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Fire Protection and Safety Management, M.S.

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Program Overview

Transform your leadership in safety and risk management through the Master of Science in Fire Protection and Safety Management program, which offers two tracks that will equip you with specialized skills for roles in each area. The Fire Administration Track engages fire safety professionals with courses in emergency management, fire administration, building codes, and similar topics. The Occupational Safety Track prepares you to enter and advance careers as workplace safety professionals with coursework in industrial safety, ergonomics, industrial hygiene, and environmental pollution control.

The UNC Charlotte Fire Protection and Safety Management Program has high-quality faculty, from different geographic and educational backgrounds, representing the fire and safety science fields. A snapshot of our graduate student population:

  • Domestic (80%) and international (20%) students
  • Part-time (70%) and full-time students (30%)

For more information about the program, please reach out to the program contact.

Program Contact

Michael Benjamin

Program Director, Ph.D., CSP

mbenjam3@charlotte.edu

704-687-5089

Program at a Glance

Requirements include graduate coursework plus a thesis or comprehensive exam.

Delivery
On-Campus
Credit Hours
30
Admits
Spring, Summer I, Summer II, Fall

Fire Administration Path

(30 Credit Hours) The MS in Fire Protection & Safety Management (FPSM) offers advanced fire safety, administration, and risk management instruction. Designed for firefighters and safety professionals, this program helps advance careers with relevant courses taught by experienced instructors from North Carolina Fire Departments and similar roles.

Fire Administration Courses (30 Credit Hours)

Required (15 Credit Hours)

  • MFPA 5132 – Fire and Building Codes, Standards, and Practices (3)
  • MFPA 5223 – Industrial Safety and Facilities Management (3)
  • MFPA 6123 – Human Behavior in Fire (3)
  • MFPA 5323 – Advanced Fire Service Administration (3)
  • MFPA 5321 – Community Threat Assessment and Mitigation (3)

Elective (15 Credit Hours From List)

  • MPAD 6290 – Emergency Management (3)
  • MPAD 6291 – Homeland Security and Terrorism (3)
  • MPAD 6292 – Disaster Management (3)
  • MFPA 5144 – Fire Protection Systems (3)
  • MFPA 5280 – Wildland Fire in America (3)
  • ETGR 5301 – Environmental Pollution Control (3)
  • ETGR 5302 – Industrial Hygiene (3)
  • ETGR 5303 – Applied Ergonomics and Human Factors (3)
  • ETGR 5305 – System Safety Design and Management (3)
  • CMET 6240 – Safety and Risk Management (3)
  • MFPA 6243 – Research Investigation (3)
  • MFPA 6800 – Independent Study (1 to 3)

Occupational Safety Path

(30 Credit Hours)The MS in Fire Protection & Safety Management (Occupational Safety Track) prepares students for occupational health and safety careers. This STEM program focuses on preventing workplace injuries and ensuring a safe environment. Graduates are highly sought after in industries such as construction, manufacturing, and government.

Occupational Safety Required Course (30 Credit Hours)

Required (18 Credit Hours)

  • ETGR 5301 – Environmental Pollution Control (3)
  • ETGR 5302 – Industrial Hygiene (3)
  • ETGR 5303 – Applied Ergonomics and Human Factors (3)
  • ETGR 5305 – System Safety Design and Management (3)
  • MFPA 5144 – Fire Protection Systems (3)
  • MFPA 5223 – Industrial Safety and Facilities Management (3)

Elective (12 Credit Hours From List)

  • CMET 6240 – Safety and Risk Management (3)
  • MFPA 5132 – Fire and Building Codes, Standards, and Practices (3)
  • MFPA 5280 – Wildland Fire in America (3)
  • MFPA 5321 – Community Threat Assessment and Mitigation (3)
  • MFPA 6123 – Human Behavior in Fire (3)
  • MFPA 6243 – Research Investigation (3)
  • MFPA 6800 – Independent Study (1 to 3)
  • MPAD 6290 – Emergency Management (3)
  • MPAD 6291 – Homeland Security and Terrorism (3)
  • MPAD 6292 – Disaster Management (3)

Key Industries for Graduates

Fire Administration
Fire Departments
Insurance Companies
Industrial Plants
Military Bases
University Facilities
Local, State, Federal Government
Occupational Safety
Construction
Industrial Plants
Manufacturing
Military Bases
University Facilities
Local, State, Federal Government
PhD Studies in Industrial Hygiene/Public Health
Insurance Companies

Top Tips for Completing Your Application

The streamlined application process makes it easy to apply. Looking for some additional guidance to perfect your application? Attend an upcoming information session.

Already a 49er? Early Entry Option Available

Exceptional undergraduate students may apply to the M.S. in Fire Protection and Safety Management Early Entry program to begin work toward a graduate degree before completion of the bachelor’s degree.

Explore Official University Catalog

Check out the official catalog for information on specific degree requirements, course progressions, curriculum and more.