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Bachelor of Science in Fire Protection Administration

School of Safety, Security & Emergency Management

College of Justice, Safety & Military Science

Bachelor of Science in Fire Protection Administration

School of Safety, Security & Emergency Management

College of Justice, Safety & Military Science

On-Campus & Online

Options

120 Credit Hours

to Graduate

On-Campus: $5,010 Per Semester

Online: $443 Per Credit Hour

(On-campus rate is for in-state students)

Free Books

for All Students

Prepare to Take on Leadership Roles and Gain a Competitive Edge in the Job Market

EKU is one of only a handful of colleges and universities in the nation to offer a comprehensive fire protection administration degree. This unique program combines the latest science and technology to provide graduates with the knowledge and managerial skill sets needed for successful leadership in fire and emergency organizations at local, state and federal levels. Our graduates are positioned to pursue advanced degrees and gain a competitive edge in the job market. The fire administration program is designed to provide you with a background in fire science, fire prevention, fire protection principles, as well as the administrative knowledge you’ll need to be a leader in the fire services profession.

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Career Outlook

Employment of firefighters will increase by 4 percent from 2021 to 2031 and employment of fire inspectors and hazardous materials workers is projected to grow 6 percent in the same time period

– U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Having a bachelor’s degree in Fire Protection Administration will put graduates in a better position for promotions and increased salary opportunities. Additionally, the knowledge gained from the degree program will help when making quick decisions during stressful emergency operations.

Job Titles Include:

  • Firefighter or fire chief
  • Fire Marshal
  • Fire Safety Director or Officer
  • Hazardous Materials Specialist

Fire science is a dynamic, multidisciplinary field of study that prepares students for a wide range of career options.

Employers Include:

  • Indiana State Fire Marshal
  • LaBella Associates Construction Engineering Company
  • City of Cambridge, Massachusetts
  • Forensic Fire Consultants, Ltd.

The Office of Academic and Career Services is a one-stop shop for all your career and professional development needs.

Services Include:

  • Creating/updating your resume and cover letter
  • Interviewing tips and coaching
  • Career documents review
  • Job search

Why EKU?

  • Free textbooks through EKU BookSmart
  • No application fee
  • Reduced tuition for active-duty military members and their spouses
  • IFSAC Accredited
  • Excellent co-operative education and internship opportunities
  • Learn from award-winning faculty regarded as experts in their field
  • Hands-on, project-based learning at our top-notch facility located on campus, the Ashland Inc. Fire and Safety Laboratory

Attend Online

Choosing an online program doesn’t mean completing your education alone. EKU Online strives to provide students with unparalleled staff and faculty access, rich engagement opportunities and every resource possible to succeed. We are committed to helping you find success in your coursework, as well as identifying and pursuing employment opportunities upon graduation. We are here to help you every step of the way.

Online students have access to:

  • Accelerated 8-week terms
  • Courses begin 6 times per year
  • No campus visits required
  • Personal advisors stay with you from application to graduation
  • Free online tutoring and career services assistance 

Curriculum & Admission

Focused on leadership building and rooted in the latest science and technology, EKU’s fire protection administration degree provides the managerial skills needed to advance your career and offers a competitive edge in the job market. EKU’s curriculum blends academic and professional preparation through topics such as fire behavior, prevention, response and investigation.

A minimum of 120 credits are required to graduate.

View the degree requirements:

EKU Academic Catalog

Please review the admissions requirements before applying for this or any program. If you have questions about the program or are planning to register for classes, please speak to the program advisor.

Students may transfer up to 90 hours of credit from accredited institutions. Please note that a minimum of 30 credit hours in this degree program must be completed at Eastern Kentucky University.

Previously earned credits must be reviewed upon admission to EKU for appropriate articulation.

On-Campus Deadlines
TermApplication
Deadline		Classes
Begin
FallAugust 1August
SpringDecember 1January
SummerMay 1May
Online Deadlines
TermApplication
Deadline		Classes
Begin
Fall AJuly 31August
Fall BSeptember 30October
Spring ADecember 31January
Spring BFebruary 28March
Summer AApril 30May
Summer BMay 31June

All applicants must provide an application and evidence of appropriate scholastic achievement through prior educational experience.

Please note that certain degree programs have special admission requirements. Admission to the University does not mean automatic admission to all degree programs.

The completed application and all required supporting documentation must be received by the University no later than:

• August 1 for fall enrollment
• December 1 for spring enrollment
• May 1 for summer enrollment

To apply for undergraduate admission to Eastern Kentucky University (EKU), submit an application at apply.eku.edu and submit any required materials electronically or by mail to:

Office of Admissions
Eastern Kentucky University
Whitlock Bldg. 112, CPO 54
521 Lancaster Avenue
Richmond, KY 40475-3154.

The Fire Protection Administration bachelor’s degree is accredited by the International Fire Service Accreditation Congress (IFSAC).

Academic
Year		GraduatesRetention RateCapstone SuccessEmployment or Continued
to Masters
2022-232373%100% of students passed FPA Degree capstone course with an overall 80% score*100% Employment,
0% Masters
2021-221664%100% of students passed FPA Degree capstone course with an overall 80% score*66% Employment,
13% Masters
2020-212150%92% of students passed FPA Degree capstone course with an overall 80% score*64% Employment
10% Applied to Masters
2019-201975%72% of students passed FPA Degree capstone course with an overall 80% score*72%
2018-191977%86% of students passed FPA Degree capstone course with an overall 80% score*75%
2017-183984.6%87% of students passed FPA Degree capstone course with an overall 80% score*97%
2016-172886.4%86% of students passed FPA Degree capstone course with an overall 80% score*96%

*Capstone courses measure across program degree outcomes and objectives
Graduate Employment and Compensation Data
BLS Data Occupational Employment and Wages for 33-2011 Firefighters
BLS Data Occupational Employment and Wages 33-2021.00 First Line Supervisor

Job Summary
The chief officer manages and leads the fire department and also commands at the scene of an emergency. They prepare the budgets, administers department policies, supervises training and manages day-to-day operations. They also act as an advisor to local government and keeps the community prepared for emergency response.

