Herkimer County Community College Paramedic Degree Program
Associates in Applied Science Degree

As Emergency Medical Services (EMS) evolves as a profession, and the complexity of out-of-hospital emergency medical care increases, the need for college prepared entry-level EMS providers is becoming increasingly more evident.

Bassett Healthcare and Herkimer County Community College, in a unique partnership, have created a degree program that prepares the EMS student for a paramedic practice both today and in the future.

It's about options and opportunities!

Students interested in an Associates Degree have several options. They can elect to take the clinical year first, obtain their certificate and work immediately in the field as a paramedic as they complete their degree work or they can elect to take the academic year first and obtain both their certificate and their degree in the second year.

Each option permits the student to complete the coursework within two years and prepares the student for certification as a Nationally Registered Paramedic and as a New York State Paramedic.

Interested students are encouraged to go to Herkimer County Community College's webpage at http://www.hccc.ntcnet.com/academics/emt_paramedic.htm for specific information on how to enroll in this exciting program.

Option A - Academic Preparation

The student spends his or her first year in academic preparation for the clinical year. For the student with no previous Emergency Medical Service (EMS) experience this is an excellent option.

The non-EMT student may choose to take the Emergency Medical Technician-Basic (EMT-B) course in the first semester, and practice as an EMT for one year before entering the paramedic program.

In every case, the student who completes the academic year first is in an excellent position to excel in the clinical year.

Option B - Bassett Healthcare Clinical

The student's choice is to do the clinical year first. This option permits the student the opportunity to become certified as a paramedic and to begin working in the field while completing the reminder of the degree requirements.

It must be emphasized that if the student chooses this option then they must meet the entrance requirements for the Paramedic Program, including one year equivalent experience as an EMT as well as an anatomy class.