Masters in Fire Science
Brandon Mario D’Souza
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FacebookBrandon is a registered social worker with Social Work England. He obtained his master’s in social work (personnel management & industrial relations) and used it in fields such as water treatment, construction, software, and education. Then he transitioned to the health and social care sector with an M.Sc. in health psychology. Brandon loves to write, cook, and play musical instruments (piano, guitar, melodica, ukulele, and kazoo) and enjoys the calmness and serenity of nature.
Degrees
Master of Social Work, Master of Health Psychology
Areas of Expertise & Credentials
None to disclose in particular; the basics are covered in the short bio.
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The masters in fire science degree programs help prospective grad students further improve their abilities, and better qualifies them for leadership and administrative jobs in the industry by building on the foundation they acquired from their prior studies and on-the-job training. Students in a masters in fire science can learn more about leadership, financial, and management tactics through the courses in these programs and prepare them for responsible roles in fire safety. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), there will be an average of 2,100 new job vacancies for fire inspectors every year between 2020 and 2030, representing an increase in employment of 11%. This guide will help potential students understand what the online fire science master’s degree is all about, why they should consider it, and its various aspects such as duration, curriculum, career options, and more.
Best Masters in Fire Science Programs
Including Online Programs
All the necessary components of a top-notch curriculum that satisfies a student’s demands and is respected by employers would be found in the best colleges offering masters in fire science programs. Prospective students should think about the school’s infrastructure as well as the caliber and subject-matter expertise of the professors, the range of courses offered, the availability of student support services, accreditation, etc., before applying to the best colleges for firefighting. After comparing many of them nationwide against these and other standards, Find Best Degrees (FBD) teams came up with the following ranking of the top fire science colleges: *
Universities and programs are ranked by various factors, such as affordability, curriculum and coursework, reputation and availability, program length, statistics, the potential of employment, and return on investment for the students. For a more in-depth analysis, please read about our rankings methodology page.
What to Expect from the Masters in
Fire Science Programs
Degree Types for Masters
in Fire Science Programs
Areas of Specialization for Masters
in Fire Science Programs
Why should I get into Masters in Fire
Science Degree Programs?
When faced with certain challenging situations, firefighters can rely on their technical knowledge and years of experience. However, it can become apparent for fire service leaders how valuable a degree is when they encounter difficulties with tasks like data analysis, assessing organizational culture, or dealing with political situations. Regardless of whether one has prior experience fighting fires, earning a fire science masters degree online will position one for a wide range of possibilities across several industries. There are master’s degree programs available for those looking to pursue cutting-edge research in subjects including resource allocation, construction engineering, budgetary planning, and fire prevention.
For those looking for senior managerial positions in the fire service or other commercial establishments requiring fire services, master’s degree programs in fire science often emphasize developing strategic administrative competencies. With an online master’s degree in fire science, graduates could look for upper-level management jobs in fire departments or local and national government organizations, such as fire chiefs or fire marshals. Senior positions in the field often lead to good salaries as well. For example, the average fire chief salary is $81,818 per year.
As for the skills one would have acquired from an online masters in fire science degree, graduates can expect to have the ability to:
- assess administrative methods that are considered industry standards in relation to fire service organizational management;
- determine and evaluate a building’s structural constraints and possibility for collapse and fire spread;
- differentiate the many kinds of extinguishing agents and identify the main theories behind fire behavior and combustion;
- know how to manage risks and how to mitigate them as they apply to emergency services;
- analyze how risk management contributes to the right development of plans and tactics that will safely and effectively reduce the impact of emergencies like fires;
- talk about current, pressing emergency service concerns intelligibly and succinctly (verbally and/or in writing);
- be service-oriented and moral professional leaders to team members and communities in need of support;
- utilize software and/or technology that is currently available to gather information, evaluate it, and develop solutions to improve emergency decision-making;
- recognize the theoretical principles that influence the main categories of building construction; and
- identify the effects of code enforcement on property loss and human lives.
Free Courses for Masters in Fire
Science Students
Free courses can broaden one’s grasp of a particular topic in the field of fire science or introduce new ideas in the discipline. Students working toward a master’s degree in fire science online have the option of enrolling in free online courses that can help them prepare for exams or complete assignments. It must be noted that most free courses do not come with a credential that would be considered valuable in the workplace. Explore some of these online learning platforms and free courses:
| Course | Description | Provided by |
|---|---|---|
| Various Topics Related to Fire Science | Alison offers students free, in-depth courses that are broken down into manageable chunks and provide a list of realistic learning objectives. Courses are offered in three learning levels and cover topics like Fire Safety – Essential Concepts, Prevention & Control, Chemical Safety: Fires & Explosions, Firefighting Prevention and Equipment on Board Ships, etc. | Alison |
| Fire Safety | In-depth information about the risks and causes of fire, as well as management and prevention methods, are provided in this free course. Students are taught how to identify the type of fire, the type of fuel used, the conditions that lead to combustion, and how to extinguish a fire at work. Emergency preparedness and evacuation planning are also covered. | Workhub |
| Various Topics Related to Fire Science | The National Fire Academy (NFA) provides fire and emergency services personnel and students with self-study, online instructor-led, and online instructor-led live courses, the majority of which are free and offer Continuing Education Units (CEUs). An NFA certificate and an update to the candidate’s NFA transcript are given upon successful completion. | National Fire Academy (NFA) |
How to get into Masters in Fire Science
Degree Programs?
