Online Fire Science Degree

[wakehead]

OK, I have searched the treads, but did not get the info I was looking for...

I am looking to complete my Fire Science Degree Online... I am 4-6 classes from completion based on 55 credit program from a comunity college in Fla. we have moved to Colorado and I am not able to get out to a college to finish, I am intrested in finishing online......

I have over 90 total credits(mostly Fire and EMS..such as FFII, HM Tech, Driver, Medic, EMT, LifeGuard etc, etc..) , and 13 year of possible life credits???

Can I get some suggestions????


I have a call in to Kieser College so far!!

[yellow91yj]

OK, I have searched the treads, but did not get the info I was looking for...

I am looking to complete my Fire Science Degree Online... I am 4-6 classes from completion based on 55 credit program from a comunity college in Fla. we have moved to Colorado and I am not able to get out to a college to finish, I am intrested in finishing online......

I have over 90 total credits(mostly Fire and EMS..such as FFII, HM Tech, Driver, Medic, EMT, LifeGuard etc, etc..) , and 13 year of possible life credits???

Can I get some suggestions????


I have a call in to Kieser College so far!!

UMUC (University of Maryland, University College) has online fire science, and they accept "experience credits".

www.umuc.edu

[KenNFD1219]

Take a look at Charter Oak College http://www.cosc.edu They take credits from accredited colleges and other sources of credit (CLEP tests, certain vocational schools) and build a degree program for you, both AS/AA and BS/BA. They only offer distance learning degrees.

There are no minimum credits required from Charter Oak. You could accumulate enought credits and if it meets the degree requirements, they will award the degree. Charter Oak is considered one of the top three distance learning schools in the U.S.

Thomas Edison State College in New Jersey http://www.tesc.edu and Excelsior http://www.excelsior.edu/ offer similar programs.

[GeorgeWendtCFI]

UMUC (University of Maryland, University College) has online fire science, and they accept "experience credits".

www.umuc.edu

I have my degree from UMUC.

They will accept most if not all of your credits. They will require you to take a minimum number of credits through them (30, I think). They do not, exactly, take life experience as credit.

I got 12 credits through their EXCEL program. This is from their catalog:
EXCEL Through Experiential Learning is a unique way for students
to demonstrate and earn credit for college-level learning
they have gained from work, community or political involvement,
or other noncollegiate experiences. To be eligible for
EXCEL, students must
• Complete an EXCEL application.
• Complete an orientation (available online).
• Meet basic standards in writing (either by having taken a
college writing course or by qualifying for ENGL 101 on
the English placement test).
• Be in good academic standing at UMUC (not on academic
warning or probation).
• Have submitted all transcripts, exam scores, and military
occupational specialty (MOS) scores to the Registrar’s Office
for an official evaluation of transfer credit.

Enrollment in EXCL 301 Learning Analysis and Planning is
required. In this 3-credit course, the student prepares a portfolio
describing and documenting college-level learning gained from
past experiences. Because EXCL 301 is a demanding and complex
course, part-time students should not register for more
than one other course during the term in which they are
enrolled in EXCL 301. After receiving credit for EXCL 301,
students may not enroll in the class again.
EXCL 301 is graded on an S/D/F basis (explained on p. 235).
If the quality of work in the portfolio merits a grade of C or
higher, a grade of S is awarded and the portfolio is forwarded
for credit evaluation. Faculty members from the appropriate disciplines
assess the portfolio and recommend whether to award
credits. Credit earned as a result of portfolio evaluation also
earns a grade of S. The S grade is not computed in the grade
point average and is not applicable toward honors.
Experiential-learning credits may be awarded at both the upper
and lower levels. Although a maximum of 30 credits may be
earned through EXCEL, the average award is between 15 and
18 credits. These credits are considered UMUC resident credit.
However, they do not fulfill requirements for graded coursework
and so may not exceed half the total credits for a major, minor,
or certificate.
Credit for EXCL 301 is charged at the current tuition rate. Fees are
also charged for enrollment in the program, portfolio evaluation,
any additional evaluations, and credits awarded. Golden ID students
and those receiving financial aid must pay all EXCEL fees.
Students should carefully review the requirements, rules, and
procedures for EXCEL. More information may be obtained
at www.umuc.edu/priorlearning or by calling 800-888-UMUC,

Believe them when they tell you this is intense. My portfolio was about 200 pages by the time I was done. But by enrolling on EXCEL 301, they walk you through the whole process.

