Best Online Fire Science Degree Programs of 2023

Intelligent Pick

Eastern Oregon University’s Bachelor of Science/Bachelor of Art in Fire Services Administration (FSA) program is a nationally recognized FSA program that meets Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training. The flexible, career-focused pathway allows you to pursue your degree full-time or part-time. Advisors help you apply previous college coursework credits and work experience toward your degree requirement and help you locate scholarships to make this affordable degree program even more accessible. The program has been ranked as one of the best online programs by Best Degree Programs, and it achieved a place in the top 10 of 2019 Most Affordable Online Fire Science Degrees by OnlineU. Courses are taught by current and veteran fire chiefs and cover topics like principles of emergency services, fire behavior, strategy and prevention, as well as administration, analysis, and management.

Things to consider:

• Cost per credit: $265 (in-state); $305 (out of state)
• Credits required to graduate: 180
• Academic calendar: Four start dates annually (spring, summer, fall, winter)
• Graduation rate: 42%

More program information:

• Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
• Phone: 855-805-5399

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Best Career Services

Kilgore College’s Associate of Applied Science in Fire Protection program includes basic fire academy training. If you have already completed this training, you can receive transfer credit for 23 of the required 60 program credits. Because the Texas Commission on Fire Protection (TCFP) requires you to complete the basic fire academy training and either the emergency medical responder (EMR) course or an emergency medical technician (EMT) course in order to become a state-certified firefighter, Kilgore offers both the EMR and the EMT option, enabling you to complete TCFP firefighter-certification requirements through the program. Because Kilgore is a highly career-focused institution, you have access to great career services in partnership with Workforce Solutions East Texas.

Things to consider:

• Cost per credit: $53 (in-state); $103 (out of state)
• Credits required to graduate: 60
• Academic calendar: Traditional semester
• Graduation rate: 27%

More program information:

• Accreditation: Texas Commission on Fire Protection (TCFP)
• Email: [email protected]
• Phone: 903-984-8531

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Most Innovative Curriculum

University of Florida Online’s Bachelor of Science in Fire & Emergency Services is geared toward emergency services professionals seeking an increase in managerial responsibility and leadership skills. The program’s unique curriculum offers a combination of Fire Science, EMS, and emergency management coursework, allowing you to specialize in one of these areas and tailor the program to your particular goals and interests. University of Florida Online has a strong record of offering high-quality online courses and degrees, and the Gator alumni network is particularly robust, which means you’ll have access to academic and career-oriented resources and professional networks that can potentially open doors for you after graduation.

Things to consider:

• Cost per credit: $129.18 (in-state); $300 (out of state)
• Credits required to graduate: 120
• Academic calendar: Traditional semester

More program information:

• Accreditation: American Council for Construction Education (ACCE)
• Email: [email protected]
• Phone: 855-994-2867

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Best Scholarships

University of Cincinnati’s (UC) Bachelor of Science. in Fire and Safety Engineering Technology program focuses on practical, applied learning techniques. The open-learning method makes the program flexible and suitable if you lead a busy life but do not want to sacrifice quality. UC provides you the unique option to receive college credit by developing a portfolio assessment for prior learning experiences, state training, and military training. Moreover, residency workshop programs offer you the chance to complete an entire course over the course of five intensive days. UC also offers a number of scholarships for undergraduate students to make the degree program more accessible and affordable.

Things to consider:

• Cost per credit: $504
• Credits required to graduate: 120
• Academic calendar: Traditional semester
• Graduation rate: 66%

More program information:

• Accreditation: National Fire Academy (NFA)
• Email: [email protected]

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Best Electives

Colorado State University’s Bachelor of Science in Fire and Emergency Services Administration program offers a customizable curriculum. In addition to career-oriented core courses that build upon your technical training and provide you with knowledge in emergency services management, personnel administration, finance, and program development and evaluation, you have the option to pursue a minor in one of nine fields: agricultural business, anthropology, business administration, economics, gerontology, global and environmental sustainability, media studies, political science, or sociology. This allows you to customize the program to your particular goals and interests. Most students in the Fire and Emergency Services Administration program have an EMT certificate and/or have completed fire academy training, and many continue working as first responders while completing their degree. Moreover, U.S. News and World Report ranks Colorado State University’s online bachelor’s degree programs #11 in the country.

