Online Associate's Degree in Fire Science
Additional academy training and education not provided by Purdue Global may be required for firefighting or emergency management jobs.
Complete this form to receive the Purdue Global program guide.
Associate’s in Fire Science Overview
It’s time for your comeback. Earn your associate’s degree online and move your fire sciences career forward. Achieve a degree you can be proud of — and that employers will respect.
- Build foundational skills in firefighter safety, building codes, fire prevention, code inspection, and firefighting strategy and tactics.
- Explore the technical and legal aspects of arson, the technologies used in firefighting, and the psychological effects of fire dynamics.
- Learn from professors who are experienced fire science professionals, bringing real-world knowledge to the classroom.
- Gain valuable on-the-job experience through an optional internship.
Real, Proven Student Outcomes
We offer high-quality education that you can trust. Each term, we assess fire science and emergency management students on their mastery of course outcomes, which measure the skills, knowledge, abilities, and behaviors employers expect. View a summary of these assessments.
For information on prior learning credits, student success rates and survey results, and the number of graduates for the program, view this document.
Get Halfway to Your Bachelor's
Not only are you earning a valuable credential to make an immediate impact on your career, but this program also lays the groundwork for your next degree. Transfer your associate’s degree into one of our fire science bachelor’s degrees, covering half of the program’s requirements.
FESHE Recognized and IFSAC Accredited
Purdue Global is recognized by the U.S. Fire Administration as an official Fire and Emergency Services Higher Education (FESHE) institution, and this degree program closely follows the FESHE curriculum model. In addition, this degree program is accredited by the International Fire Service Accreditation Congress (IFSAC).
Military Transfer Credit
Servicemembers and veterans, get the recognition you deserve and earn your degree faster with our PME2Degree® program. Use our Military Transfer Credit Estimator to see how much of your occupational and military training counts as college credit.
See Notes and Conditions below for important information.
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.
Calculate Your Time and Cost
Estimate how much your prior learning credits can reduce your tuition and time to graduation.
What Courses Will I Take?
In the 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. Additional coursework addresses general literacy outcomes along with:
- Analytical approaches to fire protection and investigation
- Disaster and fire defense planning
- Hazardous materials management
- The role of the fire service within the community
Sample Courses
- Fire Behavior and Combustion
- Building Construction for Fire Protection
- Fire Protection Systems
- Principles of Emergency Services Strategy and Tactics
- Fire Prevention Tactics
Program Requirements
1 semester credit hour = 1.5 quarter credit hours
3-Week Trial
Not sure if Purdue Global is right for you? Try an undergraduate program for an introductory 3-week trial period.
There’s no financial obligation and no cost to apply. That’s the Purdue Global Commitment.
Students who choose to continue at Purdue Global will be billed for the full first term's tuition, including the 3-week trial. See Notes and Conditions below.
Admissions Requirements
You must be a high school graduate or possess a General Educational Development (GED) certificate or other equivalency diploma. You must also complete orientation before you start classes.
Refer to the University Catalog or speak to an Advisor to learn more.
Upcoming Start Dates
We offer multiple start dates to give you flexibility in your education, life, and work schedules.
Earn Credit Toward Your Degree
We offer several options to help you earn your online fire science associate’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 associate’s degree.
- Courses completed through the National Fire Academy may also be eligible for credit.
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.
See Notes and Conditions below for important information.
Ways to Save on Time and Tuition
Purdue Global works with students to find ways to reduce costs and make education more accessible. Contact us to learn about opportunities to save on your educational costs.
Transfer Credits
Earn credit for prior coursework completed at eligible institutions, including community colleges.
Prior Work Experience Reduction
You could earn undergraduate credit for your life and professional career experiences.
Financial Aid
Learn about federal financial aid programs available for many of our degree programs.
Grants and Loans
Learn about federal and state grants and loan programs that may be available.
Corporate Partner Benefits
Employees of Purdue Global partner organizations may be eligible for special tuition reductions.
Military Tuition Reduction
Undergraduate tuition savings for military include a 55% reduction per credit for current servicemembers and 38% per credit for veterans.
Prior Military Experience
Earn credit for your military training. The average Purdue Global military student is awarded 54% of the credits needed for an associate's and 45% of the credits needed for a bachelor's.
View the total cost of attendance for your program.
Possible Behavioral Interview Questions for This Field of Study
- Describe a time when you needed to communicate critical information quickly and clearly. What steps did you take to ensure your message was received and understood accurately?
- Describe a time you were responsible for developing or significantly updating an emergency plan. What was your process, what challenges did you face, and how did you ensure it was comprehensive and actionable?
- Tell me about a time you had to coordinate efforts between multiple agencies or departments (e.g., fire, police, public works, health) during an incident or exercise. What strategies did you use to ensure effective collaboration?
- Tell me about a situation where you had to work with someone on a team who had a very different working style or personality than yours. How did you adapt to ensure effective teamwork?
- Describe a time you encountered an unexpected obstacle or a problem that required you to think quickly and adapt your plan. What was the situation, and what did you do?
Sample Skills Developed and Used in This Field
- Incident Command Systems
- Emergency Response
- Investigation
- Fire Safety
- Fire Prevention
- Fire Protection
- Professionalism
- Occupational Safety and Health
- Communication
- Troubleshooting / Problem Solving
- Organizational Skills
- Critical Thinking
- Risk Analysis
- Teamwork
- Ethical Standards and Conduct
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.
Faculty members who have advanced degrees
Faculty members who have terminal degrees
Faculty publications in 2024–2025
Professional development hours logged by faculty in 2024–2025
Statistics include all Purdue Global faculty members and are not school- or program-specific calculations. Source: Purdue Global Office of Reporting and Analysis, August 2025. 2024–2025 academic year.
Download the Program Brochure
Download our brochure to learn more about the Online Associate of Applied Science in Fire Science and the benefits of earning your degree at Purdue Global. Prepare yourself for success with a associate’s degree in fire science.