The benefit here is that the credits you earn through EXCEL 301 are essentially free. You only pay a fee to transfer them in, instead of full tuition.

[msovick]

Check out Colorado State University's online program for a Bachelor's of Science in Fire and Emergency Services Administration. Here is a clip from the program's website:

"The FESA program is a 2+2 degree completion program designed for students who have completed 60 semester hours of transferable college credit with a GPA of 2.0 or better. Although this program works particularly well for students who have completed an associate degree in fire science or a related emergency services field, an associate’s degree is not required for admittance to the program. Prior transcripts are evaluated to determine academic status in relation to satisfying degree program requirements, including general education courses equivalent to CSU core curriculum and all prerequisites for junior and senior level work."

http://www.learn.colostate.edu/degrees/fesa.asp
Good luck!

Mary Sovick

[wakehead]

Thanks for all the quick commnets, turns out that Red Rocks (Local CC) has what I need!

[hydrant328]

Try Columbia Southern University...100% online, BS in Fire Science....I'm currently enrolled...thought the Fire Behavior would be easy...surprise,,,,it's not...
They accepted my aa in fire science and additional credits

[DDD123]

I would be careful with CSU! (Columbia Southern)I was enrolled for a while and found the program lacking. The professors offered little help and seemed to care less if you had any questions or concerns. If all you are looking for is a degree…..Go with CSU. If you want an education… look somewhere else.

[ronaldhorvath]

[QUOTE=wakehead;770927]OK, I have searched the treads, but did not get the info I was looking for...

I am looking to complete my Fire Science Degree Online... I am 4-6 classes from completion based on 55 credit program from a comunity college in Fla. we have moved to Colorado and I am not able to get out to a college to finish, I am intrested in finishing online......

I have over 90 total credits(mostly Fire and EMS..such as FFII, HM Tech, Driver, Medic, EMT, LifeGuard etc, etc..) , and 13 year of possible life credits???

Can I get some suggestions????


I have a call in to Kieser College so far!![/QUOTE hey you may want to try St petersberg college Kieser college is A little over 3 grand per semester,some one i work with is doing the fire officer at St petersberg and states its straight forward.

[scfirefighter12]

I believe the University of Cinncinati and the University of Memphis offer this program

[EKURescueFF]

EKU just put their Fire Science BS program online, in an accelerated program.

I am currently in the masters program and went on campus for my undergrad, so I would highly recommend them. It is affordable and the instructors are great.

-CGP

[hydrotech]

i take it your up in the Denver area. Red Rocks is a good place to go! they are about all i know of in your area that is worth your time, without the extensive travel.

[mysticff72]

I am currently at student in Keiser University's online Fire Science program. They will give a scholarship if you are qualified. I believe its for having firefighter 1.

[lesb246]

Eastern Oregon University has a great fire degree online. They have no out of state tuition and they are a state university. You may try them at http://www.eou.edu/dde/Degrees/FSA.htm
Les



OK, I have searched the treads, but did not get the info I was looking for...

I am looking to complete my Fire Science Degree Online... I am 4-6 classes from completion based on 55 credit program from a comunity college in Fla. we have moved to Colorado and I am not able to get out to a college to finish, I am intrested in finishing online......

I have over 90 total credits(mostly Fire and EMS..such as FFII, HM Tech, Driver, Medic, EMT, LifeGuard etc, etc..) , and 13 year of possible life credits???

