Fire and Emergency Response Administration Major, B.S.

Passion and experience drive MSU Denver’s Fire and Emergency Response Administration program and it shows. MSU Denver has earned the “Certificate of Recognition” from the National Fire Academy’s Fire and Emergency Services Higher Education (FESHE) network. MSU Denver is one of a few colleges and universities in the country and the only four-year university in Colorado to be recognized by FESHE. As a result, for each FESHE course you complete, you will receive a National Fire Academy certificate, signifying the high level of training you have received. Due to many of our FERA students being working professionals, we now offer most classes online.

Encompassing all emergency response disciplines, MSU Denver’s Fire and Emergency Response Administration program will provide you with leadership and foundational skills in emergency response administration, personnel safety, emergency management, community risk reduction, fire research; and disaster planning and control. A major part of the FERA program has been service learning, so you may have the opportunity for field experiences such as fire and emergency awareness exercises and arson investigations that involve direct interaction with citizens and community partners, such as the American Red Cross, and many metro Denver fire departments.

As a graduate of MSU Denver’s Fire and Emergency Response Administration degree program, you will have a competitive edge in the emergency response job market by increasing your administrative knowledge and leadership, as well as occupational and life safety awareness. You will be prepared to face new challenges in technology, human resource management and fiscal responsibility.

Because MSU Denver’s program is a great way for firefighters and first responders to gain the education and certifications to advance in their careers, many current professionals have chosen to earn their bachelor of science degree in Fire and Emergency Response Administration, including those working for the Denver, Aurora, South Metro, and Golden fire departments.

Students on the FERA Extended major track can apply professional certificates to their degree pathway. Talk to your advisor about credits for fire academy, EMT-Basic, paramedic, and other certificates such as POST.

New to the field? The standard FERA Major pathway is for you! On this track you will experience the traditional student track where minors such as trauma studies or human services will be an option.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics 2024 Occupational Outlook Handbook, the median annual salary for firefighters was $57,000; the starting salary in the Denver Fire Department is approximately $65,000.

The BLS Handbook lists a median salary of $84,000 for emergency management directors, which does require several years of experience.

Career fields for all first responders are in demand in Colorado, with the expectation that salaries will continue to increase.

As a FERA graduate, your career path might include working for a fire department, FEMA, the Red Cross and other emergency response agencies in positions such as:

• Firefighter
• Fire officer
• Fire inspector
• Fire investigator
• Forest fire inspectors and prevention specialists
• Fire prevention supervisor
• Emergency management technician
• Emergency and disaster response technician
• Emergency management specialist
• Hospital emergency preparedness administrator
• Emergency dispatcher
• Emergency planning and response manager

Brian Bagwell

FERA Coordinator and Associate Professor Brian Bagwell, MSU Denver ’92, brings 23 years of experience as a firefighter/paramedic as well as his expertise as a doctor of psychology to the classroom. Bagwell has presented locally and nationally on topics that include campus and workplace violence, critical incident stress management, trauma, treating claustrophobic firefighters and perception of threat and de-escalation of violence strategies for first responders, employers and mental health clinicians.

Staying connected with academic advising is one of the best ways to ensure your path to successful degree completion. We are here to support you!

Your academic advisors are

Monique Left Hand Bull
[email protected]
for General Studies and FERA advising

Kim VanHoosier-Carey
[email protected]
for FERA advising and FERA Certificate approvals

Dr. Brian Bagwell
[email protected]
for FERA and FERA Extended Major advising