Most Affordable Online Fire Science Degrees

Overview

Fayetteville State University (FSU) is located in the North Carolinian town of the same name. It is a liberal arts school that provides specialized professional training in over 40 areas. Part of the wider University of North Carolina System, FSU has more than 6,000 students.

Features

The Fayetteville State program was born out of partnership between the Fayetteville Fire Department and local high schools and community colleges. Today it has grown into a large program that can be fully completed online. This degree producers leaders in fire-related and EMS management. Classes cover:

• Fire Prevention Organization and Management
• Political and Legal Foundations of Fire Prevention
• Community Risk Reduction
• Fire Service Personnel Administration

Notables

Fayetteville State University is regionally ranked by U.S. News & World Report. Additionally, the University’s many renowned online programs, specifically its online pre-professional training degrees, are also well ranked by U.S. News & World Report.

Overview

Located in the Bellevue, Nebraska, Bellevue University is a private school. It specializes in providing education to non-traditional students, such as adult and returning learners. More than 10,000 students are enrolled at Bellevue, either online or on campus.

Features

For those who want a more broad-based education experience, Bellevue offers an online BS in Emergency Management degree. This interdisciplinary program covers everything from terrorism to natural disasters, emergency planning, and management. On top of this coursework, all Bellevue students must finish the Kirkpatrick Signature Series, which includes the following three courses:

• American Vision and Values
• Tradition and Change
• Freedom and Responsibility

Notables

Bellevue’s online degrees are among some of the best in the nation. They have been consistently ranked by U.S. News & World Report. For this reason, Bellevue University has earned a reputation for being one of the best schools for adult students to earn or finish their degrees.

Overview

Based in Clark County, the College of Southern Nevada (CSN) provides trade and professional training. It is part of the Nevada System of Higher Education and has multiple locations throughout the state. CSN offers degrees in dentistry, fire and emergency services, lab science, and more.

Features

CSN offers a Fire & Emergency Services Administration degree that is perfect for those looking to hone their leadership skills. At CSN you will learn how to evaluate community risk reduction methods, how to create and evaluate policy, and how to support emergency services specialists. Classes include:

• Political and Legal Foundations for Fire Protection
• Fire Investigation and Analysis
• Fire Related Human Behavior
• Disaster Planning and Control

Notables

CSN is the largest and most ethnically diverse school in Nevada. This is because the College has sought to provide an affordable, accessible, and welcoming campus. And because classrooms and the student-to-faculty are notably small.

Overview

Columbia Southern University specializes in distance and online education. It is headquartered in Orange Beach, Alabama and has around 15,000 students. Columbia State is organized into three colleges, through which it provides 26 degree programs.

Features

Columbia’s BS in Fire Administration degree is multi-disciplinary, bringing together administration fundamentals with tactical fire prevention techniques. Through this program you will analyze human behavior that affects fire science organizations while also studying the principles of fire chemistry, dynamics, and impacts. Courses cover:

• Fire Behavior and Combustion
• Building Construction for Fire Protection
• Community Risk Reduction
• Fire Prevention Organization and Management

Notables

Though a for-profit university, Columbia has made visible efforts to put money back into the community. In fact, it is the site of substantial volunteer work and giving. For example, the University has supported over 50 nonprofits, has donated more than 1,500 school supplies, has organized more than two dozen Red Cross blood drives, and much more.

Overview

Eastern New Mexico University (ENMU) is located in Portales, New Mexico. But it also has campuses located throughout the state, including in Ruidoso and Roswell. More than 6,000 students attend ENMU and are enrolled in one of the University’s four colleges.

Features

ENMU offers a Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences degree that can be paired with a Fire and Emergency Services concentration. You will take classes on personnel and systems management as well as those on fire research, prevention, and risk reduction. Graduates from the ENMU program have gone on to find careers as:

• Training Officers
• Fire and EMS Supervisors
• State Directors
• Chief Officers

Notables

ENMU is regionally ranked among the schools in the west by U.S. News & World Report. Similarly, its online programs are also highly regarded and well ranked. Though perhaps most notable about ENMU is its science fiction library collections. With over 30,000 archives, it is one of the biggest collections in the world!

