Why Earn a Master’s in Fire Science?
This is a hot topic these days. While the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) now shows that the field is expected to grow at an average rate of 7% percent, the explosion of wildfires in the West and the rising tide of hurricanes indicate that demand for emergency services professionals, including fire services, is due for a dramatic uptick. Those who are looking to move into the field or boost their career might choose to earn an online degree while they continue to work.
While this is still a relatively young field in the world of academia, if you are able to complete an online or traditional master's degree program in fire administration or fire management, or even an emergency management program, you will be primed for top-paying leadership and administration positions in your local fire department, state government, emergency response agency, and more. With your academic experience and professional skills, you could even move into fire prevention and consult with developers and property managers who need to update their approach to fire safety.
Every master's degree differs a little bit from program to program, especially between online, traditional, and hybrid (a mix of online and in-person courses) programs. Some focus clearly on the science of fire – how it starts, spreads, and what to do in the aftermath. Other programs are chiefly focused on the administrative, public service, and policy aspects of emergency services and fire management. However, by the time that you are ready to seek out a graduate degree in your field, you should have a solid idea of how you wish to proceed, perhaps gained from an associate degree you may earn or the bachelor's degree you must earn before applying to online or traditional master's degree programs. You'll know if you are best suited to a big-picture administrative career or a ground-level career in building inspection, arson, or explosion investigation.
Regardless of your focus area, your degree in fire science will put you at the top of your field and prepare you for leadership positions. Where in the past, most in this field relied on professional skills and experience alone to get ahead, your advanced degree will leapfrog your career over several years gaining required experience and will garner you a higher salary, more responsibility, and greater professional status in a shorter period of time. Since these degrees have a strong focus on emergency management, online options are relatively common.
Top 10 Best Online Masters in Fire Science Programs
University of Maryland
Score: 91.98
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $11,505
- Out-of-State:$40,306
- Net Price: $16,210
- Acceptance Rate: 45%
- Retention Rate: 95%
- Graduation Rate: 89%
- Total Enrollment: 40,792
- Undergrad Students: 30,353
- Graduate Students: 10,439
- Grads Salary: $83,000
- Student-to-faculty: 18:1
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Score: 83.37
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $59,070
- Out-of-State:$59,070
- Net Price: $46,876
- Acceptance Rate: 57%
- Retention Rate: 91%
- Graduation Rate: 89%
- Total Enrollment: 7,308
- Undergrad Students: 5,246
- Graduate Students: 2,062
- Grads Salary: $95,000
- Student-to-faculty: 13:1
University of Florida-Online
Score: 83.32
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $3,876
- Out-of-State:$16,579
- Net Price: $10,791
- Acceptance Rate: 65%
- Retention Rate: 92%
- Graduation Rate: 79%
- Total Enrollment: 5,356
- Undergrad Students: 5,356
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $79,000
- Student-to-faculty: 54:1
Oklahoma State University
Score: 77.61
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $10,234
- Out-of-State:$25,754
- Net Price: $16,718
- Acceptance Rate: 71%
- Retention Rate: 83%
- Graduation Rate: 65%
- Total Enrollment: 25,372
- Undergrad Students: 20,786
- Graduate Students: 4,586
- Grads Salary: $74,000
- Student-to-faculty: 18:1
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach
Score: 74.13
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $42,304
- Out-of-State:$42,304
- Net Price: $38,983
- Acceptance Rate: 65%
- Retention Rate: 82%
- Graduation Rate: 63%
- Total Enrollment: 10,301
- Undergrad Students: 9,533
- Graduate Students: 768
- Grads Salary: $88,000
- Student-to-faculty: 18:1
Jacksonville State University
Score: 72.55
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $12,426
- Out-of-State:$22,716
- Net Price: $11,953
- Acceptance Rate: 78%
- Retention Rate: 66%
- Graduation Rate: 52%
- Total Enrollment: 9,632
- Undergrad Students: 8,310
- Graduate Students: 1,322
- Grads Salary: $72,000
- Student-to-faculty: 19:1
Arkansas State University
Score: 72.33
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,754
- Out-of-State:$13,826
- Net Price: $12,011
- Acceptance Rate: 70%
- Retention Rate: 78%
- Graduation Rate: 53%
- Total Enrollment: 13,190
- Undergrad Students: 8,201
- Graduate Students: 4,989
- Grads Salary: $65,000
- Student-to-faculty: 15:1
Lander University
Score: 68.78
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $11,700
- Out-of-State:$21,300
- Net Price: $15,524
- Acceptance Rate: 67%
- Retention Rate: 66%
- Graduation Rate: 45%
- Total Enrollment: 4,167
- Undergrad Students: 3,562
- Graduate Students: 605
- Grads Salary: $68,000
- Student-to-faculty: 16:1
University of New Haven
Score: 68.74
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $45,730
- Out-of-State:$45,730
- Net Price: $33,135
- Acceptance Rate: 91%
- Retention Rate: 74%
- Graduation Rate: 62%
- Total Enrollment: 8,819
- Undergrad Students: 4,817
- Graduate Students: 4,002
- Grads Salary: $78,000
- Student-to-faculty: 19:1
Saint Leo University
Score: 68.56
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $28,360
- Out-of-State:$28,360
- Net Price: $20,390
- Acceptance Rate: 80%
- Retention Rate: 54%
- Graduation Rate: 49%
- Total Enrollment: 10,242
- Undergrad Students: 7,320
- Graduate Students: 2,922
- Grads Salary: $76,000
- Student-to-faculty: 18:1
