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 2022 to Summer 2023. 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.

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 Map

The academic map below presents the recommended plan of study and will guide you through your program in a timely manner. Click the course abbreviations for full course descriptions. A course may be critical because it is a pre-requisite, requires a minimum grade, or because it is only offered once a year. Missing a critical course may push back your graduation date. Meet with an Academic Counselor or Faculty Advisor to ensure you are on track to complete your program.

Critical Courses should be taken in the order shown to stay on track and graduate on time.

Semester 1

Course (click for more information)	Critical Course	Pre-reqs or Co-reqs	Credits	Notes
ENG 101		✔	3
EMS Elective			3	✹
EMS Elective			3	✹
Mathematics Gen Ed Elective		✔	3
Semester Total Credits			12

Notes:

✹ Choose one: EMS 110 , EMS 135 , EMS 210 , EMS 215 , EMS 217

Semester 2

Course (click for more information)	Critical Course	Pre-reqs or Co-reqs	Credits	Notes
EMS 115	✔		3
EMS 121	✔	✔	4
EMS 122	✔	✔	5
American History or Western Civilization Gen Ed Elective			3
Semester Total Credits			15

Semester 3

Course (click for more information)	Critical Course	Pre-reqs or Co-reqs	Credits	Notes
EMS 221	✔	✔	10
Semester Total Credits			10

Semester 4

Course (click for more information)	Critical Course	Pre-reqs or Co-reqs	Credits	Notes
EMS 222	✔	✔	10
Social Sciences Gen Ed Elective			3
Semester Total Credits			13

Semester 5

Course (click for more information)	Critical Course	Pre-reqs or Co-reqs	Credits	Notes
EMS 231	✔	✔	8
ENG 102		✔	3
Foreign Language or Other World Civilizations Gen Ed Elective			3
Semester Total Credits			14

Minimum Total Credits: 64

Program Notes:

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.

Transfer Opportunities

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.

Career Opportunities

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