College of DuPage and Lewis University Partner to Offer Bachelor of Arts Degree in Fire Service Administration at COD's Glen Ellyn Campus

College of DuPage announced today a second 3+1 partnership with Lewis University in which students can complete a four-year Bachelor of Arts degree in Fire Service Administration at the COD Glen Ellyn campus.

In February 2011, College of DuPage entered into its first-ever 3+1 agreement with Lewis University for a BA degree program in Criminal/Social Justice, which began with strong enrollment this fall.

“Students benefit greatly from 3+1 partnerships in terms of accessibility, affordability and convenience,” said COD Board Chairman David Carlin. “Our partnership with Lewis University will allow College of DuPage students to earn their four-year-degree right here on the COD campus.”

During the first three years of the 129 credit-hour Fire Service Administration B.A. program, students complete 90 credit hours of COD courses. The fourth year, they complete 39 credit hours of Lewis University course work taught by Lewis professors at College of DuPage. Students pay COD rates for the first three years, with the final year offered at 60 percent of Lewis' current undergraduate tuition. To participate in the COD/Lewis program, students must first complete an Associate of Applied Science degree in Fire Science at College of DuPage.

Hands-on training will be facilitated for these degrees in COD's new 65,000 square-foot Homeland Security Education Center, which opened this fall. The HEC features a 4,500 square-foot indoor street scene for emergency scenarios, a tower for high-angle rescues and rappelling exercises, a smoke room with moveable walls for search and rescue instruction, and a full-size ambulance for EMS training.

College of DuPage currently offers AAS degrees in Fire Science and Emergency Medical Services and certificates in Emergency Medical Technician, Firefighter, Fire Prevention, Fire Officer and Paramedic; an AA and AAS degree and certificate in Criminal Justice; and an AAS degree and certificate in Homeland Security.

Lewis University is recognized nationally for its bachelor's and master's programs in Fire Service Administration and Public Safety Administration. The Romeoville campus also offers degrees in Forensic Criminal Investigation, Paralegal Studies, and Private Security/Loss Prevention Management.

“The fact that Lewis University recognizes our courses in the third year of this program as equivalent to 300-level courses at Lewis is testament to the academic quality of the College's Fire Science A.A. degree program and general education courses,” said Joe Collins, COD Executive Vice President. “We are very pleased that Lewis has demonstrated its regard for both our Criminal Justice and Fire Science credentials through these 3+1 agreements.”

For more information, call (630) 942-2690.