Online Bachelor of Science in Wildfire Science

Program Details

• ADMISSION

  How to Apply

  Admission Requirements

  This program is designed as a transfer program. It is preferred that you meet the Lower-Division General Education requirements prior to enrolling in this program. Please note that these are required for graduation from CSUSM.

  • Minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA in all transferable units attempted
    • 2.5 GPA for students who have already completed a bachelors
  • Successful completion of a minimum of 60 transferable units
  • Successful completion of the following courses with a C- or better (12 units)
    • Oral Communication (A1)
    • Written Communication (A2)
    • Critical Thinking (A3)
    • Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning (B4)

  Lower-Division General Education Requirements

  • Successful completion of all the following CSUSM lower-division requirements:
    
    • Physical Science (B1)
    • Life Science (B2)
    • Laboratory (B3)
    • Arts (C1)
    • Humanities (C2)
    • Arts and/or Humanities (C3)
    • Interdisciplinary Social Sciences (D7)
    • Discipline-specific or Second Interdisciplinary Social Sciences (D)
    • Lifelong Learning and Information Literacy (E)
  • Successful completion of the U.S. History, Constitution and American Ideals requirement
  • Must be in good standing at the last college or university attended

  Please note: To be considered for admission you must reside in an approved state.

  View Catalog Page

• COSTS

  Semester	Units*	Subtotal**
  Fall Semester 1	12	$5,700
  Spring Semester 1	12	$5,700
  Summer Semester 1	12	$5,700
  Fall Semester 2	12	$5,700
  Spring Semester 2	12	$5,700
  Total	60	$28,500

  *Unit rate for this program is $475 (discounts available for active duty military, view details)

  **University semester fees not included. View complete breakdown of Extended Learning fees. Semester tuition subtotals based on sample program sequence. All quoted tuition rates are based on previous academic years and are subject to change without notice.

  Funding and Financial Aid

  • This program is eligible for financial aid
  • Visit the Extended Learning funding page or call 760-750-4850 to learn more about your funding options
  • Federal VA educational benefits can be used for this program (not eligible for Cal Vet fee waiver)
  • Cal Grant can be used for this program
  • Active duty military, veterans and dependents should visit the military services page or call 760-750-8705

   

  Edison Wildfire Science Scholarship 

  Southern California Edison is offering scholarships for select students in their service area who apply by Feb. 1, 2023. Visit the FAQ section on this page for details. 

• COURSE SEQUENCE

  View course descriptions and specific program requirements on the Wildfire Science Catalog Page.

  Please note: This program has a set schedule of courses that you are expected to follow as part of your cohort.

   

  Sample Schedule for Fall Start

  Semester	Course (units)
  Fall Semester 1	FIRE 101 (3) - Wildland Urban Interface  FIRE 105 (3) - Fire Science  FIRE 210 (3) - Emerging Technologies and Topics BIOL 216 (3) - Biostatistics for Wildfire Science
  Spring Semester 1	BIOL 391 (3) - Fire Ecology BIOL 392 (3) - Natural Resource Management FIRE 352 (3) - Emergency Management, Operations and Administration UDGE-DD - TBD (3) - Upper Division GE
  Summer Semester 1	BIOL 338 or BIOL 339 (UDGE-BB) (3) - Human Impact on the Environment or Conservation Biology CHEM 311 (3) - Chemicals and the Environment PHIL 340 (UDGE-CC) (3) - Ethics and the Environment FIRE 351 (3) - Wildfire Law and Economics
  Fall Semester 2	FIRE 353 (3) - Firefighter Health and Safety FIRE 355 (3) - Land Use Planning and Community Resiliency FIRE 354 (3) - Firefighter Stress, Behavioral, and Mental Health FIRE 402 (3) - Fire Behavior, Fuels, and Resource Management
  Spring Semester 2	FIRE 489 (3) - Research Methods and Design  KINE 306 (3) - Exercise Fitness and Health FIRE 499 (3) - Senior Experience in Wildfire Science FIRE 399 (3) - Special Topics in Wildfire Science

  Schedules are subject to change.

  Non-Cohort Course Options

  If you are not a member of the Wildfire Science cohort, but wish to enroll in select Wildfire Science courses, you can register for the courses listed below. Additional sections of classes may be offered based on student demand. Course offerings will vary each semester depending on space availability.

  This option is for:

  • Students matriculated into the university but not part of the Wildfire Science cohort
  • Students who are not matriculated into the university and are not able to participate in the Wildfire Science cohort

  Summer 2023 Non-Cohort Courses	Block	Registration
  PHIL 340	1st Block	PHIL 340 Registration
  BIOL 339	1st block	BIOL 339 Registration

• FAQ

  Who is eligible for the Edison Wildfire Science Scholarship?

  The Edison Wildfire Science Scholars program will support 6-10 students to achieve a part-time or full-time course load toward their bachelor’s degree in wildfire science. Students must be enrolled in the BS in Wildfire Science and the Urban Interface and live within Southern California Edison’s service area.

  Given the details of the award and the campus process for reviewing and selecting students to receive scholarships, the money will be available for students who will be taking classes during the Fall 2023 semester. To apply, you need to fill out the general CSUSM scholarship application between Oct. 1, 2022, and Feb. 1, 2023. Early application submission ensures you can collect all of the needed materials in time and access support available to CSUSM scholarship applicants.

  Even if you do not live in Southern California Edison’s service area (view their major cities served – see page two or check your energy bill provider), we highly encourage you to fill out this application as there are many other scholarship opportunities you might qualify for and the process will help identify those for you.

  What is a cohort?

  A cohort is a group of students who work through a curriculum together to achieve the same academic degree. Because they are accepted into the same program, take their classes together and graduate together, students in cohorts tend to form a strong support system and professional network that benefit them during their degree program and beyond.

  What services do you offer to active military, veterans and dependents?

  Please visit our military and veteran services page to learn how we can help.

  What if I have to work a large fire or an incident comes up while I’m in the program?

  This program is flexible to accommodate working firefighters who must respond to sudden large fire events or other significant incidents.

  If I’m not a firefighter yet, can I still take this program?

  Yes! This program will give you a leg up in your future career, but you must still complete the materials, preparation and appropriate training at a fire academy. Some academies may have additional requirements such as passing a physical abilities test. For specific requirements and more information, contact the fire academy you wish to attend.

  What are the requirements for students with an associate degree?

  It is expected that students enrolled in this program will have completed an associate degree in a related field (e.g., fire science, fire administration, forestry, natural resource management, environmental sciences, etc.) and have taken basic lower-division coursework in mathematics and natural sciences.

  What are the requirements for transfer students?

  If you are transferring into the program, you need to have completed the requisite 60 units of your undergraduate degree or have obtained an associate degree. We recommend you contact us to meet with an advisor to expedite your transfer plan.

  Is there a minimum GPA I have to meet while in the program?

  Yes. All courses counted toward the major must be completed with a grade of C (2.0) or better.

  Why would I want a bachelor’s degree when I’m already making a good salary?

  If you want to move up or advance your career within the fire industry, you need to distinguish yourself from your peers. Having a bachelor’s degree sets you apart from many candidates applying for just a few jobs. The industry is moving in a direction where bachelor’s degrees will soon become the standard.