The Power of Texas Education Code §54.353
This state law authorizes the Firefighters Enrolled in Fire Science Courses program, providing a full exemption from tuition and lab fees for eligible firefighters pursuing approved fire science curricula at public institutions.
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TUITION & LABS
Eligibility: Who Qualifies?
The program serves both paid and volunteer firefighters who meet specific criteria.
Paid Firefighters
- Must be employed as a paid, full-time firefighter.
- Employer must be a political subdivision of Texas (e.g., city, county).
Volunteer Firefighters
- Must be an active member for at least one year.
- Department must participate in a state-approved retirement system.
- Must hold an Accredited Advanced cert from SFFMA or a Phase V (Firefighter II) cert from TCFP.
Academic Requirements
- Must enroll in courses within an approved Fire Science curriculum.
- Must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP).
The Educational Landscape
Based on the official THECB list, community colleges offer the vast majority of qualifying programs, providing accessible, career-focused education.
Available Program Levels
The exemption covers a full spectrum of credentials, from foundational certificates to advanced degrees for leadership roles.
Participating State Universities
Universities offer bachelor's and master's degrees for firefighters aspiring to leadership, management, and administrative positions. Click any program to learn more.
BS, Instructional Training & Design Lamar University:
BA/BS/BAAS, Political Science Sam Houston State Univ:
BAAS, Industrial Safety Stephen F. Austin State Univ:
BA/BS, Public Admin Tarleton State University:
BS/BAAS, Public Admin Texas A&M International:
MPA Texas A&M University:
Safety Engineering Certificate Texas A&M - San Antonio:
BAAS, Fire & Emergency Services Admin Texas Southern University:
BS, Emergency Mgmt. & Homeland Security Texas State University:
Bachelor of Public Admin Texas Tech University:
Master of Public Admin Univ. of Texas at Arlington:
MPA Univ. of Houston - Downtown:
BSET, Safety & Fire Engineering Tech University of North Texas:
BS, Emergency Admin & Planning West Texas A&M Univ:
BAAS, Emergency Mgmt Admin
Participating Community Colleges
Dozens of community colleges across Texas provide the core of this program, offering hands-on certificates and Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degrees.
AAS, Fire Science Alvin Community College:
AAS, Emergency Medical Technology Amarillo College:
AAS, Fire Protection Angelina College:
AAS, Emergency Medical Services Austin Community College:
AAS, Fire Protection Technology Blinn College District:
AAS, Fire Science Technology Central Texas College:
AAS, Fire Protection Technology College of the Mainland:
AAS, Fire Technology Collin College:
AAS, Fire Science Dallas College:
AAS, Fire Protection Technology Del Mar College:
AAS, Fire Science Firefighter Option El Paso Community College:
AAS, Fire Science / Fire Management Houston Community College:
AAS, Fire Science & Safety Kilgore College:
AAS, Fire Protection Lamar Institute of Technology:
AAS, Fire Protection Technology Lone Star College System:
AAS, Fire Science Technology Tarrant County College:
AAS, Fire Protection Technology Tyler Junior College:
AAS, Fire Protection Technology