Fire Service Administration, Bachelor of Science

REQUIRED HOURS IN THE MAJOR FIELD OF STUDY	33
ADDITIONAL HOURS REQUIRED	NONE
TOTAL PROGRAM HOURS	33
PRESCRIBED GENERAL EDUCATION PREREQUISTES: NONE

Hours may vary depending on transfer credit awarded

Mission Statement

The Fire Service Administration major establishes a 21st century liberal arts Bachelors of Science Degree that serves prospective students from North Carolina, nearby states and those beyond because of the fully online delivery method. This major is designed to align with the National Fire Academy FESHE curriculum model of Higher Education standards in the United States. Graduates of this major will be knowledgeable and aware of the challenging role of a fire officer in today’s society. In addition to being prepared academically, graduates will be prepared to respond to social, political, legal, and homeland security issues with a solid foundation provided through their liberal arts education at Gardner-Webb University.

Student Learning Outcomes

Graduates of the Fire Administration will:

1. Evaluate significant fire service administration issues facing society and demonstrate a professional competency which includes understanding major issues in their social, political and historical context in America and various world cultures both past and present.
2. Demonstrate competence in understanding how the issues of ethics, race, diversity and poverty impact the areas of fire services administration.
3. Demonstrate the organizational behavior skills in intellectual, social, and political areas needed to function effectively in the 21st century fire services profession.
4. Explain and employ a depth of subject content of fire service practices which will establish a strong foundation to support immediate entry level into the profession.
5. Demonstrate effective research skills, which include quantitative and qualitative data gathering and analysis, relative to the fire service profession.
6. Demonstrate the ability to identify, analyze evidence and present issues to fire service investigators, practitioners and judicial officials.
7. Incorporate professional values within ethical and legal guidelines of fire services administration, and explain the importance of personal responsibility and accountability for professional, fire service practices and ethical decision making.

Program Requirements

Major Course Requirements

Students may choose any of the following courses for 33 hours in the major, but must complete a minimum of 15 hours of these courses through Gardner-Webb University.

FSA 310	Fire Service Administration	3
FSA 345	Fire Service Ethics	3
FSA 350	Fire Prevention Organization and Management	3
FSA 375	Fire Service Leadership	3
FSA 400	Political and Legal Foundation in Fire Service Administration	3
FSA 415	Managerial Issues in Hazardous Materials	3
FSA 420	Administrative Decision Making for Public Safety	3
FSA 425	Public Safety Theory and Research	3
FSA 440	Fire Arson and Explosives Investigation	3
FSA 450	International Issues in Public Safety	3
FSA 455	Managing Safety and Survival Programs for the Fire Service	3
FSA 470	Homeland Security, Terrorism & Intelligence	3
FSA 495	Independent Study I	3
FSA 496	Independent Study II	3
FSA 497	Public Safety Internship I	3
FSA 498	Public Safety Internship II	3
FSA 499	Special Topics in Public Safety	3

Total Credit Hours: 33

Graduates of this program will have the desire to give back to their communities by serving in the fire service profession through learning in the context of a Christian environment. While completing this major, students will develop knowledge in ethical and administrative decision making, fire service administrative areas, homeland security, terrorism, intelligence, international issues in public safety and first responder areas. Graduates will be well prepared to face the challenges of the 21st. century domestic and global public safety and fire administration issues in specialized careers in local, state, federal, and private protective systems.