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Bachelor's Degree Programs in Emergency Medical Services (EMS)
Bachelor's Degree Programs in Emergency Medical Services (EMS)
Explore the prerequisites for admission to a bachelor's degree program in emergency medical services, which typically include holding at least an EMT-Basic certification. Review the course topics you'd study as an EMS student. Check the availability of online degree programs in this field, and learn about your career options in EMS.
What Courses Will I Take To Earn a Bachelor's Degree in Emergency Medical Services?
An EMS bachelor's degree program will prepare you for a leadership role in emergency medicine. You'll study topics related to management, such as EMS administration, legal issues in health care and financial management. You'll also take courses in such aspects of emergency medicine as trauma management, pharmacology and hazardous material handling. Some programs include an internship requirement, during which you gain practical experience in a hospital or medical center.
<table border="1"><tr><td><b>Potential Coursework</b></td><td>Management, administration, and medical topics as related to EMS</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Online Options</b></td><td>Uncommon, but online EMS bachelor's programs do exist</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Prerequisites</b></td><td>EMT-Basic and/or EMT-P certification, previous academic or professional experience, and potentially a background check</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Career Options</b></td><td>Leadership or consulting role in the emergency medicine industry</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Median Salary (2020)</b></td><td> $36,650 (<i>for all EMTs and paramedics</i>)*</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Job Outlook (2019-2029)</b></td><td> 6% growth (<i>for all EMTs and paramedics</i>)*</td></tr>
</table><p><i>Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics</i>
</p><h3 id="section---WhatAreMyOnlineOptions">What Are My Online Options?</h3><p>Though not common, you can find online EMS bachelor's degree programs. These programs offer you the benefit of flexible study options; you can complete your coursework from wherever you have access to high-speed Internet. You can also typically study part-time, navigating around work or family obligations.
</p><p>You'll find that the coursework in online programs is identical to what you'd take in a campus-based program. You'll listen to recorded lectures, take exams and submit assignments entirely online. You can also communicate with faculty in a multitude of ways, such as e-mail, discussion boards, instant messenger services and webcam-based video.
</p><h3 id="section---AreThereAnyPrerequisites">Are There Any Prerequisites?</h3><p>You'll typically need to hold some form of <a href="https://Learn.org/articles/Emergency_Medical_Technician_Training_Which_California_Schools_Offer_EMT_Certification.html">Emergency Medical Technician</a> (EMT) training prior to applying to an EMS bachelor's degree program. In some cases, you'll just need EMT-Basic certification. Other programs may require the more advanced EMT-Paramedic certification. All of these certifications will require you to complete at least a certificate program, though you can also earn them through many associate degree programs.
</p><p>In addition to prior professional training, some programs have academic prerequisites. You may need to complete college-level coursework in English and mathematics. Finally, since emergency medical services is a health profession involving direct patient contact, it is common for EMS programs to require a background check and drug test.
</p><h3 id="section---WhatCareersArePossibleWithThisDegree">What Careers Are Possible With This Degree?</h3><p>Earning an EMS bachelor's degree will help you prepare for numerous careers in the health care industry. You can work in a leadership role at a private EMS organization, an EMS department of a hospital or another medical setting. Aside from managing staff and leading organizations, you may also work in a consulting role; this includes evaluating and improving operational efficiencies. You can also work in education, training future EMT workers.</p>
