Emergency Medical Services AAS Degree Courses

This course focuses on applying the writing process to job application materials and workplace-related written communication.

Lecture Hours: 48

Composition I emphasizes fluency, thesis-driven organization, the use of supporting details, and research techniques. Writing is approached as a recursive process that includes prewriting strategies, drafting, revising, and editing. The course helps students shape writing to serve readers' needs and define a sense of purpose in their writing. It also gives students strategies for reading college-level material.

Lecture Hours: 48

Prerequisite(s): Appropriate placement score or equivalent.

Prepares the student to provide emergency care at an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) level as outlined by the National Emergency Medical Services Education standards. Introduces basic emergency care concepts including fundamental knowledge of the EMS system, safety/well-being of the EMT and medical/legal and ethical issues to the provision of emergency care. Focuses on patient assessment, care and transportation.

Lecture Hours: 32 Lab Hours: 32

Introduces shock and resuscitation, patient assessment, care and transportation of the acutely ill, trauma patient, special patient populations and EMS operations. Focuses on Geriatric Education for EMS (GEMS), Hazmat Awareness, and Incident Command. Students will be required to demonstrate proficiency for skills within the scope of practice for patients of all ages.

Lecture Hours: 32 Lab Hours: 32

Prerequisite(s): Minimum grade of C- in EMS-363.

Pre/Co-requisite(s): A minimum grade of C in EMS-363.

Prepares students to provide emergency medical assessment, care and transportation of acutely ill or injured patients of all ages. Develops student proficiency in previously learned skills when providing direct patient care in selected clinical settings. Requires student participation in and documentation of patient contacts and field experience approved by the medical director and the EMS program director. Students must demonstrate competency in skills for patients of all ages within the scope of practice.

Co-op Hours: 64

Prerequisite(s): Minimum grade of C- in EMS-364.

Pre/Co-requisite(s): A minimum grade of C in EMS-364.

This course surveys the basic principles, concepts, and research findings of social life from small groups to societies. The course examines a range of sociological explanations for the various forms of social behaviors and establishes a basis for reflection and further study in the field.

Lecture Hours: 48

Human Relations is the study of self and social behavior. Emphasis is placed on the understanding and application of social science theories and research for the development of effective interpersonal and organizational relationships.

Lecture Hours: 48

This course provides an introduction to the study of behavior and mental processes with emphasis in such areas as learning, cognition, motivation, personality, behavioral disorder, therapy, and social influence. An understanding of the impact of both theoretical perspectives and experimental evidence on the formulation of the science of human behavior is also stressed. Psychological theories and principles are utilized to explain and predict behavior.

Lecture Hours: 48

This is an introductory course that surveys a variety of topics to include history, hardware, software, terminology, communications, computer ethics, and societal impact of computers. In addition to computer literacy, students will complete hands-on modules using operating systems, word processing, database, presentation, and spreadsheet software; such as Microsoft Office programs.

Lecture Hours: 48

This course presents the basic concepts of information systems and computer literacy. The course incorporates theory as well as hands-on practice, which focuses on spreadsheets and database management systems (DBMS).

Lecture Hours: 32 Lab Hours: 32

This course introduces the essential biomedical knowledge needed to prepare for advanced emergency medical care coursework. Emphasis is placed on human anatomy and physiology, common disease processes, and lifespan development concepts relevant to emergency care. This preparatory course helps students build the knowledge base required for success in advanced patient assessment, clinical decision-making, and evidence-based EMS practice.

Lecture Hours: 48

An introduction to the principles of human anatomy and physiology beginning with the cellular/biochemical level of organization and progressing through a comprehensive study of organ systems emphasizing homeostasis. This is a one-term transfer level class designed for students entering allied health fields or biological sciences. Each student must enroll for one laboratory section.

Lecture Hours: 48 Lab Hours: 32

The first of a two-semester sequence especially designed for students pursuing careers in allied health fields as well as any student desiring an in-depth undergraduate transfer course. The course focuses on the interdependent relationships between the structure and functions of body systems and the ways these parts interact (homeostasis) to insure the survival of the organism. Major topics addressed include levels of organization, the chemistry of life, support/movement, integration/control, and coordination. Coordinated laboratory exercises focus on anatomical knowledge and physiological functions.

Lecture Hours: 48 Lab Hours: 32

The second of a two-semester sequence designed for students pursuing careers in allied health fields or wishing an in-depth undergraduate transfer course in the biological sciences. The course focuses on interdependent relationships between the structures and functions of body systems and the way these parts interact (homeostasis) to insure survival of the organism. Major topics addressed include systems associated with circulation, maintenance, elimination and continuity. Coordinated laboratory exercises focus on anatomical knowledge and physiological functions.

Lecture Hours: 48 Lab Hours: 32

Prerequisite(s): Minimum grade of C- in BIO-168

This course explores the principles and practices of leadership in Emergency Medical Services (EMS). Emphasis is placed on leadership roles of paramedics in diverse environments, including patient care teams, interprofessional collaboration, and organizational operations. Topics include leadership theories, decision-making, communication strategies, ethics, cultural competence, conflict resolution, crew resource management (CRM), quality improvement, and leadership skills development for entry-level practice and career advancement.