Can I get some suggestions????


I have a call in to Kieser College so far!!

[KevinFFVFD]

i am currently a student with Columbia Southern University. whats wrong with them?? just want to make sure because i dont want to spend a lot of maney and time for nothing

[wakehead]

Thanks again guys, I am set with Red Rocks CC......:)

[KevinFFVFD]

I would be careful with CSU! (Columbia Southern)I was enrolled for a while and found the program lacking. The professors offered little help and seemed to care less if you had any questions or concerns. If all you are looking for is a degree…..Go with CSU. If you want an education… look somewhere else.

i did some diging in to find out about this. there was a student who wrote in the CSU student forums who has his BBA from CSU and wanted to get his MBA. he wrote Yale University and they are accepting his credits from CSU to get his MBA from Yale.

plus look at their list of "learning partnets". it is a list of fire department, police departments, municipalities and coorporations from the USA that send their people through CSU. i dont think places such as FDNY, Delta Airlines, Boeing, City of Gulf Shores, the Federal Protective Service and so on would spend money on their people to the university if they thought it was not a good program.

http://www.columbiasouthern.edu/alliances/learningpartners.asp

[scfirefighter12]

Eastern Kentucky beginning in August will be offering a B.A. in Fire Safety Engineering Technology online. They have had the program on the campus since 1975 though.

[Firedawg34]

Check out Pikes Peak Community College in Colorado Springs.

http://www.ppcc.edu/

[battchief13]

Anyone have any experience or information on Pikes Peak Community College. I am looking at them but would love to hear some feedback.

[EthanRoss]

i did some diging in to find out about this. there was a student who wrote in the CSU student forums who has his BBA from CSU and wanted to get his MBA. he wrote Yale University and they are accepting his credits from CSU to get his MBA from Yale.

plus look at their list of "learning partnets". it is a list of fire department, police departments, municipalities and coorporations from the USA that send their people through CSU. i dont think places such as FDNY, Delta Airlines, Boeing, City of Gulf Shores, the Federal Protective Service and so on would spend money on their people to the university if they thought it was not a good program.

http://www.columbiasouthern.edu/alliances/learningpartners.asp



CSU is by far the best school to get your AAS degrees and or your BS! Yes it is hard that is why it is called college not high school. Also with all online learning you get what you put in to it. If you truly want and degree and you want to do it online CSU is a good way to go.

[MikeWard]

i did some diging in to find out about this. there was a student who wrote in the CSU student forums who has his BBA from CSU and wanted to get his MBA. he wrote Yale University and they are accepting his credits from CSU to get his MBA from Yale.

That is nice to hear, (link here (http://mba.yale.edu/MBA/admissions/apply/how_to/requirements.shtml)) but more that half of the academic institutions will not accept academic work from institutions with only DETC accreditation.

CSU only has DETC accreditation. CSU graduates will have a problem if they want to use their coursework at other academic institutions. From the best independent source of non-traditional education:

Mariah P. Bear with Thomas Nixon (2006)
Bear’s Guide to Earning Degrees by Distance Learning. 16th edition.
Berkley; 10 Speed Press.
Chapter 8: Accreditation, page 39

“… while most schools with regional accreditation will recognize credits and degrees issued by other schools with regional accreditation, less than half will recognize a student’s achievements from a DETC-accredited school, even though both accreditors meet CHEA standards, …”

In my area George Washington University, where I work, and the University of Maryland will not accept coursework from CSU or any other institution that does not have regional academic accreditation.

It is clear that, for many fire departments, the issue of regional academic accreditation is not important. They accept CSU coursework. The problem is that the student's investment in a DETC only institution is the same as a regionally accredited institution, but there is much less value in the DETC only degree outside of the department.

[hyrisk]

Are there any online institutions that are both regionally certified and DETC accreditation for fire technology?

