The Associate of Applied Science (AAS) Fire Science program includes the necessary general education and specialized fire and emergency services coursework to prepare students for careers in the fire service. Students will learn fundamental firefighting skills such as utilizing protective clothing and equipment, conducting search and rescue operations, advancing hoselines, and operating fire streams. Students will also be challenged with the academic aspect of firefighting in subjects including building construction, fire behavior, strategies and tactics, and fire prevention. With the knowledge, skills, and abilities gained from this program of study, students will be aptly prepared for a career in the fire service.
Students are required to complete internship credits as part of their degree plan. During this internship, students become affiliated with a fire department and gain valuable on-the-job experience while working with professional firefighters. Students have the opportunity to build a professional network, learn through practical experience (i.e. training, emergency response, etc.), and receive valuable leadership and guidance. It is highly recommended that students complete their internship credits locally, while in school to maximize the experience.
For more information, please visit the program website.
Graduation Requirements
Students must complete a minimum of 90 credit hours with a cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.0 or better. All courses must be completed with a grade of ‘C’ or better. Twenty-four (24) credits must be completed at Southwestern before the AAS Fire Science degree is awarded.
Complete the graduation application process one term prior to the term of completion (e.g., spring term graduates must apply during winter term).
Pre-Program Courses
Students are required to take the following courses prior to the program courses, depending on students' college placement information. See advisor for details:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CIS90 | Computer Basics (or demonstrate proficiency) | 2 |
| MTH20 | Basic Mathematics (or placement in higher math course) | 4 |
| WR90R | Academic Literacy (or placement in higher writing course) | 4 |
Program Guide
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| FS100 | Principles of Emergency Services | 3 |
| FS105 | Firefighter Fundamentals I | 2 |
| FS180 | Internship: Fire Science | 1 |
| MTH60 | Algebra I 1 | 4 |
| WR121 or WR121H |
English Composition 2 or English Composition w/Honors |
3 |
| Credits | 13 | |
| Winter | ||
| CIS120 | Concepts of Computing | 4 |
| FS110 | Firefighter Fundamentals II | 2 |
| FS120 | Building Const Related to Fire Svc | 3 |
| FS121 | Fire Behavior and Combust | 3 |
| FS180 | Internship: Fire Science | 1 |
| Required Program Course - Speech 3 | 3 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| FS115 | Firefighter Fundamentals III | 2 |
| FS125 | Principles of Fire and Emergency S | 4 |
| Health, Wellness, and Fitness 4 | 3 | |
| Required Program Course - Human Relations 5 | 3 | |
| Specific Elective 6 | 4 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| FS123 | Structural Firefighter I (or specific elective) 6 | 4 |
| FS200 | Strategy and Tactics | 3 |
| FS205 | Fire Prevention | 3 |
| FS231 | Fire Protection Hydraulics and Wate | 3 |
| FS280 | CWE: Fire Science | 1 |
| Credits | 14 | |
| Winter | ||
| FS210 | Hazardous Materials for First Respo (or specific elective) 6 | 2 |
| FS215 | Legal Aspects of Emergency Services | 3 |
| FS220 | Fire Protection Systems | 3 |
| FS280 | CWE: Fire Science | 1 |
| EMT151 | Emergency Medical Technician Part A | 5 |
| Specific Elective 6 | 2 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| FS130 | Fire Apparatus Driver/Operator (or specific elective) 6 | 1 |
| FS222 | Fire Instructor I (or specific elective) 6 | 3 |
| FS225 | Prin of Fire & Emerg Service Admin | 3 |
| FS232 | Occupational Safety and Health ES | 3 |
| EMT152 | Emergency Medical Technician Part B | 5 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Total Credits | 90 | |
| 1 | MTH65 Algebra II or higher may be substituted for MTH60 Algebra I, excluding MTH81 Applied Mathematics for Culinary Arts and MTH211 Fundamentals of Elementary Mathematics I . |
| 2 | Students may substitute three (3) credits of Writing at a higher level than WR121 to fulfill this requirement. |
| 3 | Required Program Course - Speech options: SP100 Basic Speech Communications, SP111 Fundamentals of Public Speaking, SP218 Interpersonal Communication, SP219 Small Group Discussion, or SP220 Gender and Communication. |
| 4 | PE231 Wellness for Life, HE250 Personal Health or three (3) credits of PE185 sport/activity will fulfill this requirement. |
| 5 | Required Program Course - Human Relations options: BA110 Group Dynamics for Teams, BA120 Leadership Development, BA285 Human Relations in Organizations, PSY100 Introduction to Psychology, PSY201 General Psychology, PSY201H General Psychology w/Honors, PSY202 General Psychology, PSY202H General Psychology w/Honors, PSY203 General Psychology, or PSY203H General Psychology w/Honors. |
| 6 | Student may take any FS, EM, EMT, and/or CJ course to fulfill this requirement. The courses selected to fulfill the Elective requirement must not be a specified requirement of this degree program and at least eight (8) credits of specific electives must be FS courses. |
Program Student Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this program, the student will be able to:
- Demonstrate technical proficiency in fundamental firefighting skills.
- Apply critical-thinking and decision-making skills relevant to fire service scenarios.
- Demonstrate behaviors consistent with professional and employer expectations.