Fire Science

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The degree is designed to address the educational needs of Tennesseans who desire to enter or advance their career within the field of fire science. The program offers both flexibility for those with prior experience and training while providing a clear path for those who are new to the field of study. It was designed to incorporate the Fire and Emergency Services Higher Education (FESHE) core courses and therefore, meets current, accepted standards of practice within the field of study. Students must meet with a Fire Science advisor prior to enrolling in this program. Students must meet with the division dean of Public Safety prior to enrolling in this program.

This program is designed for the student who does not intend to transfer to a baccalaureate degree program.

Degree: Associate of Applied Science

Emphasis: Fire Science

Recommended Full-Time Schedule

The following Recommended Full-Time Schedule is not a substitute for academic advising. You must meet with an academic advisor each semester to be cleared for registration. Consult with your advisor about scheduling and degree requirements. Also, see the current undergraduate catalog (catalog.ws.edu) for a complete list of requirements and electives. Requirements are continually under revision, and there is no guarantee they will not be changed or revoked. Contact the academic division or department for current information.

Factors that affect your progression include required Learning Support courses, completion of computer competency and your choices regarding campus location, course delivery method, and the days and times selected to take classes.

¹General Education electives in each category must be chosen from approved courses listed in the General Education Program .

Notes:

• Walters State students are required to meet computer competency during the first 30 hours of coursework. Students must take INFS 1010, BUSN 1360 or AGRM 2630/2631 or successfully complete a Computer Competency Exam. The Computer Competency Exam does not provide course credit. Consult your advisor. See www.ws.edu/academics/technical-ed/computer-competency/ for additional information.

• Learning Support courses must be taken every semester until completed.

First Year

Fall Term (15 semester credit hours)

ENGL 1010♦ - Composition I (3 hrs.)
FIRE 1310 - Principles of Emergency Services (3 hrs.)
FIRE 1330 - Fire Prevention (3 hrs.)
FIRE 2330 - Fire Behavior and Combustion (3 hrs.)
1 Fire Science Common Course Library Elective (3 hrs.)

Spring Term (15-16 semester credit hours)

FIRE 1320 - Principles of Fire and Emergency Services Safety and Survival (3 hrs.)
FIRE 2310 - Fire Protection Systems (3 hrs.)
FIRE 2320 - Building Construction for Fire Protection (3 hrs.)
1 Fire Science Common Course Library Elective (3 hrs.)

1 Mathematics/Natural Science w/lab Elective (Select from Walters State approved general education list)¹ (3/4 hrs.)

Second Year

Fall Term (15 semester credit hours)

SPCH 1010♦ - Fundamentals of Speech Communication (3 hrs.)
1 Behavioral/Social Science Elective (3 hrs.) (Select from Walters State approved general education list)¹

1 Humanities Elective (3 hrs.) (Select from Walters State approved general education list)¹

2 Fire Science Common Course Library Elective (6 hrs.)

Spring Term (15 semester credit hours)

FIRE 2315 - Introduction to Homeland Security and Disaster Management (3 hrs.)
FIRE 2390 - Emergency Services Capstone Project (3 hrs.)
Fire Science Common Course Library Electives (9 hrs.)

Program Degree Requirements - A.A.S. Fire Science

General Education Requirements* (15-16 hours)

Communication

Humanities and / or Fine Arts

Approved Humanities General Education elective¹3 credits

Behavioral/Social Sciences

Approved Behavioral/Social Science General Education elective¹3 credits

Mathematics or Natural Science with Lab Elective

Approved Mathematics General Education elective¹3 credits

Approved Natural Science General Education elective¹ 4 credits

*Courses must be chosen from the approved list of common General Education Program Core courses.

Concentrations (44 hours)

Major Field (Core Curriculum - 18 Hours)

Fire Science Common Course Library (26-27 hours)

Total Credit Hours 60

Recognition

Walters State Community College’s Fire Science program is Fire and Emergency Services Higher Education (FESHE) recognized through the U.S. Fire Administration’s National Fire Academy (NFA).

http://www.usfa.fema.gov./training/prodev/feshe_recognition.html

The Fire and Emergency Services Higher Education (FESHE) Recognition certificate is an acknowledgment that a collegiate emergency services degree program meets the minimum standards of excellence established by FESHE professional development committees and the National Fire Academy (NFA).