Emergency Medical Services
Prepare for a job as a paramedic, emergency medical technician or other roles requiring the skills of an emergency medical practitioner or administrator, such as in a fire or police department. Become qualified and prepared to save lives in any emergency situation.
At UC, You Can
Our courses are made with professionals in mind and led by distinguished emergency medical practitioners and EMS leaders. From them, you'll learn the real-world knowledge and skills needed to succeed in the field.
We're Here to Help
At UC, we support you on your individual path. Whether you are just starting out or picking up where you left off, we work with you to accomplish your goals. As you work with our faculty, each respected in their field, you'll build lasting connections that open doors to your success.
You'll receive one-on-one guidance from your advisor each step of the way. You may take advantage of our prior learning assessment, applying transfer credit, trainings and assessments, military experience, work experience, and self-taught skills toward your degree.
You Need | You Don't Need |
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Hands-on Learning
In the world of emergency response, no book can prepare you for the real thing. It's why you'll take part in hands-on labs and learn from medical professionals who are actively working in the field. You'll learn best practices for using the equipment you'll need in your career.
One Degree, Three Tracks
The Bachelor of Science in Emergency Medical Services program is designed for you if you are a current EMS professional, wish to advance your career, or wish to begin a career in the rewarding EMS field. You are given an option of three tracks to specialize your degree:
Sample Courses

EMT Basic

Public Health Emergency Preparedness

Moral and Ethical Issues of Healthcare
Bachelor & Associate Degree Options
This Co-AEMSP Accredited program builds on basic EMT training and helps prepare students for certification as a paramedic.This degree prepares competent entry-level Paramedics in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains.
The includes the start of 50 hours of clinical setting training and demonstration of skill as well as time spent riding on an approved 911 rescue. It also requires several hours of hospital internship.
You must be currently certified as a Basic EMT to be accepted in this course. At the end of the program, you will be prepared to sit for the National Paramedic Certification Exam.
6 major requirement courses
4 para-medicine track courses
3 emergency medical services electives
10 core courses
+ 10 electives
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33 courses (120 credits)
This program is intended for students employed in positions associated with emergency medical services in the public health sector, or who seek employment in such areas.
6 major requirement courses
6 public health track courses
10 core courses
+ 17 electives
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39 courses (120 credits)
This degree prepares for an administrative position as a high level, or chief officer, in an EMS agency. This program is intended for students employed in positions associated with emergency medical services administration or who seek employment in such areas.
6 major requirement courses
6 EMS administration track courses
10 core courses
+ 17 electives
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39 courses (120 credits)
An Associate of Science degree in Emergency Medical Services gives you the foundation you need to advance in your career or go on to a Bachelor's degree in Emergency Medical Services or a related field. You may earn an Associate of Science by selecting your courses from the Emergency Medical Services Bachelor's requirements, fulfilling the requirements below.
5 skills courses
2 core courses
6 liberal arts courses
+ 7 electives
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20 courses (60 credits)
Your advisor will help you choose the courses that fit your path as you earn your degree.
Flexible Options to Suit Your Schedule
We offer courses through a blend of direct seminar and online classes, so professionals working in the field can advance their skills without having to sacrifice their commitments. The program is offered in a format that takes into account the time demands of working professionals with family obligations.
Your Career
Emergency healthcare is a vital service. Positions in this field are scheduled to grow at 7% within the next ten years, faster than average for all occupations. Our programs prepare you for success in this meaningful field with strong job security.
While career outlooks depend on candidate experience and specific employer requirements, the table below reflects median salaries for health care administrators in the following potential positions*
Profession | What You'll Do | What You Need | Average Salary |
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Emergency Management Director | Prepare plans and procedures for responding to natural disasters or other emergencies and lead the response during and after emergencies | Bachelor's Degree | $82,570 |
Emergency Medical Services Captain | Lead emergency response strategy and handle supervisory and delegation duties | Bachelor's Degree | $70,468 |
Emergency Medical Services Specialist | Perform administrative, analytical and support activities to ensure EMS providers conform with Federal, State and local regulations related to the delivery of pre-hospital emergency medical care | Bachelor's Degree | $49,000 |
Paramedic Supervisor | Provides both basic and advanced emergency medical services care, and evaluation of patients on scene and during transport, and training EMTs and paramedics and evaluating their performance | Postsecondary nondegree, Paramedic experience | $41,600 |
Paramedic | In addition to doing the tasks of EMTs, paramedics can give medications orally and intravenously, interpret electrocardiograms (EKGs) and use other monitors and complex equipment | Postsecondary nondegree | $37,760 |
Ambulance Services | Transport patients safely in an ambulance, providing emergency first aid | Postsecondary nondegree | $26,890 |
*Sources:
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook. Job outlook: 2018-2028. Average salary: 2018
PayScale, Inc. PayScale. 2020.
Individualized Support, More Affordable
At University College, you get the individualized attention of a private university at a more affordable cost. There are multiple options for financial aid, scholarships, and accelerated paths to get you to the degree you need. Some programs run by Roger Williams are awarded by simply applying for admission, while others are awarded to students through a more formal aid application process.
To ensure full consideration for all aid programs, complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
- Tuition Costs & Fees: A valuable education you can afford
- Financing Your Education: Filling out the FAFSA
- Do You Live in Central Falls, Cranston, East Providence, Foster, Glocester or Pawtucket? Ask about RWU's lower-cost tuition agreements for residents of these communities.
- Military: We can help you navigate the application process for tuition assistance, GI Bill benefits, and other tuition benefits, which include waived application fee and discounted tuition rates for service members and spouses, as well as financial aid.
- Employers & Municipalities: Many employers, including municipalities, will reimburse tuition costs. Ask your HR team for details about your benefits.
Questions? Reach out!
Everyone has questions.
Our Admissions Team has answers. Call them at (401) 254-3838 or email uc@rwu.edu.