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Furthering my Education
Short and straight to the point; obviously a bachelors degree is better than associates degree, but is it really worth it to get a bachelor of Fire and Safety Engineering Technology- Fire Administration as opposed to an associates of fire science? How many officers out there have a degree relating to the fire industry? And in general, how many of you (firefighter/emt/paramedic) have a degree in any field? I could easily get my associates in about a year and already be ahead of the game for promotions; but in the long run a bachelors would look better, though would take a little over 2yrs [all of these are through online colleges which is why a 2yr and a 4yr degree can be earned so quickly]
I've always been told the more you know the more valuable of an asset you are. My grandfather always told me you can never stop learning and bettering yourself. So what do you guys think? And is it possible to get an associates degree, and then later on work on a bachelors (applying those previously earned college hours towards the bachelors, or do you have to start all over since you’re working on a new degree?)
-Jon Thanks for you responses and stay safe!
I've always been told the more you know the more valuable of an asset you are. My grandfather always told me you can never stop learning and bettering yourself. So what do you guys think? And is it possible to get an associates degree, and then later on work on a bachelors (applying those previously earned college hours towards the bachelors, or do you have to start all over since you’re working on a new degree?)
-Jon Thanks for you responses and stay safe!
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Ben Waller on
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Jon,
Start with the associate's degree, especially if it's from an institution that is a) accredited and b) has an articulation agreement with the National Fire Academy Degrees at a Distance program. Once you get the associates, you should be able to get credit for the first two years of a bachelor's degree in Fire Administration from one of the colleges/universities that participates in the Degrees at a Distance program. It works as a 2+2 program as long as the junior college is reputable.
Here's the DaaD link: http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/nfa/higher_ed/feshe/feshe_ddp.shtm
My associate's degree major was Paramedic/Allied Health, and the DaaD program took every semester hour on a 1-for-1 basis with their lower division fire science credit.
In my department, every chief officer has at least an associate's degree, as do many of the company officers.
Many career departments are now requiring the National Fire Academy's Executive Fire Officer designation as a prerequiste for chief of department rank. Entry into that program currently requires an associate's degree, and that will soon be increased to a bachelor's degree just to get in.
It is never too early in your career to get the educational start that will help put you in a leadership position later on.
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Permalink Reply by Jonathan on
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THANKS BEN!
This is exactly the info I needed. I wasn't sure if the associates could count towards the bachelors or not, and I didn't know about USFA site's info either. I'm going to do just that, find an accredited online college to get my assoc. and work on the bach later on. Thanks again and stay safe!
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Permalink Reply by DUST on
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I'd recommend looking at the credentials of some other officers and leaders in the fire service a lot of them have 4 yr. and advanced degrees but they are not necessarily in fire science. Consider general management, administration, and other general type degrees as well so that your more marketable.
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Permalink Reply by Jeff Betz on
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these previous gentlemen are right. Get all the education that you can. I didn't get a couple of assignments due in part to no degree, but I have now gotten those positions, just later as a result. I have taken a Fire Staff & Command class for upper level fire officers at a D1 college, and am also working on finishing my BS in Public Safety Services at another local college. Bottom line, go get it!
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Jeff,
Good for you, and good luck!
Ben
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Permalink Reply by Capkurt on
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I agree with all of the posters. I got my AAS after I initially tried college. Then after a few years (10 or so) I went back and got my Bachelors through Cincinnati. It was a lot harder doing it that way than by going for it right after high school but I actually appreciated it more. I'm the only officer with my B.S. A couple have AAS.
Employers also like the fact you have a degree, either the AAS or BS when you apply.
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