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In 2012 and 2013, 32 undergraduate and graduate students at Oklahoma State University were administered an IRB approved retrospective post survey after completing a field based prescribed fire course.  The course instructs students on all aspects of planning and conducting prescribed fires and allows students the opportunity to actively participate on prescribed fires.   Surveys assessed burning experience and changes in three areas: 1) knowledge, skills and abilities, 2) potential for adoption, and 3) perceptions about fire.  The survey used the Likert scale, a psychometric index of equal negative and positive positions with an intermediate neutral option with a five point index.  Change was calculated using pre and post responses with the following equation: Change = [(POST - PRE) / PRE] * 100.  Prior to the course, 38% of the students (12 of 32) had never been on a prescribed fire.  During the two years, 19 prescribed fires were conducted on 529 hectares ranging in size from <1 to 138 hectares.  Students participated on an average of 7 fires for a total of 21 hours on fires during the course.   The retrospective post survey documented the following impacts:  +119% change in confidence in ability to lead a prescribed fire program; +108% change in knowledge and ability for proper planning for prescribed fires; +90% change in confidence and ability to operate a drip torch; +54% increase in interest in obtaining a fire related job; +58% change in the potential to apply prescribed fire on family land; +41% change in practicality of starting a fire program in today's society; and +19% change in comfort level near fire.  Students also commented that the hands-on training received in this course was more effective for learning than traditional classroom-bound instruction.  Effective training of future fire managers and practitioners must emphasize hands-on experiential learning.