Best degree for the fire service?

[Scottyk107 9]

I am about to finish up my AA and was looking to see what the best major would be that would set me up for advancement in the fire service. I have already taken fire science and emergency medicine out of my choices because they are too narrow in what I can do with it. I am looking into business management and heard some about public adminstration but was also told by a current fire chief that it is also too narrow. I want the degree that will help me the most and will look to add fire and ems degrees after getting hired. Any help would be appreciated.

[Bababoosky 24]

If you are looking to go towards an investigative role, such as arson, you can look to University of New Haven. They have an amazing fire science program, and their forensic investigation program is second to none. EMT will most likely help you getting hired by a dept that runs EMS, but I really can't think of any other degree that the fire service favors. I think they just like the idea that they have someone who has completed a degree program to show that they don't have a box of rocks on their hands.

I know alot of the PD like Master of Public Administration (MPA) for the officers to advance their ranks to sgt. and above

[Guest bibbles10504]

University of Maryland has one of the best Fire Protection Engineering programs in the Country, if you look there you could probably get into investigation if you wanted.

[IzzyEng4 427]

Bachelor in Science is the way to go. UHN like Baba said is a great school. Its not far from where I live, actually I went to high school across the street from the UNH campus and they use our old HS buildings. Really good school and easy to get too. Its at the Corner of Route 1 (Orange Ave now called Boston Post Road) and Route 122 (Forest Road in the Allingtown section of West Haven. Plus they have one of the best college baseball teams around.

[msm232 69]

As a graduate of Oklahoma State University - School of Fire Protection, I am a little biased, As one of the first and most prestigious schools for fire protection, their reputation speaks for itself. Check it out.....

http://fpst.okstate.edu/

Thanks and stay safe...

[Guest alsfirefighter]

As a person who is staunchly pro-college for the fire service I commend you on continuing your secondary education.

The direction I went at was to try find something that would add to my fire service experience and functionality, as well as something that will allow me to pursue future endeavors when I retire. Currently I am working towards getting back to college for a bachelor's degree and have really been thinking hard about what direction I'd like to take. This is the same advice I give those coming out of high school when they ask me about or express they are going to pursue a fire science degree. If you are not on the job, take core curriculum courses, build up your credit count so you are eligble immediately for tests and hiring college credit requirements...but...find something that you would like to do if you knew you couldn't be a firefighter. It may take time to get hired, you will retire someday and there is always the ability to do "side work." For me I've come down to 2 choices, either a teaching degree or a degree in psychology. Just haven't figured out exactly which one I'd like to do.

Being you're already on your way with your degree, I never realized how many big name universities have on line degree programs today until I read it in a magazine article. Find what is best for you based on what some have posted already. I have to also say I am impressed with OSU and Maryland's programs. I wish you the best of luck and another high 5 for your zeal for education.

Unless you are going to pursue a career in the private sector for cause investigation, I would steer towards something else. Management, public admin. For most areas, there are no full time investigators.

[Scottyk107 9]

Thank you guys for you info but I already attend The University of Central Florida. I dont live up north anymore. I was looking for something not in fire science or ems such as business or public adminstration that would help me persue a fire career. Most high positions require managment rather then fire degrees now and thats what I was aiming for. I love my school and want to stay here for the remainder of my degree. I want the fire and ems degrees one day but not until I am hired and have a job in the field. I was looking for a common BS/BA degree that is looked upon as premiere in the fire service. Any suggestions on something more towards managment or business adminstration? thanks already for your responses

[JohnnyOV 2]

Thank you guys for you info but I already attend The University of Central Florida. I dont live up north anymore. I was looking for something not in fire science or ems such as business or public adminstration that would help me persue a fire career. Most high positions require managment rather then fire degrees now and thats what I was aiming for. I love my school and want to stay here for the remainder of my degree. I want the fire and ems degrees one day but not until I am hired and have a job in the field. I was looking for a common BS/BA degree that is looked upon as premiere in the fire service. Any suggestions on something more towards managment or business adminstration? thanks already for your responses

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Over here at Embry-Riddle in Daytona Beach we have a Safety Science program, concentrating in both Occupational Safety and Aviation Safety, which is what I am currently enrolled in. I am also minoring in homeland security.

here are links to both

Safety Science

http://www.erau.edu/db/degrees/b-safetyscience.html

Homeland Security- There is no link to the degree, only because the degree is in it 2nd semester on our campus...here is an over view of the degree though.

