Emergency Medical Science (A45340)

Associate in Applied Science Degree

The Emergency Medical Science curriculum is designed to prepare graduates to enter the workforce as paramedics. Additionally, the program can provide an Associate Degree for individuals desiring an opportunity for career enhancement. The course of study provides the student an opportunity to acquire basic and advanced life support knowledge and skills by utilizing classroom instruction, practical laboratory sessions, hospital clinical experience, and field internships with emergency medical service agencies.

The Emergency Medical Science Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP), 1361 Park Street, Clearwater, FL 33756; Phone: 727-210-2350; Fax:727-210-2354; caahep.org by the recommendation of the Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Professions (CoAEMSP), Suite 111-312, 8301 Lakeview Parkway, Rowlett, TX 75088; Phone: 214-703-8445; Fax: 214-703-8992; coaemsp.org.

Graduates will take the North Carolina Office of Emergency Medical Services (NCOEMS) examination for recognition as a paramedic. Graduates will also be eligible to take the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) examination. Employment opportunities include ambulance services, fire and rescue agencies, air medical services, specialty areas of hospitals, industry, physician’s offices, educational institutions, and government agencies.

Students should have good physical strength and flexibility; be able to see, hear, and communicate well; and have strong critical thinking skills. Blue Ridge Community College’s clinical site partners require criminal background checks, drug testing, and tuberculosis screening along with proof of immunizations.

Students applying for admission to the Blue Ridge Emergency Medical Science program MUST meet the Blue Ridge Community College admission requirements. Admission to the general college does not guarantee admission to the Emergency Medical Science program. Special admission procedures for the Emergency Medical Science program are outlined on page 11.

Program Costs: In addition to tuition and textbooks, costs of this program include the following: EMS Testing, FISDAP Clinical Competency Tracking, uniforms (shirts, pants, shoes, and jacket), stethoscope, physical examination, immunizations/records, criminal background check, and drug screening.

Students are responsible for their own transportation to and from all clinical, laboratory, and class activities. Clinical and EMS field internship experiences may be scheduled morning, afternoons, evenings, and weekends.

Students who seek credit for EMT-Basic Certification, taken through continuing education, may request course credit by examination or experiential credit. Potential candidates who are within two years of their credential expiration date must provide documentation for recertification eligibility.

This curriculum complies with the standard approved by the State Board of Community Colleges. Students may be required to take one or more developmental courses as a result of pre-enrollment placement tests; therefore, the student may need more than the minimum number of semester hours listed for graduation. Developmental courses for this program may include Readiness Level Reading, English, and/or Math and other courses in developmental Reading, English, Math, Biology, and Chemistry. For more information on developmental courses, see page 52 or speak to a program advisor.

Spring Semester (14 Credits)

Fall Semester  (17 Credits)

Spring Semester (15 Credits)

Summer Term (11 Credits)

Fall Semester  (14 Credits)

**3 Credits must be selected from the list of Humanities Elective at the bottom of the page

**Humanities Electives

The following listings for Humanities Electives apply to Associate in Applied Science degree-seeking students. These electives should be carefully selected with the faculty advisor to ensure proper credit. Some programs of study have specific courses that meet the humanities elective requirement. ASL, foreign language, and public speaking courses cannot count as the sole humanities course in an associate in applied science program.

• ART 111 Art Appreciation

• ART 114 Art History Survey I

• ART 115 Art History Survey II

• DRA 111 Theatre Appreciation

• DRA 112 Literature of the Theatre

• DRA 211 Theatre History I

• ENG 231 American Literature I

• ENG 232 American Literature II

• ENG 241 British Literature I

• ENG 242 British Literature II

• ENG 262 World Literature II

• HUM 123 Appalachian Culture

• HUM 160 Introduction to film

• MUS 110 Music Appreciation

• PHI 210 History of Philosophy

• PHI 240 Introduction to Ethics

• REL 110 World Religions

• REL 211 Intro to Old Testament

• REL 212 Intro to New Testament

• REL 221 Religion in America

Total Semester Credit Hours in Program: 71