Bachelor of Science in Fire Science

Description and Outcomes

Purdue Global is recognized by the U.S. Fire Administration as an official Fire and Emergency Services Higher Education (FESHE) institution. The Bachelor of Science in Fire Science closely follows the FESHE model and is designed to provide you with foundational skills in firefighter safety, building codes, fire prevention, code inspection, and firefighting strategy and tactics. In addition, the program explores technical, legal, and social aspects of arson, the application of technology to firefighting, and the psychological effects of fire dynamics. The program serves fire service professionals seeking enhanced skills and a broad spectrum of knowledge in the field of fire science. The curriculum includes analytical approaches to fire protection and investigation, disaster and fire defense planning, hazardous materials management, fire protection structure and system design, and the role of the fire service within the community.

If you have already completed an associate’s or bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution, you may be eligible for degree requirements to be waived and replaced with advanced start credit. Refer to Advanced Start Credit in Bachelor’s Degrees for details.

Concentration

You can personalize your degree with a concentration in business foundations. The business foundations concentration will allow you to gain competencies in the fundamental concepts of business administration. You will develop an understanding of the four functions of management, the components of a marketing strategy, and the financial performance of an organization.

Graduate Program Pathways

If you are interested in earning both a bachelor's and master's degree, consider a graduate program pathway.

Program Length

The Bachelor of Science in Fire Science program consists of a minimum of 180 quarter credit hours. Upon successful completion of the program, graduates will be awarded a bachelor of science degree.

Program Outcomes

Discipline-Specific Outcomes

  1. Fire Foundations: Demonstrate an understanding of building construction as it relates to firefighter safety, building codes, fire prevention, code inspection, and firefighting strategy and tactics.
  2. Fire Investigation and Analysis: Investigate technical, legal, and social aspects of arson.
  3. Psychology: Analyze the issues that deal with the psychological effects of fire dynamics.
  4. Research Methods: Apply scientific methods of inquiry to arrive at reasoned decisions regarding fire science.
  5. Technology: Analyze methods that integrate the use of technology to inform operational and strategic decisions that will enhance firefighting strategy and tactics.

General Education Literacies and Professional Competencies

In addition to the discipline-specific outcomes, general education literacies and professional competencies are integrated throughout your academic program. You can review the general education literacies and professional competencies associated with your academic program in the General Education and Professional Competency Requirements section of this Catalog.

Program Availability

For program availability, please refer to the U.S. State and Other Approvals section and Program Availability Information.

Policies

Please refer to school-specific policies and the Policy Information section for general Purdue Global policies.

Certification, State Board, and National Board Exams

Certification and licensure boards have state-specific educational requirements for programs that lead to a license or certification that is a precondition for employment. Prospective and current students must review Purdue Global’s State Licensure and Certifications site to view program and state-specific licensure information.

Licensure-track programs may limit enrollment to students in certain states; please see Purdue Global’s Program Availability Information to determine enrollment eligibility.

You are responsible for understanding the requirements of optional certification exams. Such requirements may change during the course of your program. You are not automatically certified in any way upon program completion. Although certain programs are designed to prepare you to take various optional certification exams, Purdue Global cannot guarantee you will be eligible to take these exams or become certified. Your eligibility may depend on your work experience, completion of education and/or degree requirements, not having a criminal record, and meeting other certification requirements.