Why Fire Protection Engineering?

Fire protection engineers are in high demand, with  job opportunities available all over Maryland and the world. There are typically three open entry-level fire protection engineer positions for every student who graduates from our program. Our graduates’ employers include consulting firms, large corporations and government agencies. We have one of the closest-knit, most supportive alumni networks around, and our alumni come back to recruit our students every year. 

Beyond the Classroom

Conduct Research

Our laboratory facilities provide on-campus undergraduate and graduate students with exposure to standardized ASTM test procedures and fire dynamics investigations.

Study Abroad

Get prepared to compete in a global economy and workforce.

Keystone Courses

On-campus freshmen participate in an applied engineering project.

Get Involved with Student Societies

Connect with fire protection engineers in the field through the Salamander FPE Honorary Society and the UMD Student Chapter of the Society of Fire Protection Engineers.

Top-Notch Location

Near Washington, DC and Baltimore, opportunities are unparalleled.

Exclusive Networks

Enjoy interactions with leading fire protection engineering firms.

Visits are Encouraged!
 

• Fire Protection Engineering Information Sessions (offered on-campus and virtually)
• Clark School of Engineering Information Sessions and Tours
• University of Maryland Campus Tour

Prospective undergraduate students and their families are invited to schedule a Fire Protection Engineering department tour throughout the year. In the Fall and Spring semesters, shadow visits with our student ambassadors are also available. Schedule a visit by emailing the department at enfp@umd.edu.

Student Stories

Browse All Stories

I was a Middle School teacher who burnt out during the pandemic. I decided to retrain into a fully different field, and Fire Protection Engineering was too interesting to ignore.

After graduation, I intend to gain my professional engineers license and work in consulting for life safety analysis.

My favorite class was Human Behavior in Fire, which I took abroad at Lund University in Sweden.

I immediately felt at home on the University of Maryland campus.

If you're willing to put yourself out there, and push hard, you will be successful.

The community I immediately found and experienced within FPE has made a significant difference in my academics and in my life.

I'm incredibly grateful to have such amazing opportunities in my career due to the dedication of FPE faculty and staff.

Having practical experience has given me more confidence in my academic abilities.

I learned just how fortunate I am to live in a state with such a reputable and esteemed university.

The staff and faculty are amazing, and the department feels like a family.