Western's program serves fire service personnel in the Northwest and the Pacific including Alaska, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming and Canada. The Open Learning Fire Service Program's emphasis is on independent study with no classroom attendance required. A student need not be in a degree program to take an Open Learning course.
Courses also are valuable for professional development and career advancement.
Those who have received a baccalaureate degree from one of the participating institutions also will receive a Certificate of Achievement from the National Fire Academy. After enrolling in Western's Open Learning Fire Service courses, you are mailed course materials. Within the first week of the term, you are contacted by the instructor who explains details of assignments and scheduling of the final examination. Most Open Learning courses require completion of four to six assignments which are to be returned to your instructor for evaluation. After completion of all assignments, your final examination is scheduled by the instructor.