Online Bachelor’s in Fire Science Degree
Preparing for Fire Safety and Emergency Response
The safety and well-being of communities depend heavily on the bravery and expertise of firefighters and fire investigators. These professionals lead emergency response, combat fires, conduct investigations and educate the public on fire prevention and other safety concerns, such as child drownings. Their responsibilities extend beyond battling blazes and complex rescues; they also collaborate with other agencies to ensure a coordinated response during emergencies.
Pursuing a bachelor’s in fire science at Grand Canyon University could be the first step in positioning yourself to make an impact in your community and helping to safeguard lives.
What is a fire science degree?
A fire science degree provides the essential knowledge and skills for a career in fire protection and emergency services. As firefighters’ roles now encompass emergency response, public education and fire prevention, this degree can offer a comprehensive understanding of fire behavior, prevention techniques and community risk reduction. Students will engage in a curriculum that covers topics like risk assessment and fire research, all needed to manage fire-related incidents effectively.
Enhance Your Expertise With a GCU Fire Science Degree
GCU’s online fire science degree can help those already in the field position themselves for potential career advancement opportunities. Graduates may gain the expertise needed to explore opportunities in specialized areas of fire and safety, along with a deeper understanding of leadership and management practices.
At GCU, we embrace our identity as a Christian university by offering programs incorporating a faith-based curriculum rooted in our Christian worldview. Here, you will be able to grow as a compassionate fire science professional while cultivating a strong sense of ethics.
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Fire Science Courses and Topics
The online fire science bachelor’s degree can provide a foundation in fire incident command, arson investigation and life safety education. Emphasizing practical skills and knowledge, this program can equip you to lead effectively, implement safety measures and design fire prevention programs. Through this curriculum you will be taught skills in:
- Firefighter safety
- Personnel management
- Firefighter strategies and methods
- Fire service ethics
With these critical skills, you can prepare to respond to emergencies and create a safer environment for your community.
Career Paths for Fire Science Graduates
The online fire science degree program provides education in fire science and leadership concepts that could apply to various positions in the fire service. Many departments now require candidates aspiring to higher positions, such as battalion chief and above, to hold a relevant degree.2 This educational foundation can provide graduates with the necessary skills to effectively lead and manage emergency response teams. With a solid background in fire science, you can explore various career opportunities in firefighting, including:
- Chief
- Marshall
- Battalion chief
- Captain
- Inspector
- Prevention specialist
- Investigator
Earn your Bachelor’s Degree at an Accredited University
Grand Canyon University takes pride in being an institutionally accredited university dedicated to equipping students for their future careers. Since 1968, GCU has maintained continuous accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission. Additionally, the College of Humanities and Social Sciences reflects the university’s commitment of upholding the high standards established by our accrediting bodies.
Frequently Asked Questions
It’s essential to take the time to explore your options and consider what resonates with your goals and passions. To help you in your research, read through our answers to these frequently asked questions about GCU’s fire science degree program.
Firefighters typically need a high school diploma and emergency services training. To move up the ranks beyond the role of battalion chief, a bachelor’s degree in fire science or a related discipline is often necessary. With the right combination of experience and education, some firefighters may advance to specialized positions, such as fire inspectors or investigators.
While the fire science program can typically be completed as a four-year degree, the duration may vary based on individual circumstances. Factors such as transfer credits from previous coursework can potentially shorten the time needed to graduate. To better understand how long it may take you to complete your fire science degree, fill out the form on this page and connect with a university counselor. They can provide guidance based on your educational background and goals.
Fire science professionals play an important role — emergencies are a persistent reality in our communities. If you have a passion for safeguarding lives, leading firefighting teams and making a difference in the community, then a career in the field could be a good fit for you. Additionally, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), fire inspectors and investigators had a median annual wage of $74, 160 as of May 2023.1
Are you passionate about protecting lives? Discover your gateway to making a difference.