Things to consider:

• Cost per credit: $476
• Credits required to graduate: 120
• Academic calendar: Traditional semester

More program information:

• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
• Email: [email protected]
• Phone: 970-491-5288

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Best for Working Professionals

The University of North Carolina at Charlotte – Distance Education’s Bachelor of Science in Engineering Technology: Fire Safety program is designed to meet the needs of working professionals who want to continue their education in order to enhance their career advancement potential. The curriculum consists of extensive coursework in dealing with fire behavior, active and passive protection systems, and the foundational principles of research investigation. The program also strongly emphasizes leadership and managerial skills within the fire safety industry. For hands-on training, students complete several lab courses as well as a capstone project in fire and safety. You should have some professional experience in fire safety before joining the program.

Things to consider:

• Cost per credit: $188.48 (in-state); $347.32 (out of state); $748.23 (international)
• Credits required to graduate: 60
• Academic calendar: Traditional semester
• Graduation rate: 58%

More program information:

• Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCC)
• Email: [email protected]
• Phone: 704-687-5235

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Best for Industrial Safety

University of Nebraska at Omaha’s Bachelor of Science in Emergency Management program offers broad training in emergency management that can be tailored to your particular areas of interest. In addition to core coursework that helps you develop skills in preventing, planning and preparing for, responding to, and recovering from large-scale natural or man-made disasters and public events, the program also enables students to choose two 15-credit hour concentration areas among the following options: Criminology and Criminal Justice, Fire Service Management, Gerontology, Intelligence and Security, Logistics Management, Nonprofit Management, Private Sector Management, Public Administration and Management, and Tribal Management and Emergency Services. These niche concentrations give you the chance to hone very industry- and problem-specific skills that can differentiate you on the job market.

Things to consider:

• Cost per credit: $259 (in-state); $534 (out of state)
• Credits required to graduate: 120
• Academic calendar: Traditional semester
• Graduation rate: 50%

More program information:

• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
• Email: [email protected]
• Phone: 402-554-4900

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Best Master’s Degree Program

Oklahoma State University’s online Master of Science in Fire and Emergency Management Administration program is among the oldest and most well-established of such programs in the country. It is possible to complete the degree entirely online, but you should know that regular semester classes are taught live using Zoom one night per week/per class. Therefore, this program is a good fit for you if your schedule allows you to participate in live class sessions rather than asynchronous learning activities. Toward the end of your program, you have the option to complete a research-based thesis or a practice-oriented practicum in fire and emergency management administration, so you can choose which is the best option for your goals.

Things to consider:

• Cost per credit: $533.60 (in-state); $663.80 (out of state)
• Credits required to graduate: 33
• Academic calendar: Traditional semester
• Graduation rate: 62%

More program information:

• Accreditation: Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, Inc. (ABET)
• Email: [email protected]
• Phone: 405-744-9371

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Best for Fire Scene Investigation

Keiser University’s Associate of Science in Fire Science degree program has well-defined objectives: to provide you with a firm understanding of crisis management, fire suppression, and extinguishment methods; to prepare you to conduct a proper fire scene investigation; to ready you for a career in fire service; and to develop your ability to serve the community by protecting lives and property. These objectives come to life through Keiser’s curriculum, which includes classes like Firefighting Tactics and Strategy, Fire Prevention Practices, and Blueprint Reading and Plans Review. The program is student-centered and features small class sizes, hands-on learning opportunities, and a unique academic calendar where you take one class at a time for four weeks.

Things to consider:

• Cost per credit: $20,800 per academic year
• Credits required to graduate: 60
• Academic calendar: One class at a time for four weeks
• Graduation rate: 57%

More program information:

• Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCC)
• Email: [email protected]
• Phone: 888-453-4737

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Best for Prior Learning Credits

Eastern Kentucky University’s Bachelor of Science in Fire Protection Administration program makes it easy to receive credit for prior coursework and work experience. The 120-credit program allows you to transfer up to 90 credits, which can help you finalize your degree as quickly as possible. In accelerated eight-week terms, you make the most of your time in school and progress steadily toward your degree. You also benefit from having the same personal advisor from the time you submit your application to the time you receive your diploma, so you always have someone in your corner supporting and guiding you. Eastern Kentucky University also offers free tutoring and career services, both of which can be conducted conveniently online.

Things to consider:

• Cost per credit: $417
• Credits required to graduate: 120
• Academic calendar: accelerated eight-week terms
• Graduation rate: 47%

More program information:

• Accreditation: International Fire Service Accreditation Congress (IFSAC)
• Email: [email protected]
• Phone: 859-622-4455

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