Best Online Fire Services Administration Degrees

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It’s an honor to play a role in protecting the public. These are the 15 best online bachelor’s in Fire Services Administration.

Fire prevention does require hands-on learning experience. If you choose to earn your degree online in fire service administration, you’ll learn policies, industry technology, and management operations. A fire administration degree will propel you in a leadership or admin role within the field.

Online Schools Report is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.

What is a Fire Services Administration Degree?

When you complete a bachelor’s degree in fire services administration, you will play a role in supervising and managing different aspects of the fire department. Fire service administrators focus on keeping the public safe and preventing fires from happening, rather than implementing a mission when a fire occurs.

With a fire services degree, you’ll learn policies, fire safety, leadership skills, management, finances, and emergency operations. Administrators are a key asset in preparing the game plan before a natural disaster or unexpected tragedy happens.

If the “administration” is more you speed than the “fire services,” consider one of the best Business Administration degrees. If helping others through disaster situations is your calling, Fire Service or Emergency Management are your best bets.

How Much Can You Earn With a Fire Services Administration Degree?

There are several job opportunities for individuals that hold a fire services administration degree. Graduates can become administrators, safety directors, building inspectors, or firefighters.

According to PayScale, individuals that hold a bachelor’s degree in fire services administration make a median salary of $75,000.

To give you a glimpse in a specific position, here are common salaries for different roles held by fire service administration majors:

  • Fire Chief: $73,000
  • Emergency Management Specialist: $100,000
  • Firefighter: $56,000
  • Private Investigator: $73,000

What is Required for a Fire Services Administration Degree?

Most bachelor’s programs in fire services administration take four years to complete. However, there are programs that offer accelerated study tracks. The only requirements necessary for admission into this type of bachelor’s program are typically a high school diploma or GED and submission of ACT/SAT scores or equivalent.

What Are The Best Fire Services Administration 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.

Waldorf University

Quick Facts

  • Total of 120 credit hours 
  • Four years to complete 
  • Recognized by Fire and Emergency Services Higher Education
Program Web Page

Schoolwide Rankings

Student Satisfaction

80%

Acceptance Rate

72%

Programs Offered Online

13

Median Debt

$18,377

Programs in Department

5

Popularity at School

44%

100%OSR Score

Waldorf University offers an online bachelor’s degree in fire science administration that prepares students to level up in the industry. The curriculum offers courses identified by the National Fire Academy, U.S. Fire Administration, and the National Fire Protection Association. Students will take courses involving leadership, fire research, and fire dynamics.

American Public University System

American Public University System

Quick Facts

  • Total of 120 credit hours 
  • Four years to complete 
  • Transfer up to 90 credits
Program Web Page

Schoolwide Rankings

Student Satisfaction

73%

Programs Offered Online

45

Median Debt

$27,276

Programs in Department

7

Popularity at School

18%

99%OSR Score

Earning an online bachelor’s degree in fire service management through the American Public University System will teach you fire behavior, suppression methods, protection, safety, and prevention in the field. There is no fee if you choose to apply to this program. 

Columbia Southern University

Columbia Southern University

Quick Facts

  • Total of 120 credit hours 
  • Three online learning options offered
  • Transfer up to 90 credits 
Program Web Page

Schoolwide Rankings

Student Satisfaction

75%

Programs Offered Online

17

Median Debt

$19,356

Programs in Department

4

Popularity at School

27%

93%OSR Score

If you are seeking leadership positions within the fire service profession, this is the program for you. Columbia Southern University offers a bachelor’s degree in fire administration that prepares students for a career in administration, fire safety, or investigation. With the LifePace Learning option, you can enroll at any time and take courses at any pace that works for you.

University of Maryland Global Campus

Quick Facts

  • Total of 120 credit hours 
  • Hybrid course options available 
  • Transfer up to 90 credits
Program Web Page

Schoolwide Rankings

Student Satisfaction

73%

Programs Offered Online

31

Programs in Department

3

Popularity at School

6%

82%OSR Score

This program is designed for individuals who have already worked in the public safety field and want to further their leadership and management skills. The University of Maryland-University College offers an online bachelor’s degree in public safety administration that typically takes four years to complete. Students’ coursework will include public safety planning, public safety leadership, and decision making.

Eastern Kentucky University

Eastern Kentucky University

Quick Facts

  • Total of 120 credit hours 
  • Transfer up to 90 credits 
  • Minimum of 30 credits completion required at EKU
Program Web Page

Schoolwide Rankings

Student Satisfaction

74%

Acceptance Rate

87%

Programs Offered Online

17

Median Debt

$28,257

Programs in Department

7

Popularity at School

17%

81%OSR Score

Calling all aspiring firefighters, fire chiefs, fire marshals, fire safety directors, officers, and building inspectors—this is the degree program for you! Eastern Kentucky University offers a bachelor’s program in fire protection administration with eight-week terms. Fire behavior, prevention, response, and investigation are the topics you will cover throughout this program.

Park University

Park University

Quick Facts

  • Total of 45 credit hours 
  • Must have a minimum 2.5 GPA 
  • Transfer-friendly program
Program Web Page

Schoolwide Rankings

Student Satisfaction

74%

Acceptance Rate

69%

Programs Offered Online

37

Programs in Department

4

Popularity at School

13%

81%OSR Score

With a focus on public policy and leadership building, this program will prepare students for a career in the public service sector or graduate studies. Students will earn their degree in public service administration with a fire service management major. Throughout this major, students will complete courses, including state and local government, public administration, and public service values.

