Online Degree in Fire Science?

After looking into various LE career paths, I've decided to change directions. What I'm looking for is to become a FT firefighter. And I'm wondering is it possible to find a college that offers an online degree completely in Fire Science? Preferrably an associates degree?

 

UMUC?

I think UMUC offers a Bachelors in Fire Science online.
www.umuc.edu

 

They also offer undergrad certificates...

http://www.umuc.edu/prog/ugp/certificates/cert_online.shtml

 

Thomas Edison State College has ASAST (associate's) and BSAST (bachelor's) degrees in Fire Protection Science if those will serve you.

Here's the ASAST page. The links on that page are pdf.

 

May I ask if you are already a part time or volunteer firefighter, and are looking for a degree for advancement purposes, or are you not currently a firefighter at all, and are looking for a degree to help you get hired?

The reason I ask (I used to be in volunteer fire suppression, EMS and hazmat for many years), is that getting hired on to a full-time agency is the most difficult part, and having a fire science degree can be of very little help for an entry level position. It can be of help if you already have experience, and are looking for a lateral move, or are looking to become an officer.

The best way to get hired as a full-time firefighter is to already have experience in fire suppression and to have gone through your state's fire academy. Having no experience, no academy certificate but having a degree in fire science will generally not impress the hiring committee.

 

American Public University System (AMU/APU) offers a Fire Science Management degree. The undergraduate courses include the textbooks as part of the USD250.00 per credit hour fee.

 

An old list says there are degree programs at:

CSU - Los Angeles
Colorado State U
National Fire Academy
Eastern Oregon U
Empire State C
UMUC
Upper Iowa U
I haven't checked to see that these are all current.

Where I'm from, people take the exam and if the do well enough, they get on the list and then they go through some sort of academy. In some ways it's like becoming a Policeman. As Michael stated, if you haven't done this first then the degree won't mean much. I don't know how this is done where you live so I'm sorry if I'm way off. Otherwise, you can check into it by contacting your local Fire Department. They'll set you right.
Jack

 

Here is a list of colleges offering DL Emergency Management degrees:

http://www.training.fema.gov/EMIWeb/edu/collegelist/dl/

Here is information about the U.S. Fire Administration's "Degrees at a Distance" program:

http://www.usfa.fema.gov/training/nfa/higher_ed/degree_programs/distance/

I'm not sure if that's what you're looking for, but it might give you a starting point.

 

Columbia Southern University has a Bachelor of Science in Fire Science and has partnered with several agencies throughout the US.

http://www.colsouth.edu