Overview

Columbia Southern University’s online Bachelor of Science in fire administration with a concentration in fire investigation reflects the relevant curriculum and instruction required for leadership positions within the fire service profession, including administration, fire safety and investigation. The fire investigation concentration is taught by academic field practitioners and covers relevant career topics, including forensics, evidence collection, analysis and criminal law.

Students should be advised that many fire science employers take into account the following factors when determining eligibility for employment: physical health, U.S. citizenship, criminal background screening, work experience and education.

Multiple factors, including prior experience, geography and degree field, affect career outcomes. CSU does not guarantee a job, promotion, salary increase, eligibility for a position, or other career growth.

Program Description

The Bachelor of Science Degree in Fire Administration presents the academic foundations for leadership and administration of fire service organizations. The curriculum follows the FESHE-modeled, multi-disciplinary approach, incorporating fire administration, community risk reduction and tactical fireground considerations. The program also encompasses legal frameworks to applied fire service settings as well as a study of employee safety and healthy work environments. This program of study is recognized by the Fire and Emergency Services Higher Education (FESHE) through the U. S. Fire Administration’s National Fire Academy (NFA).

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the program, students should be able to do the following:

• Synthesize community risk reduction methods related to the fire service.
• Analyze cultural human behavior that can affect fire science organizations.
• Evaluate industry standard administrative techniques as they relate to organizational management in fire service settings.
• Analyze various principles of fire chemistry and fire dynamics and their impacts on emergency situations.

Fire Investigation Concentration

Provides the academic foundation for technical and scientific skills required of highly-qualified investigators. Students acquire knowledge and experience from expert field practitioners on a variety of topics and skills in forensics, evidence collection, analysis, and criminal law. Students who complete this concentration will be equipped to meet the requirements and demands of the fire investigation field.

Concentration Outcomes

• Analyze arson as a crime.
• Examine the chemistry of combustion and physical properties of fuel.