Fire Safety

The Fire Safety concentration at UNC Charlotte leads to a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering Technology. The program has an emphasis on both technical and non-technical aspects in the fields of fire and safety. The program is directed toward those seeking positions within the fire service as well as those preparing for work in fire protection related occupations. The curriculum is designed to prepare students for increasingly responsible roles in leadership and management. In addition, the program provides comprehensive classes dealing with fire behavior, active and passive protection systems as well as the foundational principles of research investigation.

Graduation Requirements (based on the 2019-2020 Catalog)

Fire Safety Academic Plan (4-Year Plan of Study and 2+2 Transfer Plan)

Students in Fire Safety Engineering Technology must complete a total of 120 credits for their bachelor degree which includes 24 credits in General Education (Writing, Social Science, Liberal Arts), 19 credits of Mathematics/Science (Algebra, Precalculus, Statistics, Chemistry or Physics), 77 credits in fire safety and engineering technology department courses (Major).

Core Courses:

  • ETFS 1220 Intro to Fire Protection & Prevention
  • ETFS 1252 Fire Protection and Safety Law
  • ETFS 1244 Water Based Fire Suppression
  • ETFS 2132 Building Construction for Fire Protection
  • ETFS 2126 Fire Investigation and Forensics
  • ETFS 2264 Intro to Fire Behavior
  • ETFS 3113 Fire Safety in the Built Environment
  • ETFS 3103 Fire Dynamics and Lab (3103L)
  • ETFS 4123 Community Threat Assessment & Mitigation
  • ETFS 3144 Active Fire Protection
  • ETFS 4323 Advanced Fire Service Administration
  • ETFS 4272 Capstone

This distance education “+ 2” option means students transfer to UNC Charlotte having completed an associate’s degree in Fire Protection/Fire Science or similar degree. Courses are delivered online as an individual access distance education program.

Transfer students complete 61 hours (if admitted with no deficiencies) to fulfill the requirement for the bachelors of science degree. The 61 hours includes 49 hours of major courses and 12 hours of general education and/or major electives. Students who have already completed a degree in another discipline may enter the program; however, they must complete the following courses before taking any upper division fire courses. ETFS 1120, ETFS 2124, ETFS 2132, ETFS 1232, ETFS 2264 + lab.