A single workplace injury in Canada can cost tens of thousands of dollars in lost productivity, insurance claims, and regulatory fines – not to mention the human cost. That’s why demand is rising for Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) professionals who can keep people safe and businesses running.
But here’s the catch: nearly one-third of the current workforce is approaching retirement.
That makes now an ideal time to launch a career in OHS – or upskill for a more senior role. Canada’s top OHS certificates, diplomas, and courses are preparing graduates to meet evolving industry needs, including wellness integration, co-op experience, and fulfillment of the educational requirements for professional designations like the Canadian Registered Safety Technician (CRST) and Canadian Registered Safety Professional (CRSP).
Whether you choose online or in-person study, these programs are designed to help you step into a fast-growing and future-proof profession. Those who opted for in-person or hybrid programs with co-op placements reported that the hands-on experience and networking opportunities helped them land jobs after graduation. Meanwhile, students who took online or hybrid courses said the resulting flexibility was key to balancing their studies with work and life.
Based on an in-depth review of programs at more than 30 schools considering certification eligibility, accreditation, flexibility, and student experience, CourseCompare has ranked the best OHS certificates and diplomas in Canada for 2025.
CourseCompare’s annual school rankings are determined using a process that considers several core metrics and principles. Read more about our methodology here.
British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT)
British Columbia Institute of Technology’s Occupational Health and Safety Program is the first IOSH Accredited Institution in North America, a leading voice in OHS globally. It was also voted among the top educational institutions in Canadian Occupational Safety magazine’s Readers’ Choice Awards of 2024.
BCIT offers a full-time, in-person two-year diploma program in Burnaby, British Columbia, and part-time, flexible learning options online at the associate certificate and certificate level. The diploma program has a 95 percent job placement rate within two months of graduation which, when combined with its strong reputation and industry focus, propels BCIT to the top of this ranking.
What You’ll Learn
In BCIT’s OHS programs, students get education in safety, health, engineering and business to prepare them for safety and health hazards in the workspace, as well as human relations.
The Foundations in Occupational Health and Safety associate certificate is a good entry point for those who want to quickly start a career in safety in an entry level, technical position, fulfilling education requirements for CRST certification. The Occupational Health and Safety Practitioners associate certificate offers further education for those who want to obtain CRSP certification. The Advanced Safety Management certificate includes several business courses that teach students about the business side of safety, designed to build on the foundations training. These certificate programs are geared to people with three to five years’ work experience, but that experience does not necessarily have to be in safety.
The two-year Occupational Health and Safety diploma program, on the other hand, teaches students about the intersection of health and safety operations and the business side comprehensively, spanning human resources, communication, decision-making, and leadership. The curriculum consists of on-campus lectures and labs with case studies for practical workplace analysis, covering every aspect of workplace safety. Field work and an industry practicum provide students with hands-on experience throughout the program.
Locations
Vancouver, British Columbia, and Online
University of Fredericton (UFred)
University of Fredericton’s School of Occupational Health & Safety offers a variety of online OHS certificate and associate degree programs, as well as specialized courses led by professors with extensive safety instruction and consultation experience. UFred was among the first educational institutes to sign the Singapore Accord’s international agreement on OHS standards and practices, distinguishing it as an institution at the leading edge of the industry.
UFred’s customized programs are built to support safety professionals at every stage, including aspiring professionals just getting started in OHS, and experienced safety experts looking to level up skills in line with industry best practices or aiming to earn a recognized certification.
Designed with flexibility in mind, particularly for those who are studying while working full-time, all programs are delivered entirely online as independent learning programs with a fixed schedule. There are no classes to attend, but courses will be led by instructors, and students are required to meet assignment deadlines.
What Students Are Saying
JC Ulrich, Certificate in Occupational Health, Safety, and Environmental Systems“As a Husband and father of 2 young children who works fulltime, upgrading my schooling was an extremely daunting and seemingly unrealistic goal. There was no was I could take time off work, go to a different location for school, go on EI etc etc and still maintain my relationship and be the Dad I want to be. Then I discovered UFred. The online and Part Time aspect of the OHS and Environmental Systems course has made it extremely accessible and attainable to further my education and take a step up careerwise. Yes there are still some late nights finishing reports and studying after everyone is in bed, but I am still able to be home and present for my family. If you are hesitant about going back to school because of the constraints and feeling that it will set you back years financially, this is the place for you. I am halfway through the course now and the course load is extremely manageable. ”
What You’ll Learn
Developed for all sorts of learners, from mid-level managers to front-line workers in every industry and sector, the Certificate in Occupational Health, Safety and Environmental Systems (COHSES) program equips students with the skills to communicate the importance of occupational safety to both managers and employees. The certificate programs take 11-20 months to complete. You’ll gain one year of professional experience to be eligible for the CRST certification; and you’ll complete half the educational requirements for the CRSP certification.
