# Paramedic (EMT) **Institution:** ECPI University **College:** Health Science **Sub-Program:** Health Sciences **Degree:** Associate of Applied Science in Emergency Medical Services **Canonical URL:** https://www.ecpi.edu/programs/emergency-medical-services-paramedic-associates **Last Updated:** 2026-09-14T17:34:11+00:00 ## Paramedic Degree Overview The Associate of Applied Science in Emergency Medical Services (EMS) program is designed to prepare students for roles in emergency medical response. The curriculum combines classroom instruction with hands-on training to develop skills in patient assessment, life support, and safe transport to healthcare facilities. Upon successful completion of the program, graduates may be eligible to take the certification exam administered by the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT), subject to meeting exam eligibility requirements. Paramedics are often the first medical personnel to provide care in emergency situations. They work as part of a coordinated medical response team, using their knowledge of human body systems and life-support techniques to address diverse patient needs. The program emphasizes critical thinking, teamwork, and effective communication in high-pressure scenarios. This program requires 555 hours of classroom and lab instruction and 270 hours of in-hospital clinical work. With ECPI University’s year-round accelerated scheduling, you could earn your Associate of Applied Science in EMS in as little as **18 months**. - **71 Total Credits** — 18 Month Associate's Degree - **Integrated into Program** — 1 on 1 Preceptorship - **Training Courses Built into Program** — GEMS & AMLS ### Knowledge and Skills Graduates should grow in the following areas: - **Clinical and Field Skills** Gain knowledge in human body systems, advanced life support, patient care, and safe EMS transport. - **Technical Competence** Provide evidence-based care with critical thinking and master all essential paramedic skills. - **Professional Skills** Ensure safety, coordinate care, delegate effectively, and solve problems to support positive patient outcomes. ## Program Structure and Learning Formats ### Locations - [Newport News, VA](https://www.ecpi.edu/locations/newport-news-va) ## Emergency Medical Services Curriculum The Associate of Applied Science in Emergency Medical Services (EMS) program ### Featured Courses - **Introduction to Paramedic** — EMS201 This course introduces the foundations of paramedic practice. Topics include the Roles and Responsibilities of the Paramedic, EMS SystEMS, Workforce Safety and Wellness, EMS Research, the Role of EMS in Public Health, Medical Legal issues, Medical Ethics, Communication Principles and Documentation. - **Emergency Medical Technician Clinical** — EMS120 This course is the last in the four course series for Emergency Medical Technician.This course is a two part clinical experience providing direct patient care in the clinical and field settings. Part one occurs in the Emergency Department with the focus on performing a basic patient assessment and basic life support skills under the direct supervision of a clinical preceptor. Part two involves providing direct patient care on out-of-hospital advanced life support units as a team member under the direct supervision of a Paramedic Field Preceptor. ### Program Requirements To receive the Associate of Applied Science in Emergency Medical Services, students must earn 71 semester credit hours. The program requires a minimum of 5 semesters, which is equivalent to 18 months or 75 weeks of instruction. The program requirements are as follows: #### Arts and Sciences Courses 18 semester credit hours **Complete ALL of the following Courses:** | Course ID | Course Name | Credit Hours | |---|---|---| | [BIO101](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/BIO101 "View BIO101") | [Human Anatomy and Physiology I](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/BIO101 "View BIO101") | 3 | | [BIO104](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/BIO104 "View BIO104") | [Human Anatomy and Physiology II](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/BIO104 "View BIO104") | 3 | | [ENG110](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/ENG110 "View ENG110") | [College Composition](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/ENG110 "View ENG110") | 3 | | [HUM205](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/HUM205 "View HUM205") | [Culture, Thought, and the Human Experience](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/HUM205 "View HUM205") | 3 | | [MTH120](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/MTH120 "View MTH120") | [College Mathematics](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/MTH120 "View MTH120") | 3 | | [PSY105](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/PSY105 "View PSY105") | [Introduction to Psychology](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/PSY105 "View PSY105") | 3 | #### Self-Integration Courses 3 semester credit hours **Complete ALL of the following Courses:** | Course ID | Course Name | Credit Hours | |---|---|---| | [FOR110](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/FOR110 "View FOR110") | [Essentials for Success](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/FOR110 "View FOR110") | 3 | #### Emergency Medical Technician Courses 9 semester credit hours **Complete ALL of the following Courses:** | Course ID | Course Name | Credit Hours | |---|---|---| | [EMS112](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/EMS112 "View EMS112") | [Emergency Medical Technician I](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/EMS112 "View EMS112") | 3 | | [EMS113](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/EMS113 "View EMS113") | [Emergency Medical Technician II](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/EMS113 "View EMS113") | 2 | | [EMS114](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/EMS114 "View EMS114") | [Emergency Medical Technician III](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/EMS114 "View EMS114") | 2 | | [EMS115](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/EMS115 "View EMS115") | [Emergency Medical Technician IV](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/EMS115 "View EMS115") | 1 | | [EMS120](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/EMS120 "View EMS120") | [Emergency Medical Technician Clinical](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/EMS120 "View EMS120") | 1 | #### Paramedic Courses 41 semester credit hours **Complete ALL of the following Courses:** | Course ID | Course Name | Credit Hours | |---|---|---| | [EMS201](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/EMS201 "View EMS201") | [Introduction to Paramedic](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/EMS201 "View EMS201") | 3 | | [EMS203](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/EMS203 "View EMS203") | [EMS Pharmacology](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/EMS203 "View EMS203") | 3 | | [EMS205](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/EMS205 "View EMS205") | [Airway Management and Ventilation](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/EMS205 "View EMS205") | 2 | | [EMS207](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/EMS207 "View EMS207") | [Advanced Patient Assessment](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/EMS207 "View EMS207") | 4 | | [EMS209](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/EMS209 "View EMS209") | [Medicine I](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/EMS209 "View EMS209") | 4 | | [EMS210](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/EMS210 "View EMS210") | [Medicine II](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/EMS210 "View EMS210") | 4 | | [EMS213](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/EMS213 "View EMS213") | [Trauma](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/EMS213 "View EMS213") | 4 | | [EMS215](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/EMS215 "View EMS215") | [Special Populations](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/EMS215 "View EMS215") | 3 | | [EMS217](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/EMS217 "View EMS217") | [EMS Operations](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/EMS217 "View EMS217") | 3 | | [EMS219](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/EMS219 "View EMS219") | [Paramedic Skill Development](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/EMS219 "View EMS219") | 1 | | [EMS241](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/EMS241 "View EMS241") | [Paramedic Clinical I](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/EMS241 "View EMS241") | 1 | | [EMS242](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/EMS242 "View EMS242") | [Paramedic Clinical II](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/EMS242 "View EMS242") | 1 | | [EMS243](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/EMS243 "View EMS243") | [Paramedic Clinical III](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/EMS243 "View EMS243") | 1 | | [EMS244](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/EMS244 "View EMS244") | [Paramedic Clinical IV](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/EMS244 "View EMS244") | 1 | | [EMS245](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/EMS245 "View EMS245") | [Paramedic Clinical V](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/EMS245 "View EMS245") | 1 | | [EMS246](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/EMS246 "View EMS246") | [Paramedic Clinical VI](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/EMS246 "View EMS246") | 1 | | [EMS250](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/EMS250 "View EMS250") | [Paramedic Field Clinical I](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/EMS250 "View EMS250") | 1 | | [EMS252](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/EMS252 "View EMS252") | [Paramedic Field Internship](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/EMS252 "View EMS252") | 2 | [View Complete Curriculum Information in the ECPI University Catalog](https://catalog.ecpi.edu/programs/sWmle401mjleBnTwga0a)## Program Outcomes The Associate of Applied Science Degree in Emergency Medical Services is designed to prepare Paramedics who are competent in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains to enter the profession. The ECPI University Emergency Medical Services (EMS) program is accredited by the Virginia Department of Health Office of Emergency Medical Services ([www.vdh.virginia.gov/emergency-medical-services](https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/emergency-medical-services)) upon the recommendation of Division of Accreditation, Certification and Education. **Virginia Office of EMS** 1041 Technology Park Drive Glen Allen, VA 23059 804-888-9100 www.vdh.virginia.gov/emergency-medical-services **The Associate of Applied Science Degree in Emergency Medical Services is designed to provide the entry-level Paramedic with knowledge and experience which are expected to enable the graduate to:** - Exhibit behavior consistent with the standards of professional practice - Adhere to the standards of professional practice within the legal, ethical and regulatory framework - Utilize various methods of communication to effectively interact within the healthcare system - Provide culturally competent care to a multicultural society - Demonstrate technical competence in all skills required of practice - Provide evidence-based, clinically competent care utilizing critical thinking and decision-making in the pre-hospital setting - Utilize basic team leadership skills to ensure safety, coordinate care, delegate appropriately and solve problems to facilitate positive patient outcomes - Demonstrate the characteristics of self-direction and accountability, which contribute to lifelong learning, both personally and within the profession **As reported to the Committee on Accreditation for the EMS Profession on the 2025 Annual Report** | NREMT Pass Rate | Retention Rate | Positive Job Placement Rate | |---|---|---| | 85.7% | 70% | 85.7% | ## Accreditation ECPI University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate, baccalaureate, and master’s degrees. Full accreditation details: [ECPI University Accreditation](https://www.ecpi.edu/accreditation). ## Programmatic Accreditation The Emergency Medical Services-Paramedic program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs ([www.caahep.org](http://www.caahep.org/)) upon the recommendation of the Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Professions (CoAEMSP). **Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs** 727-210-2350 [www.caahep.org](http://www.caahep.org/) **To contact CoAEMSP**: 214-703-8445 [www.coaemsp.org](http://www.coaemsp.org/)