FIRE SCIENCE DEGREE PROGRAMS IN OHIO
Students in Ohio have a plethora of fire science learning opportunities to choose from. Fire science certificates, associate’s, bachelor’s, and master’s degree programs are available at Ohio community colleges and universities. The state is home to 1,100 fire stations employing over 17,500 firefighters, 270 fire inspectors and investigators, and 10,000 emergency medical technicians and paramedics.
The annual earnings of firefighters in Ohio differ depending on various factors such as education level, years of service, specific location, and continued training, to name a few. The chart below illustrates the average yearly wages for firefighters, fire inspectors and investigators, and fire service supervisors in Ohio, at the entry, median, and advanced levels.
| Ohio Fire Service Careers | 10th Percentile | 50th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
| Firefighters | $20,980 | $41,210 | $68,500 |
| Fire Inspectors and Investigators | $34,970 | $56,410 | $79,640 |
| Fire Service Supervisors | $22,770 | $39,580 | $69,500 |
HIGHER EDUCATION: FIRE SCIENCE IN OHIO
Whether you’re looking to earn a certificate, associate, bachelor, or master’s degrees, Ohio offers them all at its community colleges and four-year universities. Many fire departments hire hopefuls with higher education, so firefighters wanting to advance their careers will benefit greatly from pursuing a degree in fire science.
At the associate level, Ohio fire science students can expect to learn the core basics of fire science including:
- Fire prevention
- Fire chemistry & behavior
- Building construction for fire protection
- Fire protection systems
- Principles of fire and emergency services safety & survival
At the bachelor’s level, students can expect to delve in deeper in the field of fire science. Some coursework may involve:
- Fire research applications
- Fire & emergency services administration
- Legal and political foundations of fire protection
- Fire prevention management and organization
- Personnel management
- Community risk reduction
OHIO’S FIRE SCIENCE COLLEGES
Students in Ohio have a plethora of fire science training opportunities available to choose from at the following academic institutions:
FIRE SCIENCE: WEB-BASED LEARNING OPTIONS
Busy Ohio students can explore web-based learning options to earn their fire science degree. For example, Cleveland State University offers online classes that prepare students for the firefighting field. Earning a degree online requires reliable Internet, ability to work well independently with little to no hand-holding, excellent time management skills, and a drive to succeed.
How does online learning work? It’s actually pretty simple. Students take classes online toward their degrees and watch interactive video lectures before completing and turning in assignments to their professors via email. Additionally, they may be required to participate in class discussions with their peers through an online discussion board. Because of the hands-on nature of the firefighting field, students studying online may have to volunteer or intern at their local fire department to gain the real-life working experience necessary for firefighters.