Associate of Science in Emergency Medical Services
Health Career Institute offers an Associate of Science in Emergency Medical Services, which is a great option for those who either want to become EMTs or already are EMTs and are looking to advance in their career.
Taking HCI’s general education courses along with the EMT-Paramedic curriculum will get you on your way to have your Associate Degree in Emergency Medical Services.
After taking HCI’s paramedic courses, there are five online courses at that will allow EMS students to graduate and Firefighters to be eligible for the Promotional Exam.
General Requirement Courses for AS in EMS
In order to graduate, students must complete their general education courses. Health Career Institute offers five online general education courses for those seeking an AS in EMS.
- ENC1101…………English Composition I – 3 credits
- ENC1102…………English Composition II or SPC 2608 Speech Communications – 3 credits
- MGF1106…………Liberal Arts Mathematics or MTA 1030 Intermediate Algebra – 3 credits
- PSY2012…………Introduction to Psychology – 3 credits
- AMH2010……..….History of the USA: A Survey to 1877 – 3 credits
A combination of these courses, along with the Emergency Medical Technician-Basic and the Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedic diploma programs can be applied towards your Associate of Science in Emergency Medical Services. At HCI, an EMT-Basic diploma is a prerequisite for EMT-Paramedic. As an EMT-Basic, you will take courses to prepare you to determine a patient’s condition and handle cardiac, trauma, and respiratory emergencies.
Courses in a Paramedic training are more rigorous and in-depth than coursework for an EMT-Basic. The EMT – Paramedic program at HCI prepares students to operate in a prehospital setting at a higher level than those at the EMT-Basic level. As an EMT-Paramedic, you can expect to learn about advanced first aid, cardiac monitoring, and train on-site in emergency rooms and ambulances.
Benefits of an AS in EMS as a Firefighter
- Promotions – Many departments give additional points, degrees, or make it a requirement to have an AS in EMS in order to become an officer.
- Pay – The State pays monthly monies to “paid” Firefighters with degrees ($500/month for A.S. degrees and $100 for a Bachelor’s). Some Fire Departments match these state monies or at least give some additional money to employees.
- Pension – These monies even go into your pension so they stay with you after you retire.
- Teaching jobs – It is state law that you must have at least a 2-year degree to teach EMS courses at all Florida EMT/Paramedic schools.
