FIRE SCIENCE DEGREE PROGRAMS IN NEW HAMPSHIRE

Promising job opportunities in the firefighting field can be found in New Hampshire. The state is home to approximately 1,660 firefighters, 60 fire inspectors and investigators, 170 forest-fire inspectors, 480 fire service supervisors, and 1,000 paramedics and emergency medical technicians. Students in New Hampshire can join this strong network of firefighters by pursuing a certificate, associate, or bachelor’s degree in fire science.

Annual wages for firefighters in New Hampshire depend on a variety of factors such as location, cost of living, education, and experience levels. The chart below highlights the average yearly earnings of firefighters, fire inspectors and investigators, and fire service supervisors at the entry, median, and advanced levels in the state.

LEARNING ABOUT FIRE SCIENCE IN NEW HAMPSHIRE

Aspiring firefighters in New Hampshire must undergo academic and physical training prior to applying for work in a fire department. Before jumping in to fight a fire, firefighters must be equipped with the right knowledge and tactics for best and safe results. Students have three options for training. They can choose between certificate, associate degree, or bachelor’s degree, depending on their career goals.

Those aspiring to be entry-level firefighters do not need a degree; however, they must pass state and national exams and meet basic requirements. The certificate level educates students on the basics in fire behavior, fire suppression, and emergency medical procedures, to name a few.

Firefighters wanting to move up the ladder and take on higher-level roles may consider earning an associate degree in fire science. New Hampshire students can attend Lakes Region Community College, a two-year college that allows students to complete required fire science and general education coursework in addition to participating in a field internship to get hands-on work experience.

NEW HAMPSHIRE SCHOOLS WITH FIRE SCIENCE PROGRAMS

While New Hampshire doesn’t have a big variety of school options for fire science studies to choose from, they do have quality programs at both the certificate and associate degree levels. See our list below for all of the training options available to students in the state.

FIRE SCIENCE: WEB-BASED LEARNING

Since New Hampshire has such a small selection of traditional schools for students to choose from, many students go with distance learning or even taking classes out-of-state nearby. For example, Connecticut’s University of New Haven offers both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in fire science. Some classes are offered online entirely, while others are hybrid classes, which means that they are partly online and partly on-campus (the on-campus parts are designed to give students a hands-on learning experience and prepare them for work in the field).

Web-based learning is also an alternative to the traditional classroom setting for those who cannot commit to commuting to class on a set schedule. Online classes allow students to still take care of their everyday obligations, while earning their degrees.

Online schools involve video lectures, electronic assignment submission, online textbook materials, and virtual discussion boards for students to interact with peers and instructors. Many online schools may require that students pick up an internship at a local fire department to get the necessary hands-on experience vital for success in this profession.