Fire Technology - Associate of Applied Science

Completion of the Fire Technology Associate of Applied Science degree provides students with the knowledge and skills required for a successful career in the fire service. The degree is designed to build on completion of the Fire Academy, which satisfies the curriculum requirements of the Texas Commission on Fire Protection (TCFP) for Basic Structure Fire Suppression personnel. Subsequent courses in the degree are designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary for first-level supervision in a fire department.

To obtain TCFP certification as Basic Structure Fire Suppression Personnel, students must complete both an approved Fire Academy and a recognized emergency medical course.  The Fire EMT Basic Enhanced Skills Certificate is provided to satisfy this requirement.

Students have the option to declare the Fire Officer Certificate as their major, which includes six embedded TCFP certifications: Fire Instructor I and II, Fire Officer I and II, or Fire Officer III and IV, Fire Investigator or Fire Inspector with Plans Examiner, and Incident Safety Officer.  These certifications enhance employment and promotional opportunities within fire departments.  The certificate allows students to focus entirely on fire science courses without having to take the general education courses required for the Fire Technology AAS.

Effective September 1, 2017, HB 1508 amends the Texas Occupations Code Section 53 that requires education providers to notify potential or enrolled students that a criminal history may make them ineligible for an occupational license upon program completion.  Program-specific information will be provided in the course syllabi.

Information regarding specific state requirements, start dates, and applications can be obtained by calling the Public Service Careers Department at 409-933-8285 or the Fire Technology Director at 409-933-8934.

Stackable Credentials

Stackable Credentials 

Full-Time Student Schedule

Plan of Study Grid
Semester #1Semester Credit Hours
FIRS 1401 Firefighter Certification I 4
FIRS 1407 Firefighter Certification II 4
FIRS 1313 Firefighter Certification III 3
FIRS 1319 Firefighter Certification IV 3
FIRS 1323 Firefighter Certification V 3
FIRS 1329 Firefighter Certification VI 3
FIRS 1433 Firefighter Certification VII 4
Select from one of the following: 1
FIRS 1103
 Firefighter Agility & Fitness Preparation  
PHED 1164
 Introduction to Physical Fitness and Wellness 1  
 Semester Credit Hours25
Semester #2
FIRT 2309
or FIRT 1392
 Firefighting Strategies and Tactics I
or Special Topics in Fires Service Administration - Fireground Incident Commander
 3
FIRT 2407 Fire Instructor II 4
GOVT 2305
or GOVT 2306
 Federal Government (Federal Constitution & Topics) 1
or Texas Government (Texas Constitution & Topics)
 3
MATH 1342 Elementary Statistical Methods 1 3
ENGL 1301 Composition I 1 3
 Semester Credit Hours16
Semester #3
FIRT 1443
or FIRT 2457
 Fire Officer II
or Fire Officer IV
 4
FIRT 1450
or FIRT 1440
 Fire Investigator
or Fire Inspector II
 4
CHEM 1406
or CHEM 1411
 Introductory Chemistry I 1
or General Chemistry I
 4
 Semester Credit Hours12
Semester #4
FIRT 1353
or FIRT 1305
 Legal Aspects of Fire Protection Service
or Public Education Programs
 3
FIRT 2111 Incident Safety Officer 1
Select from one of the following: 3
PHIL 2306
 Introduction to Ethics 1  
HUMA 1301
 Introduction to the Humanities I 1  
ENGL 2327
 American Literature I 1  
 Semester Credit Hours7
 Total Semester Credit Hours60
1

Course(s) listed in the Texas Common Course Numbering System. This includes PHED 1164.

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