The Bachelor of Science degree in Fire Protection Administration is a dynamic curriculum using an approach designed to adapt different learning styles and schedules for current and future professionals in the fire and safety industry. The program will provide learners with knowledge and understanding of integration in the various technical aspects of fire service management.

Program Educational Objective
Graduates of the Fire Protection Administration curriculum will be able to:

  • Apply principles of transformational leadership to negotiate, mentor, motivate, and lead others toward a shared and ethical organizational vision or goal.
  • Apply knowledge of leadership, change, business models, organizational issues, and regulations to ensure organizational effectiveness, resulting in the improvement of emergency services.
  • Utilize the methods and resources of research, science, and technology to effectively manage emergency services.
  • Utilize appropriate communication strategies and methods to accomplish organizational goals and objectives.
  • Utilize appropriate assessment and planning skills to improve organization and community risk management for emergency services.

General Student Outcomes

  • Students will demonstrate fundamental knowledge of the functions of planning, organizing, directing and controlling as applicable to leadership in the fire and emergency services.
  • Students shall describe the methods and to perform an analyze of the appropriateness of coverage of a fire protection agency.
  • Students will demonstrate an understanding of crisis management, fire suppression and modern extinguishment methods.
  • Students will be able to express basic understanding of the requirements and processes needed to achieve leadership positions in the fire service.
  • Students will demonstrate understanding and appreciation of the skills necessary for planning, direction and management of the operations of the Fire Department.
  • Students will demonstrate fundamental knowledge of the functions of fire prevention/protection, fire suppression, emergency preparedness planning, public fire safety education, and related code enforcement.
  • Students will demonstrate understanding and awareness regarding accountability for results in terms of costs, personnel and methods.
  • Students will be able to make logical presentations and produced technical reports on topics effecting a fire protection agencies various functions.
  • Students shall be able to apply the National Standards of Care to the operations of a fire protection agency
    Students shall apply knowledge of the proper management techniques of a fire protection agency.
  • Students shall demonstrate the ability to perform hazard analysis and emergency planning.
  • Students shall integrate the professional development model into the operations of a fire protection agency.
  • Students completing this degree will demonstrate the ability to work within a team to assess and suggest methodologies to provide fire related emergency services to communities.
  • Students will correlate widely variant issues, assign priorities to each, and synthesize given information into a unified approach to solving preventing and mitigating fire conditions.
  • Students demonstrate understanding of the need to integrate hazard assessment, hazard mitigation and emergency response capabilities in the umbrella of emergency service systems.
  • Students will demonstrate the ability to effectively communicate fire department needs to political bodies, managers, citizens and others within the fire department organization.
  • Students will demonstrate understanding of nationally accepted codes, laws and standards that are applicable to fire and emergency service organizations in providing comprehensive emergency services to a community.

Enrolling & Advising Information

EKU’s College of Justice, Safety, and Military Science is committed to delivering high-quality enrollment and academic advising for our students. We strive to create an atmosphere of mutual trust and meaningful engagement to help students reach their academic goals and have a rewarding educational experience.

Interested in enrolling? Reach out to the college enrollment counselor for your preferred program.

professional photo of Jacinda Bertie-Cockerham

Jacinda Bertie-Cockerham

College Enrollment Counselor

859-622-6520
jacinda.bertie@eku.edu

professional photo of jacob mobley

Jacob Mobley

Online Enrollment Advisor

859-622-2877
Jacob.Mobley@eku.edu

Schedule an Appointment

Additional Contact Info

Admissions: 859-622-2106
Academic Testing: 859-622-1281
Big E Central (Financial Aid & Student Account Services): 859-622-2361
Military & Veterans Affairs Office: 859-622-2345

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News & Updates

Colonels Shine in “Forty Under 40” Class

EKU graduates Josh Jarboe, ’12, and Tony Mudd, ’15, made the Louisville Business First’s Forty Under 40 list for 2023. The program honors “professionals under the age of 40 thriving in their careers, demonstrating their skills at work or in the community and contributing to make Greater Louisville a better place,” according to Louisville Business […]

EKU Awarded Grant for Fire Investigation Research

Faculty in Eastern Kentucky University’s (EKU) College of Justice, Safety and Military Science, Dr. Shijin Kozhumal and Dr. Greg Gorbett, received a competitive research grant from the National Institute of Justice (NIJ), the U.S. Department of Justice’s research, development and evaluation agency, to research drywall and burn patterns. The NIJ forensic science research and development […]

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The US Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration announced the renewal of Eastern Kentucky University’s OSHA Training Institute Education Center (OTI Education Center). According to the Kentucky Cabinet of Economic Development, in the past five years manufacturers announced over 1,100 facility locations or expansion projects with a reported capital investment of more than […]

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Contact Information

School of Safety, Security & Emergency Management

Stratton Building
Room 245
4453 Kit Carson Drive
Richmond, Ky 40475

859-622-3565
jus.dean@eku.edu

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