Fire & Safety Engineering Technology

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How long does it take to earn my Bachelor’s in Fire and Safety Engineering Technology?

How long it takes is contingent upon how many credits the student is transferring in and the pace they would like to pursue the curriculum (full-time or part-time). For instance, if you do not have any college credit, it would take you four years. If you have two years of transferable credit, it would take you approximately an additional two years. The degree is composed of 128 credit hours, which consist of 39 General Education credits, 67 program specific credits, 14 supporting credits, and 8 elective credits.

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What are the admissions requirements and qualifications?

It is imperative that you work closely with your Enrollment Advisor in the admissions process to ensure efficiency and that EKU has received all the necessary documents for your application to be complete.

For both the certificate and bachelors degree, you will need to submit the following for your application to be considered complete:

-A $30 application fee.
-Transcripts from all previous colleges attended. Note: Transcripts need to be sent directly from the college to our off-site admissions address.
-ACT/SAT scores (if applicable).
-High School transcripts or GED (only applicable for those you have never taken any college level courses).

Bachelor’s degree qualifications:

A minimum of 24 hours of college level credit from a regionally accredited institution (with a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA) with college level math, English, and science courses.
Or
A minimum score of an 18 on the ACT or an 870 on the SAT.

For those who do not qualify for the bachelor’s degree, they can start classified as a certificate seeking student with the intention of pursuing your bachelor’s degree if they meet the following requirements:

Certificate qualifications:

24 hours of any college level credit from a regionally accredited institution with a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA.
Or
A minimum score of an 18 on the ACT or an 870 on the SAT

~High school transcripts and SAT/ACT scores do not have to be official copies. They can be duplicates faxed or mailed.

*If you have not completed 24 college credit hours and have not taken either the SAT nor ACT test, then you are not eligible to start in either program.

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Why is regional accreditation important?

Regional accreditation is the highest level of accreditation in the United States. Many institutions with online programs have lower levels such as, national accreditation. The reason why schools are not regionally accredited is because they are not able or willing to meet the rigorous standards of regional accreditation. You should be aware that majority of educational institutions holding regional accreditation do not recognize credits or degrees earned at institutions that are at a lower level. This is important to understand if you plan on transferring from one college or university to another part way through a degree program, or if you plan to pursue additional degrees at different colleges or universities. Starting in the Fall of 2009 you will need a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college in order to qualify for the National Fire Academy’s Executive Fire Officer EFO program.

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I have never done online learning before, what should I look for in a program?

We recommend you search for a program that has regional accreditation, dedicated full-time faculty, high student satisfaction, and no travel requirements. EKU’s distance learning programs are designed for the interactive learner and are not correspondence based. We offer the benefit of incorporating traditional education such as instructor-led structured curriculum with video lectures and discussion boards with the convenience of the most up-to-date online technologies.

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Do I earn the same degree as on-campus students?

Yes! Eastern Kentucky University awards the same accredited degree regardless of the program delivery method. You will receive the exact same degree as our traditional campus-based students.

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I am not computer savvy; can I do this?

Yes. We understand that some students are novices when it comes to computers; therefore, EKU provides technical support for all of their students. In addition to assistance from your program manager, the University provides technical support online as well as by telephone. Online support can be accessed anytime of the day. You can speak with a computer technology professional about computer issues, including Blackboard, 7 days a week.

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I have an extremely busy work and family life and cannot attend classes each week. Is this program for me?

Yes. You can complete your studies at your convenience in the comfort of your own home or in your down time at work. You NEVER have to be logged in at a specific time to participate in anything. There are no campus required visits but students are always invited to EKU if they ever want to come to Kentucky. The courses are a time commitment but the flexibility allows you to structure your schedule to dedicate the necessary time to earn your bachelors degree.

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How much does the program cost?

Each course is $350 per a credit hour and this is the same rate for both in and out-of-state students. Your only additional fees include a $30 application fee and the costs of books and manuals.
If you need additional general education courses you have the option of taking them online through EKU at $296 per a credit hour or at any regionally accredited college and transferring them into EKU.

*Tuition rates are based on the current tuition schedule. Tuition and fees are subject to change.

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What options are available to help me pay for the program?

There are multiple ways that people pay for their education. Many students receive tuition assistance or reimbursement through their department or employer. Also, the majority of students take out government funded financial aid through FAFSA. EKU does not offer scholarships or grants but students can explore those opportunities individually. If you would like to discuss some of the above options, please do not hesitate to call an Enrollment Advisor at 1-866-277-9878.

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I have read everything on the Website. What if I have more questions or need additional qualifications?

An Enrollment Advisor is available to answer all of your questions and to offer additional guidance. To have an Enrollment Advisor contact you, click on the Request Information button at the top right this page, or call 1-866-277-9878.

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What are the computer requirements for participation in the program?

To participate in Eastern Kentucky University’s distance learning Bachelor of Fire and Safety Engineering Technology program, you will need a computer system with current specifications. Click here for our current computer requirements.

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How long does it take to earn my Bachelor's in Fire and Safety Engineering Technology?

The degree is composed of 128 credit hours, which consists of 39 Education credits, 67 program specific credits, 14 supporting credits, and 8 elective credits