Fire Protection Engineers

High School

Students should take the following classes to prepare for a career in fire protection engineering: mathematics (including geometry, trigonometry, and introductory calculus) and laboratory sciences (including chemistry and physics). You should also take English and speech classes because FPEs need to write reports and communicate effectively with their colleagues. Other important classes include computer science, social studies, and government.

Postsecondary Education

To enter this career, you’ll need to either:

• earn a bachelor’s degree in fire protection engineering; or
• enter a five-year dual degree program and then earn a bachelor of science in another engineering field, and then earn a master’s degree in fire protection engineering; or
• earn a bachelor of science in another engineering field, and then earn a master’s degree in fire protection engineering.

Fewer than 20 colleges in the United States and Canada offer degrees in fire protection engineering, technology, and safety, including Eastern Kentucky University; Oklahoma State University; University of Maryland, College Park; University of Waterloo; and the Worcester Polytechnic Institute. Visit https://www.sfpe.org/career/pathways-to-a-career-in-fpe/students/universityprograms for a complete list of programs.

Certification

Some community colleges and four-year colleges offer certificates in fire protection engineering, fire investigation, fire science, or other fire-related areas. Contact schools in your area to learn about available programs.

Other Education or Training

Many FPEs pursue continuing education throughout their careers to keep their skills up to date and to become certified or re-certified. For example, the Society of Fire Protection Engineers offers online courses and webinars such as Introduction to Fire Risk Assessment, Human Behavior in Fire, Principles of Structural Fire Protection, and Principles of Fire Protection Engineering. The National Society of Professional Engineers provides webinars for student members. Recent webinars included Career Success in Engineering: A Guide for Students and New Professionals and Ethics and Professionalism for Students and Young Engineers. The National Fire Protection Association, American Society for Engineering Education, and the Society of Women Engineers also provide professional development opportunities. Contact these organizations for more information.