Associate in Science or Associate in Applied Science
Emergency Medical Services (EMS) (2251)
Creating competent, ethical, confident entry-level health care practitioners committed to professional development
through life-long learning in a positive, non-discriminatory and supportive learning environment.
An emergency medical services system consists of many different components. Paramedic is the advanced level for work in
the EMS field. Paramedics provide advanced life support and transportation for the sick and injured. Attainment of the EMS
degree may help the graduate in career advancement opportunities.
This limited access A.S. or A.A.S. degree program in EMS is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health
Education Programs and is a combination of general education and EMS courses. Graduates of the program are prepared to
function as entry-level paramedics. Upon completion of the program, graduates are awarded an associate in science degree in
EMS and are eligible to apply to sit for the Florida state board exam to qualify for certification as a paramedic in the
state of Florida. The EMS field requires specific physical capabilities, please contact any disabled student services
office if you have specific questions. Emergency medical services (EMS) technology courses must be taken in sequence with the designated
prerequisite and corequisite courses. A grade point average of 2.0 must be earned in each professional core course,
BSC 2010C and BSC 2020C.
A brochure outlining costs,
requirements, deadlines and procedures is available online.
The numbers of jobs added to the field will be much faster than average, according to the Department of Labor. The average
starting annual salary for paramedics is $28,000.
Upon completion of the program, graduates will be eligible to take the Florida State Board or National Registry exams.
This A.S. degree program articulates into the Bachelor of Health Science degree program at
the University of
North Florida and Nova Southeastern
University. See more information on
articulation.
This program is accredited by the Committee on Accreditation of
Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Professions, 1248 Harwood Road, Bedford, Texas 76021
(817.283.9403) and the Florida Department of Health,
Bureau of Emergency Medical Services, 4052 Bald Cypress Way, Tallahassee, FL 32399 (850.245.4440).
Prior to being admitted to the program an applicant must complete:
| |
****EMS 1059 |
First Responders: Emergency Care Training |
| |
EMS 1119 |
Fundamentals of Emergency Medical Care |
| |
EMS 1401 |
Fundamentals of Emergency Medical Care Clinical Experience |
| |
*** BSC 2010C |
Principles of Biology I |
To meet the minimum requirements for consideration for acceptance to the Emergency Medical Services program students must:
- Be at least 18 years of age.
- Submit a paramedic application by the published deadline.
- Incomplete or late applications will not be considered. (Contact the EMS office for application deadline.)
Estimated tuition is $4,847 (for Florida residents, as of 7/06). For details on fees, books, uniforms and
materials see the online brochure.
| General Education Courses |
| ENC 1101 |
English Composition I |
3 |
| ***BSC 2010C |
Principles of Biology I |
4 |
| |
*Humanities |
3 |
| MAC 1105 |
College Algebra |
3 |
| PSY 1012 |
General Psychology |
3 |
| |
Credit Hours |
16 |
| Required Professional Courses |
| **EMS 1059 |
First Responders: Emergency Care Training |
2 |
| EMS 1119 |
Fundamentals of Emergency Medical Care |
6 |
| EMS 1401 |
Fundamentals of Emergency Medical Care Clinical Experience |
3 |
| ***BSC 2020C |
Human Biology |
4 |
| EMS 2611 |
Paramedic Module I, Preparatory |
4 |
| EMS 2611L |
Paramedic Module I, Pharmacology Lab |
2 |
| EMS 2612L |
Paramedic Module II, Airway |
1 |
| EMS 2613L |
Paramedic Module III, Patient Assessment |
3 |
| EMS 2666 |
Paramedic Clinical I |
3 |
| EMS 2614 |
Paramedic Module IV, Trauma |
2 |
| EMS 2615 |
Paramedic Module V, Medical |
6 |
| EMS 2615L |
Paramedic Module V, Medical Lab |
3 |
| EMS 2667 |
Paramedic Clinical II |
3 |
| EMS 2616 |
Paramedic Module VI, Special Considerations |
3 |
| EMS 2617L |
Paramedic Module VII, Assessment Based Lab |
2 |
| EMS 2618L |
Paramedic Module VIII, Operations Lab |
1 |
| EMS 2668 |
Paramedic Clinical III |
2 |
| EMS 2659 |
Paramedic Field Internship |
3 |
| |
Credit Hours |
53 |
| Professional Electives |
| CTS 1101 |
Introduction to Windows |
1 |
| CGS 1570 |
Microcomputer Applications |
3 |
| and |
|
|
| (Select one from the following) |
|
| EMS 2761 |
Emergency Medical Services Education |
3 |
| EMS 2311 |
Management of Emergency Medical Services |
3 |
| |
Credit Hours |
4 |
Total Credit Hours: 73
*Refer to A.S. degree General Education Requirements.
**Students who have successfully completed HCP 0001 Health Careers Core may substitute the core for EMS 1059.
***BSC 2085C and BSC 2086C may be substituted for BSC 2020C. Students who have completed BSC 2085C prior to entering the paramedic program should take BSC 2086C during the first semester of the paramedic program.
****EMS 1059 is a prerequisite for EMS 1119 and EMS 1401.
You have two options in this program: the associate in science (A.S.) degree, which can prepare you for employment or
transfer to a state university, and the associate in applied science (A.A.S.) degree, which is intended primarily for
students who want immediate employment after graduation. If you choose the A.S. degree you must take MAC 1105, MGF 1106 or a
higher level mathematics. The A.A.S. degree requires MAT 1033 or higher. Please see an advisor to determine the option that
is best for you.
Non–degree seeking students may refer to the paramedic technical
certificate program.
Record of Conviction of a Crime
The Florida Department of Health,
Bureau of Emergency Medical Services (EMS), will determine an EMT or paramedic program graduate’s eligibility for certification
when there is an arrest/conviction record. Students should contact the Bureau of EMS for information regarding state regulations.
Most clinical agencies require students to undergo drug screen and criminal background checks prior to placement in
the agencies for clinical experiences. Students whose drug screening and criminal background checks are deemed unsatisfactory may be
denied access to clinical experiences by the clinical agencies. Failure to qualify for and meet clinical requirements at clinical sites
may prevent completion of the program. Withdrawal from the program may be necessary if students cannot be placed for clinical
experiences.
The cost of the background check and drug screen is borne by the student. Additionally, it is the student’s
responsibility to have all paperwork completed by the program’s published deadline. Students who are unable to complete the clinical
requirements after acceptance into selective access programs are not eligible for refunds of tuition. A physical examination will be
required upon acceptance to the program.
