A group of fire administration stand in University Hall

Bachelor of Science (B.S.)

15 week 100% online

Fire Administration

Are you looking to advance your career and complete your bachelor’s degree? The BGSU online program in fire administration will equip you with the skills and knowledge to effectively manage and lead fire departments or emergency response teams.

The degree-completion program focuses on preparing you to deal with complex challenges at the chief officer level. We offer a comprehensive education that combines technical knowledge with management skills.

Having a bachelor’s degree in fire administration can enhance your employability as the field becomes more professionalized. The leadership, communication and data analysis skills you develop in our program provide the foundation for success as a chief officer in the fire service.

Most students attend our 100% online program part time and finish in 2-3 years.

Why study fire administration at BGSU?

  • Easily transfer credit to complete your degree. Earn credit toward your degree for your prior coursework and approved certifications.
  • Long-standing, national reputation. BGSU is a regionally accredited public institution. We have been the home of State Fire School since 1974.
  • Personal support. Advisors and experienced faculty are here to guide you and make sure you stay on track toward graduation.
  • No residency requirement.
  • Highly respected and experienced faculty lead your classes.

Career opportunities

Having a bachelor’s degree in fire administration enhances your chances of promotion in fire and emergency services, a field that is becoming more and more professionalized. Graduates of our program have also advanced their careers in local government management positions outside of the fire service and have gone on to master’s and doctoral programs.

Career paths

  • Chief
  • Assistant chief
  • Battalion chief
  • Lieutenant

Curriculum

Fire administration students develop a solid foundation of knowledge and skills in subjects including:

  • Leadership
  • Communication
  • Public administration
  • Data analysis
  • Employment law
  • Finance
  • Technology

Students may transfer credits from regionally accredited colleges and universities and approved certifications and then complete the major courses and remaining general education requirements. The minimum required BGSU coursework is 30 hours.

The BGSU fire administration degree-completion program has transfer agreements with several regional community colleges. This makes the transfer process more seamless for students with specific majors at these community colleges. Review our participating schools to see if your community college and major are listed.

Courses in the fire administration major include fire service-specific courses and general public administration courses. Only fire administration majors can take the FIAD courses, ensuring that students are learning with classmates with a similar level of professional experience.  

Required courses

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Sample courses

  • Fire and Emergency Services Administration
  • Principles of Emergency Management
  • Applications of Fire Research
  • Political and Legal Foundations
  • Psychology of Disaster
  • Introduction to Public Administration
  • Local Government Budgeting and Finance
  • Administrative Law

Degree-completion admission requirements 

  • Earned technical credit hours and/or applied associate degree from a regionally accredited college or university
  • A GPA of at least 2.0
  • Related professional experiencs

How to Apply       Contact program directors

Quality Matters LogoBGSU is the only university in Ohio and one of just nine in the nation to earn the Quality Matters Online Learner Support certificate for all of our seven-week online programs. The certificate recognizes that our programs provide the critical services needed for student success and that we use student feedback to continuously improve those services.

 

Updated: 10/03/2024 01:59PM