The bachelor of science in emergency services administration is designed to provide graduates with a solid foundation in homeland security, emergency service, and criminal justice. Graduates can seek employment in hospital administration, emergency response, fire and rescue, federal emergency management, U.S. Department of Defense, fire inspectors and investigators, law enforcement, criminal justice, corrections, probation, parole, fraud investigation, and juvenile justice facilities among others.
This program is also designed to further the career goals of current firefighters, police officers, and emergency medical professionals. Experiential credit may be accepted for relevant work experience.
Courses are available face to face or online to allow students to complete their education without interfering with their professional development. A degree can be earned in two or three years with the option to take classes during summer semesters.
Those interested in the field of emergency medical can receive certifications to become Emergency Medical Responders (EMR), Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT), Advanced Emergency Medical Technicians (AEMT), and Paramedics. Throughout the process of receiving certifications, students can be working to complete various associate degrees and a bachelor’s degree in emergency services administration.
Upon completion of each certification, a student has the opportunity to seek full-time employment or to continue their education. Each certification is stackable meaning they build off one another. Class schedules are also designed to help a student continue their education while still working.
Those interested in pursuing a career as a firefighter can become a structural firefighter through the Firefighter Recruit Candidate Academy, become a wildland firefighter, or both.
Students will engage in approximately 350 hours of fireground training and 300 hours of prerequisite coursework during the semester they are enrolled in the Recruit Candidate Academy (RCA).
Graduates will obtain the four required certifications for entry-level firefighters: Firefighter 1, Firefighter 2, Hazmat Materials Awareness, and Hazmat Materials Operations which are accredited through the Pro-Board and IFSAC. Those who complete the academy will also receive 16 academic credits that can be applied towards an associate or bachelor degree.
The Wildland Firefighting course focuses on the tactical decision in firefighting as well as instructing students on wildland fire behavior and how to anticipate fire behavior. Course work also focuses on the incident command system, engine tactics, fire weather, fire mitigation, structural protection tactics, water sources, aircraft types and capabilities, and incident action plans.