Bachelor of Science In Fire Protection Engineering

From the burning of Rome in 64 A.D. to the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, catastrophic fires have leapt off the pages of history, shocking our minds with their unimaginable toll of human suffering. Out of the ashes of fire, the American Society of Safety Engineers was born.

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Acquire the skill set that will lead to success

Fire protection engineering is a multidisciplinary program that combines principles from various areas of science and engineering. Our program teaches you how to apply these principles to the problem of fire protection by designing, constructing, and installing fire protection systems to prevent or minimize potential losses.

You’ll begin by laying a firm foundation in mathematics, science, and engineering, then move on to applying your knowledge through practical, hands-on laboratory experiences. As you progress through the program, you’ll also acquire the critical thinking and problem-solving skills that are vital in this field.

Train in state-of-the-art fire labs

Get up-close-and-personal experience in some of the finest fire labs in the country:

  • Main Laboratory. Here, you’ll learn the key components of fire pumps, water mains, sprinklers, hydrants, extinguishers, and appliances and how these devices work.
  • Fire Investigation Laboratory. Gain hands-on experience investigating fires. The rooms in this lab are regularly re-burnt to change the fire so that you can keep adding to what you learn.
  • Computer Laboratory. The computers here contain the same specialized software that the fire service uses. They are available to you so that you can become familiar with all of the software’s capabilities.
  • Fire Dynamics Laboratory. Conduct experiments with burning metals and other materials here. See how certain materials ignite and how they burn as well as how they react with various extinguishing agents.
  • Fire Detection/Alarm Laboratory. Updated in 2010 to the newly updated NFPA alarm codes, this lab gives you the chance to experiment and understand the details of how a code-compliant alarm system operates.
  • Sprinkler Laboratory. Learn how to reset a sprinkler system, trip the valve, and flow water out of whichever head you want — sidewall, pendant, upright or deluge-type head — as well as gauge the floor coverage of each head.
  • Fire and Security Demo Laboratory. This lab is a work in progress. When it is finished, you’ll be able to work with thermal dynamics and the explosive characteristics of gaseous products.

Learn from professors who are dedicated to your success.

Our faculty are leaders and innovators in their fields, bringing both deep professional experience and academic rigor to the classroom.

Meet Our Faculty

Envision Your Future

The information below is designed to show the many possible careers you could pursue with your major. The research is provided by Encoura, the leading research and advisory firm focused exclusively on higher education. It includes median national salaries and industry growth projections over the next decade. Click here to view the full report.

$86K

Fire Protection Engineer

7% Growth 2017-2027

$74K

Deputy Chief of Fire Safety

7% Growth 2017-2027

$58K

Fire Inspector

8% Growth 2017-2027

Selected Courses and Programs

  • An expansive study of thermal and fluid principles and applications including laws of thermodynamics, basic power cycles, conservation laws, internal and external flows, and convective heat transfer.

  • This course provides the components of building construction related to firefighter and life safety. The elements of construction and design of structures are shown to be key factors when inspecting buildings, preplanning fire operations, and operating at emergencies. The program will also show those who may design buildings the concerns related to both fire occurrence and the fire service safety.

  • The study of current fire and life safety codes as they relate to the prevention and control of structural fires.

  • The application of systems analysis, probability, engineering economy, and risk management techniques to the fire problem. The basic principles of fire growth and spread in a building. Time lines will be established from the time of ignition to that of extinguishment. Various methods of modifying the time line.

  • The University of New Haven offers a wide variety of in-depth courses that create a transformational educational experience for our students. To view the complete list of courses you'll take while pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Fire Protection Engineering, check out the Academic Catalog:

    Fire Protection Engineering, B.S.

Charger Advantage

Get an inside look at what differentiates the University of New Haven and how your experiences as a student will prepare you for success.

Nationally Recognized Center for Career Development

All University of New Haven students have access to the many resources available through the University’s Career Development Center, which has been named one of the best in the nation by The Princeton Review.

From career assessments, networking, and job shadowing to on-campus interviews and salary negotiation, the Career Development Center provides the skills and connections to identify a meaningful career and an opportunity to pursue your passion.

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Next Steps

  • Whether you're still in high school or are transferring from another college, we offer full- and part-time opportunities for undergraduates from inside the U.S. and abroad. The admission process can begin as early as the end of your high school junior year.

    The Application Process

  • We offer a comprehensive financial aid program, with students receiving assistance in the form of grants, scholarships, student loans, and part-time employment. Funds are available from federal and state governments, private sponsors, and from university resources. More than 85 percent of the University's full-time undergraduate students receive some form of financial assistance.

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Licensure and Certification Information

One of the paths to becoming a licensed Fire Protection Engineer includes having an earned undergraduate degree from an ABET-accredited program. The University offers ABET-accredited bachelor’s degrees in Chemical, Civil, Computer, Electrical, Industrial & Systems and Mechanical Engineering. The B.S. Fire Protection Engineering (FPE) program is not ABET-accredited. While students can submit their education credentials to NCEES for review, there is no guarantee that the B.S. in FPE degree will qualify you to be able to take the FPE exam, the first step towards engineering licensure. Information on this review process is available here: ncees.org/records/ncees-credentials-evaluations.

  • Our curriculum does not meet the educational requirements for becoming a Professional Engineer (PE) in AL, AK, AS, AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT, DE, DC, FL, GA, GU, HI, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MS, MO, MP, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NY, NM, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, PR, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT, VA, VI, WA, WV, WI, and WY.

Click the link below for contact information on State licensure boards.

Licensure Information

Click here for more information on Licensure & Professional Certification Disclosures.