Best Bachelor's in Fire Science Degree Programs

At first glance, one might think that fire science is just a technical degree for firefighters. This assumption is not wrong, though the field of fire science is not limited to those who put out fires. The discipline covers an array of topics from public safety to chemistry and physics, legal theory, and emergency response among others. Fire science is not concerned only with suppressing fires, but preventing them through policy and public education, helping those impacted by fires, and investigating fires after the fact to prevent similar outbreaks in the future. Whatever career path one takes with their fire science degree, chances are they will be serving the public directly or indirectly. Those with an interest in protecting others might consider the field of fire science.

Concentrations are relatively rare when it comes to bachelor's level fire science degrees. Fire science is more commonly a concentration in other degrees. As for fire science, typical specializations include fire administration, fire investigation, and public health. Concentrations in administration train students in core leadership skills that prepare them to be fire chiefs and other managerial roles in fire safety. Concentrations in fire investigation teach students how to collect data from fire scenes and how to differentiate between natural fires and cases of arson. Those specializing in public health will learn about how healthcare systems interact with the public during disasters, like large scale wildfires, and how to coordinate emergency services with other disaster response elements.

Fire science programs instruct students on how to prevent and fight fires. Many also teach students organizational and administrative skills so that they can lead others in these pursuits. Emergency services require the ability to act and think quickly, so students learn how to protect both themselves and those involved in a variety of fire incidents. This type of instruction often has a practical component, where students either take part in an internship or go to a nearby site, often a firehouse, to receive physical training. Fire science programs will also have a course that covers both the chemical properties and physics of fire and different kinds of fuel. These courses are often titled Fire Dynamics.

Beyond core curricula, electives and general courses usually consist of standard fare like English composition, statistics, and communications. Some of the courses common to various bachelor's degrees in fire science include:

• Introduction to Fire Prevention
• Fire Department Organization & Administration
• Fire Dynamics
• Political and Legal Foundations
• Hazardous Materials
• Firefighter Safety and Survival
• Fire Investigation & Arson
• Emergency Personal Fitness

A standard bachelor's degree in fire science requires 120 credit hours of courses to complete, which translates to four years of full-time schooling. In most programs, each course counts for three credit hours, and thus students typically need to complete at least 40 courses to earn their bachelor's degree. While the division of courses is different between programs, the majority of fire science programs require between 40-60 of their credit hours for core courses and core electives. General education courses make up the rest of the requirements for a bachelor's degree, and often these can be fulfilled while pursuing a minor or concentration.

Most fire science bachelor's degrees offered on campuses do not offer accelerated courses, though many accept applicable credits that have already been earned from accredited institutions. Prospective students interested in fire science degree might wish to look into online courses; these often do not offer college credit or lead to a degree but they can be a starting place.

A fire science program should advertise the names and contact information of the instructors who teach its courses. Posting this information publically allows prospective students to research their potential instructors and find out their academic and professional accomplishments. If possible, one should strive to learn from the best.

In recent years, fire science has become increasingly popular as an online program. This is especially true at the associate and bachelor's level for both fire science and fire science management degrees. While hybrid programs are not as common as with other degrees, many colleges will accept course credits earned from other accredited institutions, and so one might try out an online class or two, and then if they decide fire science is right for them and want to attend an on-campus program they can usually transfer those credits.

For those who know they want to begin their higher education in-person, they should also seek out an accredited college or university. Accreditation is one of the most important considerations for prospective students when looking at institutions and their programs.

Though it's not accreditation, the standard for programs in fire science and related fields is the Fire and Emergency Services Higher Education (FESHE) recognition program which recognizes regionally and nationally accredited institutions with programs that meet the U.S. Fire Administration's educational criteria. The U.S. Fire Administration is a division of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) that is dedicated to fire safety and training. FESHE accredited programs provide specific types of courses that impart skills deemed essential by the U.S. Fire Administration, like fire prevention, emergency medical services training, firefighting management, and general safety.

Accreditation for universities is paramount for two reasons. Firstly, it increases the chances that prospective students will receive a quality education that will pass along marketable skills. Secondly, accreditation is necessary when applying for most forms of state, local, and federal financial aid.

For fire science bachelor's degrees, one can search through the U.S. Fire Administration's list of FESHE recognized universities or they can check with regional accrediting organizations such as the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), or the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU).

