University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center
The Academy’s EMT Paramedic Program has been accredited by the American Medical Association’s Joint Review Committee (JRC) and CoAEMSP (Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Professions) since 1988 and . The EMS Academy is only one of 88 programs in the country that have received full JRC accreditation.
Our BS in EMS is offered through the University of New Mexico School of Medicine. Our unique program is part of the Department of Emergency Medicine within the UNM School of Medicine. This allows our students exceptional opportunities to be mentored by Emergency Medicine faculty and residents, and to participate in research.
Program Design
The focal point of the BS in EMS program is the core paramedic training courses. Course content is based on the current Paramedic National Standard Curriculum, and the program is fully accredited by the Committee on Accreditation of EMS Programs. These courses are taught by nationally recognized faculty, who have extensive background in the delivery of prehospital care. The courses include classroom and laboratory work, as well as clinical experiences in area hospitals and EMS agencies.
Students pursuing the BS in EMS select 1 of 3 concentrations in their program of study: clinical care, EMS administration, or EMS education. The concentrations consist of both additional EMS coursework and coursework from other departments in the University.
Our faculty uses a variety of teaching-learning methods to assist students in achieving program objectives, including problem-based learning (PBL). PBL is an innovative, interactive methodology adopted by many medical schools. Instructors also use projects and assignments that promote achievement of program objectives, and interactive class and laboratory sessions
The BS in EMS offers options for beginning students, as well as for practicing EMS providers and those with associate’s degrees in EMS who wish to complete a bachelor’s degree program. There are separate application processes for admission to the University of New Mexico and admission to the paramedic core courses. For questions related to University and program admissions, contact our academic advisor. Prospective students may obtain a paramedic application packet by calling (505) 272-5757. The priority deadline for applications is April 30. Classes begin in August, according to the UNM academic calendar, and end the following August.
Many of our upper-divisional courses are available on-line for students outside the UNM area. Students who desire to complete the BS in EMS from a distance must have transferable credits from another educational institution that meet the requirements for general education, EMT-Basic, and the paramedic core courses. Students then complete upper-division course work in EMS by distance education. There are no concentrations available via distance education. Instead, students receive a well-rounded education in several important areas of EMS. A minimum of 38 credit hours must be taken through our program in order to be eligible for the BS in EMS degree. For more information, contact our academic advisor.
Our paramedic core courses are also open to students seeking paramedic certification without college credit. However, college level anatomy and physiology are pre-requisite to this program. Prospective students may obtain an application packet by calling (505) 272-5757. The priority deadline for applications is April 11 of the year you plan to start. Classes begin in August, according to the UNM academic calendar, and end the following August.
We offer traditional paramedic refresher courses, as well as a hybrid of on-line and classroom coursework. For more information, call Linda Ferranti at (505) 272-5757, or lferrant@unm.edu . In addition, look for unique continuing education options in the upcoming year. For information on ACLS and PALS, contact Ryan Maloney at (505) 272-5757 or rmaloney@salud.unm.edu .
Admission to the program is based on a battery of admissions testing scheduled through the Academy. Enrollment targets the personnel needs of New Mexico EMS services.
The Academy offers instruction in prehospital provider courses and refreshers at the First Responder, EMT-Paramedic levels. A variety of special courses are taught as well: EMT-Instructor, Vehicular Extrication, Wilderness EMT