Bachelor of Science in Homeland Security

Through the combination of the core and specialized courses in domestic and maritime security, aviation security, physical and occupational security, emergency preparedness, law enforcement, and risk analysis, the BS in Homeland Security at Embry-Riddle is designed to offer students a thorough understanding of the complex nature of the homeland security profession.

In addition, students will see and experience many of the important contributions made by today's homeland security specialists.

Students in the homeland security program will be well prepared for a career in homeland security through a rich integration of state-of-the-art coursework, guest lectures, field trips, and experiential learning.  In addition, the program provides students with practical skills as well as research and volunteer opportunities in homeland security.

[FDNYDCHI 38]

I graduated from UNH with my BS in Fire/arson Investigation in 2002 They have a very good program. At this time I am debating to try and get my masters degree.

Would anyone know If there are any online masters degree programs. I was looking into John Jay I also saw a Homeland security masters degree in Manhattan but it was pretty expensive per credit.

Thanks again

Chris

[GFD70 4]

As a current student at the University of New Haven, I would definitely recommend it's Fire Science program. UNH offers concentrations in Fire/Arson Investigation, Fire Dept. Administration & Fire Protection Engineering.

As far as a major that will help with advancement, I would look into either Fire Administration, Public Administration or Business Administration.

[ajsbear 11]

" For me I've come down to 2 choices, either a teaching degree or a degree in psychology. Just haven't figured out exactly which one I'd like to do. "

Tom, A Shrink?

Edited November 23, 2006 by ajsbear

[Guest DFFD227]

When I applied for schools, UNH was a top choice. I visited the school, and sat in on some fire science lectures, and I was very pleased. Then I saw how much tuition was a year....$34,000!!!!!!!!!!! So I'm currently going to John Jay, and I'm really not pleased with it. Come January I will be transferring to either Rockland Community college or Westchester Community college. I must say John Jay is a good school if you like the city...if your not a city guy, forget about it, dont even think about it.

[Guest nkfd52]

From the sound of your post it seems like you are looking for something with the most flexibility, not necessarily a bachelor's in the fire service line. A bachelor's in business management and administration will offer you the most flexibility. When you start progressing up in the fire service you start managing the business and it is not much different than any other business out there. You have HR issues, budgets, reports etc. Since you are still in college you want to try to keep all your options open. After your bachelor's and you start working for a while, you may get a better understanding of where you want to be 20 years down the road. You can then move to a graduate degree with a little more specialization. Education, Public Administration or Business. The key is to remain as flexible as possible to afford yourself many options.

[ny10570 745]

Thank you guys for you info but I already attend The University of Central Florida. I dont live up north anymore. I was looking for something not in fire science or ems such as business or public adminstration that would help me persue a fire career. Most high positions require managment rather then fire degrees now and thats what I was aiming for. I love my school and want to stay here for the remainder of my degree. I want the fire and ems degrees one day but not until I am hired and have a job in the field. I was looking for a common BS/BA degree that is looked upon as premiere in the fire service. Any suggestions on something more towards managment or business adminstration? thanks already for your responses

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For advancement in the fire service, it really doesn't matter what you take. take something you enjoy and that you are good at. Yrs down the road when you are looking to advance they are not going to care what you took when you were 18 - 22 yrs old. they're going to care that you have an advanced degree and that you have continued furthering your education throughout your career. Like ALS said focus on something you would enjoy doing while waiting to get on the job or if you could no longer work the job. This focus on fire science degrees is only beneficial to a small number of job titles most of which don't even require the a degree in fire science.

[x152 179]

As a current (part-time/multi-year) student at UNH, I would highly recommend the school.

If your long-term goal is for a career in a municipal fire department as a Fire Fighter or Fire Officer, then you should consider UNH's Fire Department Administration program. Not to knock the other programs, but they differ from what will be most relevant in preparing you for your career.

As someone has already recommended, a trip to the school to sit-in on lectures, speak with students or faculty, and visit the facilities would be a good idea.

The downside of UNH is the cost, the tuition is high and can be a deterrent for some. Good luck.

[Guest alsfirefighter]

Could you imagine me as a shrink, lol. I'd be one of those shock shrinks, you know I have no compassion and won't tell you what you want to hear, but what you need to hear.

I'm looking into the psychology field in a emergency services direction, there are a lot of psychologist whom deal with stressors of law enforcement and combat, and physical responses as well as how to combat the mind/body mental and physiological processes. Not much in the way for the fire service and I think its something someone should look into and get involved with.

[HFD23 37]

i 2 am attending UNH For a Masters Degree in Fire Administration. a great program so far and helpful knowledgable staff.