[VallejoFireDogg]

Are there any online institutions that are both regionally certified and DETC accreditation for fire technology?

im wondering if there is a FULL online B.A. also. keiser looks to only have an A.S.

[EthanRoss]

columbia southern offers a Bachelor of Science in Fire Science.

[MikeWard]

im wondering if there is a FULL online B.A. also. keiser looks to only have an A.S.

Lake Superior State University was the FIRST to earn International Fire Service Accreditation Council (IFSAC) accreditation for it's bachelor degree program.

http://www.lssu.edu/programsofstudy/firescience/

The GENERALIST track is the online option.

[EthanRoss]

whatever college you pick make sure they are nationally accredited and or regionally accredited.

[FireInspectorPA]

For those of you who are wondering what if I can not always be a "fireman" and why do I really need a B.S. in Fire Science. I asked the same questions so I have started my B.S. in Public Safety Administration at Grand Canyon University of Ariziona. This school is real and has been since 1949 nice thing is they have some programs online. Of all the schools I have worked with to get things together they are the best. Better then EKU, UMUC, and any others.

P.S. Columbia Southern as you all should know there are enough posts on here about it is not regionally accredited.

GCU!!!

[NCalif]

What is the going opinion of Online Fire Science Degrees? Are they worth the money? I am currently testing for departments on the west coast, I have a BS in Environmental Science and I am in paramedic school. Do people think that is is worth the time and money to get an online fire science degree?

[edudoc]

I know I'm responding to an old post, but there's a new program worth checking out. Lake Superior State U., MI, (IFSAC approved) and The College Network are now partners for online Associate and Bachelor of Science degrees.
Full disclosure: I put my own daughter through her RN program via TCN (at retail, no less) before I became a Program Advisor. With two kids and a full-time job, distance learning at her own pace in her own home made the difference.
www.college-net.com/balich or call me and I'll find you someone local to answer questions. 518-496-4600 But me or not, check the program out.

[sierra83]

Anyone know of any classes in southern ca, thanks?

[DFCFFEMT14]

I'll go ahead and weigh in as I am currently taking classes through Columbia Southern University. I started there a couple of years ago and have been working on classes here and there when I have the time and money. I still have a ways to go, but definately making progress.

When I started looking at distance education for fire science/administration I remember having it narrowed down to CSU and UMUC(University of Maryland, University College). If if remember correctly the biggest reason I chose CSU was the flexible scheduling. The per-course enrollment allows you to start a class whenever and you are given ten weeks to complete it. They are reasonably priced (almost the same as my local state university).

In reference to some of the concerns posted reference CSU, I can only speak for my experience. The interaction I have had with the instructors has been fine, but then again I tend to be very independent when it comes to learning which is why I knew distance education would work for me. As far as the difficulty of the courses go I have had a couple that were moderately challenging and a couple that were a cake walk. But then again, when I took my AAS in Fire Science I had classes like that as well. And as someone mentioned, you really do get out of a course what you want. The more effort you put into studying and understanding the material, the more you will retain and be able to apply to life after the class is finished.

Also, as far as accredidation for CSU, here is the info:
http://www.columbiasouthern.edu/aboutcsu/accreditation.html

When looking for an online education, take a serious look at the offerings of the different places. Make a list if the things that are important to you and compare it to what they offer. A college education is more than a piece of paper saying that you took some classes and spent a lot of money. Make it worthwhile and find the right school for you.

[SDFDCAR3]

I know over 50 firefighters that have tried online degrees and only 1 that completed it. He only completed because he was able to transfer another BS degree credits into the fire science BS degree. Those online degrees are structured so you never finnish.

I went to a local University and was out in 2 years (with aas credits). I recommend you look into staying local if you can.

Others might not agree with me, but the stats don’t lie. I bet you can’t find 10 people on here that completed an online BS degree.

Good luck, sorry for being so bold, just don’t want you to throw your $ away.