Most fire and emergency service jobs prioritize practical skills over academic theory. Because of this, licensure and certification are key to many positions in the field. Educational requirements vary when applying to fire and emergency service positions, though the majority will expect applicants to be able to aid and assist people who have been harmed in fire-related incidents. For example, firefighter education generally involves a basic competency as Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) either before applying or during on-the-job training. To become EMT certified, one must pass either a state or national exam that satisfies the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians' standards. Many fire science degrees and fire academies provide courses that can prepare one to take these exams.

Fire and arson investigators are the other major career path within the discipline that usually require certification. These certifications can be specific to a type of fire-related incident, like explosions, or more general. For example, the Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator offered by the National Association of Fire Investigators and the Certified Fire Inspector I offered by the National Fire Protection Association are typical certifications for fire investigators to pursue. Another is the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives' (ATF) Certified Fire Investigator credential. This two-year course is mandatory for ATF special agents, and requires annual reauthorization training.

Most entry-level positions in fire fighting and emergency services can be obtained with a high school diploma, GED, or an associate's degree, and applicable certifications in areas like EMT and CPR, though a bachelor's degree in fire science will boost one's prospects in most situations. One of the better examples of this are managerial positions like fire chief. Administrative jobs generally require managerial knowledge not found in two year degrees. As the top official in a fire department, fire chiefs oversee the operation of their fire stations, are in charge of deploying and managing emergency response personnel and materials, and coordinate with other government officials. In most cases, one also has to have past experience as a firefighter to be considered for the job. Beyond firefighters, there are also firefighting specialists such as firefighter EMTs and forest firefighters.

How to Become a Fire Investigator

Fire investigators are tasked with coming in after fires have been put out and collecting data to determine the incident's origin. Being detail-oriented and having a firm grasp of the science behind fire and fuel sources are qualities employers look for in prospective fire investigators. Positions for fire investigators can be found in both the public and private sector. Public fire investigators usually work for local or state agencies, or for the ATF. Private fire investigators tend to find employment with insurance agencies and specialize in detecting arson. Time is split between an office and out in the field wherever there have been fires. Fire investigators also cooperate with law enforcement and can be called to testify on their findings in court.

The experience required to become a fire investigator varies. Some employers will be fine with an associate degree, while others will want a bachelor's degree. The majority of states also mandate special training and exams to investigate fires. Most employers will also want applicants to be certified in the field, which can be accomplished through a few different organizations, as mentioned above.

According to the BLS fire investigators make about $60,230 a year and jobs in the field are expected to expand by 8% from 2019-2029. California, Washington, Oregon, Nevada, and the District of Columbia have the highest average salaries for fire investigators, with California's mean coming out to $107,270.

How to Become a Fire Marshal

The job of a fire marshal is to prevent and follow-up on fires. The former entails building inspections to ensure that their fire protection systems are up to code. This can involve examining building materials or checking sprinkler systems and fire extinguisher placements, among other things. As for following-up on fires, fire marshals also investigate the causes behind fires. After collecting and compiling this information, they may be called upon to testify if the fire brings about a civil or criminal trial. Because of this, fire marshals have to be both thorough and have confidence in their communication skills. Depending on the job, either an associate or bachelor's degree is necessary to become a fire marshal. Additionally, applicants have to pass certification exams in most states and also pass courses on fire inspection and investigation, which are normally held at fire academies. As with fire investigators, the Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator and the Certified Fire Inspector I are two of the more common certifications for fire marshals.

Payscale.com puts the average salary for fire marshals at $63,425.

• National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) is a national organization devoted to forwarding fire and electrical safety through codes and education. The NFPA develops codes around technologies that detect, suppress, and can accidentally start fires in the hopes that higher standards will prevent more fire incidents in the future. Its education services are aimed at both the public in general and professionals, whether they be workers or students aspiring to join a fire safety field. The NFPA also offers networking opportunities for members, training programs, and certification exams for various types of equipment and work environments.
• International Association of Firefighters (IAFF) is an international organization for firefighters. The IAFF holds conventions for those in the profession to meet and discuss the industry. Members also gain access to grant-funded training programs and a treatment center designed for those suffering from substance abuse and PTSD.
• International Association of Arson Investigators (IAAI) is an international organization that provides research, training, and certifications for fire and arson investigators. The IAAI publishes the Fire & Arson Investigator, a journal for those in the profession to keep up with current trends and insights. Its other major service is training and certification programs like the Certified Fire Investigator program and the Evidence Collection Technician program.
• International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) is an international organization that offers members online learning opportunities, access to conferences and career services. Despite its name, membership is open to those of any rank in fire and emergency services. The IAFC is focused on developing the professional knowledge and skills of its members through its various resources, some of which include the Officer Development Program and the International Fellowship Program.

