Program Overview
Paramedics are healthcare providers and public safety officials who deliver critical patient care at the scene of injury and illness and while transporting patients between healthcare facilities. Paramedics intubate, administer complex medications, shock hearts, interpret blood gas measurements, program mechanical ventilators, deliver babies, cut people out of mangled vehicles, perform confined space and high-angle rescues, manage disaster scenes, and provide healthcare for a wide range of illnesses. Paramedics are specialists in pre-hospital and interfacility medicine.
Career Opportunities
- Paramedic
- EMS Supervisor/Administrator
- Flight Paramedic
- Emergency Medical Technician
- Physician
- Physician Assistant
Degree Options
EMS Administration Option
For students interested in a career within Emergency Medical Services. Become a paramedic and also learn the skills to become an EMS administrator.
Paramedic Science / Pre-Med Option
For students interested in becoming a paramedic and/or moving further into the medical field. This option meets the requirements for Physician Assistant & medical schools.
Clinical/Fire & Safety Option
For students interested in working in a combined fire/EMS setting. Includes courses from fire & safety degrees as well as emergency medical care courses.
Bachelor’s Degree
120 Credit Hours
37 hrs – Gen. Ed. / Univ. Req.
39 hrs – EMC Core
20-32 hrs – Supporting Course Req.
12-24 hrs – Free Electives
* Licensed paramedics seeking to complete their degree should contact the EMC coordinator directly.
Associate Degree
64 Credit Hours
19 hrs – Gen. Ed. / Univ. Req.
39 hrs – EMC Core / Supporting Courses
6 hrs – Free Electives
* Includes coursework necessary to become a licensed paramedic
Certifications
- EMT Certification (7 credit hours)
- Pediatric Advanced Life Support
- Advanced Cardiac Life Support
- Pre-Hospital Life Support
- Advanced Medical Life Support
*EMC 104 & 110/L can be waived if students already have EMT certification
EMC Core Courses (required in all options)
BIO 307 – Anatomy & Physiology I
BIO 308 – Anatomy & Physiology II
CHE 101/101L – General Chemistry I/Lab
CHE 102/102L – General Chemistry II/Lab
EMC 300 – EMS Operations/Behavioral Emergencies
EMC 303 – Intro to Cardiology
EMC 305 – Prehospital Management of OB/GYN and Pediatrics
EMC 310 – Advanced Cardiology
EMC 320 – Trauma
EMC 335 – Medical Emergencies I
EMC 340 – Medical Emergencies
EMC 342 – Advanced Clinical I/Lab
EMC 352/352L – Advanced Clinical II/Lab
EMC 360 – Advanced Field Internship I/Lab
EMC 362/362L – Advanced Field Internship II/Lab
EMS Administration Option
EMC 400 – EMS Systems Management
EMC 420 – EMS Service Design & Budget
EMC 430 or 430W – Legal & Ethical Aspects of EMS
EMC 440 – EMS Instruction (satisfies KBEMS prerequsities for KY EMS Instructor credentials)
EMC 480 – Topics in Emergency Medicine
EMC 489 – EMS Research
PSY 200 – Intro to Psychology
PSY 308 – Abnormal Psychology
Paramedic Science/Pre-Med Option
BIO 273 – Clinical Microbiology
BIO 307 – Anatomy & Physiology I
BIO 308 – Anatomy & Physiology II
BIO 318 – General Botany [other natural science courses may be substituted here]
CHE 111/111 – General Chemistry I/Lab
CHE 112/112L – General Chemistry II/Lab
CHE 361/361L – Organic Chemistry/Lab
CHE 362/362L – Organic Chemistry II/Lab
PHY 131 – College Physics I
Clinical/Fire and Safety Option
BIO 307 – Anatomy & Physiology I
BIO 308 – Anatomy & Physiology II
CHE 101/101L – General Chemistry I/Lab
CHE 102/102L – General Chemistry II/Lab
EMC 420 – EMS Service Design & Budget
EMC 430 or 430W – Legal & Ethical Aspects of EMS
EMC 440 – EMS Instruction (satisfies KBEMS prerequsities for KY EMS Instructor credentials)
EMC 480 – Topics in Emergency Medicine
FSE 200 – Applied Fire and Safety Analysis
FSE 225 – Legal Aspects of Fire Protection and Safety
FSE 320 – Principles of Emergency Services
PSY 200 – Intro to Psychology
PSY 308 – Abnormal Psychology