Masters in Fire Science
No GRE Programs
Most American universities require candidates to submit their GRE or GMAT scores when applying for a master’s degree. But because fire science departments at most colleges typically offer professional programs intended to prepare students for applied work, in contrast to graduate programs in most fields that concentrate on preparing students for doctoral programs and research positions, GRE scores might not be required. Other factors, such as an applicant’s Grade Point Average (GPA), expertise in particular subjects, work experience, certifications, and licensure, are also usually considered for admission to a master’s in fire science program.
How long does it take to complete the Masters
in Fire Science Degree Programs
A master’s degree program in fire science can take 2 to 3 years to complete full-time, depending on the coursework, concentration, certification and/or licensure requirements, internship, and the school. Part-time students will take longer to complete their programs. Here is a quick summary of the duration of a fire science master’s:
- Time to complete full-time fire science master’s online degree program: about 2 to 3 Years.
- Time to complete part-time fire science master’s online degree program: between 4 and 6 years.
- Maximum time to complete a fire science master’s online degree program: up to 7 years.
- Typical number of credits: 36 to 64 (estimated range; varies by program)
Accelerated Masters in Fire
Science Programs
Accreditations for Master’s in
Fire Science Programs
How to Pay for Online Masters
Fire Science Degree Programs?
Scholarships for Masters in Fire Science
Degree Programs
With the high cost of a master’s degree, students often find themselves in need of financial assistance to help with their education expenses. They can look at an outside funding source, the most popular being scholarships. Here are a few that support candidates for an online fire science master’s degree:
| Scholarship | Description | Award/Amount | Application Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| International Association of Fire Chiefs Foundation (IAFCF) Scholarships | The International Association of Fire Chiefs Foundation (IAFCF) provides scholarships to students to support the educational requirements of its firefighting men and women and to ensure they are prepared to face challenges in the real world. The IAFCF offers 10 distinct scholarship programs open to students of any gender, community, or ethnicity. | Varies | Varies |
| The International Association of Wildland Fire (IAWF) Scholarship Program | The International Association of Wildland Fire (IAWF) Scholarship Program promotes scholarly and academic pursuits and graduate-level training within the global wildland fire community. The IAWF provides scholarships to those studying wildland fire or wildland fire-related topics. | 2 scholarships of $3,000 each | Closed for 2023 | TBA for 2023 |
| W. H. “Howie” McClennan Scholarship | The W. H. “Howie” McClennan Scholarship offers financial support to the sons, daughters, or adopted children of firefighters who died in the line of duty and who intend to enroll in a university, accredited college, or other higher education institution. | $2,500 per year | February 01, annually |
FAQs Related to the Masters in
Fire Science Programs
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How to get into a fire science master’s degree?
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What will I learn in an online fire science master’s program?
How to become a fire protection engineer?
Career Opportunities and Salaries after
Masters in Fire Science Degrees
Certifications and Licensing for Masters
in Fire Science Students
Additional Resources for Masters
in Fire Science Students
Author Bio:
Brandon Mario D’Souza
Brandon is a registered social worker with Social Work England. He obtained his master’s in social work (personnel management & industrial relations) and used it in fields such as water treatment, construction, software, and education. Then he transitioned to the health and social care sector with an M.Sc. in health psychology. Brandon loves to write, cook, and play musical instruments (piano, guitar, melodica, ukulele, and kazoo) and enjoys the calmness and serenity of nature.
Degrees
Master of Social Work, Master of Health Psychology
Areas of Expertise & Credentials
None to disclose in particular; the basics are covered in the short bio.
Disclaimer:
The average tuition (based on degree type for in-state students), average graduation rates, and rankings are based on data from various sources, including the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), and are variable over time. All rankings and statistics are subject to change. The rankings are solely the opinion of Find Best Degrees (FBD) and are based on our proprietary methodology. They do not represent the views of the institutions or organizations mentioned, nor do they represent any official government census or survey. Furthermore, any views or opinions expressed on this page are of FBD’s researchers and teams. Unless otherwise specified, they do not represent the thoughts and opinions of the individuals, institutions, or organizations mentioned. This page’s content is provided solely for informational purposes, with data drawn from various sources, including IPEDS. FBD and its employees make no guarantees regarding the accuracy or completeness of any information found on this page or by following any link. FBD will not be held liable for any errors or omissions in this material nor any losses, injuries, or damages resulting from the exposure or use of this information. Although the information on this page is/was correct at the time of publication, readers should exercise caution because some or all of the provided information may have changed over time, potentially resulting in inaccuracies. For more information, please read our Terms of Service. Trademarks and logos are the property of their registered owners. | Page last updated: Dec 2023.