Bachelor of Science Degree in Fire and Emergency Management Online
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Program at a Glance
- Purdue Global is recognized by the U.S. Fire Administration as an official Fire and Emergency Services Higher Education (FESHE) institution.
- This degree is designed for emergency services personnel or those interested in careers focused on managing emergency services during catastrophic disasters, terrorist incidents, and typical emergencies.
- An optional internship allows you to gain valuable real-world experience.
- Develop competencies for management with a concentration in business foundations.
Upcoming Start Dates
We offer multiple start dates to give you flexibility in your education, life, and work schedules.
Course Effort
15–18 Hours per Week
Course Length
10-Week Terms
Average Completion
4 years
Of Full-Time Study
Credits Required
180
(120 Semester Credits)
Cost per Credit
$371
Bachelor of Science in Fire and Emergency Management Overview
Environmental disasters, terrorism, espionage—threats like these make headlines every day. Purdue Global’s fire and emergency management degree can help you pursue an important and challenging career protecting the security and safety of our communities.
This bachelor’s degree is designed to provide first responders or those interested in the emergency management field with a broad range of knowledge while preparing them for new challenges in the areas of human resources, technology, and fiscal responsibility.
Course Outcomes
Each term, fire science and emergency management students are assessed on their mastery of the course outcomes, which measure the skills, knowledge, abilities, and behaviors employers expect. View a summary of these assessments. For additional information related to prior learning credits transferred into the program, student success rates, capstone survey results, and the number of graduates for the program, view this document.
Accelerated Master’s Degree Options
You can work toward a Purdue Global master’s degree in criminal justice, homeland security and emergency management, public administration, educational psychology, human services, legal studies, or psychology while you earn your BS in Fire and Emergency Management. Complete both your bachelor’s and master’s degrees in less time and at a lower cost than completing both programs separately.
See the University Catalog for policy and degree plan information specific to this program.
FESHE Recognized
Purdue Global is recognized by the U.S. Fire Administration as an official FESHE institution, and this degree program closely follows the FESHE curriculum model.
Military Transfer Credit
Servicemembers and veterans can earn a degree faster with our PME2Degree® program. Use our Military Transfer Credit Estimator to see how much of your training counts as credit.
HOW MANY CREDITS HAVE YOU EARNED?Purdue Global Is Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission
The HLC (HLCommission.org) is an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Admissions Requirements
You must be a high school graduate or possess a General Educational Development (GED) certificate or other equivalency diploma. You are also encouraged to complete orientation before you start classes. Refer to the University Catalog or speak to an Advisor to learn more.
Ways to Save
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Transfer Credits
Earn credit for prior coursework completed at eligible institutions, including community colleges.
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Prior Work Experience
You could earn undergraduate credit for your life and professional career experiences.
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Financial Aid
Title IV federal financial aid is available for many of our degree programs.
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Grants
Learn about federal financial grants and loan programs that may be available.
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Corporate Partner Benefits
Employees of Purdue Global partner organizations may be eligible for special tuition reductions.
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Military Tuition Reduction
55% reduction per credit for current servicemembers, 38% per credit for veterans for undergraduate programs.
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Prior Military Experience
We offer credit for ACE-evaluated training and CLEP and DANTES examinations.
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International Tuition Reduction
International students living outside of the United States are eligible for a 25% tuition reduction.
Program Cost Estimator
Calculate your estimated tuition and ways to save.
Earn Credit Toward Your Degree
We offer several options to help you earn your fire and emergency management bachelor’s degree faster:
- Articulation agreements with fire academies and fire service associations help you receive credit for previously completed courses and professional learning.*
- If you earned your certifications through an organization that is accredited by the International Fire Service Accreditation Congress (IFSAC) or the Pro Board, including the U.S. Department of Defense Firefighter Certification System, you may be eligible to receive credit toward your bachelor’s degree.
- Courses completed through the National Fire Academy may also be eligible for credit.
For details and eligibility requirements, speak to an Advisor.
Alliances to Help You Save on Tuition
We partner with specific organizations, such as the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), to provide members, staff, and immediate family members a significant tuition reduction on our fire science degree programs.†
What Courses Will I Take?
This program prepares students for outcomes related to:
- Management of emergency services, safety, and survival
- Global emergency and disaster planning
- Materials management
- The use of technology in operational and strategic emergency management decisions
Sample Courses
- Emergency Management Response
- Crisis Management in Terrorist Attacks and Disasters
- Community Risk Reduction for Fire and EMS
- Recovery Practices in Emergency Management
Program Requirements
- Core Credits45
- Major Credits100
- Elective Credits35
- Total Credits180
Concentration Requirements
- Core Credits45
- Major Credits100
- Elective Credits15
- Concentration Credits20
- Total Credits180
Choosing a Bachelor’s Degree in Fire and Emergency Management
Accelerate your career and find purpose in a rewarding field. Learn the skills you need to save lives and manage emergency services.
Visualize the road to a fire and emergency management career. See how a few small steps could help you stand out and get hired.
In emergency services, you never stop learning. Discover additional tools for continued training and build a more in-depth understanding of the field.
Career Opportunities
The bachelor’s degree program is designed to help you pursue managerial positions and leadership roles in fire and emergency services organizations and emergency preparedness agencies. In your first course you’ll have the opportunity to develop your degree plan with a faculty member to align your degree path with your career outcomes.
Top 5 Skills Employers Are Looking for:
- Judgement and Decision Making
- Complex Problem Solving
- Operation Monitoring
- Active Listening
- Critical Thinking
Top Jobs With This Degree
Labor market, salary, and projected growth information are supplied by Emsi. Average salary range is based on national data. Projected growth represents the estimated change in total employment over the projections period (2018–2030) at the state level and is based on your geographic location. Actual outcomes vary by geographic area, previous work experience, and opportunities for employment. Purdue Global cannot guarantee employment placement, salary level, or career advancement. Additional academy training and education may be required for firefighting or emergency management jobs.
Get to Know Our Faculty
Purdue Global faculty members are real-world practitioners who bring knowledge gained through the powerful combination of higher learning and industry experience.
View Criminal Justice and Fire Science Faculty Directory
98%
Faculty members who have advanced degrees
51%
Faculty members who hold a doctorate
395
Faculty publications in 2021–2022
More Than 38,000
Professional development hours logged by faculty in 2021–2022
Statistics include all Purdue Global faculty members and are not school or program-specific calculations. Source: Purdue Global Office of Reporting and Analysis, July 2022. 2021–2022 academic year.
Program Brochure
Download our brochure to learn more about the Bachelor of Science in Fire and Emergency Management and the benefits of earning your degree at Purdue Global.
Take 3 Weeks to Get to Know Us
Not sure if Purdue Global is right for you? Experience a Purdue Global undergraduate program for an introductory 3-week period.
There’s no financial obligation and no cost to apply.
That’s the Purdue Global Commitment.
NOTES AND CONDITIONS
*Credit for Prior Learning: Purdue Global does not guarantee transferability of credit from any of these sources. See the University Catalog for the Prior Learning policy.
†Contact an Admissions Advisor for details. Tuition reduction may not be combined with Purdue Global tuition reductions or ExcelTrack® pricing.