EMS Paramedicine Major, BS

The EMS paramedicine major is designed for students who plan to become a certified pre-hospital professional in emergency medical services. The paramedicine major provides the graduate with the requisite skill sets for entry-level competence in advanced life support emergency medical services, as well as superior skills in advanced life support and leadership abilities in emergency medical services.

The delivery format includes classroom lectures, group discussions, laboratory skills training, hospital clinical experience with observations and practice, field internships, educational internships, administrative internships, pre-hospital research, and simulated scenario-based exercises of complex patient condition which willfully prepare the student for occupations in advanced emergency medical services. This nationally-accredited program meets all of the national curriculum and Washington State standards.

In addition to general admissions, all applicants must meet specific entrance criteria (including a current EMT certification) and be approved by the paramedic selection committee before being admitted into the program. Admission to CWU does not assure entry into the paramedicine major.

Advanced Standing is an option for currently certified and practicing paramedics to earn their Bachelor of Science degree and EMS Paramedicine. This option is made available only for currently certified paramedics that received their education from accredited institutions and that reside in a state that participates in online instruction with Washington state.

Upon acceptance into the Advanced Standing status of the online EMS Paramedicine program, the student shall be awarded up to 44 credits in experiential learning in the major. The explanation of requirements and the substitution of major courses are listed at www.cwu.edu/health-science/paramedicine.

Completion of the major listed below and other degree requirements leads to the bachelor of science in paramedicine and eligibility to take the National Registry EMTs examination for paramedic certification. For students not seeking a degree, a certification option is available.

Admission Requirements
Admission to the major:

Minimum requirements for candidacy for this program include:

• Must be at least 18 years-old or older at the beginning of the course.
• Evidence of a high school diploma or equivalency qualification with a 2.0 GPA or better (a GPA of 3.0 is strongly preferred).
• Admission to Central Washington University.
• Current EMT-Basic / Intermediate certification or equivalent documentation active for one year or more required.
• EMT experience with approximately 200 prehospital 911 calls with an Advanced Life Support EMS agency is preferred. It is recommended that students keep a log of their calls and include the agency name, date, nature of call and the student’s role during the call.
• Completion of an Anatomy and Physiology course 200 level or above.
• Completion of a Medical Terminology course.
• Letters of recommendation from a minimum of three medical professionals (preferably paramedics) involved directly or indirectly in the delivery of prehospital medical care.
• Successful completion of interview by Selection Committee of the EMS Paramedic Program at Central Washington University.
• Completed application submitted by deadline.

Admission to our Advanced Standing Bachelor’s program:

1. The prospective student shall apply for admission to Central Washington University and satisfy all necessary paperwork, transcripts, fees, and requirements for admission
2. The admitted student should complete all orientations, establish all necessary accounts, and satisfy all transfer requirements, if applicable
3. To be eligible for matriculation in the Advanced Standing Program major, the admitted student must complete the General Education requirements prior to graduation. General Education Requirements may also be satisfied with the appropriate Associates Degree for transfer. PLEASE NOTE: Fulfillment of the General Education requirements is necessary for graduation and falls under the review by the Office of Admissions and not the EMS Paramedicine Program.
4. The admitted student shall then apply to the EMS Paramedicine Program for acceptance into the Advanced Standing status and satisfy all requirements, documentation, and fees to the Program.  Please note: failure to attain acceptance into the Advanced Standing status of the EMS Paramedicine Program does not preclude the student from seeking an alternative major nor will it result in a refund of any admission fees or incurred costs from the University.      
5. To be awarded credits in the EMS Paramedicine major as an Advanced Standing student, the student must be a currently certified paramedic (state or national certification) with evidence of completion of education from a CoAEMSP-accredited institution (certificate or letter of completion).

Graduation Requirements
Students in the EMS paramedicine major must earn 105 total credits. There are more courses offered than required, therefore, students have the option between three different pathways to program completion. For details about the three pathways, please contact Douglas Presta, program director for EMS Paramedicine.

Advanced standing is an option for currently certified and practicing paramedics to earn their bachelor of science: EMS paramedicine. This option is made available only for currently certified paramedics who received their education from accredited institutions, and who reside in a state that participates in online instruction with Washington State.

General Education requirements must be met to graduate. General Education requirements may be satisfied through an approved academic plan at Central Washington University or by an approved degree to transfer at either the Associates or Bachelor level.

Program Learner Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:

• demonstrate knowledge of effective therapeutic techniques in prehospital medicine;
• demonstrate the ability to use critical and creative thinking to solve problems;
• have knowledge of research process in prehospital medicine;
• effectively demonstrate information competence and the ability to use computers and other technology for many purposes; and
• communicate effectively in a variety of formats.