FAN THE (CAREER) FLAME
TCL’s Business Administration Fire Science Technology Associate Degree pathway equips you with the leadership, safety and operational skills to take command in the field — and advance your career — in fire service.
This 67-credit-hour associate degree program combines TCL’s business administration associate degree curriculum with courses from the Fire Science Technology certificate program to give you a well-rounded educational experience so that you’re ready to serve and lead in fire service.
The Career
Graduates of the program will be well-prepared to address the challenges of modern fire service and to serve their communities with excellence. With further certifications and experience, you’ll be set to pursue leadership roles such as fire chief or fire marshal.
The S.C. annual mean wage for firefighters is $44,550. Meanwhile, the S.C. annual mean wage for firefighter supervisors is $72,850, according to 2023 reports from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The Program
Courses include general education courses such as English and algebra and business administration courses such as management, marketing and economics. Fire Science Pathway courses include leadership, supervision, ethics, fundamentals of firefighting and how to operate safely and effectively at an incident. Courses cover the relationship between fire behavior and modern building construction as well as the fundamentals of water supply and hydraulics and their relationship to fire control and extinguishment. The student will also be able to outline the different branches of emergency services and how they overlap and interact.
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Quick Facts
A GREAT CAREER
The S.C. annual mean wage for firefighters is $44,550 and $72,850 for supervisors.
EXPERT INSTRUCTORS
Learn from faculty experts who have a variety real firefighting and teaching experience.
MOVE-UP
Be better prepared to assume leadership and supervisory roles within the fire service.
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING
ACCREDITATION
Technical College of the Lowcountry is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate degrees. Degree-granting institutions also may offer credentials such as certificates and diplomas at approved degree levels. Questions about the accreditation of Technical College of the Lowcountry may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (www.sacscoc.org).
PROGRAM COST
Tuition: 18 credits x $222 per credit = $3,996.*
Remember, this is before S.C. Lottery Tuition Assistance and other financial aid, which could drop your costs by more than half. In fact, after financial aid, many TCL students attend for free. See more about paying for TCL.
*Based on Fall 2024 in-state, in-service-area tuition. Your actual cost may differ. Does not include fees, books and other costs. Qualifications vary; all subject to change.
Is this program right for you?
The program is a great fit for those who:
• Have a desire to give back to the community through public service
Program Dean
Karen Smith
Dean of School of Business & Industrial Technologies
843-525-8323
Beaufort Mather Campus, Bldg. 14, Rm. 118
Instructors