Mar 28, 2024  
2012-2013 Gaston College Catalog 
    
2012-2013 Gaston College Catalog [THIS CATALOG IS OUT-OF-DATE. USE THE CURRENT CATALOG TO FIND CURRENT PROGRAMS.]

Emergency Medical Services, Bridging Program, A.A.S. (A45340)


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The EMS Bridging Program is a degree completion program developed to allow current certified non-degree Paramedics to earn a two-year Associate of Applied Science Degree in Emergency Medical Science by completing major courses including Rescue Scene Management, EMS Management, and all other related course requirements for this degree. The courses in this program are either completely on-line or Hybrid On-line allowing students to complete the courses through distance education.

Admission Information


Students applying for admission to the Gaston College Emergency Medical Science Program MUST meet the following requirements for GENERAL ADMISSION to the college:

  1. Complete and submit an application online or onsite at the admissions office located on the Dallas, NC campus, 2nd floor of the Myers Center.
  2. Request your high school to mail an official transcript to the Gaston College Office of Admissions. Other documentation to submit in place of a high transcript include an official Adult High School diploma, official copy of GED scores, official transcript from an accredited correspondence school/institution, or an official transcript from Home School.
  3. Request that all colleges/universities previously attended submit official transcripts to the Gaston College Office of Admissions to receive points for admission in the Emergency Medical Science - Paramedic Program.
  4. Take placement test as determined by the Gaston College Office of Admissions. If you have taken the Accuplacer (CPT), COMPASS, and/or ASSET with the last 5 (five) years at another college or university, please request that the scores be submitted to the Admissions Office.
  5. Complete the New Student Orientation.
  6. Meet with an academic advisor or program director from the Department for EMS Education.
  7. Provide proof of English proficiency. This may be established by making a minimum total score of 6 (Internet Based), 207 (computer based), or 540 (paper based) on the Test for English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).
  8. Complete an application for the Associate Degree Emergency Medical Science - Paramedic Program. This form is available in the Department for EMS Education, APS 104.

Additional Requirements to enter the program


  • Must be currently certified as an active Paramedic
  • Must document at least 1,000 hours of direct patient contact in the EMS field.
  • Meet the equivalent or take MAT 060, or DMA 010, DMA 020, and DMA 030.
  • Meet the equivalent or take ENG 090/090A and RED 090.

Students Admitted to the Emergency Medical Science Bridging Program


In addition to maintaining a 2.0 GPA and earning a minimum grade of “C” in all EMS curriculum courses, applicants accepted into the Emergency Medical Science Bridging Program must meet the following requirements in order to enroll and continue in EMS courses:

  • An overall GPA minimum of 2.0 in college level coursework completed
  • Current state paramedic certification, EMS continuing education records, and current Basic Life Support CPR certification*, current ACLS provider*, current PEPP or PALS provider*, ITLS or PHTLS course or equivalent.* Copies of certification cards and continuing education records during the certification period must be submitted to the EMS Department Chair.
  • Current or past affiliation with an ALS system as evidenced by the signature of the director of the EMS agency with which the paramedic is affiliated and must document 1,000 patient hours.
  • Must submit current certifications and copies of cards to the Department for EMS Education while enrolled in the EMS bridging program.
  • NREMT-P Registration required to receive transfer credit for Paramedic Continuing Education Program prior to graduation.
  • May receive experiential credit for EMS 140 with official proof of Technical Rescuer certificate from the NC Fire and Rescue Commission.

The above certifications and experience will provide credit hours of experimental credit toward the A.A.S degree in EMS. The semester hours represent the major area (EMS) courses required fro EMT-Basic, EMT-intermediate, and Paramedic certification that are not requirements of the Emergency Medical Science Bridging Program.

Twenty (20) hour residency requirement to graduate from Gaston College.

Total Semester Hour Credits: 31


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