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Emergency Medical Science Bridge - (A45340BR)

Associate in Applied Science

The Emergency Medical Science (EMS) Bridge Program is designed to allow currently certified non-degree paramedics to earn an Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degree in Emergency Medical Science. The EMS Bridge AAS degree requires 70 semester hours credit (SHC). Through the bridging program, current credentialed EMT-Paramedic will be awarded 45 semester credits toward the AAS degree upon completion of EMS 235 and EMS 280. Credit is awarded for the following courses: EMS 110, EMS 122, EMS 130, EMS 131, EMS 160, EMS 220, EMS 221, EMS 231, EMS 240, EMS 241, EMS 250, EMS 260, EMS 270, and EMS 285. The remaining course work to complete the AAS in Emergency Medical Science requires 25 additional semester hours of coursework.

Admission requirements must be met prior to matriculation.

Students meeting the following criteria are eligible for the EMS Bridge program:

  1. 500 hours of documented patient contact at the paramedic level as evidenced by the signature of the director of the EMS agency with which the paramedic is affiliated and the medical director of the ALS system with which the paramedic is affiliated.
  2. Two (2) letters of recommendation from an EMS agency on agency letterhead
  3. Copy of the paramedic education program transcript and all current certifications on file in the EMS Department.
    • North Carolina EMT-Paramedic or National Registry Paramedic;
    • Current Healthcare Provider CPR certification or equivalent;
    • Current Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification or equivalent;
    • Current Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) certification or equivalent;
    • Current Pre-Hospital Trauma Life Support (PHTLS) or International Trauma Life Support (ITLS) certification or equivalent;
    • Current North Carolina driver’s license
  4. Completed interview with EMS Program Director

Plan of Study

Program Curriculum

Eligible students will receive 45 semester hours of credit for prior learning for the following EMS major courses:

Course NumberCourse TitleCredits
EMS 110EMT

9
EMS 122EMS Clinical Practicum I

1
EMS 130Pharmacology

4
EMS 131Advanced Airway Management

2
EMS 160Cardiology I

3
EMS 220Cardiology II

3
EMS 221EMS Clinical Practicum II

2
EMS 231EMS Clinical Pract III

3
EMS 240Patients W/ Special Challenges

2
EMS 241EMS Clinical Practicum IV

4
EMS 250Medical Emergencies

4
EMS 260Trauma Emergencies

2
EMS 270Life Span Emergencies

4
EMS 285EMS Capstone

2
Total Credit Hours:45

Fall Semester

Course NumberCourse TitleCredits
EMS 235EMS Management

2
ENG 111Writing and Inquiry

3
 
PSY 150General Psychology

3
Or
SOC 210Introduction to Sociology

3
 
*Mathematics Elective - Please see the table below.

3-4
Total Credit Hours:11-12

Spring Semester

Course NumberCourse TitleCredits
BIO 163Basic Anatomy & Physiology

5
EMS 280EMS Bridging Course

3
ENG 112Writing and Research in the Disciplines

3
**Humanities/Fine Arts Elective - Please see the table below.

3
Total Credit Hours:14

SEMESTER HOURS: 25-26

CREDIT FOR PRIOR LEARNING: 45

TOTAL PROGRAM: 70-71

Admission Notes:

  1. In order to meet the institution’s residency requirement, a minimum of 25% of the total hours required for the degree must be awarded by Rockingham Community College.
  2. EMS 280 and EMS 235 must be taken at Rockingham Community College. Once a student has successfully completed EMS 280, 45 semester hours of credit will be credited to the student’s transcript.
  3. **The humanities/fine arts elective requirements can be satisfied by completing one of the following:

    UGETC: ART 111, ART 114, ART 115, ENG 231, ENG 232, ENG 241, ENG 242, MUS 110, MUS 112, PHI 215, PHI 240

    Gen Ed: HUM 115, REL 110

  4. *The mathematics elective requirements can be satisfied by completing one of the following:

    UGETC: MAT 143, MAT 152, MAT 171