Online Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Degree Program Options

Online emergency medical services (EMS) programs that merge basic emergency medical technician (EMT) and paramedic training are most prevalently available at the associate's degree level. For those who wish to pursue pre-hospital medical care careers, there are certificate programs available online as well. EMS bachelor's degree programs are most commonly enrolled on-campus.

Overview of Online Emergency Medical Service Associate Degree Programs

Students can earn an Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) in Emergency Medical Services or Emergency Medical Technology. This training provides students with psychological and medical skills necessary to treat patients in a pre-hospital setting. These programs are designed for those who wish to obtain EMT-Basic or EMT-Paramedic certification from the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT). There are also accelerated associate's degree programs designed for students who are already certified but wish to advance their theoretical EMS knowledge.

Program Information and Requirements

These degree programs are available in hybrid format, due to the on-site training needed to obtain certification. In addition to online courses, students participate in field and clinical internships. Programs are generally 60-75 credit-hours long and can be completed in two years. Accelerated programs only require about 30 credit-hours of coursework.
Students must have access to a computer that has a high-speed Internet connection, approved Web browser and updated operating system, such as Windows. Some programs require enrollees to have applications like Windows Media Player to stream video online.

List of Common EMS Online Courses

Courses are delivered online in an asynchronous manner. The curriculum includes general education requirements, EMT-Basic courses and an internship program.

Advanced Life Support Course

This class surveys life support protocols and treatment methods. Topics include airway management, pharmacology, respiratory emergency and patient assessment.

Electrocardiograms Recognition Course

Participants learn how assess a patient's heart rhythm and gain an understanding of the function of an electrocardiograph machine. They come to understand the electrical properties of the heart muscle and cardiovascular system physiology.

Pharmacology Course

This course explores the uses of pharmaceutical medicine in emergency situations. Lessons cover common medicine applications, dosages and administration methods.

Managing Trauma Course

Students analyze the potential traumatic conditions that EMTs encounter during emergency situations. They study the assessment, management and treatment of injury.

Career Information for Graduates

According to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), there were 210,700 EMTs and paramedics earning an average hourly wage of $14.10 nationwide as of May 2008. The majority of EMTs are employed in cities and metropolitan areas, while it is more common to have volunteer pre-hospital care workers in rural areas. The BLS estimates that the employment rate for this occupation will increase by nine percent between 2008 and 2018 (www.bls.gov).