FIRE SCIENCE DEGREE PROGRAMS IN MARYLAND

Maryland is home to 263 fire departments hiring approximately 3,870 firefighters and 130 fire inspectors and investigators to protect its land, property, and people from natural and man-made fires in urban and rural settings. These fire service professionals not only prevent, fight, and extinguish fires, they also work as first responders in accidents or emergency situations to prevent loss of life.

The annual wages of fire service professionals in Maryland vary depending on location, education, certification, and experience. See our chart below for a quick overview of average yearly earnings for firefighters, fire inspectors and investigators, and fire service supervisors in the state.

MARYLAND’S FIRE SCIENCE TRAINING PROGRAMS

Education is important for success in most fields these days, especially fire science and safety. Maryland’s colleges offer a variety of fire science and fire and emergency management degree programs for every student’s career goals, ranging from certificate to associate to bachelor’s-levels.

In addition to the traditional book-learning experience, students in college will have the opportunity to participate in hands-on projects designed to prepare them for real-life situations. High school graduates looking to explore a career in fire science may start off with earning a 2-year associate’s degree, where they will be exposed to the fundamentals of fire science.

Current fire service personnel looking to expand their knowledge may consider furthering their education by pursuing a bachelor’s degree. Many firefighters who take the time to pursue higher education often get promoted to higher-level position requiring management and supervisory skills.

MARYLAND: FIRE SCIENCE INSTITUTIONS

Whether you’re a prospective or existing firefighter, there are a plethora of fire science degree programs available for you to choose from in Maryland.

FIRE SCIENCE ONLINE DEGREE PROGRAMS

Need more flexibility and convenience? Learn fire science online! Maryland has several institutions that offer online courses for students to take on their own time, at their own pace. A reliable Internet connection is required for students considering this path.

How does web-based learning work? Students enroll in general classes required for a fire science degree, and are expected to interact with peers and instructors on the web via chat programs, classroom discussion boards on the class portal, or via email. While exams are open-book when it comes to distance learning, students must stay on top of readings and assignments to succeed.

Even though most of the book-material is learned off-campus, students may be required to complete certain projects in a classroom setting to get the necessary hands-on experience that firefighting entails.