School of Health, Wellness & Public Safety (HWPS)
Fire Science Associate of Applied Science Degree gives students the educational background needed for employment in a fire service career. It may also help students achieve promotions within a Fire Department after gaining employment.
Students in the Fire Science program will benefit from faculty who bring up-to-date industry experience into the classroom. The curriculum has been validated by several subject matter experts throughout the country and is based on a national model developed by the National Fire Academy (NFA). The curriculum includes Fire Behavior and Combustion, Building Construction for Fire Protection, Fire Protection Hydraulics and Water Supply, Fire Protection Systems, Introduction to Fire Science, Wildland Firefighting, Fire Inspections, Fire Administration, Safety and Survival, Tactics and Strategy and Hazardous Materials. The Fire Science program provides graduates with a sense of community service and what it takes to be successful in the fire service.
See Recommended Sequence of Courses
Educational Option Information
- This educational option is an: Associate of Applied Science Degree
- This educational option can be completed: Full-time or Part-Time
- This educational option is designed for: Immediate employment and for transfer into a baccalaureate program.
- This educational option can be started: Any Term
- Primary course location: Advanced Technology Center, Online, Main Campus, Offsite.
Special Requirements
Physical Requirements
Students must be in good physical and psychological health. Students may be asked to provide documentation of a recent physical examination. Many health programs require the student to be able to safely lift and/or move a minimum of 50 pounds. Reasonable accommodations are made for students with disabilities. However, some disabilities may prohibit students from completing program specific competencies or gaining employment. Students with disabilities that may interfere with completing program competencies are advised to contact the School of Health, Wellness & Public Safety (HWPS) Office for more information.
Felony Conviction
Most of the health programs in HWPS require students undergo the New Mexico Department of Health caregiver’s criminal history screening program. This involves state and federal felony criminal background checks with fingerprints. This must be completed prior to starting the Emergency Medical Technician or EMT portion of the program or prior to beginning their clinical experiences. Students with a disqualifying conviction can appeal some of those convictions through the New Mexico Department of Health. Depending on the program, students may or may not be allowed to remain in the program pending appeal. Students who do not successfully appeal a disqualifying conviction will not be allowed to start or remain in the program. A successful appeal does not guarantee eligibility for licensure after graduation in professions that require licensure.
Licensing
Students completing various Fire Science courses will be allowed to sit for the associated IFSAC or NWCG certification exams. Additionally, upon completion of the EMT portion of the program the student will be allowed to take the National Registry EMT exam.
Additional Supplies
Additional tools, and supplies may be required for individual courses during the program.
Approximate Costs of this Educational Option
Financial Aid Considerations
Educational Opportunities
Many of the courses in this degree are transferable and some may be applied to four-year degree programs. CNM currently has transfer agreements with many colleges and universities in New Mexico and elsewhere.
Career Opportunities
The Bureau of Labor and Statistics reports that in 2019 there were 335,500 firefighter jobs in the United States. Additionally, the Bureau of Labor and Statistics projects a 6% growth in the employment of firefighters from 2019-2029.
Firefighters are traditionally employed by the local, state, federal governments.
Gainful Employment information is available from Job Connection Services.
Ten Year Rule for CTE Courses
Career and technical education courses in this program will qualify for credit for a period of ten academic years. Due to changing technologies, trends, and professional demands, courses completed ten or more years in the past will satisfy program requirements only if they are approved by the instructional school in which they were offered. Cohorted programs may have additional restrictions.