The Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Paramedical Technology provides students with the fundamental knowledge and skills needed to enter the field of prehospital emergency medicine as an entry-level paramedic. Paramedics provide care to acutely ill or injured patients under the medical authority of licensed physicians.
The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) upon the recommendation of the Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Professions (CoAEMSP) accredits the Paramedic Program through University of Alaska Anchorage Kenai Peninsula College, with Mat-Su College serving as an alternate location for skills labs of the accredited program.
Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
25400 U.S. Highway 19 North, Suite 158
Clearwater, FL 33763
Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Professions (CoAEMSP)
8301 Lakeview Parkway, Suite 111-312
Rowlett TX 75088
(214) 703-8445
FAX (214) 703-8992
Licensure and/or Certification
Graduates of the AAS in Paramedical Technology are eligible to take the National Registry Paramedic Certification (NREMT) exam.
This program is designed to meet the educational requirements for professional licensure or certification in the State of Alaska. However, the program might not meet the educational requirements for professional licensure or certification in other states. Please see UAA’s Licensure and Certification website for more information.
Admission Requirements
- Complete the Admission Requirements for Associate Degrees.
- A cumulative high school or postsecondary GPA of 2.5
- 3 years of high school science, with a recommendation for Anatomy and Physiology or Human Biology, or the postsecondary equivalent
- 3 years of high school math, with an emphasis on algebra, trigonometry, geometry, and analysis, or the postsecondary equivalent
- Current National Registry EMT or Advanced EMT or State of Alaska EMT-1, EMT-2, EMT-3 or Advanced EMT certificate
- Current Healthcare Provider or equivalent CPR certification
- Current State Background Check
- Military DD-214 if applicable
- Complete the Paramedical Technology program application, which will be followed by an interview with the program admissions committee
Special Considerations
- Once admitted to the paramedical technology program, students are required to provide the following before beginning coursework:
- Documentation from personal physician, PA-C, or NP affirming capability to perform the physical tasks as outlined by the current National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) National EMS Standards
- Documentation of immunity to hepatitis A and B, confirmed by titer; immunity to chicken pox documented by titer, or current immunization; diphtheria/tetanus vaccination within the past 10 years (with booster required at time of expiration); freedom from active tuberculosis, documented annually by negative PPD skin test or by health examination; documentation of HIV testing annually (results not required to be submitted)
- Current Flu and COVID 19 immunizations if required
- Proof of having been found free of federally illegal drugs
- Before starting clinical rotations students must provide:
- A national-level FBI criminal background check
- Proof of medical insurance
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Students enrolled in clinical courses must provide their own transportation to clinical assignments and will be required to purchase uniforms and specialized equipment.
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Students will be required to complete a 480-hour field internship outside of the state of Alaska for completion of the program and degree.
Graduation Requirements
- Complete the General University Requirements for Associate Degrees.
- Complete the General Education Requirements for Associate of Applied Science Degrees.
- Complete the following major requirements with a minimum grade of B in all PMED courses:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | ||
| BIOL A111 & A111L | Human Anatomy and Physiology I and Human Anatomy and Physiology I Lab | 4 |
| BIOL A112 & A112L | Human Anatomy and Physiology II and Human Anatomy and Physiology II Lab | 4 |
| PMED A241 & A241L | Paramedicine I and Paramedicine I Lab | 8 |
| PMED A242 | Clinical Rotation I | 4 |
| PMED A253 & A253L | Paramedicine II and Paramedicine II Lab | 8 |
| PMED A254 | Clinical Rotation II | 4 |
| PMED A263 & A263L | Paramedicine III and Paramedicine III Lab | 8 |
| PMED A264 | Clinical Rotation III | 4 |
| PMED A295 | Paramedic Internship | 12 |
| Total | 56 | |
A minimum of 68 credits is required for the degree.
Program Student Learning Outcomes
The current NHTSA National EMS Education Standards for paramedic training covers 14 learning outcomes and the Associate of Applied Science in Paramedical Technology follows that curriculum.
Program accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Programs (CAAHEP) and professional certification exams by the National Registry of EMT’s (NREMT) are based on the following student learning outcomes:
1. Integrate knowledge of EMS systems, safety/well-being of the paramedic, and medical/legal and ethical issues intended to improve the health of EMS personnel, patients, and the community.