Fayetteville State University

Fayetteville State University

Quick Facts

  • Total of 120 credit hours 
  • FESA-modeled courses 
  • Transfer-friendly program
Program Web Page

Schoolwide Rankings

Student Satisfaction

75%

Acceptance Rate

68%

Programs Offered Online

10

Median Debt

$9,742

Programs in Department

2

Popularity at School

18%

79%OSR Score

Fayetteville State University offers a fire science management degree entirely online that uses a FESA-modeled learning approach. Students will gain a firm understanding of emergency services, practical research, and leadership management. Fayetteville State University is nationally ranked as one of the most affordable fire science degrees.

Purdue University Global-Main Campus

Quick Facts

  • Total of 180 credit hours 
  • 10-week terms 
  • Different forms of credit eligibility accepted
Program Web Page

Schoolwide Rankings

Programs Offered Online

30

Programs in Department

4

Popularity at School

6%

77%OSR Score

Purdue University offers a bachelor’s degree in fire and emergency management entirely online. This program is best suited for working professionals in emergency services, or those interested in careers focused on managing emergency services. You can choose the option to complete an internship to gain real-world experience prior to completing your degree.

University of Nebraska at Omaha

University of Nebraska at Omaha

Quick Facts

  • Total of 120 credit hours 
  • Two concentrations required 
  • Concentration can serve as a minor
Program Web Page

Schoolwide Rankings

Student Satisfaction

75%

Acceptance Rate

87%

Programs Offered Online

14

Programs in Department

2

Popularity at School

10%

68%OSR Score

Through the College of Public Affairs and Community Services, you can earn your degree in fire service management at the University of Nebraska. This concentration focuses on fire safety, technology, and the role of fire and rescue services. Students are required to choose two out of six different concentrations to complete their degrees.

University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Quick Facts

  • Total of 46 credit hours 
  • Terms offered in Fall/Spring 
  • Transfer-friendly program
Program Web Page

Schoolwide Rankings

Student Satisfaction

74%

Acceptance Rate

66%

Programs Offered Online

5

Median Debt

$20,836

Programs in Department

1

Popularity at School

5%

65%OSR Score

If you have an interest in fire safety and plan to work within the fire service and administration fields, then this is the program for you. The University of North Carolina at Charlotte offers a bachelor’s in engineering technology with a concentration in fire safety. This online program will teach students the fundamentals of fire behavior, active and passive protection systems, and the foundational principles of research investigation.

Southern Illinois University-Carbondale

Quick Facts

  • Total of 120 credit hours
  • Capstone option available 
  • Transfer-friendly program
Program Web Page

Schoolwide Rankings

Student Satisfaction

74%

Acceptance Rate

76%

Programs Offered Online

14

Median Debt

$14,573

Programs in Department

1

Popularity at School

1%

64%OSR Score

Earning your degree in public safety management from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale will prepare you for fire service-related management and supervision positions. This program is taught with a liberal arts and sciences approach and promotes analytical and creative skill sets to complete coursework. Students will be equipped to know their role when working with the labor force, fiscal aspects, data analysis, legal issues, and human resources management.

University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh

Quick Facts

  • Total of 120 credit hours
  • Seven-week sessions 
  • Transfer 60-90 credits
Program Web Page

Schoolwide Rankings

Student Satisfaction

73%

Acceptance Rate

63%

Programs Offered Online

7

Median Debt

$26,521

Programs in Department

1

Popularity at School

6%

64%OSR Score

You can earn your degree in fire and emergency response management within two years from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. You can complete your degree on your own time, considering there are no required scheduled meeting times for online courses. Throughout this program, your curriculum will involve topics relating to leadership, fire safety, and law and procedure.

University of Cincinnati-Main Campus

Quick Facts

  • Total of 120 credit hours 
  • 7-week or 14-week courses offered 
  • Portfolio course required
Program Web Page

Schoolwide Rankings

Student Satisfaction

74%

Acceptance Rate

76%

Programs Offered Online

9

Programs in Department

1

Popularity at School

6%

63%OSR Score

The University of Cincinnati-Main Campus offers a unique online experience with different course terms available. You can earn your bachelor’s degree in fire service and emergency management within one to three years, depending on which track you choose. Your coursework will include problem-solving for emergency responders, fire tactics, and special operations.

Salem State University

Quick Facts

  • Total of 120 credit hours
  • Transfer-friendly program 
  • Internship required
Program Web Page

Schoolwide Rankings

Student Satisfaction

74%

Acceptance Rate

82%

Programs Offered Online

1

Programs in Department

1

Popularity at School

9%

60%OSR Score

Earn your bachelor’s degree in fire science administration through Salem State University entirely online. If you are a transfer student, you must have completed an Associate’s degree from an approved fire science program. Throughout this program, students will cover topics ranging in fire science, management, and law.

Bowling Green State University-Main Campus

Quick Facts

  • Total of 122 credit hours  
  • At least 30 hours of coursework
  • Minimum GPA of 2.0 to graduate
Program Web Page

Schoolwide Rankings

Acceptance Rate

73%

Programs Offered Online

7

Programs in Department

1

Popularity at School

2%

57%OSR Score

Bowling Green State University offers a respected degree program in the Department of Political Science. You can earn your fire administration degree entirely online and at your own pace. This program prepares young professionals to become upper-level administrators who know how to deal with the demands of complex issues.

Online Schools Report is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.