Oct 12, 2024  
2023-2024 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2023-2024 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Fire Science, A.A.S.


Degree: Associate of Applied Science
Major: Fire Science

For more information, contact the Health Sciences division at 615-230-3330.

The College offers an Associate of Applied Science degree as a career ladder for persons who have successfully completed the Technical Certificate in Fire Science Technology. For more information refer to the Health Sciences Associate of Applied Science Degrees  section in the catalog.

The Fire Science Technical Certificate and the Emergency Medical Technician Technical Certificate are embedded within the Associate of Applied Science in Fire Science.  Courses in these certificates may be used to award this degree.

All students graduating with a degree from VSCC are required to take the E-Proficiency Profile (EPP) to meet graduation requirements. More information can be found at https://www.volstate.edu/graduation/exit-exams.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, the graduate will have developed the skills, knowledge and abilities to accomplish the following:

  1. Understand the scope, purpose and structure of the various fire and emergency services.

  2. Define and describe the need for cultural and behavioral change within the emergency services.

  3. Understand the broad concepts of fire prevention.

  4. Recognize active fire protection systems and components, their operational characteristics, installation, inspection, testing, and maintenance requirements.

  5. Describe building construction as it relates to firefighter safety, to building codes, to fire prevention efforts, to codes inspections, to firefighting strategies, and to firefighting tactics.

  6. Demonstrate a basic understanding of the relationship of materials and their relationship to fire. 

CIP Code: (27) 43.0203.00

General Education Requirements - Credits (15-16)


Major Core Course Requirements - Credits (45)


Total Degree Requirements - Credits (60-61)


Recommended Schedule


This is a recommended schedule. Learning Support, pre-requisites and other academic factors may impact this schedule.  See your advisor to create a degree plan.

Degree Works, along with the correct catalog, should be utilized by students for all of their educational planning.  Students can monitor their progress toward a degree or certificate and view missing requirements with the Degree Works audit, which is accessible through My Volstate.

First Year - Fall Semester - Credits (15)


First Year - Spring Semester - Credits (15)


Second Year - Fall Semester - Credits (15-16)


  • Mathematics  (See General Education Requirements in Catalog) Credits: (3-4)
  • OR Natural Sciences  (See General Education Requirements in Catalog) Credits: (3-4)

  • Credits: (3)
  • Fire Science Elective (Choose from list above) Credits: (3)
  • Fire Science Elective (Choose from list above) Credits: (3)
  • Fire Science Elective (Choose from list above) Credits: (3)

Second Year - Spring Semester - Credits (15)