The Associate Degree in Occupational Health and Safety (AOHS), which can take 2-3.5 years to complete, covers the most essential aspects of occupational health and safety. Students will dive into how organizations manage safety, explore key incident theories and regulations, get hands-on with hazard and risk assessment across different industries, and build the skills to make well-informed safety decisions. Upon completion, graduates can apply their learnings directly in the workforce, or go on to transfer to a bachelor’s program. This associate degree fulfills the education requirements for both the CRST and CRSP certifications.
Locations
Online
University of New Brunswick (UNB)
University of New Brunswick (UNB), with campuses in Fredericton and Saint John, was also among the first educational institutes to sign the Singapore Accord, an international agreement on OHS standards and practices. It was voted the top educational institution in Canadian Occupational Safety magazine’s Readers’ Choice Awards of 2024.
With more than 20 years of experience in online OHS education, the university offers a suite of certificate and diploma programs – as well as CRST and CRSP exam prep courses – that are entirely online and self-paced. This offers great flexibility for working professionals to accommodate courses around their schedules.
What You’ll Learn
UNB’s 506-hour Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety (COHS) provides foundational knowledge and practical skills for professionals entering the field or looking to formalize their expertise. The certificate program requires no previous experience in the field and provides a comprehensive curriculum and training that aligns with industry standards. Completion of the certificate fulfills the formal education requirements for CRST certification.
The Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety (DOHS) is an advanced program geared to supervisors, managers, and emerging OHS leaders. It provides the essentials of business dynamics, leadership strategies, effective communication, workplace training methodologies, and decisive decision-making. This program consists of 10 courses that take approximately 52 hours of study time and 13 weeks to complete.
Completion of both the certificate and diploma are required to write the CRSP exam. Exam prep courses are also offered online.
Locations
Online
Toronto Metropolitan University
Located in the downtown core of Canada’s largest and most diverse city, Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) is lauded for its focus on applied learning and real-world application.
TMU offers a four- or five-year (with co-op) Bachelor of Applied Science in Occupational Health and Safety degree – the only degree-level OHS program of its kind in Canada. There is also a two- and three-year (with co-op) degree option for university graduates, and a two-year diploma-to-degree option for college graduates. TMU boasts a 100 percent employment rate within two years of graduation of this bachelor program, and an average annual co-op earning potential for students of $46,000.
What You’ll Learn
The BASc OHS program teaches students how to help prevent injury and illness by anticipating, evaluating, and controlling physical, biological, and chemical hazards. Along with a paid co-op option, laboratory testing, workplace visits, and an independent research project prepare students for board certification or professional designations. Students are encouraged to engage in research projects and innovations in OHS for opportunities to explore emerging trends, such as new safety technologies or evolving workplace health policies.
Those wishing to pursue graduate studies have the option of a Master of Science (MSc) in Occupational and Public Health, where they will learn to create evidence-based solutions to occupational and public health challenges related to climate change, infectious diseases, aging populations and more.
TMU’s G. Raymond Chang School of Continuing Education offers three certificate courses required for CRSP certification. The first is a two-year online OHS certificate program consisting of eight courses which prepare students for entry-level positions and qualifies them to write the CRST exam. (Relevant work experience is recommended but not mandatory.) Current OHS practitioners also have the option to take an eight-course Certificate in Advanced Safety Management aimed at deepening their expertise, while those in senior or managerial roles may opt for the shorter term Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety Leadership, consisting of four courses.
Locations
Toronto, Ontario, and Online
University of Alberta
One of the most advanced programs in Canada and a “cornerstone for safety in the province,” according to its website, University of Alberta’s OHS programs provide practicing OHS professionals, as well as those aspiring to work in health and safety, with opportunities to advance their skillset and assist employers in improving safety performance. It was also voted among the top educational institutions in Canadian Occupational Safety magazine’s Readers’ Choice Awards of 2024.
The university, based in Edmonton, offers part-time online certificate programs and diploma options. For those wishing to pursue graduate studies, there is a Master of Science (MSc) in Occupational Health which offers training in health services administration, toxicology, epidemiology, biostatistics, and industrial hygiene. Students can specialize by choosing topics from courses available within the School of Public Health or across other university departments.
What You’ll Learn
The Occupational Health and Safety certificate program consists of eight core courses, one elective, and 42 enrichment seminar hours for a total of 375 instructional hours. Designed for part-time study, students have up to six years to complete the program. The certificate fulfills the educational requirements for the CRST.
