EMT - Paramedic (Technical Certificate)
Award: Technical Certificate
Program of Study: Emergency Medical Technician
Specialization: Paramedic
Program Code: 1636
About This Program . . .
The EMT-Paramedic represents the most advanced level of training of the emergency medical technician system. At this level, the caregiver receives advanced training in the use of procedures, medications and equipment to manage medical emergencies and traumatic injuries in patients of all ages. EMT-Paramedics (EMT-4) provide the most extensive pre-hospital care. Through performance of assessments and providing medical care, their goal is to prevent and reduce mortality and morbidity due to illness and injury. Paramedics primarily provide care to emergency patients in an out-of-hospital setting. The program prepares the graduate to take the NREMT examination and become certified as an EMT-Paramedic. Extensive related coursework and clinical and field experience is required.
Students admitted to the program must have and maintain EMT-Basic certification throughout the EMT-Paramedic program. Admission to the Paramedic program is competitive. EMTs and paramedics should be emotionally stable, have good dexterity, agility, and physical coordination, and be able to lift and carry heavy loads.
EMT-Paramedics are employed by fire, police and rescue agencies, hospitals, private ambulance companies and in a variety businesses and industries with a high potential for accidental injury or illness.
For more information on what you can do with this major, visit WCCC's Programs of Study page.
All CMU/WCCC technical certificate graduates are expected to demonstrate proficiency in specialized knowledge/applied learning, communication fluency, and critical thinking. In addition to these campus‐wide student learning outcomes, graduates of this major will be able to:
- Demonstrate intellectual reasoning, rational inquiry, and effective problem-solving skills while maintaining empathy, professionalism, and compassion for another. (Intellectual Skills: Critical Thinking)
- Recommend access to resources necessary to meet the diverse health care needs of individuals, families, and communities within cultural, ethical, legal, social, economic, and professional parameters. (Specialized Knowledge/ Applied Learning)
- Manage the collaborative health care of individuals, families, and communities through use of clear, effective, thorough, and accurate communication (Intellectual Skills/ Communication Fluency)
- Practice Paramedic level care, which includes emergency care, illness and restorative care, and health education based on a systematic assessment that is reflective of current emergency theory and research (Specialized Knowledge/Applied Learning)
- Demonstrate NREMT standards of practice, including legal basics, principles for delegation, and principles of documentation while maintaining a culture of respect and safety. (Specialized Knowledge/ Applied Learning)
Each section below contains details about the requirements for this program. Select a header to expand the information/requirements for that particular section of the program's requirements.
To print or save an overview of this program's information, including the program description, learning outcomes, requirements, suggested course sequencing (if applicable), and advising and graduation information, scroll to the bottom of the left-hand navigation menu and select "Print Options." This will give you the options to either "Send Page to Printer" or "Download PDF of This Page." The "Download PDF of This Page" option prepares a much more concise presentation of all program information. The PDF is also printable and may be preferable due to its brevity.
Institutional Certificate Requirements
The following institutional requirements apply to all CMU or WCCC Technical Certificates. Specific programs may have different requirements that must be met in addition to institutional requirements.
- Consists of 5-59 semester hours.
- Consists of 100-200 level courses.
- At least fifty percent of the credit hours must be taken at CMU/WCCC.
- 2.00 cumulative GPA or higher in all CMU/WCCC coursework.
- A grade lower than “C” will not be counted toward meeting the requirements.
- A course may only be used to fulfill one requirement for each degree/certificate.
- Non-traditional credit, such as advanced placement, credit by examination, credit for prior learning, cooperative education and internships, cannot exceed twenty-five percent of the semester credit hours required for a technical certificate.
- Pre-collegiate courses (usually numbered below 100) cannot be used for graduation.
- Capstone exit assessment/projects (e.g., Major Field Achievement Test) requirements are identified under Program-Specific Certificate Requirements.
- The Catalog Year determines which program sheet and certificate requirements a student must fulfill in order to graduate. Visit with your advisor or academic department to determine which catalog year and program requirements you should follow.
