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Bachelor of Science in Fire, Arson & Explosion Investigation

School of Safety, Security & Emergency Management

College of Justice, Safety & Military Science

Bachelor of Science in Fire, Arson & Explosion Investigation

School of Safety, Security & Emergency Management

College of Justice, Safety & Military Science

On-Campus & Online

Options

120 Credit Hours

to Graduate

On-Campus: $5,010 Per Semester

Online: $443 Per Credit Hour

(On-campus rate is for in-state students)

Free Books

for All Students

Train for Interagency Collaboration and Gain a Competitive Edge in the Job Market

EKU’s comprehensive fire, arson and explosion investigation degree is one of only a handful of specialized programs in the nation. This unique program provides students with the scientific and investigative skills needed to determine the cause and criminal nature of fires and explosions.

The EKU Online program includes unique, hands-on fire, arson and explosion investigation experiences on Eastern Kentucky University’s Richmond, Kentucky campus. Students will be on-campus for one week during two consecutive summer sessions for this residency. View summer session and residency requirements here.

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Career Outlook

Employment of fire inspectors and investigators is projected to grow 6 percent by 2031.

– U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Leadership within the fire industry will be increasingly important to ensure operations run smoothly and the emergency needs of communities are met.

Job Titles Include:

  • ATF Agent
  • Fire investigator
  • Fire marshal
  • Building inspector

Fire science is a dynamic, multidisciplinary field of study that prepares students for a wide range of career options.

Employers Include:

  • Indiana State Fire Marshal
  • LaBella Associates Construction Engineering Company
  • City of Cambridge, Massachusetts
  • Forensic Fire Consultants, Ltd.

The Office of Academic and Career Services is a one-stop shop for all your career and professional development needs.

Services Include:

  • Creating/updating your resume and cover letter
  • Interviewing tips and coaching
  • Career documents review
  • Job search

Why EKU?

  • Free textbooks through EKU BookSmart
  • No application fee
  • Reduced tuition for active-duty military members and their spouses
  • IFSAC-accredited programs
  • Nationally renowned instructors comprised of former fire chiefs, fire marshals, engineers and investigators, prominent for their professional achievements and success in the field
  • Generous credit transfer policy

Curriculum & Admission

EKU’s curriculum blends academic and professional preparation through topics such as fire behavior, crime scene management and investigation processes. Students also gain two weeks of critical hands-on training at our lab in Richmond, Kentucky.

A minimum of 120 credits are required to graduate.

View the degree requirements:

EKU Academic Catalog

Please review the admissions requirements before applying for this or any program. If you have questions about the program or are planning to register for classes, please speak to the program advisor.

Students may transfer up to 90 hours of credit from accredited institutions. Please note that a minimum of 30 credit hours in this degree program must be completed at Eastern Kentucky University.

Previously earned credits must be reviewed upon admission to EKU for appropriate articulation.

The EKU Department of Fire Protection and Paramedicine Science recognizes that your previous coursework, training and work experience could potentially meet or exceed what is required for some college courses.

You may have an opportunity to receive credit for these experiences through a portfolio assessment. Credit can be applied to bachelor’s degree programs in:

  • Fire, arson and explosion investigation
  • Fire protection administration
  • Fire protection and safety engineering technology

Requests for assessment will be reviewed by EKU faculty and subject matter experts. Once your request is approved, you will be asked to prepare a portfolio of documents to demonstrate that the competence you gained meets EKU’s student learning objectives.

To qualify, students must:

  • e admitted, enrolled and seeking an EKU fire protection degree
  • Have completed 12 credit hours at EKU
  • Be in good academic standing
  • Be able to demonstrate competency in the Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs) of the specific course they would like to have evaluated for academic credit

For more information, contact your Enrollment Advisor.

TermApplication
Deadline		Classes
Begin
Fall AJuly 31August
Fall BSeptember 30October
Spring ADecember 31January
Spring BFebruary 28March
Summer AApril 30May
Summer BMay 31June

All applicants must provide an application and evidence of appropriate scholastic achievement through prior educational experience.

Please note that certain degree programs have special admission requirements. Admission to the University does not mean automatic admission to all degree programs.

The completed application and all required supporting documentation must be received by the University no later than:

• August 1 for fall enrollment
• December 1 for spring enrollment
• May 1 for summer enrollment

To apply for undergraduate admission to Eastern Kentucky University (EKU), submit an application at apply.eku.edu and submit any required materials electronically or by mail to:

Office of Admissions
Eastern Kentucky University
Whitlock Bldg. 112, CPO 54
521 Lancaster Avenue
Richmond, KY 40475-3154.

Academic YearGraduatesRetention RateCapstone SuccessEmployment or Continued
to Masters
2022-232377%80% of students passed FAEI Degree capstone course with an overall 80% score*84% Employment
16% Applied to Masters
2021-222775%95% of students passed FAEI Degree capstone course with an overall 80% score*41% Employment
00% Applied to Masters
2020-212180%100% of students passed FAEI Degree capstone course with an overall 80% score*50% Employment
50% Applied to Masters
2019-203141.18%94% of students passed FAEI Degree capstone course with an overall 80% score*50% Employment
50% Applied to Masters
2018-1931100%96% of students passed FAEI Degree capstone course with an overall 80% score*75%
2017-184282.6%100% of students passed FAEI Degree capstone course with an overall 80% score*100%
2016-173758.3%100% of students passed FAEI Degree capstone course with an overall 80% score*100%

*Capstone courses measure across program degree outcomes and objectives
Graduate Employment and Compensation Data
BLS Fire Investigators Occupational Outlook Handbook Data Pay
BLS Data Occupational Employment and Wages for 33-2021 Fire Investigators

Job Summary
Fire, Arson and Explosion investigators utilize skills and knowledge regarding chemistry, physics, and human behavior to determine the sequence of events and causation of fires and explosions.