The Occupational Health and Safety Professional Diploma program builds upon the certificate to equip OHS professionals with essential business processes and protocols, effective decision-making, leadership, critical thinking, communication, and teamwork skills. The program can be completed within 18 months, but students have a maximum of eight years. The diploma fulfills the educational requirements for the CRSP.
Locations
Online
Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT)
Part of the School of Construction and Building Sciences, Northern Alberta Institute of Technology’s (NAIT) two-year OHS diploma is the only one of its kind in Alberta offering full-time OHS training. Over five terms, students are provided with classroom and lab instruction, as well as applied learning opportunities in a variety of workplace settings.
What You’ll Learn
With connections to key sectors in Alberta where health and safety is paramount, the Occupational Health and Safety diploma program teaches students how to address real-world industry needs. It gives students the skills and know-how to design, implement, and assess workplace safety systems that protect both people and equipment, building a solid technical foundation across key areas like hazard control, risk management, ergonomics, occupational hygiene, construction safety, emergency response, and more.
Over five terms, the program combines classroom instruction, laboratory work, and applied learning opportunities in various workplace settings, including a co-op term.
Through its Continuing Education programming, NAIT also offers a Canadian Registered Safety Technician (CRST) certificate program, with delivery varying by course.
Locations
Edmonton, Alberta, and Online
Red River College Polytechnic
Based in Winnipeg, Red River College Polytechnic (RRCP) offers both full- and part-time options for its OHS certificate program with hands-on, work term components in both streams. Courses are offered in-person and online. The full-time option spans eight months and the six-week work term must be completed on a full-time basis.
What You’ll Learn
Consisting of 16 courses, the RRCP’s Occupational Health & Safety certificate program aims to provide a fundamental understanding of occupational health and safety, with a focus on risk management, hazard recognition, control and prevention, as well as safety management systems in the workplace.
As an alternative to the six-week work term, part-time students who are currently employed in the field have the option of participating in the OHS Capstone Project, which serves as a culminating experience for students to apply their acquired knowledge and skills in a practical setting.
Locations
Winnipeg, Manitoba, and Online
Saskatchewan Polytechnic
Saskatchewan Polytechnic’s Occupational Health and Safety certificate offers flexible learning options with delivery on campus in Saskatoon as well online for students across Canada. The in-person delivery is 40 weeks long, while the part-time, online program typically takes one to two years to complete.
Saskatchewan Polytechnic gives away more than $2 million in student awards during the academic year, with awards for every certificate and diploma program including OHS.
What You’ll Learn
In addition to the fundamentals of OHS, in this certificate students will get to explore the management skills required to support and lead workplace safety programs.
An 80-hour, two-week practicum provides a hands-on look at the day-to-day operations of a workplace, its safety management system, and the role of OHS professionals. While onsite, students participate in activities such as inspections, auditing, training, reviewing programs and policies, preparing and conducting a 10-minute presentation and more under the guidance of their assigned OHS professional.
Locations
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, and Online
Seneca Polytechnic
Seneca Polytechnic offers a two-year, hybrid Workplace Safety & Prevention diploma program as part of its School of Health Sciences. The program, offered at Seneca’s King Campus just north of Toronto, focuses on the policies and procedures in the care and prevention practice, with a 14-week mandatory field placement (paid or unpaid depending on the employer) in the third semester. Seneca also offers an online Occupational Health and Safety certificate program for students wishing to become technicians in the field who require more flexibility.
What Students Are Saying
Nicole Hanlon, Workplace Safety & Prevention“Enrolling in the Workplace Safety and Prevention program at Seneca Polytechnic’s King Campus was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made—for both my career and personal growth. If you're even remotely considering a future in health and safety, stop thinking and start applying. This program delivers. The instructors are experienced professionals who don’t just read off PowerPoint slides—they bring real-world scenarios into the classroom and challenge you to think critically about everything from ergonomics and industrial hygiene to risk management and current legislation. The curriculum strikes the perfect balance between academic rigor and hands-on learning. You won't just study safety—you'll start living it. The King Campus itself? Beautiful. It’s hard to stress out when you’re surrounded by trails, lakes, and wildlife. The peaceful environment gives your brain the space it needs to absorb some very intense subject matter—because make no mistake, this is a challenging program. But it's also incredibly rewarding. I came in with a passion for prevention and graduated with the tools, confidence, and certifications needed to make a real impact in the field. The networking opportunities, peer support, and access to industry resources were top-notch. I left feeling ready—not just to land a job, but to change the game in workplace safety. ”
What You’ll Learn
The Workplace Safety & Prevention diploma program focuses on developing and implementing health and safety policies and training, as well as conducting accident investigations, and emergency response plans. The field placement in the third semester is two days per week, totalling 16-20 hours weekly. Completion of the diploma fulfills the formal education requirements for CRSP certification.
