safety Professional Diploma Certificate after completing all the program requirements. Or take individual courses to add new skills and advance your career. Most students complete the program in 2-3 years.
- Approximate cost of the full program:$12,200 - $13,000 CAD effective Fall 2025
- Submit your program declaration at no extra cost
- Flexible payment – pay course-by-course as you go
- Courses are GST-exempt.
- Some courses may require additional resources, such as textbooks
- This program is comprised of twelve core courses and 131 hours of electives. Courses range from 14–39 hours, for a total of 466 instructional hours.
- It’s designed for part-time study and can generally be completed within 18 months. Most students take 2–3 years, and you have up to eight years to complete the program.
- You have the flexibility to schedule courses around your availability. Most students complete 1–3 courses per semester.
- To be admitted into this professional diploma program, you need an OHS Certificate. The University of Alberta’s OHS Certificate program meets the admission requirements. OHS certificates from other recognized post-secondary institutions may be accepted, though some conditions apply.
- Grading is through assessments, which might include quizzes, exams, discussion forums, papers, and presentations.
- It’s a flexible online experience, with courses offered synchronously and/or asynchronously. More info about online delivery formats can be found here.
- Course materials are shared in CE Canvas. Some courses may require additional resources, such as textbooks.
You could be eligible for funding and scholarships – explore your Funding and Scholarship Opportunities.
- After you successfully complete your program requirements, you’ll receive an email letting you know when your certificate is ready. If you have any questions about your credentials, please contact the program office. Once you receive your certificate, you’ll also be eligible to become a UAlberta Associate Alumni.
- This Professional Diploma in OHS meets the formal educational requirements for Canadian Registered Safety Professionals (CRSP) certification. This is the designation of choice for Canadian OHS professionals, issued by the Board of Canadian Registered Safety Professionals (BCRSP) – view our equivalencies chart.
- Electives in the professional diploma can be used as credit in both the diploma and in a professional development series that gives you specialized recognition in Workplace Wellness Leadership, Change Management, and Project Management.
- To learn about transferability from other institutions, see our Transfer Credit information
- International Students are welcome to enroll and pay the same course fees as local students.
- Proficiency in English and a stable internet connection are needed to participate and succeed in our courses.
- Please note that non-credit programming does not qualify for a study permit, therefore, this program cannot be used for immigration to Canada. For more information, please contact University of Alberta International Student Services.