Program Overview
The Bachelor of Science degree in Fire Protection Administration is a dynamic curriculum using an approach designed to adapt different learning styles for current and future professionals in the fire and safety industry. The program provides students with the knowledge and understanding for integration in the various technical aspects of fire service management.
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.
Fire administrators manage and lead fire departments, command emergency responses, prepare budgets, administer department policies, supervise training and manage day-to-day operations. Additionally, they serve as advisors to local government officials and strive to assure their community is prepared for emergency response. Visit eku.edu/fireandsafety for more information.
Career Opportunities
- Firefighter
- Fire Chief
- Fire Marshal
- Fire Safety Director / Officer
- Building Inspector
- Hazardous Materials Specialist
Bachelor’s Degree
Total Curriculum Requirements: 120 Hours
37 hours: Gen Ed. / University Requirement
60 hours: Fire & Safety Requirements
14 hours: Supporting Requirements
9 hours: Free Electives
Minor
21 Hours
*Grade of “C” or better required
FSE 120, 201, 223, 225, 365, 375, 400
Course Descriptions
FSE 101 Fire Prevention
An introduction to fire and safety related codes, fire prevention methods, mechanical systems and engineering solutions for hazards. An in-depth look at the Life Safety Code, and the function and testing of fire related building components.
FSE 120 Fire Behavior and Combustion
Introduction to the chemistry and dynamics of fire, including basic terminology and concepts that are applied to the physical and chemical properties of the development and spread of fire in a structure, hazardous materials and the Computer Fire Analysis.
FSE 201 Building Construction
A review of the analysis of building construction methods and terminology. A systems approach to designing building fire safety; the Life Safety Code; the function of and testing of rated building components, evaluating plans for code compliance.
FSE 221 Fire Protection Systems
Introduction to fire detection, protection, control systems and extinguishment. Fixed and portable systems of the following types will be studied: automatic sprinklers, standpipes, dry chemical, foam, halogenated agents, fire alarm systems, and diction.
FSE 223 Fire and Emergency Scene Operations
Principles of Incident Management including emergency scene decisions, strategies, and tactics. Utilizing emergency control resources such as personnel, apparatus, and equipment.
FSE 225 Legal Aspects of Fire Protection & Safety
A study of legislative and legal decisions relating to personnel practices, employee safety, and public protection. Emphasizes the legal responsibilities, liabilities, and authority of the fire service practitioner.
FSE 230 Fire Prevention Organization and Management
An introduction to management issues related to fire prevention systems. Overview of the requirements for fire prevention codes, managing inspections, relations with public and officials and implementation of fire education programs.
FSE 300W Technical Report Writing for Emergency Services.
Develop oral and written communication skills specific to the public emergency service sector’s needs. Focusing on the technical aspects involved in supporting public initiatives operating within the legal system and learning the specific requirements for submitting documentation to various technical committees. Credit will not be awarded to students who have credit for FSE 300 and 300W.
FSE 305 Hazardous Materials
Study of hazardous material problems in transportation, storage and use. Chemical properties relating to specific reactions, engineering controls and control in and emergency situation. Emphasis on the role of pre-emergency planning, combating, coordinating, and controlling a hazardous materials incident.
FSE 320 Principles of Emergency Services
An overview of organizational and management practices in the fire and safety fields. Emphasis on supervision and leadership styles, motivation, morale, and organizational behavior.
FSE 322 Water-Based Fire Protection Systems Design
Analysis and evaluation of specific code requirements related to the design, inspection, testing and maintenance of water-based fire protection systems. Design projects will be included.
FSE 349 A-N Cooperative Study: Fire and Safety Engineering
Work in placements related to academic studies. One to eight hours credit per semester or summer. Total hours: eight, associate; sixteen, baccalaureate. A minimum of 80 hours employment required for each semester hour credit.
FSE 350 Fire, Arson, and Explosion Investigation
An in-depth study in the analysis of fire, arson ,and explosion scenes. Emphasis will be placed on the principles and techniques of scene preservation and analysis, management of investigative function, documentation of the scene, and determination of the cause and origin of fire.
FSE 355 Fire Dynamics
An introduction to fire-related measurement techniques, advanced fire and combustion concepts, and associated terminology. This course includes basic numerical methods for understanding fire dynamics.
FSE 360 Fire Protection Hydraulics and Water Supply
A study of water at rest and in motion, Bernoulli’s and Pascal’s theorems; water distribution systems, velocity, friction loss, pump and nozzle pressures required for fire protection.
FSE 365 Instructional Methodology for Emergency Service
Course provides students with opportunities to develop presentation skills used in classroom instruction. Develop lesson plans, prepare audio-visual aids and props for the class. Prepare evaluation methodologies that competently assure learning objectives during delivery of presentations
FSE 375 Emergency Services Resource Management
Introduction to management issues related to obtaining and accounting for resources. Included are financial management processes, acquisition strategies, strategies for maintenance of effort and resource prioritization, resource replacement planning and processes to audit program success.
FSE 400 Advanced Emergency Services
A study of environmental management including the identification and analysis of key managerial issues confronting contemporary fire services managers. Application in current methods and planning, organizing, developing and evaluating public fire/emergency services organizations.
FSE 425 Disaster & Community Fire Defense Planning.
Overview of the ever changing demographics of the departmental jurisdictions and response during community service master planning, identifying hazards then assessing risks associated with those hazards. Analysis of potential disaster and recovery methods.
OSH 390 Workers Compensation
An in-depth study of the foundations of Workers Compensation law. Emphasis will be placed on the history and theory of injuries “arising out of” and being “in the course of” employment. Credit will not be awarded for both OSH 390 and FSE 390.
Information based on EKU’s 2022/2023 course catalog and is subject to change.
Information based on EKU’s 2023/2024 course catalog and is subject to change.