Fire science is a discipline concentrated around undergraduate programs. Fire science and fire protection services degrees can be found at the associate and bachelor's levels, while fire science management and fire science administration degrees tend to be found at the bachelor's and graduate levels. While degrees are not necessary for most positions related to fire science, they can help applicants stand out in what are usually competitive fields. While curricular focus shifts depending on the degree level, most fire science programs teach how to prevent and suppress fires, emergency medical procedures, and fire and emergency management tactics.

Associate Degrees in Fire Science

Associate of Science (AS) in Fire Science and Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Fire Science are the most common degree titles at this level. As stated above, these programs emphasize firefighting and emergency medical techniques rather than management. These programs are intended for those interested in becoming firefighters or EMTs, not administrators. As such, they teach basic fire safety, suppression, and emergency response skills. Many on-campus AS and AAS in fire science programs will have some form of lab or training course for the more physical aspects of the jobs graduates typically pursue. This in-person experience is meant to complement the classroom theory students will receive and round out their fire science abilities. Associate degrees in fire science generally take around 60 credit hours to complete, or roughly two years.

Master's Degrees in Fire Science

Where most bachelor's in fire science balance fire and emergency response with administration, master's in the field often focus entirely on managing the responses to these incidents. Degrees like these are typically titled Master of Science (MS) in Fire and Emergency Management, or something similar. The exception to this are master's degrees that instead deal with the investigation of fires and arson. These are usually titled something along the lines of Master of Science in Fire and Explosion Investigation. Programs like these hone in on the practice of searching through fire scenes, combing them for evidence, and then analyzing whatever data is found. At this level of educational attainment, curricula surrounding fire investigations might be general or might have a specialization like explosions or aeronautics. Dealing with hazardous materials is often covered in these programs too. The career trajectories for these investigative master's degrees is self-explanatory, and this is more-or-less the case with administrative degrees at this level as well. A managerial MS in fire science is meant for those who wish to become executives and leaders within fire and emergency services, positions like fire chief. Alternatively, one can seek out employment as a private consultant or as a university instructor with an MS. Usually, these programs consist of 33-39 credit hours. This comes out to a year or a year-and-a-half for most non-accelerated programs.

Doctoral Degrees in Fire Science

Most degrees at this level are either Doctorate of Philosophy (PhD) in Fire and Emergency Management Administration or Doctorate of Philosophy in Fire Protection Engineering. Degrees in the former category are continuations of similarly titled master's degree programs on management and administration of fire and emergency responses. Jobs in this field do not require doctorates, so the choice to get one is optional and is done with career advancement in mind. PhDs in fire protection engineering, or fire technology, are designed for those who build fire prevention and suppression equipment, such as smoke detectors and fire-resistant construction materials. Engineering jobs rarely ask for applicants to have doctorates, thus these PhDs are mainly for career advancement as well.

While both types of PhDs concern fire science, their curricula differ widely. Administrative courses are like those discussed previously, though at a higher and sometimes more specific level. Engineering courses cover the technical aspects of how to build and implement systems that can detect, slow the spread of, and put out fires. The credit hours required to earn a doctorate in fire science varies. Administrative and managerial PhDs tend to be around 60 credit hours, while engineering programs can be more intensive and take up to 90 credit hours to complete. The majority of on-campus fire science doctorates do not offer accelerated courses, so one can expect to earn their PhD in two to three years.

Certificates in Fire Science

Certificates offered for fire science by academic institutions are mainly intended for those pursuing other degrees and who want to augment their experience with that from another field. One might also pursue a certificate in fire science if they are unsure about the discipline and want to try it out. Whatever the reason, certificates in the field do not require rigorous coursework and can be earned after 12-15 credit hours. Fire science certificates are found in-person and via distanced learning.

One of the main sources of tuition assistance is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Students have to attend accredited institutions to be eligible for federal student aid, which can take the form of grants, work-study, or loans. Beyond federal assistance there is also state and local student aid. The best place to start one's search for this type of assistance is their state's department of education.

A unique opportunity also exists for public servants working in the United States. Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) enables those working full-time at not-for-profit organizations to apply to have their remaining student debt wiped away after having made a set amount of monthly payments. This program is intended to incentivize public service by allowing public servants, who may not be making as much as professionals in other fields, to get out from under student debt.