Become A Fire Officer or Fire Services Instructor

Fire Science Associate’s Degree

Our Fire Science Associate's degree curriculum can help advance your career by developing your knowledge of fire protection concepts in as little as six quarters.* You can earn your Fire Science Associate's degree and use it to help start or advance your career as a fire officer or fire services instructor. Our Fire Science Associate's degree curriculum can help advance your career by developing your knowledge of fire protection concepts, fire behavior and combustion, and management and leadership, which can be applied to building construction and protection systems, while also developing your practical skills in fire strategy and tactics used for survival and firefighting.

Help Protect Your Community and Fellow Firefighters

Through our exclusive partnership with the Romeoville Fire Academy, our instructors provide real-life field skills training in facilities designed to simulate real-world fire scenarios.

In our classrooms, our curriculum is based on standards from the National Fire Academy, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), and the Illinois State Fire Marshall's Office, so you receive the knowledge and skill development deemed most important by the organizations that know what fire officers need to be successful.*

Degree curriculum is focused on fire alarm systems, fire suppression systems, emergency services, and ground control through utilization of personnel, equipment, and extinguishing agents.

Plus, your degree courses also include management material to elevate your leadership skills through exercises and assignments in report writing, and group dynamics coaching and counseling.

Learn more about our Fire Science Associate's degree by completing the form on the right or calling us at 888-549-6755. One of our program managers will be happy to answer all your questions.

*The National Fire Protection Association is not a Rasmussen College partner, nor do they accredit Rasmussen College.

Program Highlights
  • Exclusive partnership with the Romeoville Fire Academy provides real-life field skills
  • Specialized courses designed to elevate leadership skills and advance your career in fire science
  • Career services advisors can help you narrow your job options so you start the fire science career you want
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Fire Science Courses

  • Faculty provide real-life field skills training
  • Gain leadership and management skills
  • Curriculum required by the Illinois State Fire Chief's Association
  • Finish your degree in as little as 18 months

Sample Course List

Fire Behavior and Combustion
This course explores the theories and fundamentals of how and why fires start, spread, and are controlled.
Strategy and Tactics I
This course provides the principles of fire ground control through utilization of personnel, equipment, and extinguishing agents, and will prepare supervisors who are responsible for commanding one to two companies at the emergency scene. This may include supervisors such as company officers or chief officers of small fire departments. Skills & lessons will include company officer leadership, safety, pre-fire planning, fire behavior, building construction, firefighting tactics, engine & truck company operations, RIT supervision, and numerous tactical & radio exercises.
Management I: Fire Department Leadership I
This course is designed to provide the supervisor in charge of a single fire company or fire station with information and skills in supervisory practices and personnel management. Skills & lessons will include the role and function of the fire company officer, basic management principles and concepts, leadership, motivation, task management, discipline, and conflict resolution.
Fire Service Instructor I
This course is for students seeking the knowledge and ability to teach from predominantly skills oriented prepared materials. Skills & lessons will include effective communication methods, concepts of learning, human relations in the teaching-learning environment, methods of teaching, organizing the learning environment, records and reports, testing and evaluation, instructors' roles and responsibilities, teaching techniques, and use of instructional materials.
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Estimated Program Cost

  •   Full Time Part Time

  • Upper division courses

    Upper division courses

    Upper Division courses are either listed as 300-400 or 3000-4000 level, depending on the state.

     $299 $310

  • Lower division courses

    Lower division courses

    Lower Division courses are either listed as 100-200 or 1000-2000 level, depending on the state.

     $299 $395

  • Estimated Price

    Estimated Price

    Price if you are continuously enrolled in your program of study until graduation. Estimated price does not include $150 course fee.

  • Grants
    None Partner Success

  • Discounts
    None Corporate Military

  • Transfer Credits

    How many credits can you transfer?

    0

FACT

Our programs are created to prepare students for careers projected to be in strong demand in the future-giving our graduates increased opportunity to land the job they want.

Job Growth

The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates a 9% job growth for Firefighters over the next 10 years.

  • 12%
  • 9%

Increased Affordability

Continuously enrolled students lock in their tuition rates. 93% of students receive financial aid assistance.

The Federal Pell Grant Program awards between $575 - $5,550 to eligible students based on financial need. The Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants awards $100-$4,000 (based on availability) to eligible students based on financial need.

