Fire Science Degree

The fire science program at Germanna Community College prepares students for careers as firefighters, fire inspectors, fire investigators, first line supervisors, or managers of firefighters. The program focuses on the duties of firefighters. Program courses include: firefighting equipment operation and maintenance, principles of fire science and combustible substances, methods of controlling different types of fires, hazardous material handling and control, fire rescue procedures, public relations, and laws and regulations. Get more details below including other Virginia colleges that offer fire science degrees.

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Germanna Community College (Mason)

4400 University Dr, Fairfax, VA

Germanna Community College, located in Locust Grove, was founded in 1970. In addition to the Locust Grove Campus, the school maintains locations in Fredericksburg, Stafford, and Culpeper. The school is a member of the Virginia Community College System, which operates 23 community colleges throughout the state.

GCC is named after a settlement that used to house German Miners near the Rapidian River at what is now called Germanna Ford. The school is a public two year institution that is dedicated to providing educational opportunities for residents of its service area, which includes the counties of Spotsylvania, Caroline, King George, Culpeper, Orange, Madison, and Stafford.

Academics

Germanna Community College has an enrollment of nearly 10,000 annually, and provides a large number of programs aimed at assisting them pursue academic transfer opportunities or careers through training programs. Students seeking academic transfer will complete a curriculum that mirrors the first two years of a four year education and upon completion will apply to colleges and universities.

If accepted, the student will complete the final two years and earn a bachelor's degree at their new college or university. Students applying to public state schools in Virginia will find agreements in place that ease transfer requirements if certain criteria are met. Private and out of state schools will have varying admissions requirements, and as such it is recommended students seek the aid of a counselor if they wish to transfer.

Career training programs assist individuals in pursuing long term employment through education and skill development in one of the many high demand fields available for study. Programs are taught by experienced and qualified faculty, many of whom have real world experience and supervise practical courses that give students the opportunity to train in simulated real world conditions while ensuring student safety.

Academic programs take between one and two years to complete and result in a degree or certificate that demonstrates competency and encourages employer confidence.
Programs offered include:

• Accounting
• Computer Support
• Engineering
• Paralegal
• Liberal Arts

Admissions and Financial Aid

Any individual interested in attending Germanna Community College may do so if they are a high school graduate or 18 years of age or older as per the school's open enrollment policy. Individuals must submit an application and pay all associated fees, as well as supply transcripts and test scores if available.

Select students may be required to take a placement exam prior to registration. Students are encouraged to participate in new student orientation and to meet with a counselor to discuss program enrollment.

Financial aid is available in the form of loans, grants and scholarships. Students in need of financial assistance must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Data from the FAFSA will be utilized by GCC to determine need and financial aid eligibility.  Aid must be applied for prior to each academic year and it is recommended that the application be completed in a timely fashion.

Students Enrolled in the Fire Science Program

Get more details below regarding enrollment, academics, and school demographics. Germanna Community College has offered the following academic levels for students:

• Less Than Two-Year Award
• Associate's Degree

Students by Academic Level (2019)

Students by Gender (2019)

Students by Race (2019)

Source: IPEDS Survey 2012-2020: Data obtained from the US Dept. of Education's Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). Data may vary depending on school and academic year.

Career Options for Graduates

Municipal Fire Fighting and Prevention Supervisors

Description

Supervise fire fighters who control and extinguish municipal fires, protect life and property, and conduct rescue efforts.

Municipal Firefighters

Description

Control and extinguish municipal fires, protect life and property and conduct rescue efforts.

Career Outlook & Projections ()

According to the BLS, municipal firefighters employment is expected to grow at a rate of 5.3% from 2014 to 2024

Salary & Wages

• Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV Metropolitan Division
  • Total Employment: 4
  • Average Hourly Rate: $27.92
  • Average Annual Salary: $58080

Fire Inspectors

Description

Inspect buildings and equipment to detect fire hazards and enforce state and local regulations.

Career Outlook & Projections ()

According to the BLS, fire inspectors employment is expected to grow at a rate of 5.5% from 2014 to 2024

Salary & Wages

• Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV Metropolitan Division
  • Total Employment: 200
  • Average Hourly Rate: $31.36
  • Average Annual Salary: $65220

Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists

Description

Enforce fire regulations, inspect forest for fire hazards and recommend forest fire prevention or control measures. May report forest fires and weather conditions.

Career Outlook & Projections ()

According to the BLS, forest fire inspectors and prevention specialists employment is expected to grow at a rate of 13.1% from 2014 to 2024

Source: Job descriptions, estimated salary and wages, and projected job growth are taken from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).