Firefighters are highly trained to put out fires — but that’s not all they do. After finishing a degree in fire science, fire service professionals can manage emergencies, assess risk to protect life and property, maintain fire prevention tactics, research and implement fire safety technology, and lead fire safety and emergency personnel teams. In 2023, firefighters earned a median annual wage of $57,120, and fire inspectors and investigators earned $74,160.
Fire science programs offer associate, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees with varying specializations. In 2023, the average cost of an associate degree in fire science was $3,885 annually, and a four-year bachelor’s degree cost $17,709 per year. Students who went on to earn master’s degrees in fire science paid an average of $20,513 per year.
How to Choose a Fire Science Degree Program
Choose your area of study
Fire science programs range from general studies of fire science to more specialized programs, including degrees in fire science technology or emergency management. Your area of study largely depends on your preferred coursework, academic skills, and career goals.
One of the most common degrees for a firefighter is an Associate of Science in fire science. It incorporates general education with a concentration in fire safety, best practices in emergencies, and risk assessment in firefighting. Students interested in a leadership role in emergency services can complete a Bachelor of Science in fire science.
For a fire science degree focused on engineering and technology, students can earn an Associate of Science in fire science technology or a Bachelor of Science in fire and safety engineering technology. If you’re interested in a senior leadership career in fire science, such as a fire marshal or fire inspector, consider a program that offers a Bachelor of Science in fire protection administration.
Postgraduate fire science degree programs prepare students for specialized careers in fire science. Graduates apply previous firefighting experience to a Master of Science in fire management or a Master of Science in emergency services administration to become fire chiefs or fire marshals. Firefighters interested in criminal justice can transition to roles in fire investigations with a Master of Science in arson and incident investigations.
Research schools and programs
Choose an accredited school and fire science program to ensure you receive a high-quality education. Institutional accreditation agencies like the Higher Learning Commission regularly assess schools, including their adherence to academic educational standards and allowing students to transfer credits to other accredited schools. Programmatic accreditation agencies, such as the International Fire Service Accreditation Congress and the Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology, determine whether a specific fire science program adequately prepares its students for success in the professional world.
Prepare for tests and applications
Undergraduate fire science degree programs may require students to take entrance tests, such as the SAT and ACT, before applying. Graduate fire science programs often require applicants to take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) as an entrance test.
Many fire science degree programs also require students to have emergency medical technician (EMT) certificates, transcripts showing completion of a high school degree or equivalency, such as the General Educational Development (GED) test, and evidence of professional experience in emergency services.
Select your program
For a general fire science degree focusing on prevention and safety, choose fire science programs in a school’s College of Natural and Social Sciences or College of Forensic Sciences. Fire science degrees from the College of Criminal Justice and Emergency Responders offer interdisciplinary coursework in medicine and criminology, while fire science programs offered through the College of Engineering provide opportunities to study and implement the latest fire safety technology.
Once you’ve narrowed down your list of programs, take in-person or virtual tours of the selected schools. Talk to students in the fire science program and admissions counselors about what the school offers incoming students, including housing, scheduling needs, and more.
Determine how you’ll pay for your degree
Start your research on financial aid with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). It tells you how much financial assistance you can apply toward the costs of your fire science degree program. Contact your school’s financial aid office for more assistance opportunities, including scholarships, grants, and programs like employer tuition assistance for those already in the workforce.
Best 50 Accredited Fire Science Degree Programs
Discover More Options
How we rank schools
This list covers associate, bachelor’s, and master’s degree programs in fire science. Graduates are prepared for careers as environmental health and safety managers, fire protection engineers, and deputy fire chiefs. Degrees offered include Associate of Arts in fire science, Associate of Applied Science in fire science technology, Bachelor of Science in emergency management, Bachelor of Science in fire and safety engineering technology, Master of Science in emergency and disaster management, and Master of Science in fire protection engineering.
Professional accreditation is given to higher education programs that meet specific academic criteria. All of the schools on this list are approved by the appropriate regional accrediting organization, such as the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), and many of these options also have programmatic accreditation from industry groups like the International Fire Service Accreditation Congress (IFSAC) and the Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology (ABET).
We evaluated each program based on flexibility, faculty, course strength, cost, and reputation. Then, we calculated the Intelligent Score for each program on a scale from 0 to 100. For a more extensive explanation, check out our ranking methodology.
What Can You Expect From a Fire Science Degree Program?
A fire science program combines classroom instruction and on-the-ground training to prepare students for the mental and physical demands of a career in fire science. Students complete coursework, work with groups in a cohort model, and participate in simulation disaster situations.
They also concentrate on physical fitness to prepare for the Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT), which assesses students’ ability to physically navigate real-world firefighting situations. Most fire departments require candidates to have passed the CPAT no more than six months before applying for a firefighting job.
Potential courses you’ll take in a fire science degree program
- Fire Safety. Students learn about different types of fires, including wildfires and structure fires, as well as emergency preparedness, action plans, fire hazards, rescue strategies and techniques, and controlling a fire scene.
- Fire Behavior. In a fire behavior course, students study how fires start and behave in different environments. They use concepts from chemistry and biology to predict how a fire will behave and what extinguishing agents are most effective.
- Construction. Future firefighters learn about building codes, materials, regulations, and firefighting best practices. They apply what they learn to hands-on simulations involving various structures and discuss these concepts with construction professionals.
- Disaster Response. A disaster response course teaches students about predicting and preparing for natural and human-caused disasters. Students apply a fundamental understanding of public policy to analyze past response plans to disasters and formulate their own.
Fire Science Degree Frequently Asked Questions
How do I apply to a fire science degree program?
Refer to your school’s fire science program website for specific application requirements. It will list deadlines, prerequisites, and application materials you should gather before applying for the next academic year. Consult the admissions office at your school for more information about applying to their fire science program.
How much does a fire science degree cost?
In 2023, tuition and fees for an associate degree in fire science cost an average of $3,885 per year. A bachelor’s degree in fire science was $17,709, and a master’s degree averaged $20,513 annually. Consider other expenses in your budget, such as housing, educational materials, test preparation programs, transportation, and the cost of living in your school’s town.
How long does it take to earn a fire science degree?
Associate degrees in a fire science program require students to take around 30 to 60 credit hours, which students typically complete in two years. Students can earn a bachelor’s degree in fire science by completing 120 credit units in four years and advance to a master’s degree with an additional 30 to 60 units in two years.