Higher Education

and

Degree Programs

The University of Illinois Fire Service Institute supports your goal in achieving a degree in fire science. Although we do not offer a formal degree program, the American Council for Education (ACE) has approved many IFSI classes for college credit. IFSI is a member of the National Fire Academy Fire Service Higher Education Professional Development initiative. To help you meet your higher education goals we are providing information to guide you so you can apply your IFSI courses towards three different types of Bachelor Degree Programs. These programs provide you with different instructional delivery methods to meet your busy schedule or preferred learning style. You can choose the traditional classroom delivery system, independent study delivery or distance learning online instruction.

The following pages provide information on IFSI courses that have been approved for college credit, Community Colleges that offer Fire Science Degree programs and information on the three different Bachelors Degree programs. We hope this will help you when selecting IFSI courses so you can meet both your training and higher education needs.

Can I use my IFSI courses for college credit?

The American Council on Education (ACE) has reviewed IFSI courses for college credits. Descriptions and the amount of credits recommended by ACE are listed in their national Guide to Education Credit for Training Programs.

A student, who has already taken, or plans to take, an Institute course and desires to apply the recommended credits towards a college curriculum, should check with the college he or she plans to attend to determine both the amount of credit and the subject areas in which the college will grant credit. Each institution and, in many cases each academic unit and department within each institution, sets its own policies for granting credit. The college is not required to grant a student as much credit as recommended by ACE.

The Illinois Fire Service Institute is not capable of issuing transcripts as is often required by colleges and universities. It is the responsibility of the student to acquire the information for the college or university to issue ACE credit. IFSI issues certificates for training only.

To see a list of IFSI ACE credit courses click the link below.

IFSI ACE accredited courses:

How do I get my Associates Degree?

Twenty-one Community Colleges within the State of Illinois offer Fire science degrees. You may obtain a degree in a different area to enter any of the degree programs, although in many cases firefighters are better suited and in a better position to pursue their fire science degree due to the fact that they have completed many hours of study that will perhaps apply to college credit.

Illinois educational institutions award different types of degrees for their Fire Science Programs. They may be, Associates of Science, Associates of Applied Science, and Associates of Arts. Each of these degrees requires various general education requirements. It is important to compare the general education requirements of the degree program to ensure you meet the general education course requirements. It is advisable that you meet a college advisor or fire science coordinator to develop a plan to ensure that you take courses that will transfer and apply to your specific degree.

Illinois Community Colleges with Fire Science Associates Degree Programs

Why do I need general education courses?
Common collective knowledge about the world enables us to communicate, to make informed decisions about many aspects of our lives, to understand and to participate fully as informed citizens in local, national and global matters.
By attaining competency in composition, the humanities, physical and biological sciences, mathematics and social and behavioral sciences, we can better understand ourselves, our neighbors, other cultures and times, and the principles governing the natural world and the universe. In general education courses, students gain fresh perspectives, methods and tools for understanding the traditional and the newly discovered.General education requirements may differ between Illinois Community Colleges or Universities.

Southern Illinois University Fire Service Management Program

The Bachelor of Science in Fire Service Management is an ideal program of study for fire service professionals who have a prior, fire service-related AAS or its equivalent or who have extensive work experience in the fire service industry. Successful graduates are prepared for career enhancing opportunities that include fire service related management and supervisory positions, the insurance industry, the fire equipment manufacturing industry and other related fields.

Printable SIU Degree Brochure

SIU Course Information

Follow this link for more comprehensive information on the SIU Fire Service Management Degree Program.

Southern Illinois University Degree Program

Western Illinois University Degrees at a Distance Program for the Fire Service

Western Illinois University is one of seven institutions nationwide participating in the Degrees at a Distance Program (DDP), a higher education project of the National Fire Academy (NFA). The program provides access to higher education for all fire service personnel and allows them to earn a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university without losing time on the job.

Western Illinois University offers DDP courses to firefighters within our designated region of: Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas. This program provides opportunities to complete a degree or to pursue personal and professional growth.

Four or five of the thirteen DDP courses are offered each semester. A WIU faculty member is responsible for consulting with the student, reviewing written assignments, evaluating examinations and assigning grades.

WIU Course Information

Follow this link for more comprehensive information on the WIU Fire Service Degrees at a Distance Program.

Western Illinois Degree Program

University of Florida Fire and Emergency Services Online Degree Program

University of Illinois Fire Service Institute in partnership with the University of Florida has entered into an agreement to offer a Bachelors Degree Online to the firefighters in Illinois. Your Illinois Fire Science Associates Degree can be transferred to the UF Program allowing you to enter the UF Bachelors degree program with junior standing. It is hoped this will assist you to achieve your higher education goals

What is the University of Florida Fire and Emergency Services B.S. Program?

The University of Florida’s acclaimed bachelor’s degree in Fire and Emergency Services will prepare you to be a leader who can manage all aspects of the modern fire, EMS and emergency preparedness agencies. The degree is delivered conveniently via the Internet. The coursework is unique in that it focuses on various aspects of emergency services individually and as a system to protect the public.

Follow this link for more comprehensive information on the UF Fire and Emergency Services Degrees Program.

University of Florida / Fire and Emergency Services Degree.

How do I get started?

Depending where you’re at with your education, there are several ways that you can move forward to complete your degree.

Follow this link for information on getting started.

 

For further information contact:

Rich Valenta
Computer Based Training Coordinator
847-226-6106