Program Details
Program Details
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Program Details

Emergency Medical Services, A.A.S.

Associate of Applied Science
Northern Virginia Community College

The curriculum is designed to develop the competencies needed to prepare the student to achieve National Registry Paramedic Certification (NRP).

Credit for Prior Learning: Students in this program who hold current EMS certification may be eligible for credit for prior learning. See an academic advisor or counselor for further information.


Program Credit Requirements
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The table below provides the requirements to complete this program. If you have an account and have created a Portfolio, the table includes the "Applied Credits" column. This column shows how the credits you earned based on the experiences you entered may be applied to satisfy these requirements.

Please note that some courses may count towards more than one requirement such as meeting a general education requirement and a major specific requirement. The course will be listed under the first matching requirement. Please contact the institution with questions.

The program map provided below is an estimate based on courses identified as a result of reviewing your portfolio and the requirements for the selected program.

A formal determination of credits awarded for your prior learning and their applicability to the degree requirements can only be made by the institution. The formal determination and resulting map may reflect higher or lower number of credits to be completed to achieve this program.
Requirements
Required Credits
Emergency Medical Services, A.A.S.
65
Emergency Medical Services, AAS
65
1460 Plan GPA/Cum GPA 2022-23
65
This requires a minimum GPA of 2
BIO Requirements
4
BIO 141
4
Earn 4 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
BIO 142
4
Earn 4 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
SDV Requirement
1
SDV 100
1
Earn 1 credits by completing courses from the following Course list:
ENG Requirement
3
ENG 111
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
PSY Requirement
3
PSY 230
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course list:
PHI Requirement
3
PHI 220
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
EMS Requirements
46
EMS 111
7
Earn 7 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
EMS 120
1
Earn 1 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
EMS 121
2
Earn 2 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
EMS 123
1
Earn 1 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
EMS 125
1
Earn 1 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
EMS 126
1
Earn 1 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
EMS 127
1
Earn 1 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
EMS 128
1
Earn 1 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
EMS 135
2
Earn 2 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
EMS 136
1
Earn 1 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
EMS 137
1
Earn 1 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
EMS 138
1
Earn 1 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
EMS 175
1
Earn 1 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
EMS 139
1
Earn 1 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
EMS 140
1
Earn 1 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
EMS 141
2
Earn 2 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
EMS 142
1
Earn 1 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
EMS 202
2
Earn 2 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
EMS 203
2
Earn 2 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
EMS 204
2
Earn 2 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
EMS 206
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
EMS 247
1
Earn 1 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
EMS 248
2
Earn 2 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
EMS 163
1
Earn 1 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
EMS 164
1
Earn 1 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
EMS 165
1
Earn 1 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
EMS 167
1
Earn 1 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
EMS 210
1
Earn 1 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
EMS 212
1
Earn 1 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
EMS 216
1
Earn 1 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
EMS 249
1
Earn 1 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
Program Overview & Guidance
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Program Web Page
External Link
Delivery Mode
In-Person
Check Course Schedules
Delivery Mode
Online
Check Course Schedules
Delivery Mode
Hybrid
Check Course Schedules
Program Guidance Element What You Need to Know
Is This Degree Right For Me?
Program Requirement Notes
Program Requirement Notes

Applicants must do the following:

  • Comply with all general admission requirements for Health Sciences Programs.
  • View a mandatory EMS department information session. Contact Program Admisnitrative Assistant or check the website for further details: www.nvcc.edu/medical.
  • Be 16 years of age for the EMT-Basic training (first semester); must be 18 years of age or older for Paramedic training.
  • Hold, at a minimum, a high school or general equivalency diploma. Students may apply for dual enrollment for attendance during the first semester.
  • During the 1st semester of the program, students must qualify for ENG 111or higher.
  • Have attained a 2.0 GPA at the last school attended. Dual enrollment students must maintain 2.0 GPA during concurrent high school courses.
  • Have no physical or mental impairment that would render the student unable to perform all skills required for EMS training at any level.
  • Undergo a national background check, including urine drug screening, with no record of any sexual crime and be at least five years past final release of any felony or drug-related convictions. Go to www.certifiedbackground.com, put in code '#OR21.' Bring the receipt to campus, to the EMS administrative assistant, or any EMS faculty member, for the drug screen form. Cost is approximately $100. This must be repeated annually.

Completion Requirements:

  • All courses in the program must be completed with a grade of 'C' or better before taking the next course in the sequence and to satisfy graduation requirements and in-order to be eligible for any Virginia and/or National Registry certifying examination(s).
  • After successful completion of the first semester, the following additional requirements must be achieved and maintained throughout attendance in the second through fifth semesters:
  • Present proof of personal liability insurance, with a minimum of $1,000,000 coverage.
  • Proof of insurance must remain with the student at all times, while on campus and clinical properties.
  • Provide health history and physical, including annual flu shot. Must be repeated annually.

Special Program Completion Requirements:

  • Before progressing to the Paramedic level (starting with their second semester) students must successfully attain their EMT-Basic certification.
  • All EMS courses must be taken in sequence, general studies courses may be taken in any order with the exception of BIO 141 which is required, with a grade of 'C' or better, prior to beginning of Paramedic level studies (semester two).
  • Students who receive an 'I' (incomplete) grade in any of the courses in the EMS sequence must resolve the incomplete before continuing in the EMS sequence.
  • All clinical and internship requirements must be met prior to taking any Virginia and/or National Registry certifying examination(s).

Reenrollment: Students must follow the reenrollment requirements for all Health Sciences students.

Special Accreditation Status: The Northern Virginia Community College EMS Program 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 Programs25400 US Highway 19 N., Suite 158Clearwater, FL 33763727-210-2350www.caahep.org

To contact CoAEMSP:8301 Lakeview Parkway Suite 111-312Rowlett, TX 75088214-703-8445FAX 214-703-8992www.coaemsp.org

What Should I Consider When Selecting Courses

  • Create a schedule for all required courses, pay attention to prerequisites and when courses are offered, complete your first math and English courses in your first year
  • Connect with an advisor at your community college and Northern Virginia Community College within your first year via College Connect
Are there other program requirements beyond specific courses?
Do More With Your Degree
Program Successes & Highlights
What If I Have An Associate Degree Or Credit For Prior Learning?
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Transfer Guidance Element What You Need to Know
Associate Transfer Degree Completion Students who have graduated with at least an associate or bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited United States institution of higher education are considered to have fulfilled NOVA's SDV requirement. Any other course transfers are evaluated based on the student's transcript, https://www.nvcc.edu/cro/transfercredit/index.html

Completion of Associate Degree Concurrent with High School
Credit for Prior Learning NOVA strives to provide students with opportunities to receive credit for prior learning while still maintaining the integrity of our academic programs. Credit for prior learning (CPL) generally refers to the process of granting college credit for learning gained in nontraditional. ways; https://www.nvcc.edu/prior-learning/
Did You Know That...
  • Completing your Associate transfer degree post-high school satisfies all lower division general education requirements and increases the chance of completing your bachelor's degree?
  • Exceeding 3 years or 90 credits at your community college means you may have exhausted your financial aid at that college and have limited your future financial aid at: Northern Virginia Community College
College Level Information
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Transfer Center
External Link
Transfer Admission Application
External Link
Transfer Student Aid
External Link
Number of Transfer Students
43891
College Fit Guidance What You Need to Know
Is This College Right For Me? Our classes feature up-to-date technology and course content to prepare you for a competitive job market; We also offer courses that will transfer to colleges all over Virginia and the nation. In fact, NOVA has guaranteed admission agreements with more than 40 colleges and universities for students who meet specific requirements.
Transfer Student Catalog Year Catalog year is determined by first semester of program placement.
First Year Student Catalog Year Catalog year is determined by first semester of program placement.
Applying for Guaranteed Admissions https://www.nvcc.edu/gaa/
Where Can This Degree Transfer
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This section displays degrees most closely related to this program and to which you may be able to transfer. Please click the degree name to visit that program page.
Institution Title Degree Award Name Award Level
Virginia Highlands Community CollegeAssociate in Applied Science Degree in Emergency Medical ServicesAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-Year
Blue Ridge Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science Degree in Emergency Medical Services (EMS)AssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-Year
J Sargeant Reynolds Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science in Emergency Medical Services-ParamedicAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-Year
Central Virginia Community CollegeAAS in Emergency Medical Services - ParamedicAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-Year
Brightpoint Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science Degree in Emergency Medical Services - ParamedicAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-Year
Laurel Ridge Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science Degree in Emergency Medical ServicesAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-Year
Southside Virginia Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science with a major in Emergency Medical ServicesAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-Year
Southwest Virginia Community College Associate of Applied Science Degree in Emergengy Medical Services TechnologyAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-Year
Virginia Peninsula Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science in Emergency Medical ServicesAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-Year
Tidewater Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science - Emergency Medical ServicesAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-Year
Patrick & Henry Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science Degree in Emergency Medical Services - ParamedicAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-Year
Piedmont Virginia Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science in Emergency Medical ServicesAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-Year
Mountain Empire Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science Degree in Emergency Medical Services TechnologyAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-Year
Careers Where This Degree Applies
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O*Net Code Name Description Parent
29-2042.00Emergency Medical TechniciansAssess injuries and illnesses and administer basic emergency medical care. May transport injured or sick persons to medical facilities.Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations
25-1071.00Health Specialties Teachers, PostsecondaryTeach courses in health specialties, in fields such as dentistry, laboratory technology, medicine, pharmacy, public health, therapy, and veterinary medicine.Educational Instruction and Library Occupations
29-2043.00ParamedicsAdminister basic or advanced emergency medical care and assess injuries and illnesses. May administer medication intravenously, use equipment such as EKGs, or administer advanced life support to sick or injured individuals.Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations