Mar 08, 2026  
2025-2026 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2025-2026 Undergraduate Catalog

Bachelor of Fire Science Management


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The Bachelor of Fire Science Management is a broad-based program primarily designed to offer a multi-faceted education in fire science within a stipulated time-frame of one year, on a modular system.

This advanced program of study is offered to adults who have completed 30 hours of core courses. Candidates seeking admission to the program are generally expected to be age 23 or above. This program is geared to establish and enhance the learning horizons of current and future fire science professionals by offering a blend of the various courses considered vital for a career in law enforcement, private security, corrections, and courts.

An objective of the Adult FSM program is for it to distinguish itself in many ways: from the quality of its students, the teaching of its faculty, and the leadership/ accomplishments of its prospective alumni. It is our firm determination to maintain a leading role in the education of fire science professionals by offering them foundational education opportunities throughout the various stages of their careers. We strive to maintain high Christian standards that will enable us to earn leadership status in fire science education because of our professional faculty, innovative courses, and focus on Christian perspectives.

In order to show the expansive requirements and opportunities of the fire science system, we will address the historical and current forces affecting administrative and judicial decisions. Often, our program participants currently working in the fire science field become a source of vital information for the faculty and fellow students. Classes are structured to combine theory with historical and future application, thus allowing students the opportunity to develop the skills needed to operate within the fire science system. In general, small class sizes are maintained to ensure that each participant receives individual attention.

One of our longtime goals has been the development of an efficient and effective program for our students. The Adult FSM program is designed to provide a challenging and rewarding academic program to students within a limited time frame.

Delivery Method for FSM

The Bachelor of Fire Science is offered in a one-year format that consists of 48 upper-level credit hours. Our online program provides the opportunity for program participants to complete all eighteen courses in a fully online format. These courses are offered three classes per 8-week module. While fully online courses may be more challenging, this presents a great opportunity for program participants with family and career responsibilities to complete work anywhere, anytime, as long as they have a good Internet connection and a computer.

This program is offered on Faulkner’s LMS platform for online education; therefore, a mandatory online orientation and training session is completed prior to the beginning of the first module. The training session covers detailed program information and a demonstration of online access and navigation of the LMS platform that is paramount to successful completion of the program. Our online programs focus on content delivery and experiential learning in the form of case studies, research projects, and critical thinking exercises unique to each topic.

FSM Program Highlights

In addition to facilitating professional foundations and development in a multitude of ways, the FSM program, being totally structured in modules within the semester, has the following advantages:

  1. You will receive credit for prior undergraduate work at accredited institutions. (Core Courses)
  2. You have the opportunity to complete your degree within one year (52 weeks/3 semesters/6 modules).
  3. Each semester is comprised of two eight-week modules.
  4. Each module has three courses, which are three semester credit hours each.
  5. You have the ability to enter the program several times during the year.

FSM Program Objectives

The FSM curriculum is designed to provide the working adult, who has completed at least 30 semester hours of core curriculum, the opportunity to complete their Bachelor of Fire Science degree in twelve months. By taking classes fully online, the adult student may complete two years of coursework in just twelve months. Students can begin the program at the beginning of any of the modules.

  1. Demonstrate the role of fire science personnel in leading, managing, and collaborating with other first responders in the community.
  2. Apply basic theory methods to concerns in fire science.
  3. Examine methods and strategies to promote community safety and management for fire services.
  4. Promote the development of interpersonal relationships and an understanding of legal/social/cultural factors, along with effective oral and written communications.
  5. Encourage integration of the biblical doctrines of Christian perspectives within the value systems of fire science to provide fair and equal service to all citizens.
  6. Research and analyze historical events and legal decisions to aid in ethical and effective decision-making, as well as valid operational policies and procedures.

Admission to FSM

Admission to the FSM Program is accomplished through Executive and Professional Enrollment. Transcripts and applications will be reviewed and approved by the Executive and Professional Enrollment staff. Registration for all courses in the program will be accomplished through the Executive and Professional Enrollment Offices.

Applicants must meet the following requirements to qualify for admission:

  1. Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 on all previous college work or a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 on at least 12 semester hours at Faulkner.
  2. Completion of all entrance competencies.
  3. Preferred minimum age of 23.

A student must maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0 in order to be awarded the FSM degree.

For more information on our FSM Program, please contact:

Jim St. John, Director
FSM Program
jstjohn@faulkner.edu
334-386-7132

Core Curriculum 66 hours


Cultural Heritage Literacy 3 hours


Political Science, Economics, Psychology, Criminal Justice, Sociology, Anthropology, Geography, Western Tradition I, Western Tradition II, American Heritage, or another Social Science course.

Mathematical and Scientific Literacy 9 hours


Personal and Social Literacy 12 hour


  • No fewer than 4 3-hour personal and social literacy courses

Communication and Information Literacy 12 hour


Professional Literacy 54 hours


Total Hours: 120


Students who transfer in core curriculum requirements for the FSM program can substitute 12 hours in general education courses for this requirement. Students with APOST hours can transfer in up to 28 hours upon approval by the FSM director. Students who take courses at Faulkner University to satisfy the core curriculum requirements for the FSM program must take a Bible course within every 15 hours to satisfy the University’s Christian Literacy requirement

36 semester hours of upper-level courses are required for graduation. The FSM curriculum as listed above is subject to change. Transfer credit may be accepted for substitution of FSM Courses at the discretion of the Director of the FSM Program.

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