Course Descriptions

The list below is NOT a complete list of program courses and shows courses taught in the previous, current, and two future terms. View complete degree/certificate requirements and course offerings by clicking the links below.


EMS 100 - Basic Emergency Patient Care - 1.00 credits

Overview of the Emergency Medical Services system. Current cardiopulmonary resuscitation skills, including adult, child, and infant resuscitation according to American Heart Association standards. Medical, traumatic, and environmental emergencies review. (Successful completion of the course qualifies the student for the Basic Life Support Course Certification.)

EMS 110 - First Responder - 3.00 credits

Overview of the Emergency Medical Services system. Recognizing the mechanisms of injury. Patient assessment and management techniques. Patient packaging techniques for evacuation.

EMS 150 - Emergency Medical Technician - Basic - 8.00 credits

Prerequisite: The student must be 18 years old by the end of the course and must hold a high school diploma or GED. Basic life support and emergency care. Signs, symptoms and procedures of field management for emergency medical situation. Clinical observations. Successful completion makes student eligible to take the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians examination for EMT-Basic. (State licensure as an EMT-Basic is the responsibility of the student after successful completion of the Nation Registration.)

EMS 154 - Foundations - 1.00 credits

Prerequisite: Missouri licensed EMT or equivalent from another state and formal acceptance to the paramedic program. This course introduces the roles, wellness, safety, and responsibilities of the paramedic. Introduction to the legal and ethical issues for the paramedic. Overview of public health and lifespan development

EMS 159 - Advanced Patient Assessment - 2.00 credits

Prerequisites: Missouri licensed EMT or equivalent from another state and formal acceptance to the paramedic program. This course builds on the foundation of the Emergency Medical Technician assessment techniques. Students will gain knowledge necessary to perform various assessment techniques and obtain history pertinent to formulating a patient diagnosis.

EMS 168 - Paramedic Laboratory I - 3.00 credits

Prerequisite: Missouri licensed EMT or equivalent from another state and formal acceptance to the paramedic program. This course develops the student’s ability to perform basic and advanced pre-hospital emergency medical procedures.

EMS 176 - Airway and Respiratory Management - 1.00 credits

Prerequisites: Missouri licensed EMT or equivalent from another state and formal acceptance to the paramedic program. This course integrates a complex knowledge of anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology into the patient assessment to develop and implement a treatment plan.

EMS 192 - Pharmacology - 3.00 credits

Prerequisite: Missouri licensed EMT or equivalent from another state and formal acceptance to the paramedic program. This course introduces the student to the medications used in the prehospital management of medical and traumatic emergencies.

EMS 201 - Clinical Research and Documentation - 1.00 credits

Prerequisite: HLSC 108 or BIOL 109 or BIOL 110 and BIOL 210, EMS 154, 159, 168, 176, 192 with a grade of C or better. This course introduces the student to the clinical setting through orientation and research principles to interpret literature and advocate evidence-based practice. The student is also introduced to the principles of medical document writing and report writing.

EMS 212 - Cardiology - 3.00 credits

Prerequisite: HLSC 108 or BIOL 109 or BIOL 110 and BIOL 210, EMS 154, 159, 168, 176, 192 with a grade of C or better. This course provides an in depth review of cardiac anatomy and physiology. Students will gain knowledge in advanced cardiac assessment, electrocardiographic monitoring, and appropriate patient management techniques.

EMS 214 - Paramedic Laboratory II - 3.00 credits

Prerequisite: HLSC 108 or BIOL 109 or BIOL 110 and BIOL 210, EMS 154, 159, 168, 176, 192 with a grade of C or better. This course transitions the students ability to implement basic and advanced pre-hospital emergency procedures into scenario-based treatments.

EMS 216 - Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) - 1.00 credits

Prerequisites: EMS 212 with a grade of C or better. This American Heart Association (AHA) course prepares the student to treat and manage cardiovascular emergencies. Upon successful completion of this course students will receive certification as an Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) provider.

EMS 218 - Medical Emergencies - 3.00 credits

Prerequisite: HLSC 108 or BIOL 109 or BIOL 110 and BIOL 210, EMS 154, 159, 168, 176, 192 with a grade of C or better. This course provides an in depth review of human anatomy and physiology. Students will gain knowledge in pathophysiology within the human body and management of non-traumatic medical emergencies.

EMS 224 - Trauma Management - 1.00 credits

Prerequisite: HLSC 108 or BIOL 109 or BIOL 110 and BIOL 210, EMS 154, 159, 168, 176, 192 with a grade of C or better. This course provides an in depth review of human anatomy and physiology. Students will gain knowledge in pathophysiology within the human body and management of traumatic injuries.

EMS 230 - Special Patient Populations - 1.00 credits

Prerequisite: HLSC 108 or BIOL 109 or BIOL 110 and BIOL 210, EMS 154, 159, 168, 176, 192. This course prepares the student to assess and treat the pregnant patient as well manage emergency childbirth. The student will also develop the knowledge and skills necessary to manage gynecological, pediatric, geriatric, and other patients with special challenges.

EMS 236 - Paramedic Laboratory III - 3.00 credits

Prerequisite: EMS 212, 214, and 216 with a grade of C or better. This course integrates all preceding didactic and laboratory emergency medical services courses into the patient care setting. Students are challenged to think critically about patient assessment and to develop patient management and leadership skills.

EMS 254 - Paramedic Clinical - 6.00 credits

Prerequisite: EMS 212, 214, 216 with a grade of C or better. This course provides the student a supervised experience in a clinical setting. Students learn the practical application of assessment and procedure techniques while working with interdisciplinary healthcare professionals in various clinical settings.

EMS 258 - Paramedic Field Internship - 10.00 credits

Prerequisite: EMS 236 , EMS 254 with a grade of C or better. This course offers a supervised clinical experience in a field setting. Students implement the practical application of assessment and procedure techniques while developing professional team leadership abilities in a prehospital setting.

EMS 280 - Advanced Medical Life Support (AMLS) - 1.00 credits

Prerequisites: EMS 218 with a grade of C or better. This National Association of EMT’s (NAEMT) course prepares the student to treat and manage complex medical patients in the prehospital setting. Upon successful completion of this course students will receive certification as a Advanced Medical Life Support (AMLS) provider.

EMS 284 - Prehospital Trauma Life Support (PHTLS) - 1.00 credits

Prerequisites: EMS 224 with a grade of C or better. This National Association of EMT’s (NAEMT) course prepares the student to treat and manage trauma patients in the prehospital setting. Upon successful completion of this course students will receive certification as a Prehospital Trauma Life Support (PHTLS) provider.

EMS 286 - Pediatric Emergency Care - 1.00 credits

Prerequisites: EMS 230 with a grade of C or better. This course will provide the student the opportunity to learn advanced pediatric assessment and skills. The students will use different assessment skills, and learn how to access, treat, and package the pediatric patient. The course will follow the national standards. Upon successful completion of the program, the students will receive certification as a pediatric provider.