Forging Justice Through Safety: A Four-Year Degree Plan in Occupational Safety Justice

University of Justice – Bachelor of Science in Occupational Safety Justice (BS-OSJ)

Prefix: JUST | Texas Course Numbering System | Course Equivalency with University of Houston

At the University of Justice, we believe that justice is not only a legal construct—it is a lived experience rooted in equity, dignity, and safety. Our pioneering Bachelor of Science in Occupational Safety Justice (BS-OSJ) program is the nation’s first interdisciplinary degree to merge principles of social justice with occupational safety, health regulations, and systemic equity. Designed to produce ethical leaders, policy analysts, safety advocates, and workplace reformers, this four-year program equips students to protect the most vulnerable workers through legal frameworks, scientific standards, and community engagement.

Aligned with Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board standards and developed in partnership with labor unions, OSHA, and civil rights organizations, the BS-OSJ ensures seamless course equivalency with the University of Houston, enabling credit transfer and dual-enrollment opportunities.

Degree Overview

Degree: Bachelor of Science (B.S.)

Major: Occupational Safety Justice

Credit Hours: 120 total (30 per academic year)

Prefix: JUST (University of Justice)

Course Numbering: Four-digit format (e.g., JUST 1101)

UH Equivalency Code: 4-digit crosswalk number (e.g., UH 3721)

Accreditation: ABET (Applied Engineering & Safety), Southern Association of Colleges and Schools

Four-Year Semester Plan

Year 1: Foundations of Justice & Safety

Semester 1 (Fall) – 15 Credits

JUST 1101 – Introduction to Justice Studies (3 cr)

UH Equiv: 1105 – Core theories of justice, human rights, and legal systems.

JUST 1201 – Principles of Occupational Safety (3 cr)

UH Equiv: 1510 – OSHA standards, hazard recognition, workplace risk assessment.

MATH 1314 – Quantitative Reasoning for Justice (3 cr)

UH Equiv: 1314 – Data analysis in safety reporting and compliance metrics.

ENGL 1301 – Writing for Justice Advocacy (3 cr)

UH Equiv: 1303 – Persuasive writing in policy, reports, and public testimony.

PHED 1164 – Wellness & Resilience in Justice Work (1 cr)

UH Equiv: 1101 – Mental health, burnout prevention, and self-care for advocates.

COUN 1100 – University Success Seminar (2 cr)

UH Equiv: 1100 – Academic planning, community building, and career mapping.

Semester 2 (Spring) – 15 Credits

JUST 1302 – Social Justice & Labor History (3 cr)

UH Equiv: 2350 – The evolution of workers’ rights, strikes, and marginalized labor movements.

JUST 1402 – Workplace Hazard Identification (3 cr)

UH Equiv: 1521 – Chemical, physical, ergonomic, and psychosocial hazards.

PSYC 2301 – Psychology of Risk & Compliance (3 cr)

UH Equiv: 2301 – Human behavior in safety culture and organizational ethics.

SOC 2319 – Sociology of Inequality in the Workplace (3 cr)

UH Equiv: 2375 – Race, gender, class, and disability disparities in occupational settings.

COMM 1315 – Public Speaking for Justice Initiatives (3 cr)

UH Equiv: 1317 – Advocacy, testimony, and community outreach communication.

Year 2: Systems, Law & Investigation

Semester 3 (Fall) – 15 Credits

JUST 2103 – Occupational Safety Law & Policy (3 cr)

UH Equiv: 3140 – OSHA enforcement, worker compensation, whistleblower protections.

JUST 2203 – Ethics in Safety Enforcement (3 cr)

UH Equiv: 2305 – Moral dilemmas in inspection, compliance, and union negotiation.

JUST 2313 – Environmental Justice & Industrial Impact (3 cr)

UH Equiv: 3421 – Pollution, toxic exposure, and frontline communities.

BIOL 2301 – Human Physiology & Workplace Health (3 cr)

UH Equiv: 2301 – Effects of noise, chemicals, and fatigue on the body.

ECON 2302 – Labor Economics & Safety Investment (3 cr)

UH Equiv: 2304 – Cost-benefit analysis of safety programs and ROI in prevention.

Semester 4 (Spring) – 15 Credits

JUST 2404 – Accident Investigation & Root Cause Analysis (3 cr)

UH Equiv: 3512 – Forensic methods, documentation, and systemic failure tracing.

JUST 2504 – Emergency Preparedness & Crisis Justice (3 cr)

UH Equiv: 3601 – Disaster response, worker evacuation, and equitable recovery.

JUST 2604 – Disability Justice & Adaptive Workplace Design (3 cr)

UH Equiv: 3745 – ADA compliance, inclusive ergonomics, and accessibility audits.