1 The earnings referenced were reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (“BLS”), Fire Inspectors as of May 2023, retrieved Jan. 10, 2025. Due to COVID-19, data from 2020 to 2023 may be atypical compared to prior years. BLS calculates the median using salaries of workers nationwide with varying levels of education and experience. It does not reflect the earnings of GCU graduates as fire inspectors, nor does it reflect earnings of workers in one city or region of the country or a typical entry-level salary. Median income is the statistical midpoint for the range of salaries in a specific occupation. It represents what you would earn if you were paid more money than half the workers in an occupation, and less than half the workers in an occupation. It may give you a basis to estimate what you might earn at some point if you enter this career. Grand Canyon University can make no guarantees on individual graduates’ salaries. Your employability will be determined by numerous factors over which GCU has no control, such as the employer the graduate chooses to apply to, the graduate’s experience level, individual characteristics, skills, etc., against a pool of candidates.
2 International Fire Chiefs Association. n.d. Fire Department Battalion Chief Overview. IAFC. Retrieved Feb. 6, 2025.
General Education Requirements
General Education coursework prepares Grand Canyon University graduates to think critically, communicate clearly, live responsibly in a diverse world, and thoughtfully integrate their faith and ethical convictions into all dimensions of life. These competencies, essential to an effective and satisfying life, are outlined in the General Education Learner Outcomes. General Education courses embody the breadth of human understanding and creativity contained in the liberal arts and sciences tradition. Students take an array of foundational knowledge courses that promote expanded knowledge, insight, and the outcomes identified in the University's General Education Competencies. The knowledge and skills students acquire through these courses serve as a foundation for successful careers and lifelong journeys of growing understanding and wisdom.
Requirements
Upon completion of the Grand Canyon University's University Foundation experience, students will be able to demonstrate competency in the areas of academic skills and self-leadership. They will be able to articulate the range of resources available to assist them, explore career options related to their area of study, and have knowledge of Grand Canyon's community. Students will be able to demonstrate foundational academic success skills, explore GCU resources (CLA, Library, Career Center, ADA office, etc), articulate strategies of self-leadership and management and recognize opportunities to engage in the GCU community.
Course Options
- UNV-103, University Success: 4
- UNV-303, University Success: 4
- UNV-108, University Success in the College of Education: 4
Requirements
Graduates of Grand Canyon University will be able to construct rhetorically effective communications appropriate to diverse audiences, purposes, and occasions (English composition, communication, critical reading, foreign language, sign language, etc.). Students are required to take 3 credits of English grammar or composition.
Course Options
- UNV-104, 21st Century Skills: Communication and Information Literacy: 4
- ENG-105, English Composition I: 4
- ENG-106, English Composition II: 4
Requirements
Graduates of Grand Canyon University will be able to express aspects of Christian heritage and worldview. Students are required to take CWV-101/CWV-301.
Course Options
- CWV-101, Christian Worldview: 4
- CWV-301, Christian Worldview: 4
Requirements
Graduates of Grand Canyon University will be able to use various analytic and problem-solving skills to examine, evaluate, and/or challenge ideas and arguments (mathematics, biology, chemistry, physics, geology, astronomy, physical geography, ecology, economics, theology, logic, philosophy, technology, statistics, accounting, etc.). Students are required to take 3 credits of intermediate algebra or higher.
Course Options
- MAT-154, Applications of College Algebra: 4
- MAT-144, College Mathematics: 4
- PHI-105, 21st Century Skills: Critical Thinking and Problem Solving: 4
- BIO-220, Environmental Science: 4
Requirements
Graduates of Grand Canyon University will be able to demonstrate awareness and appreciation of and empathy for differences in arts and culture, values, experiences, historical perspectives, and other aspects of life (psychology, sociology, government, Christian studies, Bible, geography, anthropology, economics, political science, child and family studies, law, ethics, cross-cultural studies, history, art, music, dance, theater, applied arts, literature, health, etc.). If the predefined course is a part of the major, students need to take an additional course.
