Program: Fire Science Technology, A.S. - Polk State College

Mar 15, 2025

Catalog 2009-2010

Program: AS-25980

The Associate in Science degree in Fire Science Technology is designed to allow fire service or fire protection professionals to enhance their technical competencies and prepare for career advancement. The program emphasizes scientific understanding of fire hazards and their control, effective operating procedures at fires and other emergencies, and preparation of students for leadership and managerial positions.

Note: If a student is not currently a firefighter and would like to become one, he or she must complete a state certified Fire Academy such as the one at Ridge Career Center. The Fire Academy is a separate program from the Associate Degree in Fire Science described below.

Admission Criteria

Students scoring below the required levels on state-mandated placement tests in English, reading, and mathematics are required to enroll in and complete the appropriate college preparatory course(s) before enrolling in some Fire Science Technology program-requirement courses.

General Education Requriements (18 Credits Required)

Communications

ENC 1101 - College Composition I

Mathematics (one course)

Humanities (one course)

Social Sciences (one course)

Natural Sciences (one course)

BSC 1005C - Survey of Biological Science
BSC 1930 - Biological Issues
ESC 1000 - Survey of Earth Science
OCE 2001C - Oceanography
PSC 1121 - Survey of Physical Science
PSC 2515 - Energy and Humanity
CHM 1025C - Introductory Chemistry
Or any approved general education science course

Health (one course)*

HLP 1081 - Wellness Concepts
HSC 1101 - Wellness: Nutrition, Personal Growth, and Fitness
*Students who take a 3-credit science class must take HSC 1101. Students who take a 4-credit science class can choose either HLP 1081 or HSC 1101.

Program Core Requirements (42 Credits Required)

Articulated Credits from Approved Florida Bureau of Fire Standards and Training Certifications (36 Credits Required)

Option I: Fire Officer I and Fire Officer II

Option II: Fire Officer I, Fire Safety Inspector I, and Fire Investigator I

Total Program Hours; 60

Note:

All FFP credits are transcripted during the semester in which the student graduates. The articulated FFP courses can only be used toward the Fire Science degree at the associate’s degree level. However, a Fire Science A.S./A.A.S. degree containing FFP credits can be applied toward PSC’s B.A.S. degree in Supervision and Management.