Nov 03, 2024

Fall 2020 - Summer 2021 Course Catalog

Fall 2020 - Summer 2021 Course Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Paramedic A.A.S.

School: Health Careers, Technology and Applied Learning
Academic Dept: Allied Health Careers
HEGIS: 5299

Important Note about Program Requirements

The requirements listed below are for students entering into this program from Fall 2020 to Summer 2021. Students who entered the program during a prior semester will find their specific requirements listed in the Catalog under which they entered. Archived Catalogs are accessible through the dropdown menu above.

Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) Degree Defined

The purpose of the A.A.S. is to be fully trained for immediate employment upon graduation. Students who opt to continue on to pursue higher levels of education are encouraged to check with the receiving institution regarding transferability of credits. Click to learn more about the differences among award types.

Program Description

The Paramedic program prepares students for careers as paramedics, the most advanced pre-hospital EMS provider. In addition to certification by the New York State Department of Health, paramedic students have the opportunity to become Nationally Registered Emergency Medical Technician–Paramedics (NREMT-P).

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program, a student will:

Demonstrate entry-level cognitive competence as a Paramedic as defined by accreditation standards.
Demonstrate entry-level psychomotor competence as a Paramedic as defined by accreditation standards.
Demonstrate entry-level affective competence as a Paramedic as defined by accreditation standards.
Demonstrate competency and broad foundational knowledge in the general education curriculum as required by Westchester Community College.

Program Requirements

General Education Requirements - 18 Credits

Students are required to fulfill a certain number of credits within the specific categories shown below. Where specific courses are not listed within these categories, courses must be selected from the list of SUNY General Education Courses .

Foreign Language or Other World Civilizations (3 credits)

Select a course from ONE of the following categories:

Foreign Language - see SUNY General Education Courses
Other World Civilizations - see SUNY General Education Courses

American History or Western Civilization (3 credits)

Select a course from ONE of the following categories:

American History - see SUNY General Education Courses
Western Civilization - see SUNY General Education Courses

Degree Requirements - 46 Credits

BIOL 109 - Basic Anatomy and Physiology Lecture and Lab
EMS 121 - Paramedic 1, Lab and Clinical Studies
EMS 122 - Paramedic 2, Lab and Clinical Studies
EMS 221 - Paramedic 3
EMS 222 - Paramedic 4
EMS 231 - Paramedic 5
EMS Electives (minimum of 6 credits, see below)

EMS Electives

Select TWO courses from:

Minimum Total Credits - 64

Program Note(s):

Sequential Courses and Cohort Model
There are courses that need to be taken in sequence for this program. Therefore, a cohort of students that begin EMS 121 can expect to progress through the remaining courses together. To facilitate entry into the program two cohorts are started each year, one in the fall semester and another in the spring. Please see below for details.

Part-Time and Full-Time Options
The fall semester cohort as listed above utilizes 7.5 week semesters and follows a full-time class schedule. Students that begin this cohort in the fall semester may complete the program within one year and sit for the NY State Department of Health Paramedic Certification Exam in August.

The spring semester cohort is designed for students looking for a part-time course of study and begins in the spring semester. Students that begin this cohort in the spring may complete the program in a year and a half, sitting for the NY State Department of Health Paramedic Certification Exam in August of the following year.

Required Screening
Students admitted into this program must complete, at their own expense, a successful criminal background check and drug screening prior to beginning clinical courses. Please consult the Curriculum Chair for additional details regarding the timetable and procedure for completing these requirements.

Health Requirements
Prior to EMS 221 , each student will submit, to the College Health Services office, the results of a physical examination, laboratory tests, and documentation on forms provided by the College.

Clinical Practice
Clinical practice is an integral part of all paramedic programs and is a large part of EMS 221 , EMS 222 , and EMS 231 . Transportation to clinical agencies is the responsibility of the student. Malpractice insurance must be carried by all students throughout the program. (See Financial Information/Fees )

Uniforms
School uniforms are worn in the clinical area and must be purchased by the student.

Career Path Opportunities

Are you wondering what careers you can explore with a degree or certificate? Perhaps you are not sure what people do or how much money they make in certain careers that pique your interest? Would you like to know how many jobs are predicted to be available in a particular industry? Or maybe you are unsure whether receiving a degree or certificate would be right for you? Go to https://sunywcc.emsicareercoach.com to explore career paths, their associated job descriptions, salary trends, and jobs trends. Complete a career assessment for additional guidance. Still not sure? Visit www.sunywcc.edu/career for more career resources and contacts.

Transfer Opportunities

Transfer Agreements

Westchester Community College is committed to facilitating a smooth transfer process to ensure that graduates of the college are prepared to transfer with junior status, and are able to complete a bachelor’s degree within two years of full-time study upon transfer. View 4-year institutions’ transfer agreement information by program here.

Getting Started

Are you a prospective Westchester Community College graduate? We look forward to seeing you soon! Please see important program requirements below:

Paramedic Admissions Requirements

The paramedic program is a selective curriculum. Departmental consent is required for acceptance into this program and is based on the following criteria:

Current certification by the New York State Department of Health as an Emergency Medical Technician.* (Students are required to maintain this certification for the duration of the degree requirements.)
Experience in a commercial EMS system.

For admission to this program, contact either the Health Sciences Counselor sabrina.hochberg@sunywcc.edu or the Paramedic Curriculum Chair robert.gurliacci@sunywcc.edu.

*This certification may be obtained upon successful completion of EMS 101 or from any other NY State Department of Health approved Emergency Medical Technician Course. Visit www.health.ny.gov/professionals/ems/training.htm for more information.

Apply today, then see the College’s Admissions and Enrollment Checklist.