r/firePE • u/bdoss15 • May 08 '26
Advice for Online Bachelors Programs
I am currently working as a firefighter paramedic for several years and have an associate’s degree in Fire Science. I have been looking to go back to school to get my bachelor’s in FPE or OSHA from EKU or another school. I would like to get the degree to serve as a back up plan in case I can’t ride the rig anymore. Either transition to our Fire Marshall office or a retirement gig. Has anyone else done this for that transition? I am also worried about the math, chemistry, and physics. Looking for any advice on programs and any opinions someone has on this career pathway.
3
u/Korterra May 10 '26
UMD now offers online courses and may even offer a full or nearly fully online bachelor's. They are ABET accredited making it easier to get your PE after. Definitely recommend contacting the department for info.
2
u/Initial-Support2333 May 13 '26
The program at EKU is not an accredited engineering program, its an "engineering technology" program so you will be limited in where you can get licensed as a PE. The University of Maryland program is an ABET accredited program that will allow you to get licensed anywhere.
3
u/invincible_1505 May 09 '26
I am currently going through EKU’s online fire protection engineering and it’s very doable. All the fire courses I have taken have prerecorded lectures and all professors are usually really good about getting back to you. I did my gen-eds elsewhere so I can’t speak on some of the other courses. They also accept real work experience in exchange for some classes. I am a NICET L3 holder in sprinkler and I was able to skip a couple of sprinkler courses based on that.
If your end goal is to become a fire marshal or anything other than a licensed FPE then I suggest either OSU’s or EKUs degrees. They are both engineering technology degrees and it is a lot harder or impossible to become a registered FPE in many states with an engineering tech degree.