Can't attend a campus-based class?
This program emphasizes independent study with no classroom attendance required. Take courses as part of a degree program or for professional development.
How does the program work? | Courses | Registration form | More information
The Degrees at a Distance Program (DDP) in Fire Service is a cooperative venture
This alliance is between Western Oregon University (WOU) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency-National Fire Academy (FEMA-NFA).
Serving the Northwest and Pacific including Alaska, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming and Canada, this program is part of a nationwide independent study curriculum that allows professional fire service personnel to upgrade administrative skills, schedule studying around professional duties, and earn credit toward a bachelor's degree in Fire Services Administration.
Students who successfully complete DDP courses will receive a Certificate of Completion from the National Fire Academy. Those who receive a baccalaureate degree from one of the participating institutions also receive a Certificate of Achievement from the National Fire Academy.
Courses in the WOU Degrees at a Distance Program in Fire Services Administration are offered in an online or correspondence format.
After registering for an online course, you will receive emailed instructions for accessing the online course platform. Your course syllabus, assignments and most exams are contained within the course.
For a correspondence course,
course materials are mailed to
you. Your course syllabus will explain details
of assignments and scheduling
of the final examination. Most
courses require completion of
four to six assignments which
are to be returned to your instructor
for evaluation.
When all assignments are complete,
the instructor schedules your
final examination and mails it
to a proctor you identify. The
proctor may be a school principal,
supervisor, community college
faculty, librarian, or fire chief.
The proctor supervises the exam
and returns it to your instructor.
DDP courses are designed to be completed in 15 weeks, although you may complete more quickly. You are encouraged, however, to adhere to the schedule you receive from the instructor. If you have any questions or concerns, contact the instructor by email, phone, or fax.
Independent study program calendar
| Fall | October 15 to January 30 |
| Winter | February 15 to May 31 |
| Summer | June 15 to September 30 |
| Courses | Links to Course Descriptions | |
| FSA 323 | Fire and Emergency Services Administration | |
| FSA 324 | Analytic Approaches to Public Fire Protection | |
| FSA 325 | Personnel Management for the Fire Service | |
| FSA 326 | Fire Prevention Organization and Management | |
| FSA 327 | Fire-Related Human Behavior | |
| FSA 328 | Disaster Planning and Control | |
| FSA 329 | Political and Legal Foundations of Fire Protection | |
| FSA 330 | Fire Protection Structures and Systems | |
| FSA 331 | Community Risk Reduction | Not offered Summer 2009 |
| FSA 332 | Fire Investigation and Analysis | |
| FSA 333 | Applications of Fire Research | |
| FSA 334 | Fire Dynamics | Not offered Summer 2009 |
| FSA 335 | Emergency Medical Services Administration | |
| FSA 336 | Managerial Issues of Hazardous Materials | |
| FSA 403 | Field Study | |
| SSc 409 | Practicum |