Program Overview

Emergency Medical Services

Overview

The Bachelor of Science in Emergency Medical Services (EMS) at the University of Arizona's College of Medicine is designed for certified paramedics who are practicing at the state or national level. Students majoring in EMS will gain advanced training in leadership and critical care for both adult and pediatric patients from courses taught by experienced emergency medicine and EMS physicians.

Coursework Location(s)

• Main/Tucson
• Online - Arizona Online

Areas of Interest

• Biological & Biomedical Science
• Health, Nutrition & Fitness
• Mathematics, Statistics & Data Science
• Psychology & Human Behavior
• Social & Behavioral Sciences

Learning Outcomes

• Be able to provide basic and advanced level (BLS and ALS) prehospital clinical care for patients with common prehospital medical complaints
• Demonstrate detailed knowledge in at least two EMS subspecialty areas
• Use Evidence Based Guidelines to inform the development of clinical practice guidelines
• Apply knowledge of EMS systems to optimize how those systems to deliver better patient care

Program Details

Sample Courses

• EMD 310: Emergency Medical Systems Core Competencies
• EMD 410: Critical Care
• EMD 430: Wilderness Medicine

Career Fields

• Paramedics
• Disaster response
• Search and rescue
• Event support
• Military
• Defense

Level of Math

• Moderate Knowledge

The M-strand is for students who require mathematical facility at the level of at least MATH 112 (College Algebra Concepts) or 108 (Modeling with Algebraic and Trigonometric Functions). This strand involves reasonable facility with algebra and algebraic functions, graphs, and simple modeling. Students who choose the M-strand are prepared for further mathematical work.

Level of Second Language

• 2nd Semester Proficiency

Second-semester skill level in a second language is required. Non-B.A. degree students may fulfill this requirement with one of the following options:

• Scoring the equivalent of second-semester skill level on an entrance or placement examination administered by The University of Arizona.
• Completion with a C or better of a second semester course at the post-secondary level.
• An AP (Advanced Placement), IB (International Baccalaureate) or CLEP (College Level Entrance Program) language score determined by the individual language department.
• In the College of Engineering by a method determined within the College; however, all students in the college must also take a language placement examination on entrance to the University.

Pre-major Required?

• No

Additional Admissions Requirements

Applicants to this program must have current certification at the state or national level as a paramedic. Transfer units may be awarded from accredited institutions or student may receive units for NREMT certification per the Prior Learning Policy on the Registrar's website.

This Major's College

• College of Medicine, Tucson
• Degree: Bachelor of Science

Sample Plans

4-Year Sample Plan

• First Year
  • 1st Semester
    • Paramedic Certification Transfer Units (student is NREMT certified) - 15 credits
  • 2nd Semester
    • Paramedic Certification Transfer Units (student is NREMT certified) - 15 credits
• Second Year
  • 3rd Semester
    • Foundation Math - 3 credits
    • Eng 101 First-Year Composition - 3 credits
    • Second Language - 4 credits
    • GE Core: Exploring Perspectives or Building Connections - 3 credits
  • 4th Semester
    • ENG 102 First-Year Composition - 3 credits
    • Second Language - 4 credits
    • GE Core: Exploring Perspectives or Building Connections - 3 credits
    • GE Core: Exploring Perspectives or Building Connections - 3 credits
    • Major Selective (Healthcare, Sciences, Leadership, Communication) - 3 credits
• Third Year
  • 5th Semester
    • GE Core: Exploring Perspectives or Building Connections - 3 credits
    • EMD 310 Emergency Medical Services Core Competencies - 3 credits
    • EMD 350 Advanced Medical Services Core Competencies - 3 credits
    • Core Science Elective (for Major) - 4 credits
    • EMD Elective - 3 credits
  • 6th Semester
    • GE Core: Exploring Perspectives or Building Connections - 3 credits
    • Core Science Elective (for Major) - 4 credits
    • Statistics Selective (for Major) - 3 credits
    • Major Selective (Healthcare, Sciences, Leadership, Communication) - 3 credits
    • EMD Elective - 3 credits
• Fourth Year
  • 7th Semester
    • Core Science Elective (for Major) - 3 credits
    • Major Selective (Healthcare, Sciences, Leadership, Communication) - 3 credits
    • Major Selective (Healthcare, Sciences, Leadership, Communication) - 3 credits
    • EMD 493A EMS Internship - 3 credits
    • EMD Elective - 3 credits
  • 8th Semester
    • GE Core: Exploring Perspectives or Building Connections - 3 credits
    • GE Core: Exploring Perspectives or Building Connections - 3 credits
    • EMD 498 Capstone - 4 credits
    • EMD 493B EMS Leadership - 3 credits