JUST 2714 – Data Collection & Safety Audits (3 cr)

UH Equiv: 3503 – Field instruments, survey design, compliance databases.

HIST 2301 – Global Labor Justice Movements (3 cr)

UH Equiv: 3302 – Comparative analysis of labor rights in Brazil, South Africa, and Scandinavia.

Year 3: Specialization & Field Practice

Semester 5 (Fall) – 15 Credits

JUST 3105 – Equity Audits in Occupational Safety (3 cr)

UH Equiv: 4150 – Measuring disparities in injury rates, training access, and PPE distribution.

JUST 3215 – Industrial Hygiene & Toxicology (3 cr)

UH Equiv: 4201 – Air quality, carcinogens, and health monitoring.

JUST 3305 – Safety Advocacy & Grassroots Organizing (3 cr)

UH Equiv: 4310 – Coalition building, worker committees, and strike support.

JUST 3405 – Legal Research in Safety Violations (3 cr)

UH Equiv: 4005 – Preparing case files, court briefs, and regulatory citations.

CRIJ 3301 – Criminal Justice & Workplace Abuse (3 cr)

UH Equiv: 3305 – Forced labor, wage theft, and human trafficking intersections.

Semester 6 (Spring) – 15 Credits

JUST 3506 – Designing Just Safety Programs (3 cr)

UH Equiv: 4412 – Culturally competent training, multilingual materials, trauma-informed protocols.

JUST 3616 – Technology & Safety Innovation (3 cr)

UH Equiv: 4520 – Wearables, AI monitoring, drones, and ethical data use.

JUST 3706 – Workers’ Compensation Justice (3 cr)

UH Equiv: 4630 – Navigating claims, insurance bias, and long-term disability equity.

JUST 3806 – Field Internship I: Safety Advocacy Placement (3 cr)

UH Equiv: 4801 – 120-hour placement in unions, OSHA, or community orgs.

PHIL 3310 – Philosophical Foundations of Justice (3 cr)

UH Equiv: 3311 – Distributive justice, capabilities approach, and human flourishing.

Year 4: Leadership, Capstone & Transition

Semester 7 (Fall) – 15 Credits

JUST 4107 – Policy Reform & Legislative Advocacy (3 cr)

UH Equiv: 4701 – Drafting bills, lobbying, and regulatory change strategies.

JUST 4217 – Global Supply Chains & Ethical Sourcing (3 cr)

UH Equiv: 4810 – Sweatshops, farm labor, and corporate accountability.

JUST 4307 – Psychological Safety & Workplace Trauma (3 cr)

UH Equiv: 4902 – Mental health crises, post-accident counseling, and EAP systems.

JUST 4407 – Field Internship II: Compliance & Inspection (3 cr)

UH Equiv: 4802 – OSHA trainee role, site audits, violation documentation.

JUST 4507 – Research Methods in Safety Justice (3 cr)

UH Equiv: 4990 – Designing studies on injury disparities, evaluation frameworks.

Semester 8 (Spring) – 15 Credits

JUST 4608 – Senior Capstone: Justice in Action (4 cr)

UH Equiv: 4995 – Real-world project: redesign safety protocol for local employer, audit a factory, or launch an awareness campaign.

JUST 4708 – Leadership in Occupational Justice (3 cr)

UH Equiv: 4996 – Conflict resolution, team leadership, and ethical decision-making.

JUST 4808 – Career Launchpad & Professional Certification Prep (2 cr)

UH Equiv: 4997 – OSHA 30-Hour, CSP exam prep, LinkedIn branding, and portfolio development.

JUST 4918 – Elective: Topics in Justice Innovation (3 cr)

UH Equiv: 4998 – Rotating focus: AI & bias, gig economy justice, or climate resilience.

Free Elective or Minor Course (3 cr)

UH Equiv: Varies – Options: Public Health, Gender Studies, or Engineering Ethics.

Program Outcomes & Career Pathways

Graduates of the BS in Occupational Safety Justice will be equipped to:

Lead safety initiatives in corporations, government, and nonprofits with a justice-first mindset.

Serve as Safety Equity Officers, OSHA Compliance Specialists, Labor Inspectors, or Workplace Justice Advocates.

Pursue graduate study in law, public health, or industrial hygiene.

Influence policy reform at municipal, state, and federal levels.

With guaranteed course equivalency at the University of Houston, students may pursue joint certificates, research collaborations, or dual enrollment in UH’s acclaimed Department of Occupational & Environmental Health.

Enroll Today. Protect Tomorrow.

At the University of Justice, we don’t just teach about safety—we redefine it as a right, not a privilege. Join us in building workplaces where every worker is seen, protected, and treated with justice.

Justice is not silent. It inspects. It advocates. It acts- university of justice