The Occupational Health and Safety certificate prepares students for employment as OHS technicians, with the necessary skills for monitoring and assessing the safety of people at work and related workplace hazards. In addition to the fundamentals, the certificate curriculum explores the management skills required to support and lead workplace safety programs. Completion of the certificate fulfills the formal education requirements for CRST certification.
Locations
Toronto, Ontario, and Online
Lambton College
Lambton College offers a series of OHS programs, including a two-year in-person Workplace Safety & Prevention diploma with co-op in partnership with Seneca and Cambrian Colleges, and a two-year in-person Occupational Health & Safety Management graduate certificate program with co-op options in Toronto, Mississauga, Ottawa, and Sarnia. Of the first graduating year of the program, 50 percent of students secured co-ops and 100 percent of those were paid.
Lambton also offers a one-year, self-paced online SAFE certificate program with flexible start times. Thanks to a partnership with the University of Fredericton, students have the option to earn dual certification (both a Lambton College Board of Governors certificate and UFred’s Certificate in Occupational Health & Safety) upon graduation, enhancing their credentials in the field.
What You’ll Learn
Students learn how to apply legislation and recognize, control and evaluate workplace hazards. Students will learn how to anticipate and employ strategies to manage emerging health, safety and environmental issues while also promoting workplace safety and wellness. The university partnership also ensures the curriculum aligns with global frameworks and external designation bodies.
Locations
Sarnia, Ontario, and Online
Cambrian College
Located in Sudbury, Ontario, Cambrian College offers a full-time, in-person diploma program for a Workplace Safety and Prevention Technician, through the college’s School of Engineering Technology.
In addition to on-campus learning there are several courses offered remotely in partnership with Lambton and Seneca Colleges; graduates can also continue their studies at Toronto Metropolitan University.
What You’ll Learn
Students learn to identify and manage risks and hazards in the workplace from leading industry experts, as well as train in areas of workplace wellness and human resources. The program includes a mandatory seven-week placement in the final semester with an employer in key industries where OHS is vital.
Locations
Sudbury, Ontario
University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies
Often touted as one of the top universities in Canada, University of Toronto’s School of Continuing Studies offers an OHS certificate program offered online and taught by industry experts with an emphasis on practical skills and real-world experiences.
What You’ll Learn
The Occupational Health & Safety certificate program consists of three courses: Occupational Health and Safety (a foundations course); Accident Prevention, Loss Control & Occupational Health & Safety Management Systems; and Advanced Occupational Health & Safety Management. This curriculum covers essential workplace safety OHS practices and teaches students how to apply advanced OHS principles to management issues.
Graduates will get to know the managerial issues surrounding occupational health and safety, understand the costs and causes of workplace accidents, and learn to better protect the workplace by knowing the relevant health and safety legislation and the major hazards that exist in workplaces.
Locations
Online
Conestoga College
Conestoga College, based in Kitchener-Waterloo, offers a one-year, full-time or part-time Occupational Health, Safety and Wellness graduate certificate program, with particular focus on wellness. The program is accredited by the Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH).
Since this is a graduate certificate, students must hold a diploma or degree from a recognized institution to be eligible for the program.
What You’ll Learn
Along with the fundamentals of OHS, this online asynchronous program teaches students about health, safety and wellness trends, workplace best practices, and how to develop programs that address health, safety and wellness concerns within the workplace. There are also courses in organizational effectiveness, project management, disability management and consulting skills.
As this program is IOSH accredited, students are eligible for Student Membership for the duration of their studies, and upon successful completion, will meet the academic requirements for Technical membership.
Locations
Online
Centennial College
The one-year Occupational Health and Safety Management graduate certificate program at Centennial College in Toronto prepares graduates for entry-level supervisory roles in OHS across all occupational environments, from manufacturing and health care to transportation and agriculture, as in-house professionals or as consultants.
Since this is a graduate certificate, students must hold a diploma or degree from a recognized institution to be eligible for the program.
What You’ll Learn
The program combines theory and practice in a blended format of online and in-person learning, and culminates with work-integrated learning. Students are required to visit a workplace to conduct a risk assessment and have the opportunity to apply what they’ve learned in class to demonstrate their capability to a potential employer.
Locations
Toronto, Ontario, and Online
Editorial Team