As the demand for emergency management and first responder careers continues to grow, having a competitive edge in your career is essential. One way to achieve this is by obtaining a Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) in Public Management. Mississippi State University's BAS in Public Management is a unique program designed specifically for first responders under the advisement of leaders of the Mississippi State Fire Academy and other industry experts.
The program's curriculum is designed to equip students with valuable knowledge and skills that they can apply immediately to their work. Most of the program’s hours needed to earn the degree are taught by experienced faculty from the Political Science and Public Administration, Management and Information Systems, and Communication departments. Additionally, the online format of the program makes it easier for students to balance their work and education.
A report by Dorman (2020) highlights that higher education can provide firefighters, police, and others in emergency services with leadership skills, critical thinking, and decision-making abilities that can make a difference on the job. Enrolling in the Bachelor of Applied Science online is the best way to balance a commitment to a career in emergency management services while also gaining the knowledge and skills needed to advance in the field.
A nationwide study conducted in 2011 surveyed chief fire officers to better understand the significance of higher education in the field of fire science. The results revealed that the majority of the officers wanted more firefighters to have a bachelor’s degree, and even supported the idea of a master’s degree requirement for fire chiefs (Snodgrass, 2014). This trend is further supported by various metropolitan websites, such as the Atlanta Fire & Rescue Department (2023) and the city of Durham (2023a, 2023b), that offer increased base pay for individuals with a bachelor’s degree (5% - 7%).
Moreover, emergency services departments across the United States are offering financial incentives to employees that are bilingual in Spanish or ASL. The Bureau of Labor and Statistics (2022) reports that firefighters earned a median annual salary of $50,700 in 2021, surpassing the median salary for all other occupations. Similarly, police and detectives have the potential to earn up to $66,020 per year, while emergency management directors earn a median salary of almost $76,730. Given the earning potential and opportunities for career advancement, pursuing a Bachelor of Applied Science in Public Management is a smart investment for anyone looking to further their career in emergency services or build a pathway to graduate degrees or other public service administration careers (Dorman, 2020).
Future-proof your career path and goals with a bulldog’s determination. Contact one of our BAS advisors today for more information on how you can advance your career in emergency services with Mississippi State University's Bachelor of Applied Science in Public Management.
Atlanta Fire & Rescue Department. (2023). Employment: Benefits. https://www.atlantafirerescue.com/divisions/benefits
Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2022, September 8). Occupational outlook handbook. U.S. Department of Labor. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/
City of Durham. (2023a). Become a Durham firefighter. https://www.durhamnc.gov/622/Become-a-Durham-Firefighter
City of Durham. (2023b). Benefits and salary. https://www.durhamnc.gov/158/Benefits-and-Salary
Dorman, J. (2020, August 3). Higher education: A big-picture perspective on why it matters for firefighters. FireRescue1. https://www.firerescue1.com/fire-products/education/articles/higher-education-a-big-picture-perspective-on-why-it-matters-for-firefighters-BQ8RkaNVvaYU9CmT/
Snodgrass, P. (2014, November 1). Nationwide study: Education's role in the fire service. Firehouse. https://www.firehouse.com/careers-education/article/12009765/higher-education-and-the-fire-service