Course Options
- HIS-144, U.S. History Themes: 4
- PSY-102, General Psychology: 4
- SOC-100, Everyday Sociology: 4
Core Courses
Course Description
This course is a progressive primer for students who want more knowledge about fire and emergency services administration. The course demonstrates the importance of the following skills that are necessary to manage and lead a fire and emergency services department through the challenges and changes of the 21st century: persuasion and influence, accountable budgeting, anticipation of challenges and the need for change, and using specific management tools for analyzing and solving problems. A central part of the course focuses on how the leadership of a fire and emergency services department develops internal and external cooperation to create a coordinated approach to achieving the department’s mission.
Course Description
This course examines the legal aspects of the fire service and the political and social impacts of legal issues. This course includes a review of the American legal system and an in-depth coverage of legal and political issues involving employment and personnel matters, administrative and operational matters, planning and code enforcement, and legislative and political processes with regard to the fire service.
Course Description
This course examines relationships and issues in personnel administration and human resource development within the context of fire-related organizations, including personnel management, organizational development, productivity, recruitment and selection, performance management systems, discipline, and collective bargaining.
Course Description
This writing intensive course examines the basic principles of research and methodology for analyzing current fire-related research. The course also provides a framework for conducting and evaluating independent research in the following areas: fire dynamics, fire test standards and codes, fire safety, fire modeling, structural fire safety, life safety, firefighter health and safety, automatic detection and suppression, transportation fire hazards, risk analysis and loss control, fire service applied research, and new trends in fire-related research.
Course Description
This course empowers students with knowledge, methods, and concepts for effective leadership of comprehensive fire-prevention and risk-reduction programs.
Course Description
This course provides a theoretical framework for the understanding of the ethical, sociological, organizational, political, and legal components of community risk reduction, and a methodology for the development of a comprehensive community risk-reduction plan.
Course Description
This course examines the basic principles of ethics as related to fire service operations and management with special attention given to current issues in the fire service.
Course Description
This course examines the processes, purposes, and practicalities of grant writing with an emphasis on communication between funding sources and grant seekers. Students learn about funding sponsors and their concerns, the parts of grant proposals, and techniques for successful grant research and writing. The course culminates in the students’ completion of a grant proposal. Prerequisite: ENG-105, ENG-106.
Course Description
Drawing upon real-world management situations, this course is a study of individual and group behavior in organizations through detailed coverage of the functions of management, individual differences/diversity, leadership, motivation, decision making, organizational design, and organizational change and development. Emphasis is placed on how an understanding of organizational behavior leads to effective management practice.
Course Description
In this course, students learn what it takes to build healthy relationships in the workplace. Students investigate the role of motivation, emotional intelligence, diversity, and ethical behavior in promoting effectiveness at work. The class focuses on “people” skills and utilizing these skills in an increasingly team-based and customer-oriented workplace. Content provides opportunities to become more effective in discerning, ethical, flexible, and perceptive behaviors while working with people. Special attention is given to the challenges students will face in interpersonal communication at work and the opportunities that a workplace environment offers in building social virtuosity.
Course Description
This writing intensive course includes a culminating project that shows what students have learned while in the program. Students demonstrate the application of skills required of leaders in modern fire service agencies.
- GCU cannot and will not promise job placement, a job, graduate school placement, transfer of GCU program credits to another institution, promotion, salary, or salary increase. Please see the Career Services Policy in the University Policy Handbook.
- Please note that this list may contain programs and courses not presently offered, as availability may vary depending on class size, enrollment and other contributing factors. If you are interested in a program or course listed herein please first contact your University Counselor for the most current information regarding availability.
- Please refer to the Academic Catalog for more information. Programs or courses subject to change
Pursue a next-generation education with an online degree from Grand Canyon University. Earn your degree with convenience and flexibility with online courses that let you study anytime, anywhere.