Fire Science Degree Programs & Courses: Associate of Applied Science Degree in Fire Science Online

Modeled on the Fire and Emergency Services Higher Education (FESHE) national curriculum, the Associate of Applied Science in Fire Science is designed to provide students with foundational skills in firefighter safety, building codes, fire prevention, code inspection, and firefighting strategy and tactics. The degree serves fire service professionals seeking enhanced skills and a broad spectrum of knowledge in the field of fire science.

| Curriculum | Tuition and Fees

Program Highlights

The program explores technical, legal, and social aspects of arson, the application of technology to firefighting, and the psychological effects of fire dynamics. The curriculum includes:

Analytical approaches to fire protection and investigation
Disaster and fire defense planning
Hazardous materials management
The role of the fire service within the community

What Are the Career Opportunities?

Students completing the program and earning their Associate of Science in Fire Science can look for work as firefighters, fire inspectors, fire investigators, first line supervisors, and managers of firefighting, among other positions.* This program also prepares students who are looking to continue their education with the foundation to earn bachelor's and master's degrees.^†

Curriculum for the Associate of Applied Science in Fire Science

Course #	Course Title	Credits
100/200-level	100/200-LEVEL: COMMUNICATION COURSE	5 100/200-LEVEL: COMMUNICATION COURSE
	100/200-LEVEL: MATHEMATICS COURSE	5 100/200-LEVEL: MATHEMATICS COURSE
	200-LEVEL: COMMUNICATION COURSE	5 200-LEVEL: COMMUNICATION COURSE

Course #	Course Title	Credits
FS 100	EIGHT SKILLS OF THE EFFECTIVE FIRE SCIENCE STUDENT	5 EIGHT SKILLS OF THE EFFECTIVE FIRE SCIENCE STUDENT Eight Skills of the Effective Fire Science Student is an important component of the new student experience in the undergraduate fire science and emergency management programs at Kaplan University. It is designed to ensure students' successful social and academic transition into and pursuit of academic excellence within the University community and provide a foundation for success within the profession. Students will be introduced to eight key skills (reading, writing, research, planning, observing, thinking, interviewing, and communicating) of professionals through dynamic and engaging interactions and presentations by practicing professionals in many areas. Real-life examples and interactions with practicing professionals will provide students with a sense of the culture and nuances of the field. The goal of this course is for students to become academically, personally, and socially successful within and beyond this intellectual community.
FS 101	FIRE BEHAVIOR AND COMBUSTION	5 FIRE BEHAVIOR AND COMBUSTION This course investigates the basic concepts of fire, its spread, and its control. The course discusses the nature and properties of the three states of matter, explains the components of fire, and describes the physical and chemical properties of fire.
FS 102	BUILDING CONSTRUCTION FOR FIRE PROTECTION	5 BUILDING CONSTRUCTION FOR FIRE PROTECTION This course explores the fundamentals of building construction, types of structures, and structure designs, as well as the impact of building construction on firefighting. Students will study the forces that impact these structures and the codes applied to buildings and fire safety. They will also learn how buildings are constructed and how fire behaves with various building materials.
FS 103	FIRE PROTECTION HYDRAULICS AND WATER SUPPLY	5 FIRE PROTECTION HYDRAULICS AND WATER SUPPLY This course explores the fundamentals of water usage in fire protection and explains how hydraulic principles are employed in the resolution of water supply problems. The course also discusses the methods used to effectively deliver water, foam, and other extinguishing agents to the fire scene.
FS 104	FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEMS	5 FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEMS This course describes the principles of fire protection and system design. Students will explore fire control and suppression methods, including sprinkler, water spray, water mist, standpipe, and ultra high-speed water spray systems. The course also provides an overview of recent fire protection and suppression developments.
FS 105	FIRE PREVENTION PRACTICES	5 FIRE PREVENTION PRACTICES This course examines fire avoidance measures, including fire prevention education, fire safety inspection, fire code enforcement, and fire investigation. Students will gain an overview of the procedures and principles of inspections commonly conducted for control of structures, occupancy, or combined purposes.
FS 201	STRATEGY AND TACTICS	5 STRATEGY AND TACTICS This course explores firefighting strategy and tactics, methods of fire attack, and prefire planning. Students will gain in-depth knowledge of fire control principles as well as how to utilize personnel, equipment, and extinguishing agents on the fire ground. This course also discusses special situations such as transportation emergencies and fires, high-rise fires, below-ground incidents, and confined space incidents.
FS 299	ASSOCIATE'S CAPSTONE IN FIRE SCIENCE	5 ASSOCIATE'S CAPSTONE IN FIRE SCIENCE This course is designed as the culminating experience of the associate's degree program in fire science. This course consists of a series of assignments that integrate concepts from the fire science curriculum. The assignments are designed to test application and critical thinking skills as students work through fact-based scenarios and analyze issues affecting contemporary practice.

Course #	Course Title	Credits
	OPEN ELECTIVES	35 OPEN ELECTIVES

Students who do not possess prior learning credit comparable to IT 133: Software Applications must either take the course as an elective or pass the IST assessment before their first term or upon completion of foundational coursework.

Total Program Requirements	90 Total Program Requirements

Core Requirements
Major
Open Elective
Total Program Requirements

You Could Save Time and Money on Your Kaplan University Degree

Credit for Prior Learning

Our undergraduate degree programs feature large pools of open electives designed to offer greater flexibility when applying transfer credits toward program requirements. In addition, you can enroll in our portfolio development course, which helps you document your work and life experience in a portfolio you can submit for consideration for college credits. Qualifying transfer credit may reduce your total costs for undergraduate programs. Refer to the University Catalog for our transfer of credit policy.

Students in the Military

Kaplan University is proud to support our military and veterans in their educational pursuits by offering significantly reduced tuition. Undergraduate program tuition is reduced up to 55 percent for active-duty servicemembers and up to 38 percent for veterans. In addition, Kaplan University participates in the Yellow Ribbon program for all of our graduate programs, and both active-duty servicemembers and veterans are eligible for special tuition rates for these programs. A 10 percent tuition reduction is also available to spouses of active-duty servicemembers. For more information, call 866.583.4412 (Toll Free) to speak to a military Admissions Advisor or visit the Kaplan University military site.

Tuition and Fees

Cost per credit hour	$371.00
Total program requirements Associate of Applied Science in Fire Science	90
Total cost of tuition	$33,390.00
This program requires a $100 technology fee per term (online students only). A nonrefundable application fee, depending on your program and as described in the Tuition and Fees Supplement, may be required at the time of enrollment. We encourage you to explore the availability of financial aid and scholarships.

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*Kaplan University's programs are designed to prepare graduates to pursue employment in their field of study, or in related fields. However, the University does not guarantee that graduates will be placed in any particular job, eligible for job advancement opportunities, or employed at all. Additional training or certification may be required.
^†While many of Kaplan University's degree programs are designed to prepare graduates to pursue continued bachelor-, graduate- or doctorate-level education, the University cannot guarantee that students will be granted admission to any programs.

Associate of Applied Science in Fire Science

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