Health, Safety, and Environmental Technology (HSET) Credit Program

The Health, Safety, and Environmental Technology (HSET) credit program, formerly known as the Environmental Compliance and Technology (ECAT) or Hazardous Materials Technology (HMT) programs, of Eastern Iowa Community College District (EICCD) originated with a grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). Working with local and national professionals in the field, EICCD was able to identify and validate the job skills required in the field of hazardous materials handling and management. The HMT curriculum was then designed to develop those student job skills. In 1986, the Iowa State Board of Education approved EICCD's plans for an Associate of Applied Science degree program and a certificate program. In 1987, after a year of curriculum development, EICCD offered the college credit programs to students at Clinton, Muscatine, and Scott Community Colleges.

Also in 1987, EICCD and Kirkwood Community College (in Cedar Rapids, Iowa) cooperated in establishing the Hazardous Materials Training and Research Institute (HMTRI) for the purpose of designing and disseminating community education training programs.

In September of 1991, EICCD and HMTRI provided the opportunity for students to earn an HMT certificate for college credit through correspondence study. More courses were added, enabling students to achieve a two-year Associate of Applied Science degree through this program.

To more accurately reflect the purpose of the programs and needs of the industry, the ECAT program was updated in 2003 with several new courses and was renamed the Health, Safety, and Environmental Technology (HSET) program.

A.A.S. degree program curriculum           Certificate program curriculum

Currently, the HSET program is offered via correspondence and online. Click here to visit the HSET Web site.

Program Description

The HSET program is a competency-based curriculum designed to provide students with the basic skills, knowledge, and abilities to gain entry-level employment in the fields of health, safety, and environmental technology. The program focuses on federal regulations for environmental protection, worker health and safety, and the transportation of hazardous materials.

To download the HSET catalog, click here.

Curriculum

Associates of Applied Science (A.A.S.) Degree

Students may earn an HSET Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree from Scott Community College (SCC). Students must successfully complete 12 of the 13 HSET courses by distance learning, or through Credit for Prior Learning (CPL), and earn the other required credits at SCC or any other college (subject to approval by the SCC registrar).

The course requirements for the A.A.S. degree are given below. Students may use the list as a course sequence guide. For a course description and list of prerequisites (if required), please click on the course links below. It is strongly recommended that students take no more than two distance learning courses at a time.

Graduation Requirements for Health, Safety, and Environmental Technology (A.A.S.)

First Semester

ENG-111Technical Writing (3 credits) or

ENG-105 Composition I (3 credits)

MAT-104 Applied Math Topics (or any other 100 level math or higher) (3 credits)

CHM-122 Introduction to General Chemistry(4 credits)

HSE-100 Occupational Safety (3 credits)

HSE-200 Waste and Remediation (3 credits)

(16 credits total)

Second Semester

CHM-132Introduction to Organic and Biochemistry (4 credits)

SPC-112 Public Speaking (3 credits)

ENV-111 Environmental Science (4 credits)

ENG-106 Composition II (3 credits) or

ENG-108 Composition II: Technical Writing (3 credits)

HSE-110 Industrial Processes (3 credits)

(17 credits total)

Third Semester

HSE-105 Characteristics of Hazardous Materials (3 credits)

HSE-205 Air and Water Quality (3 credits)

HSE-225 Legal Aspects of Occupational Safety and Health (3 credits)

HSE-230 Transportation of Hazardous Materials (3 credits)

- Social Science/Humanities General Education Elective (3 credits)

(15 credits total)

Fourth Semester

HSE-211 Contingency Planning/Incident Management (4 credits)

HSE-250 Special Topics (Fire Prevention and Ergonomics) (4 credits) or

HSE-270 Sampling and Monitoring Procedures (4 credits)

HSE-275 Worker Compensation/Incident Investigation (3 credits)

HSE-280 Hazardous Materials Health Effects (3 credits)

HSE-285 Industrial Hygiene (3 credits)

(17 credits total)

Total Credit Hours for the A.A.S. in HSET - 65

Certificate Program

The HSET certificate is granted upon the successful completion of 18 credits (six courses).
Students may choose a certificate with either an environmental or a safety emphasis with assistance from their advisor to reach the required 18 semester hours for their personalized certificate.

Required Core Courses of the Certificate Program:
HSE-100 Occupational Safety (3 credits)
HSE-225 Legal Aspects of Occupational Safety and Health (3 credits)
HSE-285 Industrial Hygiene (3 credits)
(9 credits core total)

Safety Emphasis Courses (9 hours requirement):
HSE-105 Characteristics of Hazardous Materials (3 credits)
HSE-211 Contingency Planning/Incident Management (4 credits)
HSE-230 Transportation of Hazardous Materials (3 credits)
HSE-250 Special Topics (Fire Prevention and Ergonomics) (4 credits)
HSE-275 Worker Compensation/Incident Investigation (3 credits)

Environmental Emphasis Courses (9 hours requirement):

HSE-110 Industrial Processes (3 credits)

HSE-200 Waste and Remediation (3 credits)

HSE-205 Air and Water Quality (3 credits)

HSE-270 Sampling and Monitoring Procedures (4 credits)

HSE-280 Hazardous Materials Health Effects (3 credits)

Total Credit Hours for the Certificate in HSET - 18

For additonal information, please visit the HSET Web site at http://www.eicc.edu/highschool/programs/career/environmental/index.html or contact: