The Associate of Science Degree in Emergency Medical Services Technology is designed for those holding Florida licenses in Emergency Medical Technician and Florida license in Paramedic who want to advance their education from the certificate to the associate’s degree level. Advancement from the certificate to the associate’s degree level may allow for continued growth and more opportunities in the health professions as well as promote a career pathway to the baccalaureate degree in a related field of study such as supervision or management.
People’s lives often depend on the quick reaction and competent care of emergency medical technicians (EMT) and paramedics. Paramedics have additional advanced training to perform more difficult pre-hospital medical procedures. Incidents as varied as automobile accidents, heart attacks, drownings, childbirth, and gunshot wounds all require immediate medical attention. EMT’s and paramedics provide this vital attention as they care for and transport the sick or injured to a medical facility. Current occupational employment and wages data for Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics are published by the United States Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics at www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes292041.htm.
Emergency Medical Technician - Basic (EMT) The Emergency Medical Technician - Basic (EMT) Florida license represents industry acknowledgement of technical skill attainment of competencies in the Emergency Medical Services program. The Emergency Medical Technician-Basic (EMT) Florida license shall articulate twelve (12) college credit hours in the AS degree in Emergency Medical Services upon evidence of current Florida Emergency Medical Technician-Basic (EMT) license.
Paramedic - The Florida license in Paramedic represents industry acknowledgement of technical skill attainment of competencies in the Emergency Medical Services program. The Paramedic Florida license shall articulate thirty-eight (38) college credit hours in the AS degree in Emergency Medical Services upon evidence of current Florida Paramedic license.
Baccalaureate Degree Opportunity:
Florida SouthWestern State College also offers a Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) in Public Safety Administration and a Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) in Supervision and Management. Graduates of the AS degree program in Emergency Medical Services Technology may enroll in these degree programs and complete remaining courses to earn the baccalaureate degree. For more information, please contact the School of Business and Technology.
Admission Requirements:
The criteria for admission are available at www.fsw.edu/academics/programs/asems. Please contact the School of Health Professions EMS Office at (239) 489-9392 if there are questions about the program or application process. Requirements for completion of the AS degree in Emergency Medical Services include Florida EMT license and Florida Paramedic license. See catalog pages for more information on those licensure requirements. To receive EMT-basic and Paramedic articulated college credit hours, the student must be currently enrolled at Florida SouthWestern State College and seeking the EMST, AS degree. All General Education and EMST Core Coursework and all college residency requirements must be completed prior to graduation and prior to the award of the EMST, AS degree. General Education requirements may be completed concurrently with career core requirements, or following successful Florida Paramedic licensure.