Program Manager: Jason Deater
Email: jadeater@frederick.edu
Phone: 301.846.2687
Program Description
Provides a comprehensive exploration of the contemporary fire service, its essential skills and future challenges, and its evolving role as a key partner in an integrated public safety operational environment. Supports this specialized education with a solid core of knowledge fundamental to all public safety disciplines, and provides opportunities to focus and extend the program into any of several specialty areas. Serves as excellent preparation for both a variety of careers within the worlds of the fire and emergency services, and rank promotion and career advancement for students already serving.
Current or former firefighters and emergency medical technicians will find a variety of options to receive credit for their existing training and certifications.
As an AOC within the Public Safety A.A.S., coursework in this program is designed to integrate well with the Emergency Management and National Security & Intelligence AOCs. Students are encouraged to talk to the Program Manager or an advisor to help choose the most advantageous program for their academic or career interests.
Program Learning Outcomes
- Provide leadership and management direction to fire departments or fire service-related organizations.
- Demonstrate an understanding of planning and response for fires and emergency situations in both theory and practice.
- Assess and discuss the impact of changing tools, trainings, and operational techniques on the development of the fire service profession.
- Explain the role of the fire service and emergency response within the public safety, security, and governmental environments at all jurisdictional levels.
- Develop the communication skills necessary to inform and educate communities, businesses, and partner organizations about the principles of fire prevention and risk mitigation.
Program Requirements
- Students must complete their credit English and Mathematics within the first 24 credits.
- One course must meet the cultural competence graduation requirement.
- CORE: The General Education CORE is that foundation of the higher education curriculum providing a coherent intellectual experience for all students. Students should check with an advisor or the transfer institution (ARTSYS) before selecting General Education CORE requirements. http://artsys.usmd.edu/
- In some General Education categories (Mathematics, Biological & Physical Sciences), a 4-credit course selected from the GenEd course list will satisfy the requirement in place of a 3-credit course. Students should check with an advisor before selecting these courses.
- For the Physical Education, Health, or Nutrition requirement, a 3-credit PHED, HLTH, or NUTR course may satisfy the requirement in place of a 1-credit course. Students should check with an advisor before selecting this course.
- Students must earn a grade of "C" or better in ENGL 101 English Composition.
- Students must complete a minimum of nine credits at the 200-level.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| English | ||
| ENGL 101 | English Composition 1 | 3 |
| Math | ||
| Mathematics Elective (Gen Ed course list) 1 | 3 | |
| Social & Behavioral Sciences | ||
| Select 2 Social & Behavioral Sciences Electives (Gen Ed course list) (Recommended courses below) | 6 | |
| General Psychology | ||
| Introduction to Sociology | ||
| Elements of Geography | ||
| Arts & Humanities | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Public Speaking | ||
| Basic Conflict Mediation | ||
| Introduction to Mass Communication | ||
Any Non-English language course (ASLS, ARBC, CHIN, FREN, GERM, ITAL, LATN, RUSS, or SPAN) | ||
| Biological & Physical Sciences | ||
| Biological & Physical Sciences Elective (Gen Ed course list) (Recommended courses below) | 3 | |
| Anatomy and Physiology I | ||
| Study of the Human Body | ||
| Human Biology | ||
| General Chemistry I | ||
| Other Gen Eds | ||
| EMGT 101 | Disaster, Crisis, and Emergency Management | 3 |
| Physical Education, Health, or Nutrition Requirement | ||
| Select one PHED, HLTH, or NUTR course (recommended course below) | 1 | |
| Stress Management | ||
| Concentration Requirements | ||
| CORE - Take all of the following: | ||
| EMGT 106 | Hazard, Risk, and Mitigation | 3 |
| EMGT 201 | Public Safety GIS and Technology | 3 |
| EMGT 213 | Social Impacts of Disaster | 3 |
| EMGT 221 | Public Safety Leadership and Ethics | 3 |
| FOCUS - Select 9 credits from the following: | 9 | |
| Fire Protection Systems | ||
| Fire Investigation and Analysis | ||
| Fundamental Topics of the Modern Fire Service | ||
| Disaster Response and Recovery | ||
| EXTENSION - Select 9 credits from the following: | 9 | |
| Introduction to Building Trades | ||
| Introduction to Business | ||
| Introduction to Criminal Justice | ||
| Criminal Law | ||
| Disaster Response and Recovery 2 | ||
| Preparing and Securing the Homeland | ||
| Emergency Operations Planning | ||
| Incident Command System (ICS) 3 | ||
| Fire Protection Systems 2 | ||
| Fire Investigation and Analysis 2 | ||
| Fundamental Topics of the Modern Fire Service 2 | ||
| Introduction to Geographic Information Systems with ArcGIS | ||
Any FS 3 | ||
| Electives | ||
| Select up to 5 elective credits as needed to complete 60 credit degree | 5 | |
| Capstone | ||
| FIRE 201 | Fire and Emergency Services Administration | 3 |
| Total Credits | 60 | |
- 1
Take this course within your first 24 credits
- 2
If not already chosen as a "Focus" course
- 3
Credits in the FEMA and FS subject areas may only be acquired through the articulation of FEMA, National Fire Academy, Maryland Fire & Rescue Institute, or other external training institution certification. Interested students should discuss these options with the Program Manager.
Transfer Note
For more information on careers and transfer, contact the Career and Academic Planning Services office at 301.846.2471 or visit Transfer Services.
Guided Pathway to Success (GPS)
Suggested schedules map your path to degree completion.
Students should meet with an advisor each semester to carefully select and sequence courses based on their specific academic goals and interests. Visit Jefferson Hall or call 301.846.2471 for advising.
| Recommended First Semester | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| ENGL 101 | English Composition 1 | 3 |
| EMGT 101 | Disaster, Crisis, and Emergency Management | 3 |
| Mathematics Elective (Gen Ed course list) 1 | 3-4 | |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Public Speaking | ||
| Basic Conflict Mediation | ||
| Introduction to Mass Communication | ||
Any Non-English language course (ASLS, ARBC, CHIN, FREN, GERM, ITAL, LATN, RUSS, or SPAN) | ||
| FOCUS - Select a course from the following: | 3 | |
| Fire Protection Systems | ||
| Fire Investigation and Analysis | ||
| Fundamental Topics of the Modern Fire Service | ||
| Disaster Response and Recovery | ||
| Credits | 15-16 | |
| Recommended Second Semester | ||
| EMGT 106 | Hazard, Risk, and Mitigation | 3 |
| Biological & Physical Sciences Elective (Gen Ed course list) (Recommended courses below) | 3-4 | |
| Study of the Human Body | ||
| Human Biology | ||
| Anatomy and Physiology I | ||
| General Chemistry I | ||
| Select a PHED, HLTH, or NUTR course (recommended course below) | 1,3 | |
| Stress Management | ||
| FOCUS - Select a course (not already taken) from the following: | 3 | |
| Fire Protection Systems | ||
| Fire Investigation and Analysis | ||
| Fundamental Topics of the Modern Fire Service | ||
| Disaster Response and Recovery | ||
| Social & Behavioral Sciences Elective (Gen Ed course list) (Recommended courses below) | 3 | |
| General Psychology | ||
| Introduction to Sociology | ||
| Elements of Geography | ||
| Credits | 13-16 | |
| Recommended Third Semester | ||
| EMGT 201 | Public Safety GIS and Technology | 3 |
| FOCUS - Select a course (not already taken) from the following: | 3 | |
| Fire Protection Systems | ||
| Fire Investigation and Analysis | ||
| Fundamental Topics of the Modern Fire Service | ||
| Disaster Response and Recovery | ||
| EMGT 213 | Social Impacts of Disaster | 3 |
| EXTENSION - Select a course (not already taken) from the following: | 3 | |
| Introduction to Business | ||
| Introduction to Building Trades | ||
| Introduction to Criminal Justice | ||
| Criminal Law | ||
| Disaster Response and Recovery 1 | ||
| Preparing and Securing the Homeland | ||
| Emergency Operations Planning | ||
| Fire Protection Systems 2 | ||
| Fire Investigation and Analysis 2 | ||
| Fundamental Topics of the Modern Fire Service 2 | ||
| Incident Command System (ICS) 3 | ||
| Introduction to Geographic Information Systems with ArcGIS | ||
Any FS 3 | ||
| Social & Behavioral Sciences Elective (Gen Ed course list) (Recommended courses below) | 3 | |
| General Psychology | ||
| Introduction to Sociology | ||
| Elements of Geography | ||
| Credits | 15 | |
| Recommended Fourth Semester | ||
| EXTENSION - Select a course (not already taken) from the following: | 3 | |
| Introduction to Business | ||
| Introduction to Building Trades | ||
| Introduction to Criminal Justice | ||
| Criminal Law | ||
| Disaster Response and Recovery 2 | ||
| Preparing and Securing the Homeland | ||
| Emergency Operations Planning | ||
| Fire Protection Systems 2 | ||
| Fire Investigation and Analysis 2 | ||
| Fundamental Topics of the Modern Fire Service 2 | ||
| Incident Command System (ICS) 3 | ||
| Introduction to Geographic Information Systems with ArcGIS | ||
Any FS 3 | ||
| FIRE 201 | Fire and Emergency Services Administration | 3 |
| EXTENSION - Select a course (not already taken) from the following: | 3 | |
| Introduction to Business | ||
| Introduction to Building Trades | ||
| Introduction to Criminal Justice | ||
| Criminal Law | ||
| Disaster Response and Recovery 2 | ||
| Preparing and Securing the Homeland | ||
| Emergency Operations Planning | ||
| Fire Protection Systems 2 | ||
| Fire Investigation and Analysis 2 | ||
| Fundamental Topics of the Modern Fire Service 2 | ||
| Incident Command System (ICS) 3 | ||
| Introduction to Geographic Information Systems with ArcGIS | ||
Any FS 3 | ||
| EMGT 221 | Public Safety Leadership and Ethics | 3 |
| Elective - Select up to 5 elective credits as needed to complete a 60 credit degree | 5 | |
| Credits | 17 | |
| Total Credits | 60-64 | |
- 1
Take this course within your first 24 credits
- 2
Only take this course if you did not already select it as a "Focus" option.
- 3
Represents credit earned through the articulation of training through the DFRS Recruit Fire Academy Program, the Maryland Fire & Rescue Institute (MFRI), the National Fire Academy (NFA), or the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Interested students should contact a Public Safety Advisor or Program Manager to determine what articulated credit they may be eligible for.
Part-time Students
Part-time students should complete courses in the order listed on the pathway. Please contact program manager for questions about part-time status.
Students who take fewer than 15 credits each semester or who require developmental English or Math coursework will need additional semesters to complete their degrees. Summer term and January session classes may help students to make faster progress.
Pathway Legend
Milestone - courses with the Milestone notation should be taken within the recommend credit range to stay on track for program completion.
Fall, Spring, Summer - courses with a Fall, Spring, or Summer notation indicate the course is offered in the specified semester only.