Interested in fighting flames and fire science? Looking to be on the front lines? Check out the Best Online Bachelor’s in Fire Science Degree!
Fires have been ravaging the west coast for years now, leaving a path of bare forests and displaced families. If you have a passion for helping others and a desire to be where the action is, a degree in Fire Science may be perfect for you. A degree in Fire Science will not only prepare you to practice emergency disaster relief firsthand, but you’ll also gain knowledge about the administrative side of the industry. Those who are level-headed, strategic, and good at thinking critically will really excel.
What is a Fire Science degree?
A fire science degree can be for those who already work as firefighters and are looking to be promoted, or for those who have no experience at all. You’ll learn how to effectively communicate, think critically, and strategically lead teams in times of great stress.
Students pursuing a fire science degree can expect to take courses like Fire Dynamics, Applied Fire Engineering Design and Analysis, Fire Related Human Behavior, and more. Learning about human psychology is an integral part of understanding how to effectively help during disasters.
Most undergraduate programs are between 120-180 credit hours, accounting for over 30 classes of online learning experience. Depending on the school, you might enroll as a full-time or part-time student.
How much can you earn with a Fire Science degree?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average salary for a firefighter is just over $49,000 per year. Firefighters typically work 24-hour shifts at the station and get 48 to 72 hours off.
The more experience and training you have, the better. In fact, jobs in this field are supposed to grow 7 percent from now until 2026. Those who are physically fit with advanced training, including paramedic training, will have the best chances of securing a job.
Location can also be a factor in how much you make. Firefighters typically get paid more in cities because there is more going on day-to-day.
What is required for a Fire Science degree?
As most of these degree programs are aimed at students who already have some experience within the field, possession of an Associate’s in Applied Science in Fire Science or a related field in the emergency services is often required.
Along with an AAS, students must meet the minimum GPA requirements and have received at least a C in all transferring classes. No other entrance exams are necessary.
What are the best Fire Science degrees?
OSR uses six data points: three school-wide and three program specific. For school-wide, OSR uses Student Satisfaction, Admission Rates, and the number of programs the school offers online. For program specific, OSR checks the Median Debt of graduates from that program, how many degrees are offered within that program’s umbrella department, and what percentage of students at that school graduated from that department.
The six statistics are displayed by each school. The sliding bar under each statistic represents how that school compares to other US institutions. “Not reported” means a school did not release that information to the US Department of Education. A more detailed description of the OSR process can be found on the methodology page.