2. Integrate a knowledge of the anatomy and physiology of all human systems.
3. Integrate anatomical and medical terminology and abbreviations into written and oral communication with colleagues and other health care professionals.
4. Integrate knowledge of pathophysiology of major human systems.
5. Integrate knowledge of life span development.
6. Apply knowledge of principles of public health and epidemiology including public health emergencies, health promotion, and illness and injury prevention.
7. Integrate knowledge of pharmacology to formulate a treatment plan intended to mitigate emergencies and improve the overall health of the patient.
8. Integrate knowledge of anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology into the assessment to develop and implement a treatment plan with the goal of assuring a patent airway, adequate mechanical ventilation, and respiration for patients of all ages.
9. Integrate scene and patient assessment findings with knowledge of epidemiology and pathophysiology to form a field impression including developing a list of differential diagnoses through clinical reasoning to modify the assessment and formulate a treatment plan.
10. Integrate assessment findings with principles of epidemiology and pathophysiology to formulate a field impression and implement a treatment/disposition plan for a patient with a medical complaint.
11. Integrate knowledge of causes and pathophysiology into the management of cardiac arrest and peri-arrest states.
12. Integrate assessment findings with principles of epidemiology and pathophysiology to formulate a field impression to implement a treatment/disposition plan for an acutely injured patient.
13. Integrate assessment findings with principles of pathophysiology and knowledge of psychosocial needs to formulate a field impression and implement a treatment/disposition plan for patients with special needs.
14. Integrate knowledge of operational roles and responsibilities to ensure safe patient, public, and personnel safety.
Sample Plan
The academic plan below is one pathway through the degree/certificate. It includes all requirements, taking into account recommendations from program faculty. Each student’s plan may vary according to their initial course placement, intended course load, additional majors and/or minors, and their placement into required prerequisite courses. Any change in the plan below can have an unforeseen impact on the rest of the plan. Therefore, it is very important to meet with your academic advisor to verify your personal academic plan.
Please review the following terms, definitions, and resources associated with the sample academic plan below.
- Each course in the far left column links to a pop-up bubble with a course description, prerequisite requirements, and associations with university requirements. For example, if a course fulfills a general education requirement, you will see that in the pop-up bubble.
- GER: indicates a General Education Requirement. GERs that also count toward degree/certificate requirements appear as a specific course in the plan. For these courses, "GER" is not indicated explicitly in the table, but if you click on the course, you will see the course's GER status in the pop-up bubble.
- Program Elective: indicates a specific course selection determined by program faculty to fulfill a degree/certificate requirement. Students should seek assistance from their academic advisor.
- Elective: indicates an open selection of 100-400 level university courses to fulfill elective credits needed to meet the minimum total credits toward the degree/certificate.
- Upper Division Program Elective: indicates a specific 300-400 level course selection determined by the program faculty to fulfill a degree/certificate requirement. Students should seek assistance from their academic advisor.
- Upper Division Elective: indicates an open selection of 300-400 level courses to fulfill elective credits needed to meet the minimum total credits toward the degree/certificate. These courses must be upper division in order to meet General University Requirements for the particular degree/certificate type.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| EMT A130 | Emergency Medical Technician I (if needed) 1 | 8 |
| BIOL A111 & A111L | Human Anatomy and Physiology I and Human Anatomy and Physiology I Lab | 4 |
| GER Written Communication Skills | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| BIOL A112 & A112L | Human Anatomy and Physiology II and Human Anatomy and Physiology II Lab | 4 |
| GER Oral Communication Skills | 3 | |
| GER Quantitative Skills (MATH A105) | 3 | |
| GER Written Communication Skills | 3 | |
| Credits | 13 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| PMED A241 & A241L | Paramedicine I and Paramedicine I Lab | 8 |
| PMED A242 | Clinical Rotation I | 4 |
| Credits | 12 | |
| Spring | ||
| PMED A253 & A253L | Paramedicine II and Paramedicine II Lab | 8 |
| PMED A254 | Clinical Rotation II | 4 |
| Credits | 12 | |
| Summer | ||
| PMED A263 & A263L | Paramedicine III and Paramedicine III Lab | 8 |
| PMED A264 | Clinical Rotation III | 4 |
| Credits | 12 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| PMED A295 | Paramedic Internship | 12 |
| Credits | 12 | |
| Total Credits | 76 | |
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For students who do not meet the admission requirement of current EMT certification. See the catalog.