Bachelor of Science (BS) Degree Program in Emergency Medical Services
BS Degree
The Department of EMS Education offers the Bachelor's of Science degree in Emergency Medical Services (EMS) for students interested in a career in pre-hospital medicine and EMS management. As the field of EMS continues to grow and change, leaders and educators with a background in emergency medicine are needed to help shape the future of pre-hospital medicine and healthcare. This program is designed to prepare students for the clinical and administrative challenges of a career in Emergency Medical Services and healthcare in the 21st century.
Accreditation
The University of South Alabama is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). The Department of EMS Education's Paramedic program is accredited by the Commission on the Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) and the Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the EMS Professions (CoEMSP).
Admission to the University
Criteria for general admission of EMS students to the University are the same as those for all students. Please consult with the University's admission's office for more information about admission policies and procedures at (251) 460-6141, or you may visit their web site at http://www.southalabama.edu/admissions/contact.html.
Admission to the Professional Component
All students are required to fulfill a 41 semester hour General Education Core and a 22 semester hour Pre-professional Core as outlined in the curriculum below. After successfully completing these courses, students may then apply to the department for entry into the professional component. Requirements for admission to the professional component are the following:
- Submission of a completed application by the deadline (April 1st). Application must include a $50.00 non-refundable application fee.
- Successful completion of a state-approved (meeting DOT guidelines) or nationally accredited paramedic education program.
- Evidence of either a current paramedic license (in USA) or national registry certification (in good standing).
- Minimum GPA of 2.0 in all pre-requisite courses and a minimum University GPA of 2.0.
- Drug test and background check required. Admission contingent upon a negative drug screen and satisfactory background check.
Paramedic to BS in EMS Track
Students who have already completed their paramedic education at another institution and who have maintained their license in good standing may apply to the department's Paramedic to BS in EMS Track. This special track allows licensed paramedics an opportunity to reach educational goals without the unnecessary repetition of courses or clinical experiences already undertaken as a paramedic student. This track requires the student to complete a 6 semester hour bridge course during the EMS Core. After successfully completing the course, the student can obtain up to 40 semester hours of credit for their previous clinical education as a paramedic student. These credits may be applied towards the Paramedic Core requirements in the curriculum. For more information about this special track, please call our office at (251) 431-6418.
Bachelor's Degree Curriculum
Download a copy of the BS degree curriculum here:
BS Degree Curriculum (PDF, 370 KB).
BS Degree
General Education Core – 41 Hours
Written Communications
English - EH 101
3
English - EH 102
3
Humanities and Fine Arts
Public Speaking/Speech
3
Fine Arts Elective
3
Literature I
3
-and- Literature II*
3
-or- Humanities Elective
3
Natural Sciences and Math
Math - MA 110
3
Chemistry - CH 101
4
Biology - BLY 101
4
History, Social Sciences
Psychology - PSY 120
3
History I
3
-and- History II*
3
-or- Electives
3
*Must complete a two semester series of either Literature or History.
Pre-Professional Core – 22 Hours
EMT 200 Basic Emergency Care
6
EMT 205 Basic Clinicals
1
EMT 206 Basic Skills Lab
1
Statistics - ST 210
3
Computer Apps - CIS 150
3
A&P I - CLS 114
4
A&P II - CLS 115
4
General Education and Pre-Prof Core Total: 63 Hours
Note: Students must complete EMT 200, EMT 205 and EMT 206 prior to the Paramedic Core.
Professional Component
Paramedic Core – 32 Hours
EMT 315: Pharmacology I
3
EMT 335: Essentials of Paramedicine
3
EMT 340: EMS Cardiology
3
EMT 345: Pharmacology II
3
EMT 350: Patient Assessment
3
EMT 355: Paramedic Emergency Care I
3
EMT 375: Women and Children
3
EMT 425: Paramedic Emergency Care II
3
EMT 455: Paramedic Skills Lab
1
EMT 465: Paramedic Clin. Internship
6
EMT 475: Paramedic Field Internship
6
EMT 495: Comp/Review and Exams
1
Note: The Paramedic Core at the University of South Alabama consists of 38 semester hours as shown above. Students who have already completed their paramedic training at another institution can satisfy the academic requirements of this Paramedic Core by ensuring the following:
- provide evidence of successful completion of a nationally accredited or state approved (meeting DOT guidelines) paramedic program; and
- provide evidence of a current state paramedic license or national certification; and
- submit an official transcript or documentation which indicates the successful completion of at least 32 semester hours of credit (or its equivalent); and
- successfully complete a 6 semester hour bridge course designed for students in the Paramedic to BS in EMS Track.
Transfer credit must be reviewed and approved by the University and the Department of EMS Education prior to admission to the professional component.
Emergency Medical Services Core – 34 Hours
EMS 310: Introduction to EMS System
3
EMS.315: EMS Administration
3
EMS 320: EMS Law/Legal Issues
3
EMS 325: Instructional Methods in EMS
3
EMS 340: Disaster Management
3
EMS 475: EMS Internship
3
EMS 440: Health Insurance in EMS
3
EMS 445: EMS Research
3
EMS 460: Issues and Trends in EMS
3
EMS 495: Comp. Review/Exams
1
- PLUS -
EMS 410:
Bridge or 6 CH from Para Core
6#
Paramedic Core and EMS Core Total: 66 Hours
TOTAL SEMESTER HOURS: 129
#Paramedic to BS in EMS Track students must take a six (6) credit hour bridge course under the EMS Core after admission to the professional component.
#USA students (Normal Track Students) may apply 6 credit hours from the Paramedic Core above to the EMS Core in order to satisfy the 34 credit hour required under this section. This will still leave them with 32 credits for the Paramedic Core
Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Core Schedule
Students may enter the Bachelors Degree EMS Core in the Fall semester only. The Department offers the EMS Core classes in an executive weekend format, with classes meeting every second or third weekend for six weekend sessions per semester. Class times are scheduled for Fridays (1:00 to 5:00 pm), Saturdays (8:00 am to 5:00 pm) and Sundays (8:00 to 12:00). Check with the department for the specific weekend dates which will become available approximately 8 weeks before the beginning of the semester. The schedule for completing the EMS Core classes is shown below.
Fall Semester Spring Semester Summer Semester
EMS 310
3
EMS 325
3
EMS 475
3
EMS 315
3
EMS 460
3
EMS 410
6*
Fall Semester Spring Semester
EMS 320
3
EMS 340
3
EMS 440
3
EMS 445
3
EMS 495
1
*if applicable
EMS Core Course Descriptions
Download a copy of the course descriptions for the EMS Core here:
EMS Core Course Descriptions (PDF, 729 KB).
Tuition and Fees
Students are responsible for payment of all tuition and fees according to University policies and procedures. Tuition and fees are set by the University of South Alabama, upon approval of the Board of Trustees. For current information on tuition and fees, please refer to the University’s admission’s office or click here http://www.southalabama.edu/admissions/expenses.html.
Financial Aid
Financial aid is available for eligible students. Interested applicants should contact the University’s Financial Aid Office at (251) 460-6231 or visit their web site at
http://www.southalabama.edu/finaid/.
Contact Information
University of South Alabama
Department of EMS Education
Attn: Ms. Lyndal Curry, BS Degree Program Coordinator
2002 Old Bay Front Drive
Mobile, AL 36615
(251) 431-6418
BS Degree Program Advisor
lcurry@usouthal.edu