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

Admission Information

Admission to the general college does not guarantee admission to the Emergency Medical Science - Bridging Program. Students applying for admission to the Gaston College Emergency Medical Science - Bridging Program MUST meet the Gaston College admission requirements.

Additional Requirements to enter the program

1. Meet with an academic advisor or program director from the Department for EMS Education.
2. Provide proof of English proficiency. This may be established by making a minimum total score of six (Internet Based), 207 (computer based), or 540 (paper based) on the Test for English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).
3. Complete an application for the Associate Degree Emergency Medical Science - Paramedic Program. This form is available in the Department for EMS Education, APS 104.
4. Must be currently certified as an active Paramedic.
5. Must document at least 1,000 hours of direct patient contact in the EMS field.
6. Meet the equivalent or take DMA 030.
7. Meet the equivalent or take DRE 098.

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:

1. Submit application for program acceptance.
2. An overall GPA minimum of 2.0 in college level coursework completed
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. Must submit current certifications to the Department for EMS Education while enrolled in the EMS bridging program.
6. NREMT-P Registration required to receive experiential credit for Paramedic Continuing Education Program prior to graduation.
7. 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.

Major Courses

• BIO 168 Anatomy and Physiology I (4 Credit Hours)
• BIO 169 Anatomy and Physiology II (4 Credit Hours)
• BIO 275 Microbiology (4 Credit Hours)
• EMS 140 Rescue Scene Management (2 Credit Hours)
• EMS 235 EMS Management (2 Credit Hours)
• EMS 280 EMS Bridging Course (3 Credit Hours)
• ENG 111 Writing and Inquiry (3 Credit Hours)
• ENG 112 Writing/Research in the Disciplines (3 Credit Hours)
• PSY 150 General Psychology (3 Credit Hours)
• Humanities Elective (3 Credit Hours)

Total Program Hours: 31