okay so sorry if this thread seem overdone because i know there are a lot of questions about this but i have a lot that i cant find answers to (and yes i have searched millions of forums) I want to obtain an associates degree in fire science. -I live in canada, i dont want to travel at all and i dont want to spend much money. -it needs to be accredited national/regional(i think) hopefully cheap and obviously a good program, also if i can get credit for experience or other transferable credits would be a definite plus im so lost i dont even know where to start, has anyone completed this, i know there is an instructor on here, please help thanks
Thomas Edison State College has what you are looking for: http://www.tesc.edu/2494.php http://www.tesc.edu/2663.php
American Military also offers a BS in Fire Science: http://www.amu.apus.edu/fire-science?GCID=S15412x009&KEYWORD=online%20fire%20science%20degree&MATCHTYPE=search
St. Petersburg college is part of the Florida state university system and they offer either an AS or a BS in fire science that is online: http://www.spjc.edu/ecampus/degrees/index.htm
has anybody taken or knows anybody that has taken these programs. also anybody know of schools that will give a lot of credit for things firefighters already have (experience, ifsac seals, hazmat, etc.) i know its bad to say this but i do want an easy route. also thanks for the quick and helpful posts
The St. Petersburg A.S. in fire science will accept any vocational-technical training you're already received in fire science technology. It is very technical stuff, but as a fireman, since you've already had that sort of technical training, St. Pete College will accept it towards an A.S. degree in fire science. It's the most liberal program that I'm aware of (when it comes to accepting those kinds of transfer credits); however, I haven't closely examined the TESC and AMU links in this thread -- they might be good too. Additionally, the St. Pete A.S. in fire science was the first online degree of it's kind in the United States -- and they're proud of that! It's regionally accredited and it's fire science certified for Florida.
The Thomas Edison State College route would probably be best when it comes to taking any and every form of previous learning and training for credit. Also, you can take FEMA classes online, for free, and transfer in a whole bunch of them as free college credit into the program. I know they take tons of FEMA classes for emergency management majors at Thomas Ediston State college, so they may take a bunch of them for the Fire Sciences degree. Best thing to do is to bite the bullet, Go to Thomas Edison State College home page, pay the 75$ application fee (I know it is expensive, but they will tell you how many credits will transfer in from your previous fire fighters training and experience) + FEMA courses online (Which are free to take and you can probably do 30 credit hours worth in a month if you do some each day) and see where you stand when it comes to how much credit you have to earn to finish the associates. Then you can always go on to one of the bachelors programs listed above afterwords. Thomas Edison State College is regionally accreddited which is the highest form of regular accreditation in the United States.
This sounds like it may be a better option then TESC, unless Thomas Edison will take Tons of FREE FEMA classes and this other college will not. That can save you a LOT of money if TESC takes 25 to 30 credit hours towards your degree for free. Some schools charge $250 to $400 or more PER CREDIT HOUR. Imagine getting 25 credit hours or more for free.... LOTS OF MONEY SAVED (My wife did this with TESC for an ART degree and they took 27 FEMA credit hours for college credit, for free).
Oh yea, AND if TESC will take all of your previous Fire Training as well. The St. Petersburg school sounds like the best option if you have lots of training time in on the job. You could always apply to Both TESC and St. Petersburg and see where you stand at each institution.
I teach fire science for AMU/APU. They just recently started a AA program in addition to their BA program. The programs utilize the USFA FESHE curriculum and the courses are well put together. Tuition is $250 per credit and most of the classes are eight weeks long and start continuoulsy. APU/AMU also has a very accomodating transfer policy. PM me for more information.
Having had some experience with St. Petersburg, I can tell you from my perspective that they are not very well organized.
have any international(my case canadian) students taken fema courses and transfered them for credit? i do have family in the US for a mailing address
Mo money!!! That might be true! I graduated with a Masters degree from within the Florida state university system -- and the university administration was a nightmare! But conversely, the academics were the most richly rewarding that I've ever experienced. Your mileage may vary. Oh and P.S. -- the price was right.
Anyone can take FEMA courses, you will have not problem taking them for credit. I think the first thing you should do is apply to the school of your choice, either Thomas Edison, St. Petersberg, etc. Then, send in all the information you need to send in to have all of your on the job training examined for credit. It will take a couple weeks, probably 3 or 4 before you will get your answer from TESC on what kind of credit they will give you. At this point, or while waiting, you can take tons of FEMA credits and submit them afterwards. You do not have to complete any FEMA classes before enrolling or anything, they take them for credit any time during the process.