Online fire science degree programs equip learners to serve as firefighters and other emergency service professionals in a range of settings such as municipal fire departments, government agencies, insurance companies and private industries. Coursework often includes emergency and disaster response protocols as well as fire safety in building construction and determining causation to inform future prevention efforts. Students can choose either an associate or bachelor’s degree; with certain four-year programs offering accelerated options to eligible learners.
Most online bachelor’s degrees contain similar courses as traditional programs, with additional foundational studies in math, English and social sciences. Some programs allow students to take an in-depth approach by specializing in areas like fire investigation or forensic science; many programs even partner with local fire academies for hands-on experience in firefighter training as part of the curriculum.
Considerations should be given when choosing an online fire science degree program: what career you would like to pursue after graduation. Usually a bachelor’s degree is needed for management positions in the fire service. But graduates could use their degrees for wildland firefighters, public policy administrators or even EMT work.
Institutions offering the top online bachelor’s degrees in fire science typically feature personalized advising, intimate online classes and peer support from peers who come from diverse backgrounds and experiences. One such school is Bowling Green State University which offers an innovative degree plan allowing students to complete coursework either online, on campus or both – it’s also quite popular at Fayetteville State University and Salem State University.