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Guide to Majors

Guide to College Majors in Fire Science


What is Fire Science?

Working in the fire service profession is an exciting, challenging career with many opportunities for advancement. It is a highly valued public service, one that can be quite rewarding. Students interested in becoming firefighters, or working in the fire service field, should consider a major in fire science.

To become a firefighter, you must pass a qualifying exam and then undergo specific training in your location. Most fire departments today require at least a high school education, and some are beginning to require associate degrees or some college credits. Bachelor's degrees in fire science are available for firefighters and other students who are interested in the disaster planning and policy aspects of fire protection. Advanced degrees tend to focus on leadership positions in the field, from fire chiefs to government emergency services directors.

Fire science majors study many aspects of the fire service profession, including the behavior of fire, fire extinguishment, rescue, and relevant environmental policy. Students become familiar with the equipment used in firefighting and learn how to maintain it. In some programs, students may combine this classroom study with field training.

During field training, students often can fight controlled fires to learn methods and techniques in firefighting. Students may also have the opportunity to work shifts in a fire station, learning valuable skills and training while on the job with fire service professionals. This hands-on experience, combined with classroom education, provides experience and education that are important to obtaining a career in the fire service profession.

Becoming a firefighter affords many opportunities for advancement. A combination of experience and education is typically required for advancement. Advancement opportunities for an entry-level firefighter include fire inspector, fire investigator, and fire chief.

Advanced degrees in fire science often focus on management training or fire inspection skills. These degree programs usually are for the fire service professional seeking advancement in his career. These programs typically focus on one aspect of fire science, such as fire suppression or fire protection.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), careers in fire science are expected to grow at an average pace. Competition for jobs in this field is fierce. The minimum education required to become a firefighter is a high school diploma, which makes these positions highly sought-after among job seekers without higher education. The satisfaction of working in a public service profession often draws candidates to fire service professions as well.

People are also often drawn to fire science because of quality benefits. Aside from excellent health benefits, most fire stations offer guaranteed pensions upon retirement after only 20 years of service. Another benefit of working in the fire service profession is the infrequency of layoffs. Most fire departments resort to hiring freezes or purchasing embargos, rather than downsizing. Current employees' jobs typically are safe during lean times in a fire station.

Because of the keen competition for careers in fire science, the best opportunities for employment will likely be for job seekers with education beyond the high school level, and some on-the-job experience. Physical fitness and overall good health are also important factors in a fire service career.

Career Education in Fire Science

On-Campus and Online Degree Programs

College degrees in fire science are offered at many levels, from certificate programs to master's degrees. Degrees in fire science are sometimes general and sometimes specific to a particular field of fire science, such as fire suppression, fire prevention or fire services leadership.

Certificates and undergraduate degrees are typically designed for the newcomer or junior firefighter who seeks a desk job that requires field knowledge. Advanced degree programs are designed specifically for the experienced firefighter or related professional who wants a leadership or policy-making role in fire protection.

Online degrees in fire science have become increasingly common, especially among working fire service professionals who don't need field training. These flexible programs work especially well for firefighters in remote locations, without access to campus schools, and for older professionals who are ready to quit the field but not the fire protection sector. Focusing primarily on disaster planning and response, as well as long-term policymaking and general administration, these online degree programs enable firefighters to move out of the field and into administrative jobs if they so desire.

Certificate Programs in Fire Science

Undergraduate certificates in fire science are available to students who have completed at least a high school education. These short courses of study typically take less than a year to complete. Undergraduate certificates are often available at night, on weekends and online.

These programs often focus on one specific area of the firefighting profession, such as fire inspecting, arson investigation, or new firefighting methods. Undergraduate certifications are excellent educational opportunities for both firefighting professionals and for students seeking entry-level fire service positions.

Associate Degree Programs in Fire Science

Associate degree programs are two-year courses of study that require a high school diploma for entrance. An associate degree in fire science typically serves as preparation for an entry-level position as a firefighter.

Coursework includes fire behavior, rescue procedures, and the basics of fire extinguishment. Hands-on instruction or a required internship is common. General education classes are required in addition to subject-specific courses such as emergency medical technician (EMT) basics, the chemistry of fire science, and the uniform fire code.

Bachelor's Degree Programs in Fire Science

Bachelor's degrees in fire science are often sought by current firefighting professionals interested in advancing their careers. However, a bachelor in fire science is becoming increasingly more common among candidates for entry-level firefighting positions as well. A bachelor's degree in fire science can often help a candidate for a position as a firefighter stand out above those without education beyond high school.

A major in fire science often requires hands-on instruction and/or an internship. Online courses, however, may focus exclusively on administrative and policy topics-or they may help students arrange field experience locally. Courses common to a bachelor's degree in fire science include fire prevention, emergency management, and fire investigation. General education courses, such as algebra and writing, are also required in order to improve students' professional skills.

Bachelor's degrees typically take four years to complete. Entry to a bachelor's degree program in fire science requires only a high school education, although an associate degree in a related field may be useful.

Master's Degree Programs in Fire Science

Master's degrees are available to the fire service professional seeking advancement to a leadership level. Master's degrees in fire science often focus on a particular specialization, such as fire protection engineering or fire inspection.

To enter a graduate degree program, candidates must first earn a bachelor's degree. Coursework in a master's degree program include fire modeling, explosion protection, and advanced fire dynamics.

Graduate Certificate Programs

Fire service professionals who have completed a bachelor's degree or higher are eligible to pursue a graduate certificate. These certification programs are short courses of study that usually focus on one aspect of the fire service profession.

Courses in a graduate certificate program often are selected from the list of courses required in a master's degree program. Upon completion of these courses, the graduate certificate is earned. However, many students go on to complete the entire master's degree curriculum. These certification programs help provide excellent opportunities for advancement.

What can you do with a College Degree in Fire Science?

Career options for aspiring fire science professionals

Salary Information for Careers in Fire Science

In 2006, the BLS reported a median income of $41,190 for entry-level firefighters. The chief of a fire station, the highest level to which a firefighter typically may advance, earns an average annual base salary of $73,435. Fire inspectors, with more experience than entry-level firefighters, earned a median annual income of $48,050.

Though an entry-level firefighter does not earn as much as fire investigators or inspectors do, he often has significant opportunities to achieve overtime pay. This pay is often worth one and a half times his normal hourly wage. In addition, firefighters, inspectors, and investigators typically are provided excellent health benefits and pension plans. Pension plans usually are guaranteed after 20 years of service.

Certification and Licensure

A license is not required to become a firefighter, investigator, or inspector. But in order to be hired by a fire department, a firefighter must pass a set of specific exams and undertake local training. Most states require certification to become a fire inspector in their state. State requirements vary, so checking with your local fire and safety board is important.

Voluntary certifications are available for fire service professionals through a variety of organizations. Voluntary certifications show the mastery of a skill set, and are useful in gaining employment or advancement.

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) offers many voluntary certifications, including:

All certification programs through the National Fire Protection Association require extensive experience in the field, as well as some relevant education. Certification is also available to fire inspectors through the Uniform Fire Code Association.

Related Associations and Certification Bodies

Explore Related Degree Programs
- Online Degrees in Fire Science
- Online Degrees in Emergency & Paramedic Medicine
- Online Emergency Management Degrees


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