The first baccalaureate paramedic Program in the nation, Western Carolina University's
EMC Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education
Programs through the Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the EMS
Professions. Currently, WCU is one of only 20 institutions in the nation offering
the Bachelor of Science degree in Emergency Medical Care. Students may apply to either
the residential program in Cullowhee or the online distance education program. Current
paramedic certification is required for entry into the distance education program.
Students may choose one of two available concentrations: health management or science
(pre-med). Program graduates may pursue careers as paramedics, educators, physicians,
physician assistants, and EMS administrators.
Students learn from outstanding faculty members and enjoy the benefits of small class
sizes, and hospital and ambulance clinical experiences. All students complete clinical
rotations at hospital critical care units, emergency departments and operating rooms,
as well as in rural, suburban and urban EMS systems. The core curriculum includes
two semesters of Anatomy and Physiology, two semesters of Chemistry, Cardiology, Pharmacology,
Medical Emergencies, Trauma, and additional EMC courses. The health management concentration
includes additional courses such as Quality Assurance and Health Care Finance, while
the science concentration includes physics, organic chemistry, and biology.
Where You'll Go
Graduates of the Program pursue careers as hospital administrators and EMS directors,
training officers and consultants, paramedic educators, researchers, while others
may choose to continue their education at medical, physician assistant, or graduate
school. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of healthcare
practitioners and technical occupations, including emergency medical technicians and
paramedics, is expected to grow by 21.5 percent between 2012 and 2022, which is much
faster than the 10.8 percent average predicted for all occupations and very good news
for program graduates!
More About Our Emergency Medical Care (EMC) Program
The first Baccalaureate Emergency Medical Care (EMC) program in the nation, WCU's
EMC 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 EMS Professions (CoAEMSP). The Program is one of the only institutions in
the nation offering a unique Bachelor of Science (BS) degree dedicated to pre-hospital
providers. Program options include both a residential program on our Cullowhee campus and an online option that’s convenient for working professionals. To participate in the Online (Distance)
program, students must provide proof of state or National Registry paramedic certification,
or completion of U.S. Army SOCM or 18D MOS.
WCU’s EMC program offers two concentrations: Health Management for leadership roles in EMS and healthcare, and Clinical Science for students pursuing medical or advanced health professions. With 100% paramedic
exam pass rates and strong career placement, our graduates excel in emergency medicine
and beyond.
Paramedics and EMTs are the front-line in the on-going efforts to improve the emergency
health care delivery system in America.
Approximately two thirds of our students in the EMC Online Program are working professionals
who take undergraduate courses online to fit into their work/life schedule.
