Online Fire Science Degree Programs

Graduates with an online fire science degree at the associate level or certificates are qualified to apply for jobs as firefighters.

Students who pursue bachelor's degrees or master's degrees are qualified to seek out positions including fire chief or fire captain. Working in homeland security is another option for graduates with a bachelor or master's degree in online fire science. Many accredited colleges with online fire science courses have professional relationships to professional firefighters' associations, and many of the fire science instructors or professors also have memberships to national associations which include the National Association of Fire Investigators and the National Fire Protection Association. In addition to putting out fires, firefighters also respond to traffic incidents and medical and emergencies. They should therefore maintain high levels of physical fitness and practice complex drills in organization and teamwork. Students can chose to take online fire courses at the certification, associate's degrees, bachelor's degrees, or master's degrees level depending on their career goals.

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Selected Online Fire Science Degree Programs

Eastern Kentucky University

• Bachelor of Science in Fire and Safety Engineering Technology (Fire Protection Administration)
• Certificate in Fire and Emergency Services
• Certificate in Fire and Safety Engineering Technology
• MS in Safety, Security and Emergency Management - Fire and Emergency Services

Grand Canyon University

• MS in Executive Fire Service Leadership

Ashford University

• BA / Organizational Management - Fire Science Administration

Keiser University eCampus

• Associate of Science Degree in Fire Science

Kaplan University - Online

• B.S. in Fire Science
• A.A.S. in Fire Science
• Advanced Start B.S. in Fire Science

Columbia Southern University

• Associate of Applied Science Degree in Fire Science
• Bachelor of Science Degree in Fire Science

A degree in fire science is designed to help students develops knowledge, skills and abilities required for leadership in fire protection. The online fire science degree program covers disaster planning and administration of fire-protection services and incendiary-fire management. It provides a knowledge base for understanding fire prevention, emergency management, safe fire-incident, and arson investigation.

Online fire safety courses include an analytical approach to fire protection and investigation, disaster and fire-defense planning, hazardous materials management, fire-protection structure, personnel management, the role of the fire service within the community and political structure and the phenomena of fire propagation. The fire science program also serves professionals in related fields which include law enforcement, public safety, health services, insurance and emergency response.

A degree in fire science provides students with instruction in public relations and applicable laws and regulations, principles of fire science and combustible substances, fire-fighting equipment operation and maintenance, methods of controlling different types of fires, hazardous material handling and control, and fire rescue procedures. An online fire science degree also covers disaster planning and the administration of fire-protection services.

The fire science masters degree includes all areas of incendiary-fire management. Some programs also offer concentrations in arson investigation, homeland security, terrorism incident management, natural disaster relief.

The Bachelor of Science Degree in Fire Science provides students with the theoretical foundations for leadership and administration of fire service organizations. The comprehensive curriculum of fire prevention and fire protection also focuses on policy integration, organizational management and training in specialized fire service equipment and apparatus applications.

Fire Science Careers

Public safety professionals and others in fire safety careers have better employment prospects with a bachelor's degree or master's degree in a specialized area of fire science. Students with courses in management and personnel administration also have better prospects for a career as a fire chief. With courses in areas such as chemistry and engineering students also gain entry into careers working as fire prevention specialists as well as working with contractors and architects to design safe buildings.

Many firefighters supplement their degree with Emergency Medical Technician-Basic (EMT-Basic), first aid certification, CPR certification, and paramedic certification as this is often required by many fire departments.

The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics notes that there is a steady growth in the fire science profession and potential candidates with an online fire science degree and high levels of physical fitness and mechanical aptitude have better prospects. Graduates with a campus or online fire science degree qualify for more specialized jobs in local public safety agencies and local and state government administration. Fire prevention specialists and code inspectors earn about $46,000 a year while fire chiefs and lieutenants in larger cities earn over $80,000 a year.