Fire Science Technical Certificate

For more information, contact the Health Sciences division at 615-230-3330.

This technical certificate program is designed to prepare students in practical firefighting operations and fire service management. The emphasis in the curriculum is on history and theory, used when appropriate, to assist firefighters to cope with current problems in the field.

The program offers training for professional fire service personnel to improve job performance and prepare for upward mobility. It is designed also to provide an avenue for area citizens to receive the training necessary for entry into a fire science career. All major courses meet the National Fire Academy standards.

A student must complete the required major core courses and complete any two guided elective courses to earn the Fire Science Technology Technical Certificate.

For those desiring an associate degree, the Technical Certificate may be used towards completion of the AAS in Fire Science Technology.

Applicants wishing to enter the Technical Certificate program must complete the following process:

  • Meet admission requirements for the College based on the admission or readmission status the applicant is seeking
  • Submit any other requested documents

The Fire Science Technical Certificate is embedded within the Associate of Applied Science in Fire Science and within the Associate of Arts and the Associate of Science, General Studies areas of emphasis.  Courses in this certificate may be used to award these degrees.

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, the graduate will have developed the skills, knowledge and abilities to accomplish the following:

  1. Demonstrate professionalism, ethics, and the ability to interact with others during academic studies and identify how the skills may be transferred to fire science occupations.
  2. Apply foundational fire science knowledge to “real world” scenarios and describe how the knowledge and skills can be applied to fire science related occupations.
  3. Identify “real world” scenarios in preparation for advancement in fire science related occupations through the application of prevention, response, and risk management knowledge and skills.
  4. Demonstrate professional communication skills in the academic setting and identify how the skills can be transferred to fire science occupations.
  5. Demonstrate the ability to apply problem-solving techniques or methods in a variety of settings to make informed decisions.
     

CIP Code: (27) 43.0203.00     SOC CODE 33.2011

Certificate Requirements - Credits (24)


  • FIRE 1310 - *Principles of Emergency Services Credits: (3)
  • FIRE 1320 - *Principles of Fire and Emergency Services Safety and Survival Credits: (3)
  • FIRE 1330 - *Fire Prevention Credits: (3)
  • FIRE 2310 - *Fire Protection Systems Credits: (3)
  • FIRE 2320 - *Building Construction for Fire Protection Credits: (3)
  • FIRE 2330 - *Fire Behavior and Combustion Credits: (3)
  • Fire Science Electives (Choose from the following list) Credits: (6)
  • EMSB 1101 - *EMT Medical Skills Lab  Credits: (1)

    EMSB 1102 - *EMT Trauma and Medical Skills Lab  Credits: (1)

    EMSB 1111 - *EMT Clinical  Credits: (1)

    EMSB 1112 - *EMT Field Internship  Credits: (1)

    EMSB 1601 - *EMT Medical Emergencies and EMS Operations  Credits: (6)

    EMSB 1602 - *EMT Trauma and Medical Emergencies  Credits: (6)

    FIRE 1315 - *Rescue Awareness  Credits: (3)

    FIRE 1325 - *Fire Investigation I  Credits: (3)

    FIRE 2315 - *Introduction to Homeland Security and Disaster Management  Credits: (3)

    FIRE 2325 - *Fire Protection Hydraulics and Water Supply  Credits: (3)

    FIRE 2335 - *Strategies and Tactics  Credits: (3)

    FIRE 2340 - *Leadership Development  Credits: (3)

    FIRE 2350 - *Principles of Fire and Emergency Services Administration  Credits: (3)

    FIRE 2355 - *Hazardous Materials I  Credits: (3) 

    FIRE 2360 - *Occupational Safety and Health for Emergency Services  Credits: (3)

    FIRE 2365 - *Hazardous Materials II  Credits: (3)

    FIRE 2370 - *Public Fire and Life Safety Education  Credits: (3)

    FIRE 2375 - *Hazardous Materials Chemistry  Credits: (3)

    FIRE 2380 - *Legal Aspects of Emergency Services  Credits: (3)

    FIRE 2385 - *Fire Investigation II  Credits: (3)

    FIRE 2399 - *Special Topics in Fire Science  Credits: (3)

Total Certificate Requirements - Credits (24)


Recommended Schedule


Degree Works, along with the correct catalog, should be utilized by students for all of their educational planning.  Students can monitor their progress toward a degree or certificate and view missing requirements with the Degree Works audit, which is accessible through My Volstate.

First Year - Fall Semester - Credits (12)


  • FIRE 1310 - *Principles of Emergency Services Credits: (3)
  • FIRE 1330 - *Fire Prevention Credits: (3)
  • FIRE 2310 - *Fire Protection Systems Credits: (3)
  • Fire Science Elective (Choose from list above) Credits: (3)

First Year - Spring Semester - Credits (12)


  • FIRE 1320 - *Principles of Fire and Emergency Services Safety and Survival Credits: (3)
  • FIRE 2320 - *Building Construction for Fire Protection Credits: (3)
  • FIRE 2330 - *Fire Behavior and Combustion Credits: (3)
  • Fire Science Elective (Choose from list above) Credits: (3)