Fire and Emergency Services Administration

Bachelor of Science (B.S.)

Fire and Emergency Services

Degree Requirements and Curriculum

Requirements

A total of 120 credits is required for graduation. Of these 120 credits, a total of 42 upper-division credits (300 to 400 level) is required with a minimum of 30 upper-division credits earned at Colorado State University. Thirty-one general education credits of All University Core Curriculum (AUCC) are also needed to complete this degree. The number of courses needed for completion will depend on the number of transfer credits awarded.

CSU's composition requirement should be met in your first semester after admission.

Curriculum

You must take the nine core FESA courses for a total of 25 credits. The remainder of the credits needed for graduation can be satisfied with transfer coursework and electives in accordance with the credit totals described in the program requirements and departmental and university policies. You are encouraged to design a program of study choosing electives that complement your professional interest areas and career status. Non-admitted students may enroll for courses or complete the entire Fire and Emergency Services Certificate prior to formal admittance.

The FESA program recognizes the importance of lifelong experiential learning. Elective seminar (FESA 492) and independent study (FESA 495) opportunities are provided to allow you to apply professional experience to learning activities. This is not direct credit for experience. The seminars require you to produce academic quality products and engage in discussion with faculty and peers on the impact of professional experience on personal learning related to the FESA core curriculum. The independent study allows you to study a FESA topic in-depth that may be based on your professional experience.

You are not required to complete courses during the summer semester for this program. Throughout the program, you are allowed to repeat courses if necessary. You can view what semesters each course is offered by clicking on the specific course link below.

Core Courses

FESA program graduate Pam Layne says, "I chose the Fire and Emergency Services Administration program at CSU because I was looking for a program that was geared more towards the management aspect. I also chose the program because it gave me the opportunity to pursue a degree totally online while continuing to live and work in East Tennessee. I would highly recommend the program to anyone interested in fire service management.
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Recommended Electives

The Learning Experience

The Bachelor of Science in Fire and Emergency Services Administration will prepare you for managerial positions. Coursework will build upon your technical training and provide you with knowledge in emergency services management, personnel administration, finance, and program development and evaluation. Prior experience in fire and emergency services is strongly recommended.

This online degree completion program permits you to take the required courses in the order that best suits your needs. You have the flexibility to get the degree you want without a strict timeline or schedule of completing the curriculum. While the degree can be completed in two years, most students in this degree program require three to four years, taking an average of two courses per semester. Although this degree offers flexibility, it still requires the same amount of work and time as an on-campus program. It is recommended to spend nine to twelve hours per week on a three-credit course. This will vary depending on your learning and studying style.

Your interaction with faculty and fellow students depends on the specific course, but the online courses do provide you with online office hours and email contact as well as discussion board postings.

This self-paced online program allows you to earn your degree while maintaining your busy work and family schedules. Is online learning right for you?

Questions? Ask us.

We'll be in touch within 2 business days.

- or contact -

Frances Betts
(970) 491-0675
(877) 491-4336
frances.betts@colostate.edu

Receive periodic emails about this program.

For admission or academic advising questions:

Kelli Clark
College of Applied Human Sciences
(970) 491-2093
kheenan@cahs.colostate.edu

Degree at a Glance

Delivery

Online. On-campus attendance is not required to complete this program.

Total credits

120 credits (a minimum of 60 credits must be transferred into the program).

Tuition

$319 per credit. All courses require the purchase of textbooks. Some courses require the purchase of a DVD lecture set.
(financial aid available)

Time frame

Can be completed in two years; most students require three to four years. Most FESA students are currently employed professionals who take an average of two courses per semester. The program completion time is heavily influenced by the number of transfer credits so students are encouraged to take advantage of all opportunities for transfer credit.

Generally, individual courses are 16 weeks in Fall and Spring and 12 weeks in Summer. See each course page for details.

Designed for

Fire and emergency services professionals looking to advance their careers with increased administrative, management, and leadership skills.

Typical students are currently employed as career or volunteer firefighters, paramedics, emergency medical technicians, fire/building inspectors or trainers.

What you will earn

You will earn the same regionally-accredited Colorado State University degree that a student on the Fort Collins campus is awarded. Your diploma and transcript are identical to those awarded to on-campus students.