Lecture Hours: 48

This course examines the physical, emotional, and psychological challenges faced by EMS providers. Students explore the impact of stress, trauma exposure, and shift work on personal health and performance. Topics include stress physiology, burnout, PTSD, suicide prevention, and strategies for resilience and recovery. The course also addresses the development of agency-level wellness initiatives. Emphasis is placed on practical skills and resources that enhance responder wellness and long-term EMS career sustainability.

Lecture Hours: 48

This is a one semester, liberal arts mathematics course that satisfies the minimum general education requirement for math. The course is designed to impart math skills which are helpful in everyday life as well as to expose students to areas of mathematics they may not have seen before. Topics include problem-solving skills, set theory, algebra, consumer mathematics, probability, and statistics. Other topics may be included.

Lecture Hours: 48

Prerequisite(s): Minimum grade of D- in MAT-060 or MAT-063. Or equivalent placement score.

This course provides an intensified study of algebraic techniques and prepares students for future study in mathematics. The central theme is the concept of functions, their properties, graphs and applications. Functions studied include polynomial, rational, exponential, and logarithmic.

Lecture Hours: 64

Prerequisite(s): Minimum grade of C- in MAT-102. Or equivalent placement score.

This course is a study of descriptive statistics including graphical representation, central tendency, correlation and regression, intuitive treatment of probability and inferential statistics including hypothesis testing.

Lecture Hours: 48

Prerequisite(s): Minimum grade of C- in MAT-060 or MAT-063. Or equivalent placement score.

This course introduces students to the oral communication process and how it affects human interaction There will be an emphasis on developing interpersonal, small group, and public speaking skills. Students will be involved in activities that provide opportunity for the understanding and improvement of their oral communication skills.

Lecture Hours: 48

This course studies the fundamentals of public speaking, emphasizing the process of speech preparation and delivery in various contexts.

Lecture Hours: 48

This course will provide a clinical atmosphere for performance of psychomotor skills. To successfully complete this course, students must demonstrate competency in skills for patients of all ages within the scope of practice. The student will participate in and document patient contacts and field experience. Additional contact hours (up to 3 times the stated minimum) may be needed to meet the course competencies.

Co-op Hours: 192

Covers fundamental pharmacology principles, including pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and medication safety, with an emphasis on EMS-specific drugs and routes of administration. Students practice medication administration skills in the lab, including oral, intramuscular, intranasal, subcutaneous, and intravenous delivery.

Lecture Hours: 16 Lab Hours: 32

Covers the anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology, assessment, and management of cardiac patients in the prehospital setting. Includes ECG interpretation, rhythm recognition, pharmacology applications, defibrillation, pacing, and advanced airway integration. Students participate in the AHA ACLS provider course and demonstrate competence through written, practical, and scenario-based evaluations.

Lecture Hours: 32 Lab Hours: 32

Prerequisite(s): Minimum grade of C- in EMS-464

This course will prepare the entry-level paramedic in advanced airway management, physical assessment, field assessment, clinical decision making, and the assessment and management of respiratory emergencies.

Lecture Hours: 48 Lab Hours: 32

This course provides an overview of paramedic roles and responsibilities and the emergency medical service system. Included is discussion of medicolegal and ethical issues in EMS, agents of trauma and disease, career opportunities for paramedics, demonstration of proper documentation in EMS, and non-patient care aspects of EMS.

Lecture Hours: 48

This course will provide a clinical atmosphere for performance of psychomotor skills. To successfully complete this course, students must demonstrate competency in skills for patients of all ages within the scope of practice. The student will participate in and document patient contacts and field experience. Additional contact hours (up to 3 times the stated minimum) may be needed to meet the course competencies.

Co-op Hours: 192

Prerequisite(s): Minimum grade of C- in EMS-541.

This course will provide education for the paramedic in the areas of pathophysiology, recognition, assessment and management of neurological, endocrine, genitourinary/renal, behavioral, toxicological, immunological, hematological, infectious diseases, respiratory and abdominal/gastrointestinal and non-traumatic musculoskeletal complaints.

Lecture Hours: 48 Lab Hours: 32

This course will provide the paramedic student with knowledge of operational roles and responsibilities to ensure patient, public and personnel safety.

Lecture Hours: 32

This course provides a foundation for the paramedic in the assessment and management of patients who require special considerations.

Lecture Hours: 16 Lab Hours: 32

Traumatic Emergencies for the Paramedic explores the science of traumatic injuries, their detection and treatment. Major topics include: soft tissue, shock, hard tissue, nervous system, and internal injuries.

Lecture Hours: 32 Lab Hours: 32

This course enhances learning through the practice of paramedicine in a field environment and through experiences with actual patients under the supervision of preceptors. It is required prior to the paramedic field internship/capstone.

EMS-541 with minimum grade of C-.

Co-op Hours: 64

This course is the capstone and final course in the paramedic series. The student must meet all the field internship requirements in the cognitive, psychomotor, and affective domains before consideration for a final. The EMS Medical Director, with the Field Preceptors of the Paramedic Program, will make the final determination as to a student's overall competence and ability to function as a competent entry-level paramedic.

Lab Hours: 32 Co-op Hours: 128

Prerequisite(s): Minimum grade of C- in EMS-688 and EMS-546