Schools increase online master's degrees for fire fighters

Schools increase online master's degrees for fire fighters

Degree seekers who would like to advance their fire fighting careers will find that employers in this industry prefer to hire individuals who have attended a postsecondary institution at an increasing rate, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Students may discover that some schools are adding online master's programs in this field.

One example is Kaplan University, which recently announced it will launch several new curricula including an online degree for a master of science in fire and emergency services (MSFES). Geri H. Malandra, the school's provost, said that by offering the courses on the Internet, it will provide students with "a flexible yet rigorous environment where they can achieve their educational and career goals."

Enrollees in the MSFES program will study issues that pertain to emergency response organizations as well as how they can strategically execute operations in this field. Upon completion of this degree, individuals will be prepared for leadership roles, such as a fire or battalion chief, and other management positions.

Similar online degrees may also benefit individuals who are seeking career advancement. The BLS reports that more than 62,000 new positions will be created for professionals in this field over the next decade.

By Stephanie Hughes