Wildland Fire Management (AAS)

Degree: Associate of Applied Science
Major: Wildland Fire Management
Program Code: 1363

About This Major . . .

This program is designed for students who want the credentials of an associate degree combined with the technical training that meets the National Wildfire Coordination Group (NWCG) standards. The courses offered align with the NWCG Curriculum.

This degree provides graduates with a competitive advantage in gaining employment in the Wildland fire and land management career markets. Graduates are qualified to apply for jobs with the Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Forest Service, National Park Service, Fish and Wildlife, as well as state, county, and contracted wildland firefighting entities.

For more information on what you can do with this major, visit WCCC's Programs of Study page.

All CMU/WCCC associate graduates are expected to demonstrate proficiency in specialized knowledge/applied learning, quantitative fluency, communication fluency, critical thinking, personal and social responsibility, and information literacy. In addition to these campus‐wide student learning outcomes, graduates of this major will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate proficient formal and informal communication and writing skills that are professional in nature (Communication Fluency)
  2. Apply mathematical concepts required of entry level wildland firefighters. (Quantitative Fluency)
  3. Demonstrate specialized and holistic knowledge of interagency Wildland Fire Management (Specialized Knowledge)
  4. Demonstrate proficiency in basic skills required for entry level Wildland Fire Management professionals (Applied Learning)
  5. Evaluate leadership and ethical issues specific to Wildland Fire Management (Specialized Knowledge)

Each section below contains details about the requirements for this program. Select a header to expand the information/requirements for that particular section of the program's requirements. 

To print or save an overview of this program's information, including the program description, learning outcomes, requirements, suggested course sequencing (if applicable), and advising and graduation information, scroll to the bottom of the left-hand navigation menu and select "Print Options." This will give you the options to either "Send Page to Printer" or "Download PDF of This Page." The "Download PDF of This Page" option prepares a much more concise presentation of all program information. The PDF is also printable and may be preferable due to its brevity. 

Institutional Degree Requirements

The following institutional degree requirements apply to all CMU and WCCC Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degrees. Specific programs may have different requirements that must be met in addition to institutional requirements.

  • 60 semester hours minimum.
  • Students must complete a minimum of 15 of the final 30 semester hours of credit at CMU/WCCC.
  • 2.00 cumulative GPA or higher in all CMU/WCCC coursework.
  • A course may only be used to fulfill one requirement for each degree/certificate.
  • No more than six semester hours of independent study courses can be used toward the degree.
  • Non-traditional credit, such as advanced placement, credit by examination, credit for prior learning, cooperative education and internships, cannot exceed 20 semester credit hours for an AAS degree.
  • Pre-collegiate courses (usually numbered below 100) cannot be used for graduation.
  • Capstone exit assessment/projects (e.g., Major Field Achievement Test) requirements are identified under Program-Specific Degree Requirements.
  • The Catalog Year determines which program sheet and degree requirements a student must fulfill in order to graduate. Visit with your advisor or academic department to determine which catalog year and program requirements you should follow.
  • See “Requirements for Undergraduate Degrees and Certificates” in the catalog for a complete list of graduation requirements.

Specific to this program:

  • 62 semester hours total for the AAS, Wildland Fire Management.

Essential Learning Requirements

(16 semester hours)

See the current catalog for a list of courses that fulfill the requirements below.  If a course is an Essential Learning option and a requirement for your major, you must use it to fulfill the major requirement and make a different selection for the Essential Learning requirement.

Communication
ENGL 111English Composition I-GTCO13
Select one of the following:3
English Composition II-GTCO2
Interpersonal Communications
Speechmaking
Mathematics
MATH 108Technical Mathematics (or higher) 14
Other Essential Learning Core Courses
Select one Social and Behavioral Sciences, History, Natural Sciences, Fine Arts or Humanities course3
Select one Social and Behavioral Sciences, History, Natural Sciences, Fine Arts or Humanities course3
Total Semester Credit Hours16
1

MATH 108 is a 4 semester credit hour course. 3 credits apply to Essential Learning. A higher course will satisfy the mathematics requirement for this AAS, and  MATH 110, MATH 113, or higher may be required for BAS and BS degrees at CMU. See next intended degree for details if continuing to baccalaureate study after completion of AAS.

Should a student successfully complete a higher MATH course for 3 semester credit hours, this would fulfill the Mathematics Essential Learning Requirement and reduce the Essential Learning hours to 15. It would also reduce the overall hours for degree to 61, which is sufficient for graduation with this degree only when this hour difference is due to successful completion of a higher level MATH course at 3 semester credit hours.

Other Lower Division Requirements

Wellness Requirement
KINE 100Health and Wellness1
KINA 127Physical Conditioning1
Total Semester Credit Hours2

Program Specific Degree Requirements

(44 semester hours, must earn a grade of “C” or better in each course.)

Required Courses
ENVS 101Introduction to Environmental Science-GTSC23
GEOL 103Weather and Climate-GTSC23
GEOG 131Introduction to Cartography3
FSWM 100Introduction to Wildland Fire Basic Fire Guard School5
FSWM 142Portable Pumps and Water Use2
FSWM 144Fire Operations in the Wildland/Urban Interface2
FSWM 147Ignition Operations2
FSWM 151Basic Air Operations1
FSWM 153Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior2
FSWM 155Initial Attack Incident Commander/Basic Incident Command System3
FSWM 156Firefighter Type 1 and Fire Line Leadership3
EMTS 115Emergency Medical Responder3
Restricted Electives
Select 12 hours from the following Restricted Electives:12
Principles of Supervision
Principles of Plant Biology
and Principles of Plant Biology Laboratory
Principles of Chemistry-GTSC1
and Principles of Chemistry Laboratory-GTSC1
Introduction to Professional Writing-GTCO3
Introduction to Ecosystem Management
and Introduction to Ecosystem Management Laboratory
Fire Ecology
and Fire Ecology Laboratory
Introduction to Emergency Management
Emergency Medical Technician - Basic II
Expanded Dispatch Recorder
Introduction to Incident Information
Wildfire Chainsaws
Status/Check-In Recorder
Interagency Incident Business Operations
Helicopter Crew Member
Wildland Fire Origin & Cause Determination
Advanced Firefighter Position Task Book
Topics
Extended Attack Incident Commander
Fire Engine Operator
Wildland Training for Structural Fire Fighters
Supervised Work Experience
Topics
Internship
Human Relations In Business
Principles of Management
Total Semester Credit Hours44
Plan of Study Grid
First Year
Fall SemesterSemester Credit Hours
FSWM 100 Introduction to Wildland Fire Basic Fire Guard School 5
FSWM 153 Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior 2
ENGL 111 English Composition I-GTCO1 3
KINE 100 Health and Wellness 1
Essential Learning Social and Behavioral Science, History, Natural Sciences, Fine Arts or Humanities course 3
 Semester Credit Hours14
Spring Semester
FSWM 142 Portable Pumps and Water Use 2
FSWM 147 Ignition Operations 2
GEOG 131 Introduction to Cartography 3
MATH 108 Technical Mathematics 4
Restricted Electives 5
 Semester Credit Hours16
Second Year
Fall Semester
FSWM 151 Basic Air Operations 1
FSWM 156 Firefighter Type 1 and Fire Line Leadership 3
Select one of the following: 3
English Composition II-GTCO2
Interpersonal Communications
Speechmaking
GEOL 103 Weather and Climate-GTSC2 3
KINA 127 Physical Conditioning 1
Essential Learning Social and Behavioral Science, History, Natural Sciences, Fine Arts or Humanities course 3
Restricted Electives 2
 Semester Credit Hours16
Spring Semester
FSWM 144 Fire Operations in the Wildland/Urban Interface 2
FSWM 155 Initial Attack Incident Commander/Basic Incident Command System 3
EMTS 115 Emergency Medical Responder 3
ENVS 101 Introduction to Environmental Science-GTSC2 3
Restricted Electives 5
 Semester Credit Hours16
 Total Semester Credit Hours62

Advising Process and DegreeWorks

Documentation on the pages related to this program is intended for informational purposes to help determine what courses and associated requirements are needed to earn a degree. The suggested course sequencing outlines how students could finish degree requirements. Some courses are critical to complete in specific semesters, while others may be moved around. Meeting with an academic advisor is essential in planning courses and altering the suggested course sequencing. It is ultimately the student’s responsibility to understand and fulfill the requirements for her/his intended degree(s).

DegreeWorks is an online degree audit tool available in MAVzone. It is the official record used by the Registrar’s Office to evaluate progress towards a degree and determine eligibility for graduation. Students are responsible for reviewing their DegreeWorks audit on a regular basis and should discuss questions or concerns with their advisor or academic department head. Discrepancies in requirements should be reported to the Registrar’s Office.

Graduation Process

Students must complete the following in the first two months of the semester prior to completing their degree requirements:

  • Review their DegreeWorks audit and create a plan that outlines how unmet requirements will be met in the final semester.
  • Meet with their advisor and modify their plan as needed. The advisor must approve the final plan.
  • Submit the “Intent to Graduate” form to the Registrar’s Office to officially declare the intended graduation date and commencement ceremony plans.
  • Register for all needed courses and complete all requirements for each degree sought.

Submission deadlines and commencement details can be found at http://www.coloradomesa.edu/registrar/graduation.html.

If a student’s petition for graduation is denied, it will be her/his responsibility to consult the Registrar’s Office regarding next steps.