Online bachelor's degree programs in Fire Science

Have you always looked up to firefighters? Do you admire their courage, camaraderie and skill but think a career in firefighting is beyond your reach? Think again. There are many facets to fire science, ranging from tackling wildfires to residential and commercial blazes. Firefighters must be ready to respond to a range of challenges. Some jobs require more training than others, but all are attainable if you pursue the right path. Fire science administration degrees can be a great beginning.

What to expect from bachelor's degree programs for firefighters

Fire science administration degrees teach you the essentials of fire prevention, safety and management. Bachelor's degree programs for firefighters also emphasize strategic and leadership skills that are valuable during the course of a career in fire service. Operations within the community, such as the organization and communication of emergency services, legal issues and public education are also covered.

The following types of coursework are usually covered by fire science administration degrees:

• Introduction to fire services
• Fire behavior and combustion
• Fire prevention practices
• Fundamentals of emergency services
• Hazardous material operations and inpection
• Fire scene investigation
• Building construction
• Wild land and urban fire service interface
• Fire inspections and codes

Advanced firefighting and investigation, arson studies and other technical courses in fire science are also standard fare. Course titles, core curriculum, specializations and electives vary for different bachelor's degree programs in fire science.

Careers for graduates with fire science administration degrees

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts a growth rate of 17 percent for fire engineering jobs in the decade from 2008-2018. Graduates of campus and online bachelor's degree programs in fire science are prepared to take advantage of this higher-than-average employment growth.

Within a fire department chain of command, you will find engineers, part-time fighters, captains, lieutenants, and fire chiefs of various ranks. In general, the promotional ladder for firefighters moves from engineer to lieutenant to captain to battalion chief to assistant chief to deputy chief and, finally, to fire chief.

The most recent BLS data for May 2008 reports the following minimum and maximum annual salary ranges for professional firefighters:

• Fire chiefs: $78,672-$104,780
• Deputy chief: $69,166-$88,571
• Battalion chief: $66,851-$81,710
• Assistant fire chief: $65,691-$83,748
• Fire captain: $60,605-$72,716
• Fire lieutenant: $50,464-$60,772
• Engineer: $48,307-$62,265

For promotion to positions higher than battalion chief, most fire departments now require a bachelor's degree in fire science, emergency services, structural engineering or similar. At minimum, an associate degree is required for executive fire officer certification from the National Fire Academy.

To learn more about bachelor's degrees in fire science visit WorldWideLearn's Guide to College Majors where you will find in-depth research on fire science administration degrees and many other undergraduate degrees. Or browse below and compare online bachelor's degree programs in fire science. When you see a program that interests you, simply fill out a form and an admissions representative from that school will contact you.

Don't wait for your future to arrive. Pursue higher education today and set your future on fire.

• Degrees by Level