Requirements

Timeline of Selection Process

Applying for Fall Semester:

  • Academy Interest Forms Due: End of May/Beginning of June
  • Notification About Start of Selection Process: First week of June
  • Interviews Held: Middle to End of June
  • Interview Result Notifications: One (1) week after interviews
  • Orientations: Middle to End of July
  • First Day of Academy: Generally Third Saturday in August (depends on semester start dates)

Applying for Spring Semester:

  • Academy Interest Forms Due: Beginning of November
  • Notification About Start of Selection Process: First week of November
  • Interviews Held: End of November
  • Interview Result Notifications: One (1) week after interviews
  • Orientations: Second or Third week of December
  • First Day of Academy: Generally Third Saturday of January (depends on semester start dates)

Course Prerequisites

The following courses are prerequisites for the academy. You must successfully pass each course with a "C" or better, or provide documentation from an outside agency showing completion of courses:

  • EMT (EMT104 - Basic Emergency Medical Technology - 9 Credits)

    **You only have to have passed the EMT course prior to the start date of the academy class, you do not need to be certified as an EMT to qualify for the academy. However, we highly recommend completing the certification process prior to the start of the academy due to the nature of coursework and studying required during the academy. For those already certified as an EMT, if your EMT certification is expiring during the academy, please make every effort to complete all refresher courses prior to the start date of the academy class due to the nature of coursework and studying required during the academy.**
  • Hazardous Materials - 40 Hour Course (FSC105- Hazardous Materials/First Responder - 3 Credits)
  • Current/Valid, Passing CPAT

    **A valid, passing CPAT from any Maricopa Community College or outside agency is a required prerequisite for the academy and must be completed prior to the start date of the academy class. For those who've already completed a valid CPAT, it must be within 6 months of the desired academy start date. If you are applying for the next semester academy and do not yet have a valid CPAT prior to your interview, you may still interview and be selected for the academy class, but your status as a student recruit will be contingent on you completing a CPAT prior to the start date of the academy. Please refer to the CPAT Testing Page for official CPAT offerings. Also, please see class schedule for CPAT class offerings (FSC130).**

    • FSC130- Fitness for Firefighters/CPAT - 1 Credit (OPTIONAL)

      **If you use FSC130 for the CPAT prerequisite, the course end date must be within six (6) months from the start date of the desired academy.You do not have to take FSC130 to satisfy the CPAT prerequisite, however if you have never taken a CPAT we highly recommend taking FSC130.**

IMPORTANT: You can still fill out an academy interest form and attend your scheduled interview even if you don't have the above mentioned prerequisites completed. You must complete all prerequisites by the start date of the academy.

Academy Interest Form

Due to the number of prospective applicants, this form is required. Please see the top of this page, or the EMT/FSC Homepage under "Fire Science News & Information", for deadline dates to submit an academy interest form for the desired semester academy.

Application

Applicants will need to download, fill out, and bring an application to their interview. Failure to do so may result in dismissal from selection process. Application can be found at the top of this page.

Oral Interview

Participation in a 20-minute interview with academy lead instructors and staff is a required step during the selection process. Candidates will be notified within one (1) week after interviews have ended of their status for the upcoming academy.

Attendance

Classes meet on Tuesday and Thursday nights from 6:00pm-10:30pm, and on Saturdays from 7:00am to 5:00pm (Please note classes may last longer at instructor’s discretion). Very strict attendance is REQUIRED!

Tuition, Fees, & Other Costs*

  • FSC 102 Tuition (11 Credits) = $935.00
  • FSC 134 Tuition (3 Credits) = $255.00
  • FSC 174 Tuition (2 Credits) = $170.00
  • College Registration Fee per semester = $15.00
  • Lab Fees = $435.00
  • AzCFSE Firefighter I & II Test Fee = $100.00
  • NFPA/IAFC Fundamentals of Firefighter Skills Textbook = New: approx. $90.00 / Used: approx. $45.00 - $50.00
  • Academy Uniforms/Apparel = $125.00 - $250.00 (depending on # of items ordered)

*Tuition cost per Maricopa County Residency status. Costs are subject to change per Maricopa Community College District Board approval.