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.
COURSE EFFORT 15–18 Hours per Week
COURSE LENGTH 10 Weeks
Course Details
CREDITS REQUIRED 180
COST PER CREDIT $371
Ways to Save
How Do I Get Started?

We offer multiple start dates to give you flexibility in your education, life, and work schedules.

December 5
February 27
May 15
July 31

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.


See the University Catalog for policy and degree plan information specific to this program.

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.*

FESHE Recognized

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.

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.†

Emergency and fire management services career options may include:

  • Firefighter
  • Fire inspector or investigator
  • Fire safety specialist
  • First-line supervisor of firefighting and prevention workers
  • Fire department instructor/training officer
  • Emergency program manager/director
  • Emergency management coordinator

Additional academy training and education may be required for firefighting or emergency management jobs.

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.

A Career-Focused Program

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.

Accelerated Master’s Degree Options

You can work toward a Purdue Global master’s degree in public administration, 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.


For details and eligibility requirements, speak to an Advisor.

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
See All Fire and Emergency Management Courses
Credit Breakdown
  • Core Credits33
  • Major Credits100
  • Elective Credits47
  • Total Credits180

Ways to Save

Program Cost Estimator

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Tuition does not include University fees and associated program fees. View tuition and fee information or contact an Admissions Advisor for more information.

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
97% Faculty members who have advanced degrees
45% Faculty members who hold a doctorate
218 Faculty publications in 2017–2018
Nearly 87,000 Professional development hours logged by faculty in 2017–2018

Statistics include all Purdue Global faculty members and are not school or program-specific calculations. Purdue Global Office of Reporting and Analysis and Center for Teaching and Learning. 2017–2018 academic year. Note: all figures include data prior to the March 2018 purchase of Kaplan University by Purdue University and subsequent creation of Purdue University Global.

School Brochure

Download our brochure to learn more about our fire science programs and the benefits of earning your degree at Purdue Global.

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NOTES AND CONDITIONS

*Contact an Admissions Advisor for details. Tuition reduction may not be combined with Purdue Global scholarships, grants, military tuition reductions, tuition vouchers, or other discounts or Tuition Cap or ExcelTrack™ pricing.

†Purdue Global cannot guarantee employment or career advancement.

‡Purdue Global does not guarantee the transferability of credit from any of these sources. See the University Catalog for the Prior Learning Assessment policy.