Emergency Medical Services

Emergency Medical Responders (EMRs), Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) and Paramedics are often among the first to respond to accidents and other events where serious, life-threatening injuries occur. Columbia College's Emergency Medical Services (EMS) program offers a range of education, from everyday emergency first aid to EMT training, to equip interested students with a range of occupational skills to help them help others and save lives.

CPR and First Aid is offered for the lay rescuer.

Core Emergency Medical Services (EMS) classes include:

  • Emergency Medical Responder and CPR
  • Emergency Medical Technician Training
  • Human Anatomy
  • Human Physiology

Related Electives include:

  • Basic Cardiology and Cardiac Dysrhythmias
  • Work Experience in Emergency Medical Services
  • Conversational Medical Spanish for Emergency Health Care Providers
  • Medical Terminology

All EMS faculty members are either paramedics, emergency medical technicians, registered nurses, or medical doctors. They will teach you valuable skills that can be learned for a specific job, or applied as steps for advancement toward a career in emergency medical services, including preparation for local, state, and national training guidelines and certification exams. Qualified EMS students can gain work experience units for paid or volunteer service hours.

EMS Majors go into a variety of careers. Some examples are:

At the Certificate Level: At the Associate's Level: With Additional Training or Bachelors Level:
EMT EMT Instructor Flight Medic or Nurse
First Responder Disaster/Trauma Management EMS Supervisor or Administrator
Professional Rescuer CPR Support for RN, FNP or PA, Triage Paramedic
Support for Firefighter, Government, & Industrial Employment Emergency Department Technician ER Physician
Ambulance Services    


Please see a counselor for major preparation and general education that will best meet your specific goals.

AA-T/AS-T = Associates of Arts/Science Degree for Transfer Earned by completing requirements in the academic major, a transfer general education pattern, and a total of 60 transferable units that would be the typical first two years of a 4-year degree; provides a clear transfer pathway to CSU.
AA/AS = Associate of Arts/Science Degree Earned by completing requirements in the academic major, a general education pattern, and a total of 60 degree-applicable units.
COA = Certificate of Achievement Formally recognizes a student’s competence in a program of study and prepares students for employment in a career/technical field. Also available for completion of a General Education Pattern for transfer. Will appear on the student’s academic transcript.
SAC = Skills Attainment Certificate Prepares students for employment with experience in specific career/technical fields. Do not appear on official transcripts.
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