The Emergency Medical Science (EMS) programs equip emergency medical professionals with the knowledge and skills required at different stages of their careers. Our programs offered are an Associate of Applied Science in Emergency Medical Science (EMS), Paramedic Technical Certificate in EMS and a Certificate of Proficiency in Emergency Medical Science Technology (EMT). Additional course fees are required for courses in EMS and are listed on the campus fees page.
The Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Certificate of Proficiency program consists of 6 semester credits of course work in EMS 1602 - Introduction to Emergency Medical Technology . Historically, those enrolled in this course are interested in working as a licensed EMT, fulfilling the primary prerequisite for the paramedic program, embarking on a fire service career, or establishing patient care skills in another health profession such as physician assistant or medicine. Students who successfully complete the course may be eligible to challenge the EMT credentialing examinations offered by the National Registry of EMTs (NREMT). EMT Classes are held two days per week. There’s a $60 EMT fee per semester.
The Paramedic program has two degree options: Technical Certificate or Associate’s degree. The certificate program requires 36 hours of professional coursework, while the associate’s degree program requires 24 hours of Core Curriculum coursework in addition to the 36 hours of professional coursework. There’s a $10 paramedic program fee per credit hour. Successful program completion of both options satisfies the eligibility requirements to apply for the paramedic credentialing examinations offered by the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT). Graduates who complete the certificate program are eligible to complete the associate’s degree at a later time as long as all requirements of the degree plan are met.
Students are accepted into the paramedic program as either a fall or spring entry. Approximately 40% of the paramedic program course work is delivered online. Paramedic classes are held every Wednesday and are mirrored on Mondays for those employed students who need the flexibility to attend class. Students may schedule their clinical time within program guidelines including weekends and weekdays.
The paramedic program of the University of Arkansas - Pulaski Technical College is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www.caahep.org) upon the recommendation of the Committtee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Professions (CoAEMSP).
Successful completion of all program requirements will qualify the student to apply for the paramedic credentialing examinations offered by the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NTEMT). Successful completion of the program will not itself ensure certification.
Applicants must provide:
- Application for Admission
- Official Transcripts: A college Cumulative Grade Point Average (cGPA) of 2.0 is required for admission to the program.
- Official Documentation: For entry into the paramedic program, a copy of a current American Heart Association Healthcare Provider CPR card and proof of a current Arkansas EMT License must be submitted.
- Interview and Entrance Examination: Qualified applicants are contacted to schedule an interview and the entrance examination. The examination assesses basic skills pertinent to the profession (e., reading, writing, mathematics, psychomotor, critical thinking, and anatomy & physiology). The cost of the entrance exam is currently $24.00. Acceptance decisions and each student’s individual professional program plan will be based upon the interview, academic transcripts, and entrance examination scores.
- TOEFL Scores as applicable.
Arkansas residency will be considered during selection for admission. Applicants are considered without regard to race, color, creed, age, marital status, national origin, or sex. Otherwise qualified individuals with disabilities receive equal consideration.
**All accepted applicants must consent to a criminal background check and drug screen prior to matriculation. Background checks and drug screens are required by most clinical sites during the didactic and clinical phase of the program. Matriculation into the program is contingent upon acceptable background check and drug screen results. Adverse results of a background check will be considered on an individual basis and may result in an inability to matriculate into the program. Enrolled students may be randomly drug tested throughout the curriculum and clinical sites may require updated background checks. More information about the requirement will be provided to accepted applicants.
In addition to satisfying the Institutional Learning Outcomes, program graduates are expected to successfully address the following program learning outcomes:
- The paramedic student must understand his or her roles and responsibilities within the Emergency Medical Services System.
- The paramedic student will be able to establish and/ or maintain a patent airway, oxygenate, and ventilate a patient.
- The paramedic student will be able to take a proper history and perform a comprehensive physical exam on any patient, and communicate the findings to other healthcare professionals.
- The paramedic student will be able to integrate pathophysiological principles and assessment findings to formulate a field impression and implement the treatment plan for the trauma patient.
- The paramedic student will be able to integrate pathophysiological principles and assessment
- findings to formulate a field impression and implement the treatment plan for the medical patient.
- The paramedic student will be able to integrate pathophysiological principles and assessment findings to formulate a field impression and implement the treatment plan for neonatal, pediatric, and geriatric patients, diverse patients, and chronically ill patients.
- The paramedic student will be able to integrate pathophysiological principles and assessment findings to formulate a field impression and implement the treatment plan for patients with common complaints.
- The paramedic student will be able to safely manage the scene of an emergency.
Return to: