Be advised that this major is changing. The last cohort of students will enter this major as it is currently designed in Fall 2023. Students interested in this major should reach out to the program director for additional information.
The Prehospital Medicine major prepares students for employment as a paramedic and related Emergency Medical Service (EMS) careers. The degree includes prescribed paramedic science coursework, including extensive prehospital clinical and fieldwork experiences. Coursework in biological sciences, social sciences, and mathematics provides the foundation needed for graduates to pursue graduate education in a variety of fields, such as physician assistant studies, and other master's-level programs that support professional practice careers in the healthcare industry. Graduates will be eligible for certification as a nationally registered paramedic.
Effective Fall 2022
- School of Nursing & Health Sciences
- Bachelor of Science Degree (B.S.)
- More Information about Prehospital Medicine
Career Opportunities
Graduates of the Prehospital Medicine major who successfully complete the certification exam are prepared to function as competent, entry-level paramedics, while also being prepared for advancement within EMS systems, including administrative and teaching positions, which generally require a bachelor's degree.
Recommended High School Subjects
Because of the strong emphasis in science and math in this major, applicants are encouraged to complete and have strong academic performance in three high school algebra-based math courses and three high school science courses, which include at least one biology course with a lab and a chemistry course with a lab.
Special Admissions Requirements
Anyone desiring entrance into this major must first gain admission to Penn College. Acceptance into this selective admission major is based upon additional requirements beyond College admission. Details are available on the Paramedic Selective Admission Criteria and Process webpage.
NOTE: Students seeking entrance into the M. S. in Physician Assistant Studies upon graduation from the Prehospital Medicine degree must refer to the special admissions criteria for complete details regarding the selective admission criteria and application process for this major at https://www.pct.edu/catalog/selective-admission-criteria-process/physician-assistant-studies.
Special Equipment Needs
Laptop Computer Required
Laptop computer must include:
- webcam and microphone (required)
- wireless network card (required)
- Broadband Internet connection when working off campus (required)
- Windows 10 or higher, macOS 11 or higher (recommended)
- Intel Core i5 or i7 (generation 10 or higher) processor (recommended)
- 8+ GB RAM (recommended)
- 250+ GB Solid State Drive (SSD) drive (recommended)
- Additional plug-ins for software may be required (Information Technology Services Service Desk available for assistance)
- Chromebooks and other devices running Chrome OS are prohibited
- Android or iOS tablet with a 7”-9” screen that can access the Internet
Remediation Strategies
All incoming students must meet placement requirements in math. Students are expected to remediate any deficiencies as explained in the College Catalog (see https://www.pct.edu/catalog/admissions-policy).
Transfer Procedures
This major is subject to the transfer standards established by the College (see https://www.pct.edu/admissions/transfer/transferring-credits). Exceptions must be approved by the school dean.
International health credentials/licensure, sciences courses, and most math courses will not be accepted to satisfy requirements of this major. Please see additional information for international students applying to Nursing & Health Sciences majors.
Program Goals
A graduate of this major should be able to:- demonstrate the ability to function as a competent, entry-level paramedic in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavioral) domains.
- demonstrate appropriate critical thinking skills and clinical decision-making skills while treating critically ill and injured patients.
- demonstrate a commitment to evidence-based practice and lifelong learning.
- apply appropriate interpersonal skills when working with patients, family members/bystanders, colleagues, other healthcare providers, and members of the community.
- utilize scientific inquiry to problem solve healthcare issues.
- integrate evidence-based practice into the treatment of patients in the prehospital environment.
Performance Standards
Students must earn a minimum grade of ‘C’ in each of their paramedic (PMP) courses. Failure to do so will result in students being dismissed from the Prehospital Medicine major. The following grading system is applied to all PMP courses in this major. There is no rounding of grades:
A = 90-100
B = 80-89.99
C = 75-79.99
F = 74.99 and below
All in-program paramedic students must hold certification in Pennsylvania as an EMT in order to begin clinical and field rotations as a paramedic student. This certification must be maintained throughout the student's time in the paramedic program. Failing to obtain, or maintain, EMT certification in Pennsylvania will result in the student's removal from the clinical environment and subsequent dismissal from the paramedic program.
NOTE: Students seeking entrance into the M. S. in Physician Assistant Studies upon graduation from the Prehospital Medicine degree will need to earn a "B" or higher in many BIO, CHM, and PHS courses. Please refer to the special admissions criteria for complete details at https://www.pct.edu/catalog/selective-admission-criteria-process/physician-assistant-studies.
Curriculum
| First Semester | Credits | Notes | Lecture | Lab/Clinical | M/S | Type | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FYE101 | First Year Experience | 1 | .50 | 1.50 | S | REQ | |
| BIO108 | Principles of Biology I | 4 | 3 | 3 | M | REQ | |
| CHM111 | General Chemistry I | 4 | 3 | 3 | M | REQ | |
| ENL111 | English Composition I | 3 | 3 | S | REQ | ||
| CSC124 | Information, Technology & Society | 3 | 3 | S | REQ | ||
| TOTAL CREDITS | 15 | ||||||
| Second Semester | Credits | Notes | Lecture | Lab/Clinical | M/S | Type | |
| BIO109 | Principles of Biology II | 4 | 3 | 3 | M | REQ | |
| CHM121 | General Chemistry II | 4 | 3 | 3 | M | REQ | |
| MTD | Math Elective (MTH180 or Higher) | 3 | M | MTD | |||
| MTR104 | Basics of Medical Terminology | 3 | 3 | M | REQ | ||
| TOTAL CREDITS | 14 | ||||||
| Third Semester | Credits | Notes | Lecture | Lab/Clinical | M/S | Type | |
| BIO115 | Human Anatomy & Physiology I | 4 | 3 | 3 | M | REQ | |
| ENL121 | English Composition II | 3 | 3 | S | REQ | ||
| or | |||||||
| ENL201 | Technical & Professional Communication | 3 | 3 | S | REQ | ||
| CHM210 | Organic Chemistry I | 3 | 3 | M | REQ | ||
| CHM211 | Organic Chemistry I Laboratory | 1 | 3 | M | REQ | ||
| PSY111 | General Psychology | 3 | 3 | S | REQ | ||
| or | |||||||
| SOC111 | Introduction to Sociology | 3 | 3 | S | REQ | ||
| TOTAL CREDITS | 14 | ||||||
| Fourth Semester | Credits | Notes | Lecture | Lab/Clinical | M/S | Type | |
| PHS115 | College Physics I | 4 | 3 | 3 | M | REQ | |
| BIO125 | Human Anatomy & Physiology II | 4 | 3 | 3 | M | REQ | |
| MTH159 | Statistics for Health & Behavioral Sciences | 3 | 3 | M | REQ | ||
| PMP143 | Fundamentals of Paramedic Practice | 5 | 4 | 3 | M | REQ | |
| TOTAL CREDITS | 16 | ||||||
| Summer Session | Credits | Notes | Lecture | Lab/Clinical | M/S | Type | |
| PMP139 | Introductory Clinical Practicum | 1 | M | REQ | |||
| PDE | Prehospital Medicine Directed Elective | 3 | S | PDE | |||
| HIP | Core Historical Perspective | 3 | S | HIP | |||
| TOTAL CREDITS | 7 | ||||||
| Fifth Semester | Credits | Notes | Lecture | Lab/Clinical | M/S | Type | |
| PMP244 | Medical Emergencies for the Paramedic | 4 | 4 | M | REQ | ||
| PMP248 | Cardiology & Pulmonology for the Paramedic | 4 | 4 | M | REQ | ||
| PMP233 | Paramedic Skills & Simulations Lab I | 3 | 9 | M | REQ | ||
| ARP | Core Arts Perspective | 3 | S | ARP | |||
| PMP249 | Intermediate Clinical Practicum | 1 | M | REQ | |||
| TOTAL CREDITS | 15 | ||||||
| Sixth Semester | Credits | Notes | Lecture | Lab/Clinical | M/S | Type | |
| PMP261 | Special Patient Populations for the Paramedic | 4 | 4 | M | REQ | ||
| PMP262 | Trauma & Advanced Operations for the Paramedic | 4 | 4 | M | REQ | ||
| PMP263 | Paramedic Skills & Simulation Lab II | 3 | 9 | M | REQ | ||
| PDE | Prehospital Medicine Directed Elective | 3 | S | PDE | |||
| PMP259 | Advanced Clinical Practicum | 1 | M | REQ | |||
| TOTAL CREDITS | 15 | ||||||
| Summer Session | Credits | Notes | Lecture | Lab/Clinical | M/S | Type | |
| PMP270 | Paramedic Field Internship | 4 | M | REQ | |||
| PMP279 | Application of Research in Pre-Hospital Medicine | 2 | Writing Enriched Requirement | 2 | M | REQ | |
| TOTAL CREDITS | 6 | ||||||
| Seventh Semester | Credits | Notes | Lecture | Lab/Clinical | M/S | Type | |
| HTH325 | Healthcare Delivery Systems | 3 | 3 | M | REQ | ||
| BIO201 | Microbiology | 4 | 3 | 3 | M | REQ | |
| SPC | Speech Elective | 3 | S | SPC | |||
| CHM370 | Biochemistry | 3 | 3 | M | REQ | ||
| TOTAL CREDITS | 13 | ||||||
| Eighth Semester | Credits | Notes | Lecture | Lab/Clinical | M/S | Type | |
| HTH415 | Introduction to Global Health | 3 | Cultural Diversity Requirement & Science, Technology and Society Requirement | 3 | M | REQ | |
| BIO310 | Genetics | 3 | 3 | M | REQ | ||
| PDE | Prehospital Medicine Directed Elective | 3 | S | PDE | |||
| HTH497 | Senior Capstone | 3 | Writing Enriched Requirement | 3 | M | REQ | |
| BIO320 | Immunology & Infectious Disease | 3 | 3 | M | REQ | ||
| TOTAL CREDITS | 15 | ||||||
Notice of Conviction
Child abuse clearance and criminal background checks are required by some agencies involved in fieldwork and/or capstones. Agencies can bar students from their sites if a criminal record exists or a positive drug test is noted. By virtue of contract for Penn College students to be at clinical sites, agencies have the right to ask for random drug testing. Inability to gain clinical or fieldwork or intern education experiences results in inability to meet program objectives or outcomes. The Pennsylvania Department of Health advises that a drug abuse or criminal record can result in ineligibility to take the Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedic certification exam, thereby limiting employment opportunities as a paramedic. For additional clarification, students can speak with the Program Director or the Dean of Health Sciences.
Penn College complies with the federal Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act Amendments of 1989. Pursuant to this Act, all forms of marijuana, including medical marijuana, are classified as prohibited controlled substances. Additionally, alcohol, illegal drugs, and legal drugs obtained without a prescription or which may impair a student's ability to perform his/her educational responsibilities are strictly prohibited. Students are subject to drug screening at various phases of the program. Please note that a positive drug screening for marijuana will be deemed a positive test and will result in a student being dismissed from the program, even if the student has been lawfully certified to use medical marijuana and/or possesses a valid medical marijuana identification card issued in accordance with applicable state law.
Accreditation
The Paramedic Program at the Pennsylvania College of Technology is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www.caahep.org) upon the recommendation of the Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Professions (CoAEMSP); Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs, 9355-113th St. N, #7709 Seminole, FL 33775; 727-210-2350; www.caahep.org . To contact CoAEMSP: 8301 Lakeview Parkway Suite 111-312 Rowlett, TX 75088; 214-703-8445 or FAX 214-703-8992; www.coaemsp.org . The major is also accredited by the Pennsylvania Department of Health, Bureau of Emergency Medical Services.