What is a Fire Science Degree? 

A fire science degree goes beyond the expansive set of skills expected of first responders and offers you a theoretical understanding of fire prevention, safety, mitigation and fighting. The central goal of such a degree is to give you the analytical and operational tools to build fire safety programs, conduct inspections, plan and triage disaster relief, and investigate the root causes of fires.

This path of study is ideal for people who are passionate about improving fire safety and enjoy working across various disciplines. A fire science curriculum may span from chemistry and physics to team leadership and education. It also allows you to focus on a topic you wish to specialize in, such as public administration or fire inspection. A fire science degree empowers you with the knowledge and skills to coordinate fire response, allocate resources, and communicate effectively with fellow first responders and other stakeholders. 

A fire science degree empowers you with the knowledge and skills to coordinate fire response, allocate resources, and communicate effectively with fellow first responders and other stakeholders. 

Types of Fire Science Degrees 

There are four levels of degrees available within the fire science industry.  

Associate of Science in Fire Science

This program typically takes two years to complete on a full-time schedule of study, but this can vary. It sets a foundation of comprehensive fire science knowledge, including fire prevention and protection. After completing this degree, you can apply and analyze effective fire prevention methods utilized in fire science organizations and the community.

Bachelor of Science in Fire Administration

This program typically takes four years to complete on a full-time schedule of study, but this varies. It builds upon the essentials acquired at the associate level and prepares you with the knowledge and skills for leadership positions within the fire service profession including administration, fire safety and investigation. After completing this degree, graduates might evaluate industry-standard administrative techniques related to organizational management in fire service settings. Graduates can analyze human behavior and synthesize community risk reduction methods related to fire science. Additionally, graduates will have the knowledge and skills to analyze various principles of fire chemistry and fire dynamics and their impacts on emergency situations.

Master of Science in Fire Executive Leadership

This program may take two and half years to complete on a full-time schedule of study, but this varies. By this level, you are becoming an innovative leader with the ability to foster productive teams in fire and emergency services management. You would choose a concentration that aligns with your career interest in either public administration, human resources, occupational safety and health or organizational leadership. After completing this program, you'll incorporate executive leadership practices into emergency scenarios. 

Concentrations for an MS in Fire Executive Leadership: 

• Emergency Services Management 
• Human Resource Management 
• Occupational Safety and Health 
• Organizational Leadership 
• Public Administration 

Doctor of Fire Integrated Research

This program is the first of its kind and requires students to complete a minimum of 15 hours of dissertation/research hours. Typically, mid-to-senior-level professionals in the fire service, emergency management, public safety leadership, or fire protection engineering are prepared to pursue this doctorate degree program. It develops you as a scholar-practitioner leader with extensive research in the fire and emergency services field. After completing this degree of study, you’ll have theoretical frameworks and research-based findings to support your decision-making processes in the fire service.

Specializations in a Fire Science Degree

A degree in fire science exposes you to a range of careers in the public and private sectors. Where you choose to go with your degree depends on your interests and specialization in the field. Here are some common specializations you could choose: 

Fire Inspection and Investigation

A critical role, fire inspectors and investigators play critical roles in assessing fire risks (inspection) and determining the root causes of a fire after it has been extinguished (investigation). According to the Bureau of Labor statistics, the field is estimated to grow year-over-year due to retirements, job turnover and the growing importance of fire mitigation brought on by the increased frequency of wildfires. Some standard functions of these roles are: 

• Conducting inspections and making assessments of fire risk in buildings, communities, and industrial environments 
• Recommending fire mitigation strategies to organizations facing fire risk and following up to assess whether the organization has made the necessary changes  
• Gathering physical and testimonial evidence to determine the root causes of a fire 
• Educating firefighters and other first responders on principles of fire scene investigation and forensics  

Fire Services Administration

The threat of fire and other emergencies is present at every organization and in every community. Fire services administrators are responsible for rapidly coordinating resources such as personnel and special equipment during fire and emergency situations. Administrators use their extensive knowledge of firefighting needs to allocate resources for budgeting, dispatching and training. Fire services administrators focus on: 

• Researching, documenting and designing procedures for major risks in a given area, community, or at an organization  
• Ensuring that personnel, both firefighters and others, have adequate training and equipment to respond to and combat fires as they occur  
• Overseeing the processes for dispatching, supporting and evaluating the responses to fires and other safety incidents  

Fire Research

The increase in fire risks is being addressed by a combination of new technology and an investment in proactive research and assessment. Some choose to continue their fire science studies into highly specialized research, either in the field or through a doctoral program like the one offered at Columbia Southern University. This can include: 

• Researching long-term risk factors for the ignition and spread of wildfires 
• Designing, assessing, testing and implementing new technologies for fire risk assessment and firefighting 
• Researching fire risk to assist local, state or federal government officials allocate resources, change the fire code or other outcomes  
• Advising government officials on fire risk to inform policy changes and resource allocation 

Get Your Fire Science Degree at Columbia Southern University

A strong fire science program combines the diverse disciplines required for a successful career in fire safety. Recognized through the Fire and Emergency Services Higher Education initiative, a network of the U.S. Fire Administration’s National Fire Academy, Columbia Southern University is a leader in fire science education. 

Our program combines a multitude of disciplines, allowing you to obtain a strong foundation via remote study. You can learn the scientific, legal, and community outreach aspects of fire science at a pace that works for you. As a professional, you can acquire more knowledge in your career with *continuing education courses as well. If you’d like to learn more, take a look at our program page.