This program provides students a platform of requisite knowledge and skills to work competently as an individual and as a team member in efforts to determine cause and responsibility of fires and explosions. Students develop critical thinking skills to allow them to analyze and synthesize data derived from scientific investigative methodology in determining and communicating origin, cause, circumstances, and responsibility of fires and explosions.

Program Educational Objectives
Graduates of the Fire, Arson and Explosion Investigation will be able to:

  • Working alone and as a team member, document, analyze and evaluate artifact, patterns and observations from fire and explosion scenes to determine the
    sequence of events.
  • Document, analyze, evaluate and integrate information gleaned from investigation sources, including interviews and records, to determine responsibility for fire
    and explosion cause. They will effectively communicate their observations, evaluation methodologies, and findings both orally and in writing.
  • Evaluate and analyze circumstances that lead to fires and explosions with the intent to prevent future occurrences with similar conditions.
  • Integrate laws, statutes, codes and standards into investigative methodology.
  • Evaluate applicable investigative methodologies including, application of law, artifact interpretation, and scene documentation in preparing investigations for
    presentation in courts of law.

General Student Outcomes
Upon completion of the FAEI Program at EKU, students will demonstrate the following learned professional capabilities:

  • An ability to apply knowledge, techniques, skills and modern tools of mathematics, science, engineering, and technology to solve broadly-defined engineering
    problems appropriate to the discipline;
  • An ability to design systems, components, or processes meeting specified needs for broadly-defined engineering problems appropriate to the discipline;
  • An ability to apply written, oral, and graphical communication in broadly-defined technical and non-technical environments; and an ability to identify and use
    appropriate technical literature;
  • An ability to conduct standard tests, measurements, and experiments and to analyze and interpret the results to improve processes; and
  • An ability to function effectively as a member as well as a leader on technical teams.
  • Students shall be able to produce technical reports and make logical presentations of investigations of fire and explosions investigations in an orderly fashion
    suitable for the civil and criminal court room settings.
    Students shall be able to identify, document, and explain the origin (epicenter) of fires and explosions using the appropriate methodology.
  • Analyze and evaluate artifacts, patterns and observations from fire and explosion scenes to determine the sequence of events.
  • Analyze, evaluate and integrate information gleaned from investigation sources, including interviews and records, to determine responsibility for fire and
    explosion cause.
  • Evaluate and analyze circumstances that lead to fires and explosions with the intent to prevent future occurrences with similar conditions.
  • Integrate laws, statutes, codes and standards into investigative methodology.
  • Evaluate applicable investigative methodologies including, application of law, artifact interpretation, and scene documentation in preparing investigations for
    presentation in courts of law.

Enrolling & Advising Information

EKU’s College of Justice, Safety, and Military Science is committed to delivering high-quality enrollment and academic advising for our students. We strive to create an atmosphere of mutual trust and meaningful engagement to help students reach their academic goals and have a rewarding educational experience.

Interested in enrolling? Reach out to the college enrollment counselor for your preferred program.

professional photo of Jacinda Bertie-Cockerham

Jacinda Bertie-Cockerham

College Enrollment Counselor

859-622-6520
jacinda.bertie@eku.edu

professional photo of jacob mobley

Jacob Mobley

Online Enrollment Advisor

859-622-2877
Jacob.Mobley@eku.edu

Schedule an Appointment

Additional Contact Info

Admissions: 859-622-2106
Academic Testing: 859-622-1281
Big E Central (Financial Aid & Student Account Services): 859-622-2361
Military & Veterans Affairs Office: 859-622-2345

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News & Updates

Colonels Shine in “Forty Under 40” Class

EKU graduates Josh Jarboe, ’12, and Tony Mudd, ’15, made the Louisville Business First’s Forty Under 40 list for 2023. The program honors “professionals under the age of 40 thriving in their careers, demonstrating their skills at work or in the community and contributing to make Greater Louisville a better place,” according to Louisville Business […]

EKU Awarded Grant for Fire Investigation Research

Faculty in Eastern Kentucky University’s (EKU) College of Justice, Safety and Military Science, Dr. Shijin Kozhumal and Dr. Greg Gorbett, received a competitive research grant from the National Institute of Justice (NIJ), the U.S. Department of Justice’s research, development and evaluation agency, to research drywall and burn patterns. The NIJ forensic science research and development […]

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The US Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration announced the renewal of Eastern Kentucky University’s OSHA Training Institute Education Center (OTI Education Center). According to the Kentucky Cabinet of Economic Development, in the past five years manufacturers announced over 1,100 facility locations or expansion projects with a reported capital investment of more than […]

Related Programs

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Modalities: online and on-campus

Credit Hours: 120

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Modalities: online and on-campus

Credit Hours: 120

Contact Information

School of Safety, Security & Emergency Management

Stratton Building
Room 245
4453 Kit Carson Drive
Richmond, Ky 40475

859-622-3565
jus.dean@eku.edu

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