Overview

Emergency Medical Services

This program prepares students to safely provide out-of-hospital emergency medical care, as an entry level Paramedic. Students are taught all aspects of advanced life support in the EMS setting, including but not limited to: advanced airway adjuncts and management, emergency cardiology, traumatic life support, newborn and pediatric advanced life support, and many other lifesaving skills. The goal of this program is “To prepare Paramedics who are competent in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains to enter the profession” (CoAEMSP).

AEMT-Paramedic Student Handbook

Paramedic Program Application

The Advanced Life Support (ALS) training begins in the Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT) courses. After successful completion of the AEMT training, students will be eligible for the AEMT National Registry exam. The AEMT National Registry is not required to progress in the program, but it is an option for those students who wish to pursue AEMT certification during the course of the paramedic program. Students who successfully complete both AEMT and Paramedic training components will be eligible to take the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians Paramedic exam. The AEMT to Paramedic Bridge Program is developed in alignment with The EMT-Paramedic: National EMS Scope of Practice and the National Education EMS Standards, using the same education standard that is required for traditional Paramedic Programs.
A valid National Registry and state EMT card must be possessed prior to entry into the AEMT and Paramedic courses, and maintained throughout the entire program.
Those students who wish to practice in West Virginia as AEMTs, will have to complete the West Virginia Expanded Scope of Practice. Those specific courses will be applied towards your remaining Paramedic course requirements. Students will have to successfully pass the West Virginia AEMT state exam in order to gain West Virginia AEMT certification. Students who successfully complete both AEMT and Paramedic Bridge components, will be eligible to take the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians Paramedic exam.
Job Growth: 7%
Job Growth Highlights: The career outlook indicates that employment of Paramedics is projected to grow 7 percent from 2018 to 2028, faster than the average for all occupations. Emergencies, such as car crashes, natural disasters, and acts of violence, will continue to require the skills of EMTs and paramedics (www.bls.gov/ooh/)

Programs

Emergency Medical Services – Paramedic Certificate

Emergency Medical Services – Certificate of Applied Science in Advance Emergency Medical Services

Emergency Medical Services – Associate of Applied Science in Emergency Medical Services

Paramedic Program is a selective admission program. Candidates must meet the admission requirements listed below.

Admission

All persons seeking admission to the Paramedic Program:

General Institutional Admission
1. Be fully admitted to WVU Parkersburg.
2. Submit official high school transcripts, GED (or equivalent), and official transcripts from all previously attended colleges to the Registrar’s office.

Program-Specific Application
3. Submit the EMS Paramedic Program Application to the Nursing and Health Sciences office prior to the Fall semester. Applications are available at www.wvup.edu.
4. An official electronic transcript must also be submitted to the WVU Parkersburg Admissions Office.
5. Overall minimum grade point average of 2.0.

Certification Requirements
6. Maintain a current and valid CPR certification prior to admission and throughout the duration of the program.
7. All applicants must possess one of the following prior to admission:
8. Documentation verifying approval as a West Virginia or Ohio State EMT License. Other state licensures will be managed on a case-by-case basis.

Applicants seeking Advanced Placement must hold a current, valid:
9. National Registry Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT) certification; and/or
a. WV or OH AEMT certification. Other state licensures will be managed on a case-by-case basis.

Entrance Examination
Applicants must achieve a minimum score of 70% on the FISDAP Entrance Exam. Students who score below 70% may be granted provisional admission but must attain a score of 70% or higher to progress to the core paramedic courses in the next semester. If you have taken the FISDAP Paramedic Entrance Exam in the last 2 years, then submit your score from the last exam.

Additional Requirements
10. Complete criminal background check and drug screening as required by clinical agencies. Background checks may include criminal and traffic violation history. Students must meet clinical site eligibility requirements to participate in required learning experiences.
11. Successfully complete a physical examination with a qualified healthcare provider and meet the Program’s Technical Standards.

Compliance Statement
Admission to the Paramedic Program is conditional upon meeting all institutional, programmatic and clinical agency requirements. Failure to maintain required certifications or eligibility standards may result in dismissal from the program.

Accreditation

The WVU Parkersburg Paramedic program has been issued a Letter of Review by the Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Professions (CoAEMSP). This letter is NOT a CAAHEP accreditation status, it is a status signifying that a program seeking initial accreditation has demonstrated sufficient compliance with the accreditation standards through the Letter of Review Self-Study Report (LSSR) and other documentation. Letter of Review is recognized by the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) for eligibility to take the National Registry’s Paramedic credentialing examination(s). However, it is NOT a guarantee of eventual accreditation.

To contact CoAEMSP:
214-703-8445
coaemsp.org

Paramedic Program Outcomes

National Registry Written Pass Rates

• 2026 – %
• 2027 – %
• 2028 – %

Retention Rate

• 2026 – %
• 2027 – %
• 2028 – %

Post Program Positive Placement Rate

• 2026 – %
• 2027 – %
• 2028 – %

Careers

What Can I Do With This Degree?

Paramedics are best defined as medical professionals who provide medical care at an advanced life support level in the pre-hospital environment, usually in an emergency, at the point of illness or injury. This includes an initial assessment, a diagnosis and a treatment plan to manage the patient’s particular health crisis. Treatment can also be continued en route to a hospital if more definitive care for the patient is required. Paramedics provide advanced levels of care for medical emergencies and trauma. The majority of paramedics are based in the field in ambulances, emergency response vehicles, or in specialist mobile units such as cycle response. Paramedics provide out-of-hospital treatment and some diagnostic services, although some may undertake hospital-based roles, such as in the treatment of injuries.

Costs

Tuition

Estimated rates for the 2024-2025 academic year. Additional course fees may apply and rates are subject to change.
*Early College fees may differ per program, for example, in Welding and Cosmetology.

Estimated Costs Of Attendance

Estimated total costs of attendance for students, varied based on residential status and living situation.

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