The Federal Pell Grant Program awards between $575 - $5,550 to eligible students based on financial need. The Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants awards $100-$4,000 (based on availability) to eligible students based on financial need.

The FL Student Assistant grant is awarded to eligible undergraduate students with FL residency and based on financial need.

The ND state grant is valued at $1200/ year and is awarded to eligible undergraduate students with ND residency and is notified by the state regarding eligibility.

Credit Transfer

Transfer credits to Rasmussen College.

See Potential Earnings

For important methodology statements and disclosures regarding the information shown above, click here.

Information presented on our tuition calculator

GRADUATE EMPLOYMENT RATE

Placement Rate Methodology: 85% of March 2011 to December 2011 graduates available for employment were employed in their field of study or continuing their education as of September 30, 2012. This rate includes graduates across all Rasmussen College programs and campuses working in their field of study or continuing their education at Rasmussen College or another institution. This rate does not specify that each graduate was placed by Rasmussen College in their current position; some graduates find jobs on their own while others maintain previously held employment.

Bureau Of Labor Statistics (BLS)

BLS salary data represents national, averaged earnings for the occupations listed and includes workers at all levels of education and experience. This data does not represent starting salaries. Employment conditions in your area may vary.

Tuition Lock

Tuition rate is locked in for continuously enrolled students. A change in the number of credits taken during enrollment in any quarter may lead to different prices if a student moves from part-time to full-time status or vice versa.

Federal And State Grants

Students must meet applicable eligibility requirements for state and federal grant programs—please speak with a financial aid advisor for details.

Time To Complete

Time to complete is dependent on accepted transfer credits and courses completed each quarter.

Credit Transfer

Rasmussen College reserves the right to accept or deny credits based on policies listed in the college catalog.

Corporate Discounts

Discounts may vary by corporate partner and program. Please contact a program manager for more information.

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Estimated Potential Earnings

If you invested in your degree and started a career as a , the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) states the median yearly salary for this career is . At that rate, your estimated return on investment would be over the course of a lifetime.

A career as a is just one career option you can pursue with your degree. Your income potential can vary based on your specialization or industry, and you should explore all your options to find the career that is right for you.

A Degree Matters

Earning an Associate's or Bachelor's degree—regardless of the field of study—can greatly improve your income potential in today's job market. In fact, according to the BLS, degree holders earn, on average, significantly more than high school diploma holders:

National Average Lifetime Earnings**
Unemployment Rate**
Bachelor's Degree
$2,281,040
4.9%
Associate's Degree
$1,763,440
6.8%
Some College
$1,622,240
8.7%
High School Diploma
$1,367,880
9.4%
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**http://www.census.gov/prod/2011pubs/acs-14.pdf, http://www.bls.gov/emp/ep_chart_001.htm

Potential earnings calculated by multiplying median full-time salaries by 40 years http://www.bls.gov/emp/ep_chart_001.htm

Seamless Transfer Policies

  • Transfer up to 67% of the credits required to complete your degree
  • Credits accepted from nationally and regionally accredited schools
  • Course-by-course evaluation of all courses with a grade of C or higher
  • No expiration of your previously-earned general education and certain degree-specific credits
  • Credit through prior learning, work, and military experience
    • Test out of courses where you can demonstrate specific knowledge
    • Complete advanced placement (AP) exams and achieve a score of 3 or higher
    • Successfully complete college exams (e.g., CLEP, DSST, DANTES, etc.)
    • Successfully submit course waivers for approval from Rasmussen College
    • Submit credits transcribed by the American Council of Education (ACE)
    • Submit a military transcript
  • Transfer all general education courses from your previously earned Associate's or Bachelor's degree, regardless of course of study
  • All course credits for the Fire Officer I & II Certifications offered by the Romeoville Fire Academy will transfer to Rasmussen College's Fire Science AS degree program

**For additional details about the information presented above, please click here.

Information on transfer policies

Rasmussen College reserves the right to accept or deny transfer credits based upon policies in course catalog.

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*Expected graduation date dependent on the number of credits transferred. Speak with a program manager to learn about our comprehensive transfer policies that work to maximize your credit transfer and minimize your time to graduation.

 
 

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