Overview

Lake Superior State University (LSSU) is a public school located in Sault Saint Marie, Michigan. Because of its rural location in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, LSSU is known for its wildlife, fishery, geology, and fire science programs. Around 3,000 students attend LSSU.

Features

LSSU’s BS in Fire Science degree focuses fully on fire service. Students gain wide knowledge of fire prevention and investigation. And they go one to complete the requirements for Firefighter I and II state certifications. LSSU’s curriculum includes coursework such as:

• Fire Cause & Arson Investigations
• Hazardous Materials
• Physical Fitness for Public Safety
• Firefighter Essentials

Notables

Though small and bit off the beaten path, LSSU is recognized for its achievements in research. Campus is home to the Aquatic Research Lab, the Environmental Analysis Lab, a Simulation Center, and a Robotics Lab.

Overview

The University of Nebraska in Omaha (UNO) has around 15,000 students. Organized into six colleges, UNO is a public university that offers over 200 areas of academic study. It is a space-grant institution highly regarded for its research contributions.

Features

UNO offers a BS in Emergency Management degree that can be paired with a concentration in Fire Service Management. Core courses teach students how to prevent, plan, prepare, and respond to large-scale natural or man-made disasters. Whether you want to work in the public or private sector, UNO fully prepares you through a curriculum that covers:

• Fire Dynamics
• Fire Related Human Behavior
• Analytical Approaches to Public FIre Protection
• Fire and Emergency Services Administration

Notables

The University of Nebraska in Omaha is known for its recent research achievements in engineering, information technology, and business. The University’s online programs are well-ranked and considered among the best in the nation. U.S. News & World Report nationally ranks UNO.

Overview

American Public University (APU) is part of the wider APU System, which includes several schools and training institutes. This is a private, fully online university headquartered in Virginia. APU offers associate, bachelors, and masters degrees as well as professional certification.

Features

You can earn a BS in Fire Science degree at APU that trains you for a career in firefighting, search and rescue, disaster management, emergency medical services, and risk reduction. This program balances theory with hands-on experience through its extensive curriculum. Coursework at APU covers:

• Firefighting Leadership and Management
• Community Fire Issues
• Tactical Fire Operations
• Fire Operations

Notables

APU is known for its quality service to student veterans and active duty military. Indeed, it partners closely with its sister school, the American Military University. APU is also a known leader in distance education, as several of its online degrees are well-ranked by U.S. News & World Report.

Overview

Northwestern State University (NSU) is primarily located in Natchitoches but also has campuses in Shreveport, Alexandria, and Fort Polk. It is part of the greater University of Louisiana System and is home to 8,000 students and 50 academic programs.

Features

NSU’s BS in Unified Public Safety Administration degree can be earned alongside a concentration in Fire and Emergency Medical Services Administration. This program is ideal for those who want to work at the state or federal level. From cyber crime to homeland security, you will gain critical knowledge of other safety factors in addition to fire prevention. The fire concentration includes classes such as:

• Managerial Issues in Hazardous Materials
• Fire Service Administration and Management
• Social Dimensions of Disaster
• Emergency Medical Response Planning

Notables

NSU was founded as a nursing and business college but through the years saw huge growth in research, enrollment, and academic development. The greater University is also home to the Louisiana Scholar’s College, the state’s best liberal arts and science honors school.

Overview

The Charlotte branch within the wider University of North Carolina System is a large research university. UNC Charlotte offers approximately 200 undergraduate and graduate degrees across its three campuses and online. Over 30,000 students attend UNC Charlotte.

Features

At UNC Charlotte, through their online platform, you can earn a BS in Engineering Technology degree that focuses on Fire Safety. This unique program looks at both the technical and non-technical aspects of safety and emergency planning. And the curriculum was specifically designed to build leadership skills within it students. Courses in the UNC Charlotte program include:

• Principles of Fire Behavior
• Building Fire Safety
• Industrial Hazards and Electricity
• Risk Management for the Emergency Services

Notables

UNC Charlotte is well-ranked by Forbes, U.S. News & World Report, Washington Monthly, and more. In addition to these academic accolades, the University is also recognized for its research contributions, affordable price tag, and its social mobility.