If you already have an associate's or bachelor's degree, our advanced start program may help you earn a Bachelor of Science in Fire and Emergency Management online in as little as two years.* The general public and government appointees are demanding higher levels of training and education for those who lead our nation's first response teams to catastrophic disasters, terrorist incidents, and typical emergencies. This degree program is designed for emergency services personnel who want to increase their administrative and management knowledge as well as occupational and life safety awareness. It also prepares students to face new challenges in technology, human resource management, and fiscal responsibility.

 Program Highlights 

Since 1999, Fire and Emergency Services Higher Education (FESHE) leaders labored to produce a standardized undergraduate curriculum that is national in scope, content, and outcome. Fire-related and EMS management courses were developed for colleges and universities to use as a model when developing curriculum. All the courses share common titles, catalog descriptions, outlines, and content, which provide a national core of knowledge and competencies as suggested by FESHE. This degree program closely follows the FESHE model and is designed to:

  • Give graduates administrative and management knowledge as well as a solid baccalaureate foundation
  • Provide current information regarding technology, human resource management and fiscal responsibility in preparation for leadership roles
  • Teach occupational and life safety awareness
  • Impart learning in ethics, global awareness, operations, psychology, and research methods

A Fast Track to a Master’s Degree

Eligible students in this bachelor's degree program who want to continue on to pursue a master's degree within the School of Criminal Justice or School of Legal Studies may be interested in the accelerated master's degree option. Students complete graduate-level courses within this undergraduate plan of study. Once accepted to the master’s degree program, students transfer in the graduate courses and matriculate into a shortened degree plan. This accelerated option allows students to complete both their bachelor's degree and master's degree in less time and at a lower cost than completing both programs separately. Accelerated options are offered for the following programs:

Qualification for accelerated options is subject to eligibility requirements. Please contact an Admissions Advisor for more information.

 Curriculum for the Advanced Start Bachelor of Science in Fire and Emergency Management 

    Courses Credits
    Total Prior Degree Credits* 90
    Courses Credits
    Fire Behavior and Combustion
    Fire Prevention Practices
    Strategy and Tactics
    Courses Credits
    Arts and Humanities Course 6
    Physical Science Course 6
    Social Science Course 6
    Courses Credits
    Terrorism, WMD, and Disaster Response Methodology 6
    Advanced Principles of Firefighter Safety and Survival 6
    Community Risk Reduction for Fire and EMS 6
    Fire Prevention Organization and Management 6
    Political, Ethical, and Legal Foundations of EMS 6
    Leadership and Management 6
    Safety Risk Management for Fire and EMS 6
    Bachelor’s Capstone in Fire and Emergency Management 6
    Total Program Requirements 90

  

 

 What Are the Career Opportunities? 

Those who complete the program and earn their Bachelor of Science in Fire and Emergency Management can look to pursue managerial positions and leadership roles in fire and emergency services organizations, emergency medical service, and emergency preparedness agencies.† Career opportunities may include chief and mid-level fire service personnel, emergency planners, and emergency program managers or directors.

For more information, chat live or call an Admissions Advisor at 866.527.5268 (Toll Free).

Tuition and Fees

Cost per credit hour$371.00
Total program requirements90
Total cost of tuition$33,390.00

This program requires a $100 technology fee per term. Effective June 5, 2010, a minimum tuition deposit, depending on your program and as described in the Tuition and Fees Supplement, is required at the time of enrollment. The deposit will be credited toward your tuition when you begin classes. The advanced start option assumes you have completed an associate's degree and requires a minimum of 180 quarter credit hours, including 90 from your requisite associate’s degree. Additional courses and tuition costs and fees may be required to meet the prerequisites for the advanced start program. Refer to the University Catalog for transfer of credit policy. We encourage you to explore the availability of financial aid and scholarships. For more information, chat live or call an Admissions Advisor at 866.527.5268 (Toll Free).

Kaplan University offers tuition discounts to active-duty military servicemembers and veterans. Call 866.583.4412 (Toll Free) to speak to a military Admissions Advisor.

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* Speak to an Admissions Advisor or refer to our University Catalog for our Transfer of Credit policy.
† 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 or employed at all.