A Study of Undergraduate Fire Service Degree

Recent national efforts to coordinate and promote higher education in the fire service led to this national survey of fire service degree programs. The main purpose of the study was to gather descriptive information concerning fire service degree programs offered at two-year and four-year accredited institutions. A second purpose of the study was to identify the perceptions fire service degree program coordinators/directors hold concerning current and future issues affecting their programs. The information collected as part of the study can be used in a variety of ways from benchmarking among fire service degree programs to assistance and support with policy formation at the local, state, and federal level. The purpose of the study was achieved as the data collected provides an in-depth snapshot of the current status of fire service degree programs in the United States. Data were collected in the following five areas: Degree Program Information, Student Information, Faculty Information, Distance Education Information, and Program Directors/Coordinators Percepti

Introduction

1

(11)

Background

1

(4)

Statement of the Problem

5

(1)

Purpose of the Study and Research Questions

5

(2)

Significance of the Study

7

(1)

Assumptions

8

(1)

Limitations and Delimitations

8

(1)

Definitions of Terms

9

(1)

Summary of Chapter I

10

(1)

Organization of the Study

10

(2)

Review of the Literature

12

(16)

Introduction

12

(1)

Early Years (1900s to 1950s)

12

(3)

Growth Years (1960s to 1970s)

15

(9)

Transitional Years (1980s to 1990s)

24

(3)

Summary of Chapter II

27

(1)

Methods and Procedures

28

(8)

Introduction

28

(1)

Population

28

(2)

Survey Instrument

30

(1)

Method of Data Collection

30

(3)

Electronic Data Collection

33

(1)

Methodology of Analyzing the Data

34

(1)

Summary of Chapter III

34

(2)

Findings and Analysis of the Data

36

(55)

Introduction

36

(1)

Findings

36

(41)

Analysis of Data

77

(13)

Summary of Chapter IV

90

(1)

Summary, Conclusions, and Recommendations

91

(15)

Summary

91

(6)

Conclusions and Implications

97

(7)

Recommendations

104

(2)

REFERENCES

106

(4)

APPENDIXES

110

(26)

Appendix A. Survey Instrument

111

(7)

Appendix B. Invitation Letter from the National Fire Accademy

118

(2)

Appendix C. Survey Cover Letter

120

(2)

Appendix D. Example of Initial Follow Up Email

122

(2)

Appendix E. Example of Final Follow Up Email

124

(2)

Appendix F. First Two Sections of the Survey Web Site

126

(4)

Appendix G. Web Page Display Confirming Survey Submission

130

(2)

Appendix H. Table A-1 Complete Listing of Reported Associate and Bechelor Level Degree Names

132

(2)

Appendix I. Table A-2 Complete Listing of the Most Popular Fire Service Distance Education Ourses

134

(2)

Vita

136

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A Study of Undergraduate Fire Service Degree Programs in the United States

Summary

Table of Contents

Supplemental Materials