- See “Requirements for Undergraduate Degrees and Certificates” in the catalog for a complete list of graduation requirements.
Program Specific Certificate Requirements
(45 semester hours, must maintain a 2.00 cumulative GPA or higher.)
| Code | Title | Semester Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| EMTS 225 | Fundamentals of Paramedic Practice | 3 |
| EMTS 225L | Fundamentals of Paramedic Practice Laboratory | 2 |
| EMTS 227 | Paramedic Special Considerations | 3 |
| EMTS 227L | Paramedic Special Considerations Laboratory | 2 |
| EMTS 229 | Paramedic Pharmacology | 3 |
| EMTS 229L | Paramedic Pharmacology Laboratory | 2 |
| EMTS 231 | Paramedic Cardiology | 5 |
| EMTS 231L | Paramedic Cardiology Laboratory | 1 |
| EMTS 233 | Paramedic Medical Emergencies | 4 |
| EMTS 233L | Paramedic Medical Emergencies Laboratory | 1 |
| EMTS 235 | Paramedic Trauma Emergencies | 4 |
| EMTS 235L | Paramedic Trauma Emergencies Laboratory | 1 |
| EMTS 237 | Paramedic Internship Preparation | 2 |
| EMTS 280 | Paramedic Internship I | 6 |
| EMTS 281 | Paramedic Internship II | 6 |
| Total Semester Credit Hours | 45 | |
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall Semester | Semester Credit Hours | |
| EMTS 225 & 225L | Fundamentals of Paramedic Practice and Fundamentals of Paramedic Practice Laboratory | 5 |
| EMTS 229 & 229L | Paramedic Pharmacology and Paramedic Pharmacology Laboratory | 5 |
| EMTS 231 & 231L | Paramedic Cardiology and Paramedic Cardiology Laboratory | 6 |
| EMTS 233 & 233L | Paramedic Medical Emergencies and Paramedic Medical Emergencies Laboratory | 5 |
| Semester Credit Hours | 21 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| EMTS 227 & 227L | Paramedic Special Considerations and Paramedic Special Considerations Laboratory | 5 |
| EMTS 235 & 235L | Paramedic Trauma Emergencies and Paramedic Trauma Emergencies Laboratory | 5 |
| EMTS 237 | Paramedic Internship Preparation | 2 |
| EMTS 280 | Paramedic Internship I | 6 |
| EMTS 281 | Paramedic Internship II | 6 |
| Semester Credit Hours | 24 | |
| Total Semester Credit Hours | 45 | |
Advising Process and DegreeWorks
Documentation on the pages related to this program is intended for informational purposes to help determine what courses and associated requirements are needed to earn a certificate. Some courses are critical to complete in specific semesters while others may be moved around. Meeting with an academic advisor is essential in planning courses and discussing the suggested course sequencing. It is ultimately the student’s responsibility to understand and fulfill the requirements for her/his intended certificate.
DegreeWorks is an online degree audit tool available in MAVzone. It is the official record used by the Registrar’s Office to evaluate progress towards a certificate and determine eligibility for graduation. Students are responsible for reviewing their DegreeWorks audit on a regular basis and should discuss questions or concerns with their advisor or academic department head. Discrepancies in requirements should be reported to the Registrar’s Office.
Graduation Process
Students must complete the following in the first two months of the semester prior to completing their certificate requirements (for one-semester certificates, complete in the first week of class):
- Review their DegreeWorks audit and create a plan that outlines how unmet requirements will be met in the final semester.
- Meet with their advisor and modify their plan as needed. The advisor must approve the final plan.
- Submit the “Intent to Graduate” form to the Registrar’s Office to officially declare the intended graduation date and commencement ceremony plans.
- Register for all needed courses and complete all requirements for each degree sought.
Submission deadlines and commencement details can be found at http://www.coloradomesa.edu/registrar/graduation.html.
If a student’s petition for graduation is denied, it will be her/his responsibility to consult the Registrar’s Office regarding next steps.